Louis W. Sullivan, M.D.: Founding Dean and 1st President of Morehouse School of Medicine

Posted on 29. Jan, 2010 by Leshell Hatley in Faculty, I'm a Full Professor!, Med, Medicine, Research, Scholarly Celebrations

Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., is the founding Dean and first President of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). With the exception of his tenure as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from 1989 to 1993, Dr. Sullivan was President of MSM for more than two decades. On July 1, 2002, he left the presidency, but continues to serve on the MSM Board of Trustees, to teach, and to assist in national fund-raising activities on behalf of the school.

Education

A native of Atlanta, Dr. Sullivan graduated magna cum laude from Morehouse College in 1954, and earned his medical degree, cum laude, from Boston University School of Medicine in 1958. He is certified in internal medicine and hematology (the study of blood, the blood-forming organs, and blood diseases).

Career

Dr. Sullivan was instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School from 1963-64, and assistant professor of medicine at Seton Hall College of Medicine from 1964- 65. In 1966, he became co-director of hematology at Boston University Medical Center and, a year later, founded the Boston University Hematology Service at Boston City Hospital. Dr. Sullivan joined the Boston University School of Medicine in 1966 and remained until 1975, holding positions as assistant professor of medicine, associate professor of medicine, and professor of medicine.

Starting Morehouse School of Medicine

Dr. Sullivan became the founding Dean and Director of the Medical Education Program at Morehouse College in 1975. The program became The School of Medicine at Morehouse College in 1978, admitting its first 24 students to a two year program in the basic medical sciences. In 1981, the school became independent from Morehouse College and became Morehouse School of Medicine, with Dr. Sullivan as Dean and President. In 1983, MSM became a member of the Atlanta University Center. MSM was fully accredited as a four year medical school in April 1985 and awarded its first 16 M.D. degrees in May of that year.

Serving as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

Dr. Sullivan left MSM in 1989 to accept an appointment by President George H.W. Bush to head HHS. In this post, Dr. Sullivan managed the federal agency responsible for the major health, welfare, food and drug safety, medical research and income security programs serving the American people. In January 1993, he returned to MSM and resumed the office of president.

Service

Dr. Sullivan is Chairman of the board of the National Health Museum in Washington, D.C. and is also Chairman of the Sullivan Commission on Diversity in the Healthcare Workforce (funded by the Kellogg Foundation). He also serves as Chair of the President’s Commission on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and is Co-Chair of the President’s Commission on HIV and AIDS.

A member of numerous medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the National Medical Association, Dr. Sullivan was the founding President of the Association of Minority Health Professions Schools. He is a former member of the Joint Committee on Health Policy of the Association of American Universities and the national Association of Land Grant Colleges and Universities.

He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Watch a clip from his speaking tour entitled “The Symphony of Health Care Delivery” – an extremely relevant message!

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