Henri Ford: Adds to excellence at University of Miami’s medical school

Dr. Henri R. Ford decided to pursue pediatric surgery to maximize the difference he could make for patients. From a first-generation immigrant to heading some of the most prestigious medical education institutions and being recognized with the Gold Humanism in Medicine Award, the National Academy of Medicine, and being named president of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Ford hopes to leave an indelible mark in the lives of people he has met.

He is the first Haitian-American doctor to head a medical school in the US, and the first Black dean of University of Miami Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine, appointed in 2018.

One of his priorities, he said, is to increase the diverse population of medical students becoming innovative leaders of healthcare. “Excellence and integrity are two guiding principles I find essential for everybody in my team.”

With extensive research on a lethal illness that affects newborns, and his work heading medical teams helping the victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Dr. Ford continues to receive honors and hopes to elevate the Miller School of Medicine to see his students achieve similar successes.

Dr. Ford spoke with Miami Today reporter Monica Correa.