Legendary professors honored for years of service

Apr 22, 2008

The University of Kansas Medical Center honors nominated and chosen faculty members who have held rank of full professor for at least 10 years and served with notable distinction, designating eachas Professor Emeritus. This year, three people received the honor and were recognized at a dinner on April 17.

Kuen-Shan Hung, PhD

Kuen-Shan Hung, PhD

Professor Emeritus in Anatomy and Cell Biology

Kuen-Shan Hung, PhD, has been a devoted member of the KU School of Medicine faculty since 1974 and has served as a professor of anatomy since 1983. An expert histologist, he served as the director of the Electron Microscopy Research Laboratory for many years. His research focuses on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, including, most recently, the effects of nitric oxide on the lungs. Prior to joining KU, Dr. Hung had teaching appointments at the University of South Dakota and the University of Southern California. Dr. Hung received his bachelor of science degree in zoology from National Taiwan University in Taipei and his PhD in anatomy from the University of Kansas.

Ruben Buñag, MD

Ruben Buñag, MD

Professor Emeritus in Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutics

Ruben Buñag, MD, has served on the faculty of the University of Kansas School of Medicine since 1970 and as a professor of pharmacology since 1975. He received the University of Kansas Chancellor's Club Research Award in 1992 and the Bohan Teaching Award in 2002. Dr. Buñag's research centers on cardiovascular dysfunction that occurs with advancing age, diabetes and dietary-induced obesity. He was a postdoctoral fellow at Western Reserve University in Cleveland and at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Dr. Buñag received his doctorate of medicine from the University of the Philippines and his master's degree from the University of Kansas.

Solomon Batnitzky, MD

Solomon Batnitzky, MD

Professor Emeritus in Radiology

Solomon Batnitzky, MD, began his career at the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1977 as an associate professor of radiology and neurology. He served as chair of the Department of Radiology from 1994 to 2003. Dr. Batnitzky had held the rank of tenured professor of radiology at KUMC since 1981 and served as chief of the Department of Neuroradiology from 1977 to 1997. Along with numerous other awards, he was named the first Arch W. Templeton Distinguished Professor of Radiology by the University of Kansas. Dr. Batnizky received his bachelor of medicine and surgery and his masters of medicine in diagnostic radiology at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.