2023 President ’ s Medal Wilbert C . Jordan , MD , MPH
2023 President ’ s Medal Wilbert C . Jordan , MD , MPH
Founder , OASIS Clinic Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science
Dr . Wilbert C . Jordan was born on September 11 , 1944 , and grew up in Arkansas . He graduated from Harvard University in 1966 and received his MD from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio , in 1971 . From 1972 to 1973 , he completed residency in internal medicine at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston , Massachusetts , followed by senior resident year in Internal Medicine at UCLA . He completed an ID fellowship and Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar and received his MPH in 1976 at UCLA .
Dr . Jordan joined the King-Drew Medical Center in 1977 . He was involved in the HIV field from the beginning of the epidemic . He treated his first patient with what would later be identified as HIV , in 1979 . He later founded the OASIS clinic in 1984 . Both his private practice office and OASIS clinic stood as a beacon of hope for those living with HIV . OASIS was one of the first HIV clinics in the county dedicated to the care of Black and Brown communities impacted by HIV .
He joined Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in 1984 and was also on faculty at UCLA ; serving in several capacities within both institutions . He was committed to training medical providers and students in the field of HIV and building a welleducated workforce of Black providers .
He was one of the original members of the now Los Angeles County Commission on HIV , which he chaired for two terms . He was known nationally and internationally in the field
He was particularly proud of SNMA Scientific Assembly Award , where a research forum , Dr . Wilbert C . Jordan Research Forum was named after him in 1995 and still exist today . Dr . Jordan retired in 2020 from MLK OASIS clinical practice and CDU and was honored as Professor Emeritus for his distinguished career .
The President ’ s Medal recognizes extraordinary and unique service to Charles R . Drew University of Medicine and Science by a member of the
University community who has performed with excellence in his or her chosen profession .
39th ANNUAL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 5