Updated story posted at Midnight June 13:
Did Dr. Stephen Klasko pull his name from consideration for the position as chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center due to questions about discrepancies on his resume?
That seems to be the theory proposed by newspapers in both Tampa and Omaha.
And the issues aren't related to his education or his work experience - they appear to be over when exactly he ran a number of marathons.
The Tampa Bay Times reports, on the curriculum vitae he sent UNMC, Klasko mentioned running marathons in Chicago, New York City and Washington, D.C., in 2000, 2003 and 2005 respectively. However, on the CV posted on USF's website, the dates listed are 1997, 2000 and 2003. There's even a third version from before he came to USF with the dates listed as 1990, 1992 and 1993. There's also different dates listed for three other lesser known marathons.
While the Times says Klasko's decision to pull his name from the running came just hours after USF Health's media department received marathon-related inquiries from an Omaha World-Herald reporter, Klasko claimed the two matters are unrelated.
"I made the decision to withdraw my candidacy in Nebraska after careful consideration with my family over the weekend," Klasko said in a statement released Wednesday evening. "My decision has nothing to do with these questions about my marathon history." "I am proud of the fact that I have run seven marathons and several half-marathons. At various times, I have included half-marathons and 10-milers on my CV when asked about my running," Klasko said in a statement. "Those many dates apparently got confused, which is unfortunate, when updating these CVs. As dean of the College of Medicine, I believe that fitness is important, and my running history shows I lead by example."
Original story posted at 4:30 p.m. June 12:
Local interest in who the next chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center will be has dropped considerably, now that Dr. Stephen Klasko has pulled his name from consideration. The Tampa Bay Times reports the dean of the USF Morsani College of Medicine and CEO of USF Health withdrew Wednesday.
Citing a statement issued by UNMC, the Times says Klasko gave no reason for his decision but said that he expressed regret about dropping out.
"With mixed emotions and sincere appreciation for the honor of being considered for one of academic medicine's premier opportunities, I am regretfully withdrawing from the UNMC chancellor search," the statement quoted Klasko as saying. "The UNMC chancellor position, with the impressive support from the community, the world-class faculty and leaders, and the entrepreneurial academic mindset, is a premier opportunity in academic health. I was honored to be considered among the caliber of candidates that were identified as finalists."
Among the three remaining finalists is Dr. Daniel Wilson, the dean of the College of Medicine at the University of Florida-Jacksonville, who previously worked in Nebraska as chair of psychiatry at Creighton University.
Klasko, the former Dean of the College of Medicine at Drexel University and CEO of Drexel University Physician, has been with USF since August 2004.
