Passing of Dr. Dennis Ohman, chair and professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death on April 4, 2024, of our esteemed colleague, Dr. Dennis Ohman, chair and professor of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology for 26 years.
Dear SOM Community,
It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the death on April 4, 2024, of our esteemed colleague, Dr. Dennis Ohman, chair and professor of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology for 26 years. Dr. Ohman was born April 18, 1951 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and completed his undergraduate degree in Microbiology and Public Health at Michigan State University in 1973. He earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology from Oregon Health & Science University in 1980 and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in Microbial Genetics at the University of Illinois Medical Center in 1981.
Dr. Ohman moved to the University of California, Berkeley to serve as an assistant professor of Microbiology and Immunology. From 1989-98, he was an associate professor and then full professor in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Tennessee at Memphis, Health Science Center. Dennis came to the VCU School of Medicine in July, 1998 as professor and chair of the department and held an appointment at the Central Virginia Veterans Administration Medical Center.
He worked at the VA for more than 30 years as a career research scientist. His research involved molecular genetics, biochemical, and biophysical techniques to study various pathogenic properties of the bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and its mechanisms that cause life-threatening infections in persons with immuno-compromised conditions. Dr. Ohman and his group were the first to determine the function of many of its genes, and the basis for their regulation.
In May of 2007, Dr. Ohman was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), a professional organization dedicated entirely to microbiologists and the science of microbiology. AAM Fellows are elected annually, through a highly selective, peer-reviewed process based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology and represent all subspecialties of microbiology, including basic and applied research, teaching, public health, industry, and government service.
He also served as president of the Association of Medical School Microbiology & Immunology Chairs (AMSMIC) from Jan. 2009-Jan. 2010. In 2013, he was recognized with the Richard T. Jones Distinguished Alumnus Scientist Award from the Oregon Health & Science University.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m. at Hill City Church, 2010 Maywill St. Richmond, VA, 23230, with a reception to follow. More information is available here. Our appreciation and condolences to his family and to the members of the Department of Microbiology and Immunology.
Respectfully,
Arturo P. Saavedra, M.D., Ph.D.
Dean, VCU School of Medicine
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs, VCU Health System