Douglas L. Wood, D.O., Ph.D. receives Medal of Public Service
Posted: June 2, 2011MESA, Ariz. – The Walter F. Patenge 2011 Medal of Public Service has been awarded to Douglas L. Wood, D.O., Ph.D., A.T. Still University (ATSU) Senior Vice President—Academic Affairs, and Founding Dean, ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA). The award was given by the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (MSUCOM) College Advisory Council at a ceremony held May 26 in East Lansing, Mich.
The Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service is the highest honor that MSUCOM awards annually to individuals for their public policy leadership, their example of quality family medicine practices, and for exemplifying the best tradition of concerned administration and public involvement. Dr. Wood was one of four individuals awarded this year’s medal.
Dr. Wood served as the inaugural dean of ATSU-SOMA from 2005 until 2010. Prior to coming to ATSU-SOMA, Dr. Wood served as president of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) from 1995 to 2005. Dr. Wood came to AACOM in July 1995, from Michigan State University in East Lansing, where he was dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine from 1991 to 1995 and associate dean from 1987 to 1991. While at MSUCOM, he was one of the founders of the Consortium for Osteopathic Graduate Medical Education and Training (COGMET). He also promoted the development of an educational continuum, and fostered the concept of community integration of medical education.
Prior to serving at Michigan State University, Dr. Wood was the director of medical education at Mount Clemens General Hospital in Mount Clemens, Mich., for 12 years. While At Mount Clemens, he was actively involved in the practice of internal medicine and nephrology and was director of the hospital’s hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis units for several years.
Dr. Wood has been honored by the Michigan Kidney Foundation as one of the state’s outstanding nephrologists and in 1985 was honored by the Senate of the State of Michigan for his contributions to citizens of the state in diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease. He has been awarded two honorary doctorate degrees as well as the Phillips Medal for Public Service.
In 1997, Dr. Wood was appointed as the administrator of a large Health Resources and Services Administration medical education demonstration project entitled Undergraduate Medical Education for the 21st Century. In 1999, he was appointed to the Federal Council on Graduate Medical Education by then Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala.
Dr. Wood has lectured widely on diverse topics in medical education, internal medicine, nephrology, and leadership. He has taught in both osteopathic and allopathic medical schools. Long active in community service projects, from 1982 to 1995 he was chairperson of the State of Michigan’s Certificate of Need Commission, a body appointed by the Governor of the State and with significant decision-making authority in healthcare.
Dr. Wood is a graduate of Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Kansas City, Missouri. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Mount Clemens General Hospital, and in nephrology at the Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich., and is board certified in both of these specialties. Dr. Wood earned a Ph.D. in Medical Education in the area of educational evaluation and research from the Wayne State University. He has extensive training in the field of leadership including three courses sponsored by the Covey Leadership Institute and three courses sponsored by Innovation Associates. He also trained at the Global Center for Leadership Studies at Binghamton University, leading to becoming a Certified Leadership Trainer. His research interests are in the areas of dialysis and medical education.
Of the Walter F. Patenge Medal of Public Service award, Dr. Wood said, “After having worked for eight years within the administration of the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, I was honored to have been chosen to receive the Patenge Medal. Receiving this award encourages me to continue to strive for innovation in medical education.”