Jim Davis Says Bittersweet Farewell to DFM

After more than 30 years here as a clinician, teacher, researcher, and leader, James Davis, MD, MS, is just about ready to say goodbye to the Department of Family Medicine and to Madison.

In November, Dr. Davis will begin a new appointment as chair of the University of Washington Department of Family Medicine, a transition he finds as emotional as it is exciting.

Tying Up Loose Ends in Madison

Leaving his clinical practice has been surprisingly hard, says Dr. Davis. "I've had the same practice since 1975," he said. "It's multigenerational-I've delivered babies to women I delivered 30 years ago."

This continuity has been wonderful, though, because "with some of my patients, I've been able to tell medical students all the things we've been through: their history, their family's history, their extended family's history. It's really brought the idea of family medicine to life."

Many of Dr. Davis's patients are sad to see him go, too. "Some of them have started crying," he said. "Some have wanted to take pictures of us together."

On the administrative front, Dr. Davis has just completed a detailed report on ways to introduce public health into the UW School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) curriculum. These recommendations, an outgrowth of a task force he co-chaired, are part of the SMPH's ongoing effort toward transformation into a school of medicine and public health.

In fact, Dr. Davis will be teaching one of the first elements of the new curriculum just before he leaves. "It's bittersweet, because I'm excited about this new curriculum, but I won't be here to put it into effect," he said.

Heading West to Seattle

Despite the sadness of leaving Madison, however, Dr. Davis is looking forward to the new challenges and opportunities awaiting him in Seattle.

In addition to his role as chair of the Department of Family Medicine, he will have a position in the University of Washington School of Medicine Dean's office to develop a primary care health policy center and annual national conference.

"We need to focus on solving the primary health care crisis in this country," he said, "and through this position, I can really make an impact on that critical issue."

The University of Washington School of Medicine has a long interest in health policy and rural health in particular. The school serves five states-Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana, and Idaho-which together make up 27% of the nation's land mass. The geographically dispersed region, with proportionally large rural and underserved populations, faces significant primary care workforce challenges. "They are really excited to address these issues head on," Davis said.

Three Decades of Accomplishments

Dr. Davis leaves behind him a legacy of accomplishments that will be remembered not only within the DFM, but also at the institutional level. He worked hard to get the DFM involved and accepted at the SMPH, UW Hospital and Clinics, and the UW Medical Foundation.

When asked which accomplishments he is most proud of, he noted the following:

1. Creating the DFM's research division. In 1983, Dr. Davis, in collaboration with Marc Hansen, MD, Dan Meyer, PhD, and Eugene Farley, MD, won a major grant award that launched the DFM's research efforts.
2. Developing the Patient, Doctor, and Society course. In 1986, Dr. Davis was instrumental in the development of a multi-year, multi-semester required medical student course called Clinical Medicine and Practice, or CMP. Dr. Davis was CMP's first course director, and the course continues today under the name Patient, Doctor, and Society.
3. Becoming the first family physician to gain clinical privileges at UW Hospital. Dr. Davis worked through other medical subspecialties to obtain hospital privileges, which helped stimulate the creation of a family medicine service at UW Hospital.

And as he prepares to enter the next phase of his career, Dr. Davis will always have a connection to the DFM. "Over the years, I've had the privilege of working with many, many wonderful colleagues. I'll miss them and will always look back fondly on what we accomplished together."

"I think the world of this department; it's a phenomenal place," he added. "It's grown by leaps and bounds, and I'll watch it from a distance with the hope that it continues to be as successful as it has been over the past 30 years."

Farewell Reception for Jim Davis, MD - Oct. 7, 2008

Photos by Armando S. Vera