Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine Names Preclinical Dean
Arthur Prancan, Ph.D., Brings 40 Years of Teaching, Administrative and Research Experience to His New Role
New York, N.Y. – Robert Goldberg, DO, executive dean of Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (TouroCOM), today announced the appointment of Arthur Prancan, Ph.D. as preclinical dean of the medical school.
Dr. Prancan, whose specialties are physiology and pharmacology, joined TouroCOM in 2008 as co-course director of the Department of Pharmacology. Since then, he has held numerous other positions at the medical school including associate professor in pharmacology and physiology, course director in pharmacology, chairman of the Department of Basic Biomedical Sciences, and director of the school’s M.S. program -- Interdisciplinary Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences -- which has produced over 250 graduates, many of whom have enrolled in TouroCOM’s DO program.
“Dr. Prancan is an exceptional medical educator, with over 40 years of teaching, administrative and research experience, who has actively contributed to the successful growth of TouroCOM in faculty, academic, administrative and research development,” said Dr. Goldberg.
As preclinical dean, among his many responsibilities Dr. Prancan oversees TouroCOM's rigorous academic curriculum that precedes clinical rotations.
“When TouroCOM opened, we put in place innovative curriculum design and data collection methods to be able to test educational theory and classroom innovation with objective analysis,” Dr. Goldberg said. “Dr. Prancan is charged with excavating this valuable data to determine best practices for the classroom and beyond. With his significant experience, he is well-equipped to help prepare TouroCOM for the next decade of medical education.”
Said Dr. Prancan, “I am delighted to be involved in the continuing development of TouroCOM as we expand from Harlem to our new campus in Middletown, with an entering student enrollment of 270 medical students and 75 master’s students per year. It is through dedicated, effective and outcome-driven faculty efforts that students can reach their highest levels of performance and thrive to become respected leaders in healthcare.”
Dr. Prancan earned his Ph.D. in physiology and biophysics in 1973 at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center and joined the faculty in the Department of Pharmacology at Rush Medical College, Chicago, the same year. While at Rush, prior to joining TouroCOM, Dr. Prancan initiated, developed and directed the Ph.D. program in pharmacology, and three M.S. programs in pharmacology and biotechnology. He also held numerous administrative positions including graduate program director, associate chairman of pharmacology, and multiple course and program directorships, as well as serving as assistant dean for the graduate college.
About the Touro College and University System
Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American and global community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris and Florida. New York Medical College, Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro University Worldwide and its Touro College Los Angeles division are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/news/.
