Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Director, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Director, Diabetes Research Center
Professor, Department of Health Education and Recreation
The Ralph W. Kurtz Chair in Hormonology
Recent News:
Woman Recovering After Islet Cell Transplant, An OSU First
What do you like best about practicing medicine at OSU Medical Center?
Ohio State is a very friendly, collegial and stimulating environment with a clear vision, mission and values. The emerging culture to excel in patient care, teaching and research is palpable.
What excites you most about the future of medicine?
The future of medicine holds great promise for new discoveries and innovations to improve the quality of life for patients as well as unparalleled opportunities to cure diseases such as diabetes, obesity and cancer.
How do you think P4 Medicine (medicine that is more predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory) will change your specialty over the next 10 years?
Diabetes is a perfect model for the concept of P4 Medicine. Diabetes has well-defined and predictable complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Most importantly, diabetes is preventable in most cases (and will be in the future). The patient is the center of care, and the care is highly individualized and personalized. All members of the diabetes care team are required to participate in order to provide the optimal care and quality of care for our patients.
What advice do you have for young physicians early in their careers?
Young faculty members must believe that with commitment, dedication, perseverance, honesty and humility, all things are possible. But as physicians and researchers, the needs of the patients are paramount. Young physicians should ask themselves early in their careers: “What legacy am I going to leave behind at the end of my career?” Finally, young physicians must understand that the pinnacle of their ultimate career success depends not only on their individual intellect, but on the team and support (family, friends, mentors) they have built around themselves.
Who in history would you most like to meet and why?
The person I am most eager to meet is Nelson Mandela. He demonstrated nobility, strong moral consciousness and fortitude, strength of commitment and, most importantly, willingness to forgive past atrocities for the common good of all mankind.
What are your hobbies or volunteer activities?
I have diverse interests. I enjoy traveling to different cultures, studying history, and sports such as karate and soccer.
Star Colleague: Rebecca Jackson, MD, has demonstrated the ability to overcome adversity. With determination, commitment and sacrifice, Dr. Jackson has achieved unprecedented successes in several areas. For the past 25 years, she has focused on her dreams to be an excellent clinician, researcher and educator/teacher. In all these areas, she has risen to become a leader in our College of Medicine, nationally and internationally in the epidemiology of bone diseases and women’s health. She is a great role model for all of our young trainees and faculty to emulate. (Dr. Rebecca Jackson is professor of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, and of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, associate dean for Clinical Research and director of the OSU Center for Clinical and Translational Research.
CV summary
Medical Degree: University of Ghana Medical School
Internship: University of Ghana Medical School
Residency: Anatomical and Clinical Pathology, Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia
Internal Medicine, Episcopal Hospital, Hahnemann Medical College, Philadelphia
National Committees or Board Positions:
• Chair, National Medical Association of Black Physicians, Endocrinology Section
• Chair, Central Society of Clinical Research, Endocrinology and Metabolism Subcommittee
• Fellow, American College of Physicians
• Fellow, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
• Diplomate, Internal Medicine, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Diplomate, Subspecialty – Endocrinology and Metabolism, American Board of Internal Medicine
• Chair, 2007 Global Diabetes Summit 1
• Chair, 2012 Global Diabetes Summit 2
• Chair, Internal Medicine Section, National Medical Association of Black Physicians
Research Focus: Ethnicity and glucose regulation; type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in people of the African diaspora.
