New Chair of Medicine Named


Fred M. JacobsWith the appointment a new Chair of Medicine, St. George’s University has again demonstrated its effort and commitment to ensuring excellence in education and positive growth into the 21st century.

Fred M. Jacobs, M.D., J.D., F.A.C.P., was named Chair of the Department of Medicine in the School of Medicine, effective July 1, 2004. Dr. Jacobs, who serves on the Board of Trustees and is a Professor of Medicine and Jurisprudence at the University, has been affiliated with St. George’s since 1980.

As Chair of Medicine, Dr. Jacobs will be responsible for the internal medicine education at all clinical centers and affiliated hospitals. “I want to assure that the curriculum is presented in a comprehensive and coherent manner, and that the students and faculty are fulfilling their obligations.” Dr. Jacobs said “I want to make sure that each program is presented in the context of the medical environment of the 21st Century, to see that regulations are being followed and that there is an emphasis on social, economic and ethical issues that are so important in today’s practice of medicine. Medicine today is the best it has ever been in terms of technology, pharmacology and the enormous advances in medical care. Certainly, I recognize that the practice of medicine exists in a challenging environment.”

Dr. Jacobs’ extensive professional career has prepared him well for this new role. He received his MD Degree from the University of Miami School of Medicine where he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. He trained in internal medicine at Maimonides Medical Center and Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City and completed a pulmonary research fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center and a Chief Residency in pulmonary disease at Kings County Hospital Center in New York. He is Board Certified in both Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Disease. He is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, the American College of Chest Physicians and the American College of Legal Medicine.

In 1969, he joined the staff at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey where he has been Chief of Pulmonary Disease, Medical Director of the Intensive Care Unit and was elected President of the Medical Staff in 1987. Subsequently, he became Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs at Saint Barnabas, and later, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs for the Saint Barnabas Health Care System.

Dr. Jacobs has also held many faculty positions, including Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School. In 1990, Dr. Jacobs graduated from Rutgers University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey and is admitted to the Bar of the States of New Jersey and Florida.

Dr. Jacobs was appointed to the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners by then Governor Thomas Kean in 1989 and was reappointed by Governor James Florio in 1993. He served as President of the Board from 1993 to 1995.

Dr. Jacobs’ two children have both attended St. George’s University, and his wife, Miriam, is Associate Director of the Office of Career Guidance.

A more detailed biography of Dr. Jacobs can be found on our website.

Published on 10/06/2004