Richard Martin Named Chairman of Department of Medicine

Richard J. Martin, MD, has been named the new Chairman of the Department of Medicine at National Jewish Medical and Research Center after a nationwide search. As leader of the institution's largest department, Dr. Martin will oversee the development of a new Autoimmune Lung Center and Behavioral Research Center, as well as a growing faculty in all Divisions within the Department of Medicine. Widely recognized as a national and international leader in asthma care and research, Dr. Martin will begin his tenure as Chairman on June 1, 2006.

"I have been extremely impressed with Dr. Martin's leadership, steadfast commitment to National Jewish, and superb professional integrity," said Michael Salem, MD, "I am confident in Dr. Martin's ability to lead the Department of Medicine as we continue to grow and innovate at National Jewish."

Dr. Martin is known widely in scientific circles for his groundbreaking research into circadian rhythms and nocturnal asthma, as well as the role of bacterial infections in the asthma. He was recently named the principal investigator for a $7.5 million, multi-center study on the effect of mycoplasma bacteria on chronic asthma. Dr. Martin also leads the National Jewish segment of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Asthma Clinical Research Network.

Dr. Martin has published more than 225 papers throughout his career-seven so far in 2006, including a paper on antibiotics and asthma exacerbations in the New England Journal of Medicine. He has also written scores of chapters in textbooks and has made countless presentations to physicians, researchers and laypeople.

"With a growing faculty, new partnerships, new facilities, and a new strategic plan in the works, National Jewish and the Department of Medicine are poised for great accomplishments," said Dr. Martin. "I am honored to lead the Department of Medicine at such an exciting time."

Dr. Martin received his medical degree from the University of Michigan in 1971, his residency in medicine at Tulane University in 1976, and pulmonary fellowship at the University of Oklahoma in 1978.

Dr. Martin was recruited by National Jewish in 1980 and has remained on faculty since that time. He holds the title of Professor of Medicine at both National Jewish and the University of Colorado Denver. Dr. Martin was also selected for the Edelstein Family Chair in Pulmonary Medicine.