James O. Woolliscroft MD

James (Jim) Woolliscroft brings the perspective of an accomplished physician, educator and academic medicine leader. As a college student, he contemplated whether to pursue a career in teaching or medicine. Although he decided on medicine he realized while still a resident that he could combine these two passions, resulting in a 40+ year career as a world renown physician educator. As a general internist, he has had the privilege of working with, learning from, and caring for thousands of patients, some for many decades. As an educator, he has taught medical students, residents, and faculty. He has developed innovative curricula and educational processes. His intellectual drive to better understand a wide range of educational issues, ranging from how we learn to how we assess, has resulted in over 100 peer reviewed academic publications.

Contributing to the understanding he has developed are the multiple leadership roles he has served. In the area of medical student education, these roles ranged from directing medical student courses and experiences within the Department of Internal Medicine to coordinating and directing medical student educational experiences across clinical departments. He served as the University of Michigan Health Systems director of graduate medical education with responsibilities encompassing almost 100 residency and fellowship programs. Clinical leadership roles included serving as the University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers Chief of Staff with responsibilities ranging from physician credentialing to quality of patient care and safety. Finally, he served as Dean of the University of Michigan Medical School, a nationally ranked academic medicine research institution, with responsibilities for its educational, research, patient care and service missions.

Included among the many awards Woolliscroft has received in recognition of his contributions and achievements are election to the National Academy of Medicine and receipt of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Abraham Flexner Award for Distinguished Service to Medical Education – the AAMC's most prestigious honor.