Josiah Macy, Jr.,
Professor of Health Professions Education
Senior Associate Dean for Education and Global Initiatives
University of Michigan Medical School

Joseph C. Kolars, MD is the Josiah Macy, Jr., Professor of Health Professions Education and Senior Associate Dean for Education and Global Initiatives at the University of Michigan Medical School.  He obtained his M.D. degree in 1982 from the University of Minnesota Medical School and completed his post-graduate training gastroenterology at the University of Michigan in 1989. After serving as Associate Chair for Medicine and Residency Program Director, Dr. Kolars left the University of Michigan to establish a western based health care system in China in conjunction with Shanghai Second Medical University.  He lived with his family in Shanghai for three years.  In 1999, he joined the faculty at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and served as internal medicine residency program director for 5 years.  In June of 2009, he moved to the University of Michigan where he oversees the leadership of medical student, resident, fellow, Ph.D., and post-doctoral education programs as well as global health initiatives for the medical school.  Over the past 5 years, much of his work has focused on innovations that strengthen education systems in Africa and China to improve care.  Since 2010, he has been the co-director of the Joint Institute for Clinical and Translational Research with Peking University Health Science Center. A recipient of numerous teaching and education awards, Dr. Kolars has authored over 100 manuscripts in leading medical journals. His scholarly interests have focused on the training of competent physicians, faculty development, and the alignment of education systems with the health-care needs of the local population.