Dr. Pamies named chair of HHS Advisory Committee on Minority Health

Rubens Pamies, M.D.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health selected Rubens Pamies, M.D., UNMC vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean for graduate studies, as a member and new chairman of the Advisory Committee on Minority Health.

As its chair, Dr. Pamies will lead members in the study, design and implementation of public policies to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority groups.

In addition, the group will evaluate the education of health professionals to include methods that decrease health disparities and outcomes.

“Dr. Pamies has dedicated his career to improving the health of all Americans but specifically to eliminate health disparities,” said Garth Graham, M.D., deputy assistant secretary for minority health. “His knowledge, commitment and passion for improving health care among all patient populations will serve as an asset to this committee.”

“Dr. Pamies has dedicated his career to improving the health of all Americans but specifically to eliminate health disparities. His knowledge, commitment and passion for improving health care among all patient populations will serve as an asset to this committee.” Garth Graham, M.D.

In 2003, Dr. Pamies joined UNMC. He is nationally known for his work on the issue of health disparities. He joined former United States Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher to co-author what is considered the first medical textbook on the subject. “Multi-cultural Medicine and Health Disparities” was published in 2005.

Dr. Pamies, a native of New York, received his undergraduate degree from St. John’s University in New York. He received his medical degree from State University of New York at Buffalo, School of Medicine.

From 2000 to 2003, Dr. Pamies served as chief of services for Nashville General Hospital and as the Edward S. Harkness Professor of Medicine and chairman of internal medicine for Meharry Medical College in Nashville. He also served as professor of medicine for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.

Six other health care experts from across the United States will join Dr. Pamies on this committee.

“Our goal is to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes for all Americans,” Dr. Graham said. “The expertise this group brings will go a long way toward helping us meet that goal.”