Overseers to Name Wacker As the New UHS Director

The Board of Overseers is expected to confirm today Dr. Warren E. C. Wacker, associate professor of Medicine, as the successor to Dr. Dana L. Farnsworth, director of the University Health Services (UHS) since 1954.

This afternoon, President Pusey will officially introduce Wacker to the chiefs of the various UHS departments. His appointment as UHS director and as Henry K. Oliver Professor of Hygiene will take effect July 1.

Wacker, 45, does clinical teaching and research at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital (PBBH), where he has been since 1953. He graduated from George Washington University Medical School and completed his residency in internal medicine at PBBH. Wacker has focused his research on the application of biochemistry to medicine. His studies include electrolyte balance and trace metals.

Sources at UHS leaked Wacker's nomination to the CRIMSON, and Wacker confirmed it on Saturday. He said, however, that he would prefer not to comment about the UHS until the Board of Overseers acted.

The search committee which chose Wacker consisted of Dr. Robert H. Ebert, dean of the Faculty of Medicine and chairman of the committee, Dr. John H. Knowles, director of the Massachusetts General Hospital, and Dr. George W. Thorne, chief of Medicine at PBBH.

Farnsworth, who reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 last week, said, "It's been a most satisfying way of practicing medicine. I haven't a single regret."

"Next year," he said, "I will do consulting, [guest] teaching at the School of Public Health, and work on the National Commission on Marijuana and Drug Abuse." Farnsworth is Vice Chairman of the commission.

In 1954, when Farnsworth became director, the Health Center was located in a small building at the South end of Phillips Book Store. Stillman Infirmary, however, was based at 1010 Memorial Drive, one mile from Harvard Square. UHS began its move to the newly built Holyoke Center in October 1961.

During his first few years as director, Farnsworth set up insurance plans for students, faculty, and employees. He placed physicians at Stillman Infirmary throughout the night in 1954 and gave health coverage to summer school students in 1955.

Regarding UHS's future role, Farns-worth said, "Once we get complete responsibility for dependents, then our job will be to keep even, to improve each department. At the moment. I do not see any new crisis other than financial."

UHS has been criticized recently for a lack of sensitivity toward women's health needs; some critics have also suggested that UHS appoint an ombudsman.

In reply, Farnsworth said, "We have been as sensitive as we knew how to be. I don't see any need for an ombudsman because of a very high degree of responsiveness. I don't have the slightest objection, though, except we consider each one of us as [ombudsmen]."