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Wesley Fowler and Myron Cohen Inducted into UNC Order of the Golden Fleece

April 30, 2020
School of Medicine
Headshots of Drs. Wesley Fowler (left) and Myron Cohen (right)

Drs. Wesley Fowler and Myron Cohen



Wesley Fowler, associate dean for Medical Alumni Affairs and professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology; and Myron Cohen, Yeargan-Bate Distinguished professor of medicine, Microbiology, and Immunology and Epidemiology, associate vice chancellor for Global Health, and director of the Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases, have been inducted into the Order of the Golden Fleece.

The Order of the Golden Fleece is UNC’s oldest and most prestigious honor society.

Fowler serves as associate dean for Alumni Affairs at the UNC School of Medicine. A graduate of UNC and the UNC School of Medicine, Fowler has been a member of the faculty in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 1973. During that time, Fowler founded the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and served as division chief for more than 30 years. He was vice chair of the department from 1983-2009 and director of the residency program from 1983-1997.

“I was totally shocked by this recognition. This University has meant everything to me,” Fowler said. “For this to happen to an old country boy from Dunn, North Carolina is unreal.”

Myron “Mike” Cohen, directs the Institute of Global Health and Infectious Diseases and serves as associate vice chancellor for Global Health and Medical Affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An infectious disease specialist, he is widely known for his work on transmission and prevention of HIV. He is the architect and principal investigator of the multinational HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) 052 study which demonstrated that antiretroviral treatment prevents the sexual transmission of HIV-1. The journal Science recognized this work as the “Breakthrough of the Year” in 2011.

“I appreciate this recognition and the privilege of being named an Argonaut. It’s an especially meaningful honor because the people making the selections include undergraduate and graduate students,” said Cohen. “I have enjoyed a long, rewarding career at the University of North Carolina. Having my work recognized by our students at this time is very gratifying.”


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