Danny O. Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S.

  • Professor of Surgery, School of Medicine
  • President

Biography

Dr. Danny Jacobs is the fifth president of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and celebrated his 3-year anniversary in the role on Aug. 1, 2021.

Dr. Jacobs received his undergraduate degree from Harvard, a medical degree from Washington University–St. Louis and completed residency and chief residency in general surgery and research fellowship training at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Medical School’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also earned a master’s of public health from Harvard. 

After serving as endowed chair of the departments of surgery at Creighton and Duke University, he was appointed as James Professor, Executive Vice President, Provost and Dean of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston with tenure in surgery, public health and translational medicine. 

Serving as a member of the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Board of Directors, the Oregon Business Council Board of Directors, as well as the OHSU and OHSU Foundation Boards of Directors, Dr. Jacobs actively pursues health care, research and education solutions for communities across Oregon.

Dr. Jacobs engages in a wide range of national and regional healthcare, research and education initiatives while serving as a member of the Association of Academic Health Center’s President’s Council on Cybersecurity, the Oregon Council of Presidents, and the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine, Science and Technology Experts Group.

A prolific author and editor with research interests in the metabolic effects of malnutrition, stress, infection and injury, among other interests, Dr. Jacobs has published more than 125 peer reviewed manuscripts, as well as three books and 82 reviews, chapters, editorials or other academic materials.

Accolades for his contributions to academic missions include the National Medical Association’s Presidential Award, the Julius A. Mackie Distinguished Graduate Award from University of Pennsylvania, the Matson Award for Teaching from Brigham and Women's Hospital, an Outstanding Service Award from the Harvard Community Health Plan, the Alumni Achievement Award from Washington University – St. Louis School of Medicine, election to the National Academy of Medicine and, most recently, being invited to join the founding editorial board of New England Journal of Medicine’s Catalyst Innovations in Care Delivery.

Education and training

  • Degrees

    • A.B., 1975, Harvard University
    • M.D., 1979, Washington University
    • M.P.H., 1989, Harvard University, School of Public Health
  • Internship

    • Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1979-80
  • Residency

    • Chief Resident, General Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1985-86
    • General Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1980-85
  • Fellowship

    • Research Fellow in Nutrition and Metabolism, Harrison Department of Surgical Research, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 1982-84
    • Research Fellow in Surgical Nutrition and Metabolism, Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, 1986-88

Publications