Medical College grad school dean Bill Hendee to retire

Wauwatosa, Wis. - William R. Hendee will retire effective June 30 as dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and devote more time to editing a leading scientific journal.

Hendee, who also will retire as president of the MCW Research Foundation, announced his retirement on June 19. While the Medical College conducts a national search for a permanent successor it is likely to look inside the organization for interim replacements to head the graduate school, which trains teachers and researchers, and the research foundation, which promotes the transfer of the school's discoveries into commercial ventures.

Hendee, who now devotes about 25 percent of his working hours to editing Medical Physics, wants to devote more of his professional energies to the publication and to a new radiation and oncology initiative he's orchestrating.

Medical Physics is a leading international physics and biophysics journal that requires Hendee to read and process manuscripts on a daily basis. "I want to spend more time editing," he said, "and I will work on that for several more years."

Hendee, himself, has authored or co-authored more than 360 scientific articles and 24 books, and he serves on the editorial boards of several other scientific journals. Meanwhile, the radiation and oncology initiative, a national effort, is designed to enhance the understanding physicians have of the underlying science behind the medical imaging devices they use. It will involve the many different science and professional organizations related to medical imaging.

Hendee also might also teach classes at the Medical College, but he's really looking forward to devoting time to interests outside the realm of science, including classical opera, the works of modern playwrights, and his seven grandchildren.

"I think I'll have plenty of things to occupy my time," he stated.

Biotechnology leader

Hendee's retirement is the second major change in a metropolitan Milwaukee technology organization in as many weeks. Earlier this month, Brian Thompson announced he was leaving TechStar, an organization that Hendee helped establish, to become senior adviser for research and strategic initiatives for the UWM Foundation.

Hendee has been outspoken advocate for building a biotechnology industry in southeastern Wisconsin. With the Medical College, he has served as dean of the Graduate School of biomedical Sciences since January of 1995, overseeing a three-fold increase in enrollment and the establishment of new graduate programs in bio and medical informatics, healthcare technologies management, and an interdisciplinary program for entering PhD students.

In addition to his work with TechStar, Hendee has worked to build the Biomedical Technology Alliance, which was formed to promote collaboration between academic research institutions and industry in southeastern Wisconsin. In May, the alliance announced $1 million in grants for collaborative research among five colleges in the region.

Hendee said he would continue to support those organizations, but made it clear the torch has passed. "I won't be as involved in regional activities as I have in the past," he said, "but those organizations are under strong leadership."

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