2009 Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award

Jonathan Woodson, M.D.
Boston University School of Medicine

When the twin towers fell in New York, he was there to treat the victims. During Operation Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia, he was there to care for patients in an evacuation hospital. And, now, Dr. Jonathan Woodson, M.D., is there for medical students, underserved minorities, and the communities he calls home. The seemingly ubiquitous Dr. Woodson is not only a highly regarded vascular surgeon, but a decorated military leader, service-oriented academician, and esteemed mentor.

When not overseas treating critically wounded American soldiers, Dr. Woodson can be found stateside at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) where he has been a faculty member for more than 20 years. Today, he is an associate professor of surgery and associate dean for students, diversity, and multicultural affairs. He is also a senior attending vascular surgeon at the Boston Medical Center and serves on BUMC's institutional research board. Additionally, he is an adjunct assistant professor of surgery at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

In the words of his students, Dr. Woodson has "served in so many countries around the world, yet recognizes and responds to the needs of his home communities in New York and Massachusetts." In his capacity as associate dean, he heads a pathway program similar to the one through which he matriculated at New York University School of Medicine. Working with his former biostatistics professor, Dr. Woodson helped found the Gateway to Medicine pipeline program, first in New York City and now in Roxbury, Mass. By pairing medical students with high school students in low socioeconomic areas for tutoring in math and science, the program provides the former with an important service opportunity and exposes the latter to career options in medicine, science, and technology that they might otherwise not have considered.

Viewing mentorship and leadership as intertwined, Dr. Woodson also helped establish the Boston Scholar's Program, an early initiative of the Boston Partnership Fellows Alumni Association where professionals of color mentor students from Boston Public Schools. He also has been a driving force behind Boston University's (BU) Early Medical School Selection Program, a partnership between BU, BUSM, and 14 undergraduate institutions that has significantly increased enrollment of underrepresented minorities at BUSM. As one student observed, Dr. Woodson's "extraordinary presence and commitment to servant leadership has led him to inspire all who have the opportunity to interact with him.

As medical educator, Dr. Woodson is considered one of the "go-to deans" for new ideas and proposals and has helped students launch important projects such as an effort to ensure greater horizontal and vertical integration of cultural competency within the BUSM curriculum. He also emphasizes that physicians have a social contract to society and that being good stewards of limited health care resources is an essential part of being a physician. One student said, "It is clear, to even the casual observer, that he is a true educator."

A recipient of more than 20 military awards and decorations, Dr. Woodson holds the rank of Brigadier General, U.S. Army Reserve, and was recently appointed assistant surgeon general for mobilization, readiness, and reserve affairs, deputy commanding general for the Army Reserve Medical Command with assignment to the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General.

Dr. Woodson received his B.S. and M.D. degrees from the City College of New York, New York University School of Medicine and his M.S.S. degree from the U.S. Army War College. He completed his residency training in internal medicine and general and vascular surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

About the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award

The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award annually honors a medical school faculty physician (MD or DO degree) who exemplifies the qualities of a caring and compassionate mentor in the teaching and advising of medical students, while possessing the desirable personal qualities necessary to the practice of patient-centered medicine.

Find out more about the Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award.