Douglas J. MacMaster Jr., Esq., has been named Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Thomas Jefferson University. Mr. MacMaster succeeds Jack Farber whose term as Chairman ended June 30, 2000.

A Trustee since 1991, Mr. MacMaster brings a strong combination of experience, knowledge of the region, the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries and a wealth of understanding of Jefferson's mission to his latest leadership role. In addition, he, like many of Jefferson's Trustees and Jeffersonians in general, places a high priority on sharing his skills to benefit the community.

"In this period of unprecedented change in education and healthcare delivery, stability during transition of leadership is a valuable asset," said Mr. Farber. "Doug MacMaster has proved to be an outstanding contributor to the energy of the Thomas Jefferson University Board of Trustees, and I am convinced as Chairman he will lead steadily and with that same vitality."

Mr. MacMaster commented, "As Jefferson's new Chairman, I am privileged to serve with an extraordinarily distinguished group of Trustees ­ men and women who possess the same commitment as I do to the University's status as an outstanding academic institution and to the well-being of our community and the international community as well."

"Looking to the future, the Board of Trustees and I are enthusiastic about forging new objectives and continuing the strategic agenda developed for Thomas Jefferson University," said University President Paul C. Brucker, MD. "We are confident that Mr. MacMaster's stewardship will ensure our strong presence in the Philadelphia community as we fulfill our mission to educate future healthcare providers, while providing compassionate, efficient, affordable, quality health care, and targeting our research efforts toward innovative treatments."

Retired after a successful career in the pharmaceutical industry, Mr. MacMaster currently serves as Director of Martek Biosciences Corp.; Neose Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Stratton Mutual Funds.

Despite his demanding career roles as Senior Vice President of Merck, Inc.; President of Merck, Sharp & Dohme Division of Merck, Inc., or as an Associate in Kelly Drye & Warren, Mr. MacMaster has always made time to generously involve himself in the community.

He has shared his leadership skills with many organizations locally and nationally. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Research; Chairman of the Marketing Steering Committee of the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers' Association; Trustee of Overlook Hospital and Martha's Vineyard Hospital; Director of the Pennjerdel Council; Director of the American Pharmaceutical Institute; Board of Advisors, University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center; member of the Advisory Council of the Pharmaceutical Foundation of the University of Texas; Board of Governors and Alumni Council of St. Francis Xavier University; Trustee of Gwynedd Mercy College; President's Council of Gwynedd Mercy College; and Trustee and member of the General Management Council of the American Management Association.

Mr. MacMaster earned his Bachelor of Arts and LLD from St. Francis Xavier University and a JD from Boston College. He served to Sergeant in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955.

Mr. MacMaster is a resident of Ambler where he lives with his wife, Joan MacLellan MacMaster. The MacMasters have five grown children and 18 grandchildren.

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