Louis Wade Sullivan

Louis Wade Sullivan (born November 3, 1933) is an American physician and businessman. He served as the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President George H. W. Bush and founded the Morehouse School of Medicine.

Although he was born in Atlanta, Georgia, his parents moved to rural Blakely, Georgia, shortly after he was born. His father was an undertaker and his mother worked as a teacher there. His parents sent him, and his brother Walter, to live with friends in Atlanta where the educational opportunities were better.

Louis attended Atlanta public schools and then enrolled at Morehouse College. He graduated from there magna cum laude in 1954. He then went to Boston University Medical School, where he graduated in 1958. He did a residency at the Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

He, along with other Morehouse alumni, spearheaded the formation of Morehouse School of Medicine. In 1978, he was appointed as the dean and founding director of the medical school.

He married Eve Williamson, an attorney, on September 30, 1955. They have three children.

Sullivan is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African Americans. 

Beginning June 27, 2007, Dr. Sullivan embarked a nationwide campaign to discuss the consequences of "cost-over-care" health delivery. As one of the nation's leading public health policy experts, Dr. Sullivan advocates a "symphony of health care delivery," where each aspect of a given health plan is transparent and fully appreciated. He seeks to amend the current over-emphasis on one service area, such as cost, and create a symphonic system that focuses on other key elements. More information on Dr. Sullivan's campaign can be found on his website, at www.drlouissullivan.com.

Louis Wade Sullivan