Former UI dean Eckstein dies

A doctor and administrator credited with helping catapult the University of Iowa medical school into national prominence has died.

The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that John Eckstein died Tuesday at a nursing home in Coralville. He was 87.

Eckstein served as dean of the UI College of Medicine from 1970 to 1991. Colleagues say he transformed academic medicine at the university by bringing physicians and research scientists together.

UI Vice President Jean Robillard says Eckstein helped make the medical school one of the best in the country with his vision for excellence. The Eckstein Medical Research Building on campus bears his name.

Eckstein first joined the UI faculty in 1953 after graduating from UI medical school and later became prominent in the field of heart research.