Holly J. Humphrey, former dean for medical education at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, passed away on April 17. She was 68 years old.
Over the course of her nearly four-decades-long tenure with the Pritzker School, Dr. Humphrey served in several leadership capacities, including 14 years as director of the internal medicine residency program and 15 years as dean for medical education. She also held the title of Ralph W. Gerard Professor of Medicine.
During her time with the Pritzker School, Dr. Humphrey developed numerous initiatives focused on inclusive learning, mentorship, professionalism, and medical education scholarship. In 1989, she co-led the country’s first White Coat Ceremony, which is now a common tradition at medical schools across the country. For her many contributions to the University of Chicago, she received the Favorite Faculty teaching award from Pritzker students more than 25 times.
In 2018, Dr. Humphrey retired from the University of Chicago to become the eighth president of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving education for health professionals. She was very active within the broader field of medical education, serving as chair of the Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine’s board of directors, chair of the American Board of Internal Medicine, president of the Association of Program Directors in Internal Medicine, and president of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society board of directors.
Dr. Humphrey earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago.