about ipwr
James J. James, M.D., Dr. P.H., M.H.A.
Director
Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Disaster Medicine and Public Health
American Medical Association
Chicago, IL, USA
James J. James, MD, DrPH, MHA, is Director of the American Medical Association (AMA) Center for Public Health Preparedness and Disaster Response, and Editor-in-Chief, Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, An official publication of the American Medical Association. The center is a relatively new undertaking for the AMA and underscores that organization's commitment to supporting practicing physicians in their expanded roles and obligations under Homeland Security. In less than three years, this Center has received over $2 million in grant funding and has overseen the development and deployment of the National Disaster Life Support suite of courses.
Dr. James brings over 30 years of experience in the public and private health care sectors–as a clinician, researcher, professional personnel manager and program director–to this challenging and critical undertaking. He is board certified in general preventive medicine, earned a doctorate in medicine at the Cincinnati College of Medicine, a doctorate in public health from UCLA's School of Public Health, and a masters in health care administration from Baylor University. Dr. James served 26 years with the U.S. Army Medical Department, serving in a multitude of capacities. His last assignment was as the Commanding General of William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. Upon retirement in 1997, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the military's highest peace-time honor. He went on to join FHC Options in Norfolk, Virginia, where he oversaw the building and management of the FHC Options team responsible for winning several multi-billion dollar U.S. government managed care contracts.
From 1999 through December 2002, Dr. James served as Director of the Miami-Dade County Health Department. There he was responsible for the oversight and supervision of public health programs throughout the county. He was charged with the management of a $60 million budget and the supervision of approximately 1000 employees. The Miami-Dade County Health Department promotes and protects the health and safety of the residents and visitors of Miami-Dade County by preventing epidemics and the spread of disease, protecting against environmental hazards, preventing injuries, promoting and encouraging healthy behaviors, responding to disasters and assisting the community in recovery efforts.
After the tragic events of September 11th, Dr. James led the Miami-Dade County Health Department as it investigated and responded to possible bio-terrorist threats to the community. His swift and effective response to the anthrax attacks of 2001 resulted in James becoming a recognized expert in the area of bio-preparedness and he was appointed to the Governor's Domestic Security Task Force as well as the Lead Health Agent for Preparedness and Response for Region 7 in Florida, an area accounting for one-third of the population of the state. Under his leadership, the Miami-Dade County Health Department was awarded the Governor's Sterling Award in 2002. This highly prestigious award recognizes organizations and businesses in Florida that have successfully achieved performance excellence within their management and operations.
