Hiatt Selects Health School Academic Dean

Howard Hiatt, dean of the School of Public Health, yesterday appointed Elkan R. Blout, professor of Biological Chemistry at the Medical School, as dean of academic affairs at the School of Public Health. Blout succeeds Dr. Brian MacMahon, who resigned from the post last spring.

Hiatt said yesterday that Blout "should work very well" with the school's faculty and help ease tension between Hiatt and some members of the faculty.

During his six years as dean of the Health School, Hiatt has tried to redirect the aims of the institution towards the application of medical science to solve the world's health problems. One of the main reasons for Blout's appointment was "his interest in science and its application to social problems," Hiatt said.

The appointment was announced at a special meeting of the general faculty of the School of Public Health. Blout, who left for Washington, D.C., was not available for comment.