Dr. LeChauncy Woodard, clinical professor at the University of Houston Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine and founding director of the Humana Integrated Health System Sciences Institute, has been awarded Mastership in the American College of Physicians (ACP), the national organization of internal medicine physicians. Only 1-2% of ACP’s 161,000 members have obtained Masterships, putting Woodard in exclusive company.
“This was all done without my knowledge, I was truly surprised,” Woodard said. “But I was also incredibly humbled that my peers, colleagues and students would take the time to nominate me for such a prestigious honor.”
Woodard, a general internist, is nationally recognized for her extensive research aimed at understanding and medically serving ethnically diverse patients and the socioeconomic factors that influence health outcomes. Her track record of primary care research, teaching and student mentorship highlight her passion for providing future primary care doctors with the latest advances in medicine to prepare them for career success.
“Being elected to Mastership is a testament not only to my work but also that of my mentors who have generously shared their expertise with me, clinical and research collaborators who are doing impactful work to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve, patients who have inspired the work that we do, and the students who bring so much joy and enthusiasm to my work,” Woodard said. “I am so incredibly grateful for my family, friends, colleagues and peers who have been my biggest cheerleaders and source of support throughout my career.”
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical-specialty society in the world. Each year, it confers Mastership on a select few candidates in recognition of outstanding and extraordinary career accomplishments, including teaching, research and practice in clinical medicine, contributions to preventative medicine and improvements in the delivery of health care. Those selected are considered “citizen physicians,” educational innovators, humanists and learner-teachers who inspire others to seek high standards and excellence in their profession.
“The impact you have had on your community, this wonderful profession of medicine, medical science and your patients is truly appreciated,” said Dr. Darilyn V. Moyer, executive vice president and CEO of the American College of Physicians. “I am delighted to be able to recognize you with your election to Mastership.”
Woodard is the first faculty member from Fertitta Family College of Medicine to receive this honor. Other notable physicians elected to Mastership this year include Dr. Rochelle Walensky, former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr. Eric Topol, world-renowned cardiologist, scientist, researcher and author, and Dr. Lisa Cooper, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Equity in Health and Healthcare at Johns Hopkins University and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.
“I am just one of many faculty, staff, students and community members at Fertitta Family College of Medicine dedicated to improving health care and health outcomes for underserved populations,” Woodard said. “I hope this recognition brings attention to the amazing collective work that is ongoing here much more than that of me as an individual.”