David Skorton

David Skorton
Name	David Skorton
Birth date	22 November 1949
Birth place	Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Alma mater	Northwestern University (BS), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (MD)
Occupation	Physician, academic administrator, public servant
Known for	President of University of Iowa, President of Cornell University, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

David Skorton. An American physician, academic leader, and public servant, he is distinguished for his presidencies of major research universities and his tenure leading the world's largest museum and research complex. His career uniquely bridges the fields of cardiology and biomedical engineering with transformative leadership in higher education and cultural stewardship, marked by a consistent advocacy for interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement.

Early life and education

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he demonstrated an early aptitude for both science and music. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. He remained at Northwestern to complete his medical degree at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, graduating in 1974. His postgraduate medical training included an internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles, followed by fellowships in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology at UCLA Medical Center.

Medical career

He established himself as a respected clinician-scientist, specializing in adult congenital heart disease and cardiac imaging. He joined the faculty of the University of Iowa in the early 1980s, holding appointments in both the Department of Internal Medicine and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. His research focused on applications of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computer science to cardiovascular diagnosis, contributing significantly to the emerging field of biomedical engineering. He published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and was elected a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.

University leadership

His administrative career began at the University of Iowa, where he served as vice president for research before being appointed president in 2003. During his tenure, he oversaw significant growth in research funding and initiatives in the arts and sustainability. In 2006, he became the 12th president of Cornell University, the first physician to lead the Ivy League institution. At Cornell, he championed interdisciplinary programs, expanded the university's global presence with the establishment of Cornell Tech on Roosevelt Island, and navigated the institution through the Great Recession. He also served as a professor in the Department of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine and in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering.

Smithsonian Institution tenure

In 2015, he was confirmed as the 13th Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, succeeding G. Wayne Clough. As head of the world's largest museum, education, and research complex—which includes the National Museum of Natural History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Zoo—he prioritized strategic planning, modernization of infrastructure, and enhancing the public's digital access to the Smithsonian's vast collections. His leadership emphasized the role of museums in addressing contemporary issues like climate change and social justice. He worked closely with the United States Congress and private donors, including a major gift from David H. Koch, to support the renovation of the National Museum of American History.

Later roles and public service

Following his term at the Smithsonian Institution, he returned to academic medicine and policy. He was appointed president and CEO of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) in 2019, leading the organization representing all accredited U.S. and Canadian medical schools. In this role, he focused on issues of health equity, physician workforce development, and the future of medical education. He has served on numerous boards, including those of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Council on Foreign Relations, and Science Friday. He is also a member of the National Academy of Medicine.

Awards and honors

His contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and honorary degrees. He is a recipient of the Gold Heart Award, the highest honor of the American Heart Association. He has been awarded the Vannevar Bush Award from the National Science Board for lifelong contributions to science and public service. He holds honorary doctorates from institutions including Northwestern University, the University of Iowa, and Tel Aviv University. In 2016, he was presented with the National Medal of Arts and the National Humanities Medal on behalf of the Smithsonian Institution by President Barack Obama.

Category:1949 births Category:Living people Category:American cardiologists Category:American university and college presidents Category:Smithsonian Institution officials Category:Northwestern University alumni Category:University of Iowa faculty Category:Cornell University faculty