Bernard Ewigman, MD, MPH
Dr. Bernard Ewigman is a distinguished family physician and academic leader with 40 years of clinical experience spanning Missouri and Illinois. Growing up on a farm instilled in him a strong work ethic and a commitment to service, which would define his career in medicine. Inspired by his family doctor, a general practice surgeon who both delivered him and gave the first shot of penicillin in 1941, Dr. Ewigman pursued medicine with a focus on primary care, public health, and serving underserved populations. His early experiences, including leading a medical team in Sierra Leone to care for a village of 700 people with no prior access to medical care, reinforced the importance of basic medical services and preventive care.
Dr. Ewigman began his career by establishing a practice for uninsured patients in Missouri, funded by three local hospitals, which eventually became a federally qualified health center. His dedication to expanding access to care and addressing health disparities has been a hallmark of his professional journey. After moving to Chicago, he became the founding chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Chicago and served as clinical chair for the Endeavor Health System (formerly NorthShore University Health System), overseeing a network of nine hospitals and 5,000 physicians. During this time, he co-led the Clinical Translational Science Awards program, advancing research and evidence-based practices in primary care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ewigman has been committed to mentorship, teaching, and research. He was guided early on by an internist who was a member of the National Academy of Medicine, which inspired his prolific academic output. He has authored over 100 scientific publications, written 700 book chapters, and edited approximately 1,500 chapters for a comprehensive digital clinical reference. His work has focused on improving patient care, advancing family medicine, and supporting the professional development of clinicians and researchers.
Currently residing in Boston, Dr. Ewigman holds a part-time faculty appointment at Tufts University, where he serves as Professor and Vice Chair for Primary Care Impact in the Department of Family Medicine. He also holds adjunct and visiting appointments, contributing to national research initiatives and policy work on the future of primary care. In addition to his academic work, he is actively engaged in pro-democracy initiatives and serves on committees dedicated to protecting public healthcare, advocating for equitable access and ethical medical leadership.
Dr. Ewigman’s career reflects a lifelong dedication to patient care, education, and leadership in family medicine. His experiences—from caring for underserved communities in West Africa to shaping academic and clinical programs in major U.S. healthcare systems—have fostered a commitment to advancing full-scope family medicine at a time when the specialty faces significant challenges. Through his research, teaching, and advocacy, he continues to influence the next generation of physicians while championing the role of primary care in improving population health.
• Doctor of Medicine (MD), University of Missouri-Columbia School of Medicine, 1979
• Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH), Health Systems, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1985
• Board-Certified Family Physician
• MPH in Health Systems, Epidemiology, Biostatistics
• Founding Chair, Department of Family Medicine, University of Chicago
• Owen L. Coon Endowed Chair of Family Medicine, NorthShore University HealthSystem
• Over 100 peer-reviewed publications, author of 700 book chapters, editor of ~1,500 chapters in a digital clinical reference
• Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society
• National Academy of Medicine Mentorship (mentor connection)
• Member of professional family medicine and primary care associations
• Medical Team Leader, Operation Crossroads Africa II, Sierra Leone, 1983
• Pro-democracy initiatives and advocacy for public healthcare access
A technology-based quality innovation to identify undiagnosed hypertension among active primary care patients, Annals of Family Medicine, 2014
Author of 700 book chapters and editor of ~1,500 chapters for a comprehensive digital clinical reference
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Academic Medicine
- Primary Care Physician
- Full-scope Family Medicine
- Research
- Clinical Translational Science
- Family medicine and primary care
- Clinical leadership and department administration
- Research in primary care delivery and population health
- Mentorship and medical education
- Health policy and advocacy for underserved populations
- Translational science and relationship science in healthcare
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about practicing medicine is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Early in my career, I led a team to Sierra Leone, where I worked in a village of 700 people who had never seen a doctor or been to a hospital. The mortality rate for children under five was 50%, and it became clear that what they needed most were basic public health measures—clean water, nutrition, immunizations, and fundamental medical care—rather than advanced technology. That experience profoundly shaped my approach to medicine, leading me to establish a practice for uninsured patients when I returned to the United States. Throughout my career, I’ve also enjoyed research and teaching, thinking critically about how to improve healthcare delivery and sharing that knowledge with students and colleagues. Even in semi-retirement, I continue to contribute to national research and policy initiatives, helping shape the future of primary care. I feel incredibly fortunate to have pursued a career driven by passion and curiosity rather than titles or financial gain.
Locations
Department of Family Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine
85 East India Row 19F, Boston, MA 02110
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