James Madara SFG Bio - Revised 3.10.2023

Aug 25, 2026

Professional biographical overview of James Madara, MD, highlighting medical education, board certification, and a senior academic and executive career in pathology and laboratory medicine. Covers major leadership roles including service as Pathology Chair at Emory University, directorship and dean positions across major medical institutions, and executive leadership culminating in CEO of the American Medical Association. Summarizes research focus, clinical and educational interests, mentoring and governance leadership, selected honors, and community and professional volunteer activities.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Education

Service

Areas of Professional Interest

Achievements

Outside Interests

James Madara, MD APC Senior Fellow Since: 2015 [Email: james.madara@ama-assn.org](Email: james.madara@ama-assn.org) EDUCATION Undergraduate Degree: Juniata College, BA, Biology,(1968-1971) . Graduate/Professional Degree: Drexel University College of Medicine, MD (1971-1975); Postgraduate Education: Harvard Medical School, Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, Cell Biology (1975- 1980); Board Certification: Anatomic and Clinical Pathology (1979) . SERVICE Service as Pathology Chair: William Patterson Timmie Professor and Chairman, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine (1997-2002) . Leadership Roles Before, During, and After Service as Chair: Director, Harvard Digestive Disease Center (NIH) (1995-1997); Dean, Medicine and Biology, University of Chicago (2002-2009); CEO University of Chicago Medical Center (2006- 2009); Consultant, Leavitt Partners (2010-2011); CEO, American Medical Association (2011-Present) . Other Academic Positions After Service as Chair: Editor-in-Chief, American Journal of Pathology; Chair, American Board of Pathology AREAS OF PROFESSIONAL INTEREST Research: Epithelial Cell Biology. Clinical: Gastrointestinal Pathology Venture formation (Board Chair, Health2047) . Educational: Dean, Pritzker School of Medicine. Mentoring: Leadership on governance issues. Current Interests: National system of health care: policy, innovation, equity. ACHIEVEMENTS Honors and Awards: MERIT Award, NIH (1997-2007); Warner-Lambert/Parke-Davis Award, (FASEB)(1990); AGA - Astra Zeneca International Prize (2002); Lifetime Achievement Award, American Physiological Society (GI) (2011); Lifetime Achievement Award, Mentoring, Amer Gastro. Assoc. (2011); Modern Healthcare, Nations 50 Most Influential People (multiple years) . Professional Achievements of Which You are Most Proud: Rebuilding University of Chicago Medical Campus; Creation of for-profit venture creation company in Silicon Valley, Health2047; Professorships and Leadership positions of multiple former trainees; Establishment of first long term strategic plan in history of AMA. OUTSIDE INTERESTS Hobbies: Following biomedical science; Reading classical literature. Volunteer Activities: Director, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce (2006-2009); Member, Commercial Club of Chicago (2004-Present); Co-Chair, VISIC, National Academy of Medicine.

FAQs

What are James Madara’s key education and board certification details?

He earned a BA in Biology from Juniata College (1968-1971) and an MD from Drexel University College of Medicine (1971-1975). He completed postgraduate education in anatomic and clinical pathology and cell biology at Harvard Medical School (1975-1980) and holds board certification in anatomic and clinical pathology (1979).

What major leadership roles has he held in academic and medical organizations?

He served as Pathology Chair at Emory University (1997-2002) and held leadership roles before, during, and after that tenure, including Director of the Harvard Digestive Disease Center (1995-1997) and Dean, Medicine and Biology at the University of Chicago (2002-2009). He also led as CEO of the University of Chicago Medical Center (2006-2009) and became CEO of the American Medical Association (2011-present).

What research and professional interests does he emphasize?

His research interest centers on epithelial cell biology, while his clinical interest includes gastrointestinal pathology. He also describes educational leadership roles, mentoring focused on governance, and current national health system interests involving policy, innovation, and equity.

Aug 25, 2026

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