Washington, D.C., November 8, 2003 - Donald Wilson, M.D., dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine, began his one-year tenure as chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) today at the association's 114th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Dr. Wilson succeeds Theresa Bischoff, president of New York University Hospitals Center.

Former chair of the AAMC Council of Deans, Dr. Wilson is the first African-American dean of a predominantly non-minority medical school, as well as the first African-American dean of the University of Maryland (UMD) School of Medicine.

Dr. Wilson's commitment to the education of minority medical students prompted him to become a founding member of the Association of Academic Minority Physicians, a professional organization for minority physicians and scientists. He is known at UMD for his successful efforts to increase the number of minority faculty and for creating an atmosphere that respects cultural and gender diversity.

Three years ago, Dr. Wilson became the first recipient of the AAMC's Herbert W. Nickens, M.D., Award. He was awarded this honor for his dedication to the principles of diversity and equity in health care.

Dr. Wilson received his medical degree at Tufts University School of Medicine. After completing his residency at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Boston, he joined the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn. He has been dean of the UMD medical school since 1991.

N. Lynn Eckhert, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.P.H., director of academic programs for Harvard Medical International, today was named AAMC chair-elect. She will succeed Dr. Wilson as chair next year.

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The Association of American Medical Colleges is a not-for-profit association representing all 130 accredited U.S. and 17 accredited Canadian medical schools; nearly 400 major teaching hospitals and health systems, including 68 Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers; and nearly 90 academic and scientific societies. Through these institutions and organizations, the AAMC represents 125,000 faculty members, 70,000 medical students, and 104,000 resident physicians. Additional information about the AAMC and U.S. medical schools and teaching hospitals is available at www.aamc.org/newsroom.

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