Louis Sullivan

former US secretary, health and human services

Louis W. Sullivan, MD, is the founding dean and first president of Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM). With the exception of his tenure as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from 1989 to 1993, Dr. Sullivan was president of MSM for more than two decades. On July 1, 2002, he retired and was appointed president emeritus. He continues to support the school, including its national fund-raising activities. Dr. Sullivan was instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School from 1963-64, and assistant professor of medicine at Seton Hall College of Medicine from 1964-65. In 1966, he became co-director of hematology at Boston University Medical Center and, a year later, founded the Boston University Hematology Service at Boston City Hospital. Dr. Sullivan joined Boston University School of Medicine in 1966 and remained until 1975, holding positions as assistant professor of medicine, associate professor of medicine, and professor of medicine. Dr. Sullivan left MSM in 1989 to accept an appointment by President George H.W. Bush to serve as secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In this cabinet position, Dr. Sullivan managed the federal agency responsible for the major health, welfare, food and drug safety, medical research and income security programs serving the American people. In January 1993, he returned to MSM and resumed the office of president. Dr. Sullivan is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and 100 Black Men of America, and the recipient of more than 55 honorary degrees, including an honorary degree in medicine from the University of Pretoria in South Africa.