Interim Chair: Randy J. Woods, M.D.
The Wright State University School of Medicine was founded in Dayton, Ohio, in 1974. Dan W. Elliott, M.D., was the founding chair of the Department of Surgery, and he served in that capacity from 1975 until 1988. He was succeeded by James B. Peoples, M.D., who served as chair from 1988 until 2002. Alex G. Little, M.D., served as chair from 2003 to April 2010. The current chair is Mary C. McCarthy, M.D.
Over this time span and under the initial leadership of Drs. Elliott and Peoples, the Department of Surgery and its residency have grown and evolved. During its early years, the department faculty consisted primarily of clinical volunteer faculty from the local community. Over time, full-time faculty members with clinical and academic interests have been added, and the department remains committed to continued development of these clinical and academic programs. Community volunteer surgeons will continue to be active faculty in our department as teachers and trainers of medical students and residents. At the same time, we are dedicated to growing and enhancing the numbers of academic full-time faculty who will participate in clinical programatic growth, be active leaders in the teaching and the training of medical students and residents and actively participate in academic and scholarly activities including both basic science and clinical research.
