Ronald R. Blanck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ronald Ray Blanck
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | October 8, 1941 Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968–2000 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | Surgeon General of the United States Army |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War Cold War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legions of Merit (3) Bronze Star Medal |
Ronald Ray Blanck (born October 8, 1941) is a very important doctor who served in the United States Army. He was the 39th Surgeon General of the United States Army from 1996 to 2000. This means he was the top doctor for the entire U.S. Army! He is special because he is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), and he is the only D.O. ever to be the Army's Surgeon General. After his military career, he also led the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth as its president.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ronald Ray Blanck was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on October 8, 1941. He went to Juniata College and then studied medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. He is certified in internal medicine, which means he is an expert in treating adult diseases.
Career Highlights
Ronald Blanck has had an amazing career, serving his country and helping many people through medicine and education.
Military Service
Dr. Blanck started his military journey in 1968. He worked as a medical officer and a doctor for soldiers during the Vietnam War. He served in the Army for 32 years. When he retired, he was the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army. This role made him the leader of the U.S. Army Medical Command. He was in charge of more than 46,000 military medical staff and 26,000 civilian employees all around the world.
During his time in the military, he held many important positions. He was the commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a very famous military hospital. He also led medical commands in different regions and was the Director of Professional Services for the Army Surgeon General. He helped teach future doctors at the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine.
Work in Education
After leaving the Army, Dr. Blanck continued to share his knowledge. He taught at several universities, including Georgetown University and George Washington University.
From 2000 to 2006, he was the president of the UNT Health Science Center. This center includes different schools for future doctors, scientists, and public health experts. He helped guide these schools to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Consulting and Advisory Roles
Dr. Blanck is also a partner and chairman at Martin, Blanck & Associates. This company helps both private businesses and the government with healthcare advice. He is often asked for his advice on important topics like how to prepare for serious health emergencies or how to respond to large-scale incidents. He has led groups focused on preparing the medical community for such events.
Awards and Recognition
Dr. Blanck has received many honors for his service. His military awards include the Distinguished Service Medals and the Bronze Star Medal. These awards show his bravery and dedication.
In 2000, the American Medical Association gave him their highest award for government officials, the Dr. Nathan Davis Award. This award recognized his great contributions. He has also been a leader in many medical organizations, helping to improve healthcare and medical education.
In late 2022, he was chosen to be the interim president of FAIMER. This organization helps advance medical education around the world.
Personal Life
In the 2024 United States presidential election, Dr. Blanck supported Kamala Harris.
