Rubin Flocks, a 1974 recipient of the American Cancer Society Award for Distinguished Service in Cancer Control, was Professor and Head of the UI Urology Department since 1949 until his retirement in 1974. Born in New York City in 1906, Dr. Flocks received his AB and MD degrees from Johns Hopkins University in 1926 and 1930. His entire professional career has been at the University of Iowa, joining as an assistant resident in 1931 and becoming an instructor in urology in 1934. He later served as Assistant and Associate Professor, was appointed Professor in the College of Medicine in 1947 and was named Head of the Department of Urology in the UI College of Medicine in 1949.
Dr. Flocks has co-authored textbooks on urology and has published more than 150 professional articles. He has held high office in many distinguished medical organizations including presidencies of the Johnson County Medical Society, the Iowa Medical Society, the American Society of University Urologists, and the American Urological Association. A member of the Presidents Club of the University of Iowa, Dr. Flocks is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Omega Alpha, and Sigma Xi fraternities.
Since 1963, the University of Iowa has annually recognized accomplished alumni and friends with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Awards are presented in seven categories: Achievement, Service, Hickerson Recognition, Faculty, Staff, Recent Graduate, and Friend of the University.