A life in medicine

In Memoriam: Douglas Lee Wood, DO, PhD, former dean of MSUCOM and president of AACOM

Dr. Wood passed away on Oct. 6, 2019, at his home in Annapolis, Maryland, surrounded by his family.

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Douglas Lee Wood, DO, PhD, former dean of Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine (MSUCOM) and president of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), passed away on Oct. 6, 2019, at his home in Annapolis, Maryland, surrounded by his family.

The following information about Dr. Wood’s life was provided in an obituary shared on the Everydays website.

Dr. Wood was born on Nov. 20, 1938, in Muskegon, Michigan. He graduated from the University of Michigan and attended medical school at what is now the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences College of Osteopathic Medicine.

After a lengthy tenure as a nephrologist and director of medicine at Mt. Clemens General Hospital, Dr. Wood developed, planned and ultimately opened a dialysis unit at the hospital. Dr. Wood left his practice to pursue his true passion: medical education. He obtained a PhD from Wayne State University and became the dean of MSUCOM. From there, he became the president of AACOM.

While in the position of president of AACOM, Dr. Wood had the opportunity to foster the development of multiple medical schools throughout the country. He was a great innovator and changed the face of medical education. Dr. Wood touched the lives of many students. While he loved working to make changes in how to teach medical students, what he loved most was spending time with his students.

Dr. Wood leaves behind his beloved wife, Janet, his four children, one sister, many grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Dr. Wood will always be remembered as an amazing husband, father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, physician and innovator.

8 comments

  1. J William McCord, Jr., DO

    God blessed the Osteopathic community when HE sent Doug Wood our way. It is a name that every DO should remember the rest of his/her years on this earth along with the old doctor who started it all.

  2. Gerald Osborn, DO, MPhil

    Dr. Wood was a truly great physician and brilliant medical educator and was always supportive of my career. I will always be grateful for his advice and encouragement. My deepest condolences to his family.

  3. Oliver W. Hayes, DO, MPH

    Doug Wood was a dedicated osteopathic physician, superb innovator in medical education, and most of all a friend. I was most fortunate to be at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine while he was Dean. Doug was quite simply, “the best of the best.”

  4. Michael Wieting, DO, MEd.

    Dr. Wood’s contributions to our profession include dean positions at several other schools, including in Arizona and California as well. He was an encouraging mentor for many young physicians, researchers, and academicians, myself included. I am very fortunate to have been the beneficiary of his mentorship and friendship.

  5. Philip Slocum

    Dr. Wood was also a great mentor to many of us who pursued medical education. For years he referred to me as ‘my son” and I referred to him as “Dad.” My hearts grieves tremendously at the loss of such a great man and leader. Rest well “Dad” until we meet again.

  6. Donald J Landesman DO. KC ‘66

    To my classmate and colleague. God Bless U and sincerest condolences to ur family. May God console ur family. U rose to the top in our profession with honor, and academia. U were always respected and admired. Our profession has lost a foremost leader. God speed.

  7. Mary Etta Donohue, D.O.

    I did not know him personally but do recall his lectures. He was an incredible teacher. My deepest sympathy to the Wood family.

  8. Anna M. Naranjo

    Dr. Wood was one of a kind and pondered the future of medical education and the leaders that would move the nation forward. God bless the Wood family.

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