Garvey Wins Distinguished Alumni Award from University at Buffalo Medical Alumni Association

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Honored for his service to the University at Buffalo, the community and the medical profession, Ronald "Skip" Garvey, M.D. '53, chairman for Brit Systems, Inc., has received the UB Medical Alumni Association's Distinguished Alumni Award.

Margaret W. Paroski, interim dean of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and UB interim vice president of health affairs, praised Garvey as "dedicated to both the medical profession and this institution, demonstrating leadership in all that he undertakes.

"Skip also is a wonderful role model for our students, achieving great success as a doctor, teacher and mentor," she added, "I'm delighted to have this opportunity to publicly recognize a physician of his stature."

Paroski noted that as chair of the medical school's fund-raising committee during "The Campaign for UB: Generation to Generation," which raised more than $291 million, Garvey provided her with invaluable support and direction.

Born in Olean, N.Y., Garvey has enjoyed a long and exemplary career in medicine, health administration and teaching. Receiving a bachelor's degree from Harvard College in 1949, he earned his medical degree from UB in 1953 and master's degree in health care administration from the University of Dallas in 1986.

During his career, he has served as a flight surgeon in the U.S. Air Force, a research fellow at the National Institutes of Health and faculty member and administrator at the University of Texas Southwestern. Garvey maintained a private practice in surgery from 1961-83 and was team physician for the Dallas Cowboys from 1963-72 and a consultant for the team from 1972-93.

From 1997-98, Garvey served as interim director and then as president of the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler from 1998-2002. In May 2003, he was named president emeritus of the university by the University of Texas, System Board of Regents.

Over the years, Garvey has received numerous awards and honors. In 1991, the Health Level Seven Commission presented him with the "Industry Pioneer Award," and in 1996 the Zale Lipshy University Hospital presented him with the Ralph Rogers Award for his work as an Outstanding Board Member Volunteer.

In 1998, Garvey received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Dallas Alumni Association. That same year, the UB Medical Alumni Association honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Throughout his career, Garvey has served in various leadership capacities with numerous organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Catholic Family Services, the Visiting Nurses Association of Dallas, Children's Oncology Services of Texas, Dallas County Medical Society and the St. Paul Hospital Foundation. He also served as the finance chairman for the Texas Women's University Board of Regents, and as the performance improvement chair for the Zale Lipshy University Hospital Board of Directors.