The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) School of Medicine announced the appointment Ronald L. Cook, D.O., as the Braddock Chair in the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

Cook has served as the interim chair for the department since April 2011. He is a three-time graduate of Texas Tech University where he received a Bachelor of Science, a Master of Science and a Master of Business Administration.  He was awarded a Doctor of Osteopathy from the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth and completed a residency in family and community Medicine at TTUHSC.  In addition, he completed a mini-fellowship in geriatrics at Mt. Sinai, N.Y.

Joining the faculty of the School of Medicine in 1996, Cook has risen to the rank of associate professor.  Within the department, he has served as residency director, director of obstetrics and pediatrics, director of medical education and vice chair.  His leadership ability has been displayed as former chair of the Executive Committee of the Faculty Council and current chair of the Physicians Health and Rehabilitation Committee.  Additionally, Cook has been a member of the Standards Setting Committee for the National Board of Osteopathy Medical Examiners.

Cook has been highly recognized for his teaching and clinical care abilities.  He was instrumental in the development and implementation of the Family Medicine Accelerated Track and oversees the expansion of the concept through the Primary Care Accelerated Track Consortium working with universities across the country.