Dr. Norman Altman to Receive Prestigious McLamore Award
A person with the knowledge, credentials, experience, and length of service of Norman H. Altman, V.M.D., DACVP, might be forgiven for crowding his office with degrees, certificates, honors, and awards.
Yet Dr. Altman, professor of pathology and director of the Division of Comparative Pathology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is not one to indulge in ostentatious displays of success. His small office, tucked in the back of the seventh-floor Pathology Lab in the Rosenstiel Medical Sciences Building, is as unpretentious as he is, with just family photos and a poster or two on the walls.
And while Dr. Altman has just been named the 2018-2019 recipient of one of the University’s highest honors — the James W. McLamore Outstanding Service Award — he would rather direct the focus away from himself and on to the institution.
The McLamore Award, presented each year by the Faculty Senate, recognizes service above and beyond the call of duty by a member of the University community. Dr. Altman, who has spent 44-years of his career at the Miller School and played many key roles in research, education, and administration, was chosen because he “exudes every quality we hold so dear: service, character, leadership, integrity, impartiality, and humility.”
These are qualities that have served him well throughout his career. Since accepting a position as associate professor within the Department of Pathology in 1974, Dr. Altman has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to selfless service at the University of Miami. He has, quite literally, done it all, and anyone who has served the University in some capacity has most likely crossed paths with him.
During his four and a half decades at the Miller School, Dr. Altman has been director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center; director of the University Self-Study for Reaccreditation; director of the NCAA Reaccreditation; senior associate dean for Research; vice provost for Research; speaker of the Faculty Council at the Miller School; and member of the Faculty Senate.
In 2014, he was appointed ombudsperson for the Miller School, a role perfectly suited for a man with such deep institutional knowledge and an obvious passion for helping others make the most of their medical careers. Two years later, he was tapped for membership in the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor attained at the University of Miami.
At the same time, he has dedicated himself to an exhaustive list of activities at the Miller School. In addition to teaching various courses and guest-lecturing around the world, Dr. Altman has chaired or served on numerous committees over the years and published more than 100 journal articles.
A self-described “people person,” Dr. Altman said the most rewarding aspect of his work at the Miller School is “working with all of the people here — faculty, staff, and administration — and being able to help them with whatever issues they may have.”
Henri R. Ford, M.D., MHA, dean and chief academic officer of the Miller School, said that Dr. Altman’s knowledge of the Miller School has been especially helpful during his first six months on the Miller School campus.
“After arriving here in June, it quickly became apparent to me what an institutional treasure we have in Norm Altman,” said Dr. Ford. “His insights and perspective have been invaluable to me, and I believe the Faculty Senate would be hard-pressed to find anyone more deserving of this award.”
Dr. Altman finds himself in distinguished company as a McLamore Award winner. Previous recipients include such notable figures as Bernard J. Fogel, M.D., dean emeritus of the Miller School; Edward T. Foote II, past president of the University of Miami; Ambassador Charles E. Cobb, Jr., member of the University’s board of trustees; and Stuart Miller, UM trustee and former chair of the board.
Asked about his greatest contribution to the Miller School, Dr. Altman said, simply, “My various administrative roles have allowed me to have a positive impact on the Miller School’s growth and development into an outstanding, highly ranked institution.”
Pointing to the bare walls in his office, Dr. Altman said that his McLamore Award is one award that will occupy a place of honor there.
“This one is going on the walls,” he said. “It’s very special to be recognized by your colleagues, and I’m very appreciative to be honored.”
The James W. McLamore Outstanding Service Award will be presented at the Faulty Senate Awards Ceremony, in conjunction with two other Faculty Senate Awards. The ceremony is scheduled for Monday, April 8, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.