Rangos Endows Health Sciences Chair at Duquesne University
Dr. Paula Turocy Named as First Chairholder
September 7, 2004
PITTSBURGH…Duquesne University President Charles J. Dougherty announced the creation of the Anna Rangos Rizakus Endowed Chair in the Health Sciences and Ethics in the John G. Rangos Sr. School of Health Sciences. Endowed through a $1 million gift by John Rangos Sr., the school's benefactor, in memory of his mother, the Rangos Rizakus Chair will serve as the genesis of the University's expanded initiatives in ethics.
"This generous endowment will move the Rangos School forward by allowing us to consolidate our leadership in an arena critically important to our University's values, to the achievement of our strategic plan, and to Mr. Rangos' own commitments," said Gregory Frazer, dean of the Rangos School of Health Sciences.
Rangos, a lifetime member of the Duquesne Society at the Presidential Endowment level and member of the University's board of directors since 1989, dedicated the endowed chair to his mother, Anna, who passed away in January. "My mother had a profound influence on me throughout my life. She taught me that anything can be accomplished—with hard work and the Lord's help. I could think of no better way to honor her and share her legacy than to create an endowment in her name," he remarked.
Dougherty also named Paula Sammarone Turocy, EdD, ATC, associate professor and chair of Duquesne University's Athletic Training Department, as the first faculty chair. She will provide leadership for the University's teaching, scholarship, and service in health sciences and ethics.
"Dr. Turocy has an established national reputation in her field," said Dougherty. "Her expertise will further advance the reputation of the Rangos School and Duquesne University." As chair, Turocy will focus on creating strategic partnerships with regional research enterprises and other educational institutions to develop multidisciplinary programs involving law, business, communications, science and biotechnology.
Established in 1990, the John G. Rangos Sr. School is one of the largest of its kind in the nation. The school has graduated 1,591 students in athletic training, health management systems, occupational therapy, physician assistant, physical therapy, rehabilitation science and speech-language pathology who serve as health care providers and administrators throughout Pittsburgh, the Commonwealth and the nation.
About Paula Turocy
Paula Sammarone Turocy, EdD, ATC, an athletic training health professional for the past 21 years, is associate professor and chair of the Athletic Training Department at Duquesne University. She established the department in 1992 and has been at the helm ever since. Under her tenure, the program has graduated more than 130 professionals who are now employed in various areas of clinical practice, including high school, collegiate and professional sports, health care, corporate wellness programs and fitness/recreation settings.
Following graduation from West Chester State College in Pennsylvania, Turocy earned a master's degree from Michigan State University and a doctorate in education with an emphasis in medical curriculum from The University of Virginia. Prior to her appointment at Duquesne, she held academic and clinical appointments at the University of Pittsburgh, Eastern Kentucky University and Penn State University - Scranton. In addition, Turocy is an accomplished researcher and scholar who has given more than 100 presentations and authored numerous publications.
An active member of several professional organizations, Turocy was most recently named Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer as well as the Sayers "Bud" Miller Most Distinguished Educator for 2004 by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA). She holds leadership positions with the Commission on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs - Joint Review Committee on Athletic Training, the NATA Research and Education Foundation and the Allegheny County Safe Kids Coalition Board of Directors. She is a past recipient of NATA's Service Award, Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society's Distinguished Merit Award and Duquesne University's Teacher of the Year honor, and has been recognized in Who's Who in American Women, American Education, America's Teachers and Health Sciences Higher Education.
A native of Edgewood, Turocy currently resides in Bethel Park with her husband, Regis Turocy, and her stepchildren.
About John G. Rangos Sr.
Rangos is a pioneer in the field of waste transportation and disposal, establishing technological advances in the 1960s that included converting power plant boiler ash into a useful component in cinder blocks and anti-skid material for highways. Rangos, who has also played a key role in creating techniques for recycling bituminous byproducts and disposing of sewage, sludge and liquid industrial wastes, developed a resource recovery system that converts waste-generated methane into energy. He established several companies throughout his career and served as chairman and CEO for Chambers Development Company and vice-chairman for USA Waste Services, Inc.
A prominent regional philanthropist and decorated veteran of the Armed Forces, Rangos has been honored with numerous awards for his civic involvement with health, education, and church organizations. These tributes include the National Patriot's Award, the Ellis Island Award, The Art Rooney Award, The B'Nai B'rith International Award, the Junior Achievement Award and Man of the Year distinctions in 1990, 1998 and 1999. In addition, Rangos received an honorary Ph.D. of Health Sciences from Duquesne University in 2000.
Currently, he leads The John G. Rangos Sr. Charitable Foundation, which supports numerous health care and educational efforts, including The Carnegie Science Center, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Duquesne University and International Orthodox Christian Charities. Rangos is also the former president and founder of the Medal of Honor Foundation, which raises funds for all living recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, and of the American Hellenic Information and Communications Group, which endeavors to foster knowledge of the Greek culture in today's youth.
A native of Steubenville, Ohio, Rangos currently resides in Pittsburgh, Pa. He has two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren.
