David Skorton

David Skorton is a renowned American physician and academic administrator, known for his leadership roles at various prestigious institutions, including Cornell University and the Smithsonian Institution. He has worked closely with prominent figures such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, and has been involved in initiatives supported by organizations like the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Skorton's work has also been recognized by the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and the Institute of Medicine. His contributions to the field of medicine have been acknowledged by the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the Association of American Universities.

● Early Life and Education

David Skorton was born in 1949 in Los Angeles, California, and grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and Chicago, Illinois. He attended Northwestern University, where he earned his undergraduate degree in History and later received his medical degree from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Skorton's education also involved training at University of California, Los Angeles and Stanford University School of Medicine, under the guidance of prominent physicians such as Norman Shumway and Seymour Gray. His early career was influenced by his work at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and his involvement with organizations like the American Medical Association and the American College of Physicians.

● Career

Skorton's career in medicine and academia has been marked by his work at several prominent institutions, including University of Iowa, where he served as a professor of Medicine and Engineering, and Iowa City, where he was involved with the University of Iowa College of Medicine and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. He has also worked with the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization, on initiatives related to Cardiovascular disease and Public health. Skorton's research has been published in various journals, including the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, the New England Journal of Medicine, and the Lancet, and has been recognized by awards from the American Heart Association and the National Academy of Medicine.

● Presidency of Cornell University

As the president of Cornell University, Skorton played a key role in shaping the institution's academic and research programs, including the development of the Cornell Tech campus in New York City and the establishment of the Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar. He worked closely with faculty members such as Hunter Rawlings, Jeffrey Lehman, and Martha Pollack, and was involved in initiatives supported by organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Skorton's presidency was also marked by his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion, as recognized by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education and the American Council on Education.

● Secretary of

the Smithsonian Institution As the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Skorton has been responsible for overseeing the institution's 19 museums, 9 research centers, and the National Zoo, working closely with the Smithsonian Board of Regents and the Congress of the United States. He has been involved in initiatives related to STEM education, Cultural heritage preservation, and Sustainability, and has collaborated with organizations like the National Science Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the World Wildlife Fund. Skorton's work at the Smithsonian has also been recognized by the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Science-Technology Centers, and the International Council of Museums.

● Personal Life

Skorton is married to Robin Davisson, a professor of Molecular Medicine at Cornell University, and has two children, Rachel Skorton and Benjamin Skorton. He is an avid Jazz musician and has performed with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the Cornell University Jazz Ensemble. Skorton's personal interests also include Hiking and Photography, and he has been involved in conservation efforts with organizations like the Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund. His work has been recognized by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Medicine, and the Association of American Universities.