Tynan

By Trent Stockton
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ronan Tynan, a champion disabled athlete, physician and celebrated tenor, will receive the Johns Hopkins University President's Medal in recognition of his distinguished career in music and medicine, and for his triumph in the face of personal adversity.

President William R. Brody will present the medal to Tynan at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, in the School of Medicine's Thomas B. Turner Auditorium, East Baltimore campus. Before the presentation of the medal, Tynan will speak about his personal journey, as well as perform, and he will greet the Hopkins community at a reception beginning at 6 p.m.

"Dr. Tynan's life is a testament to persistence in the face of obstacles, and his triumphs in medicine, competition and music carry messages we all can learn from," said Edward D. Miller, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine.

A former member of the Irish Tenors group since 1988, Tynan is widely recognized for his performance at the Sept. 11 memorial services at Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden, and at Ronald Reagan's funeral. Born with a lower limb disability, he became a double leg amputee at age 20 due to complications from an automobile accident. Within a year, he was winning gold medals at the Paralympic Games and, between 1981 and 1984, amassed 18 gold medals and 14 world records in track and field and equestrian events.

Tynan was the first disabled person admitted to the National College of Physical Education and later became a physician specializing in orthopedics and sports injuries. In his musical career, Tynan has won the John McCormack Cup for Tenor Voice, the BBC talent show Go For It and the prestigious International Operatic Singing Competition in Marmande, France. In 2005, he will release two new albums.

The JHU President's Medal is an honor extended by the university to individuals who have achieved unusual distinction. First bestowed in 1987, the medal is awarded at the discretion of the president and has been given to statesmen, literary figures, academics and others.

Previous recipients include Supreme Court Justice William Brennan, Sen. Bob Kasten, Corazon Aquino, Tom Clancy, Tom Wolfe, Leon Uris, Leon Fleischer, Walter Sondheim and Colin Powell.

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