William A. McDade, M.D., Ph.D.

ASA member William A. McDade, M.D., Ph.D., has been named the first recipient of the American Medical Association’s (AMA’s) Recognition of Excellence in Eliminating Health Disparities. AMA’s Program on Health Disparities and its Health Disparities Internal Working Group has developed the Recognition of Excellence in Eliminating Health Disparities to demonstrate AMA’s commitment to raising awareness in medicine and the public about how physician leaders are working to eliminate health disparities. Dr. McDade is Associate Professor of Anesthesia and Critical Care and Associate Dean for Multicultural Affairs at the University of Chicago. One of Dr. McDade’s goals is to increase the number of under-represented minority students, housestaff and faculty in medicine. Dr. McDade is one of ASA’s alternate delegates to AMA.

By coordinating “Diversity Day” for the University of Chicago medical school, Dr. McDade has demonstrated a consistent dedication to educating students on the ways in which culture, race, religion and ethnicity impact health care. He has served as chair of the AMA Minority Affairs Consortium and has been involved in the National Medical Association’s efforts to develop a cultural competence curriculum for physicians. Dr. McDade’s medical practice serves a large number of under-represented minority patients, and his research focuses on sickle cell disease, a medical condition affecting predominantly African-Americans.

Six individuals will be recognized each year for their work on a different aspect of health disparities. Potential recipients must be AMA members and contribute to efforts to eliminate health disparities.