Humanist Trailblazer, Dr. Dorian Wilson, Retires After 30 Years of Service at NJMS 

A person wearing a suit and tie smiling at the camera  Description automatically generatedDr. Dorian Wilson, clinical professor of surgery; director of the Healthcare Foundation Center for Humanism and Medicine at NJMS; has retired after 30 years of service. A proud alumnus, Dr. Wilson received his medical doctorate from NJMS (formerly UMDNJ) in 1982. He also completed his residency in general surgery at NJMS.

After completing his fellowship training in liver transplantation at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Wilson returned to NJMS, becoming one of the founding members of the division of liver transplantation and hepatobiliary surgery.

One of the first African American transplant surgeons in the country, Dr. Wilson was an integral part of the team that performed the first liver transplant in New Jersey. He also served as an active duty commissioned major in the U.S. Air Force, where he performed transplants for three years.

Since becoming the Center for Humanism's director in 2004, Dr. Wilson has worked tirelessly to create a culture of wellness and promote the practice of humanistic medicine, by developing a Humanism Fellowship and other programs.

"Dr. Wilson is a generous person who is relentless in his efforts to empower everyone around him. He taught NJMS students that it's okay to invest in really getting to know your patients, instead of just focusing on the amalgam of symptoms they present with," said Tanya Norment, program administrator for the Humanism Center. "Reflecting and owning up to missteps and even showing visceral emotions have become commonplace, accepted and supported, thanks to Dr. Wilson. He has encouraged everyone to partake in making humanism a core tenant of patient care and medical education."

In addition to many accolades received over the course of his distinguished career, Dr. Wilson recently received the Golden Apple Lifetime Achievement award and the Alumni Association Distinguished Professor award.

Dr. Wilson will assume the title of "Professor Emeritus" and plans to rejoin the department part-time to assist with humanism and education projects.

Join us in wishing Dr. Wilson well as he embarks on an exciting new chapter. Regards can be sent to Tanya Norment at normentm@njms.rutgers.edu.