Kasovac expedites retirement as COMP dean; will develop wellness center for school district
Mitchell Kasovac, DO, FACFP, FAODME, dean of the College of Osteopathic
Medicine of the Pacific (COMP) at Western University of Health Sciences
(WesternU) since 1995, has announced his retirement from that position,
effective immediately. He will, however, remain at WesternU in a newly
created position.
Last November Dr. Kasovac had notified the University of plans to
relinquish the helm at COMP at the end of the academic year, in June of
2000. In a December 1999 statement, he explained his reasons for focusing
on new priorities.
“”My ultimate ambition was to be the dean of an osteopathic medical
school,”” said Dr. Kasovac. “”I have enjoyed five rewarding years as dean
of COMP, and I am proud of my accomplishments. There is much more I would
like to achieve – but I think there always will be. The time has come to
slow down a bit, shift back from administration to teaching and spend more
time with my family.””
Dr. Kasovac will remain at WesternU as a professor of family medicine, and
will serve in a newly created position as dean for University Community
Affairs. George Charney, DO, WesternU’s executive vice president of
academic affairs/chief academic officer, will serve as interim dean until
the position is filled.
Expediting Dr. Kasovac’s decision was an invitation from the Pomona
Unified School District (PUSD) to develop a fitness and wellness center in
a PUSD facility close to WesternU’s main campus in downtown Pomona.
“”It’s a wonderful opportunity for me to harness my experience and
WesternU’s resources in service to the health care needs of the
surrounding community,”” said Dr. Kasovac. “”It’s a win-win situation that I
couldn’t put off or walk away from.””
A former president of the American Osteopathic Association (1990-91), Dr.
Kasovac enjoys 36 years of service within the osteopathic profession,
including 26 years in Arizona. He served as chief of staff and a member of
the Board of Trustees of Phoenix General Hospital from 1969 through 1973.
He was president of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association in 1974-
75. He is a current member of the American College of Osteopathic Family
Physicians, the American Osteopathic Foundation and the American College
of Physician Executives. The 1963 graduate of the Chicago College of
Osteopathic Medicine says that he has met most of his lifelong goals, and
that recently he reassessed his priorities.
“”I’m proud of the achievements and contributions I’ve made to my
profession, and I’m thankful that I still have a significant role to play.
But the time has come to enjoy the quality time with family and colleagues
that I so often deferred over the years.””
Dr. Kasovac resides in Upland, California with his wife, Marti. They have
five children and three grandchildren.
COMP has initiated the search for a new dean and anticipates filling the
position by July. For more information, contact the media relations
department at (909) 469-5479.