LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2010) — ”The University of Kentucky is a great American university and a splendid place to engage in service not only to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, but to the nation and world as well,” said Dr. James W. Holsinger Jr.
Throughout his career, Holsinger has been a national leader, working tirelessly on public health initiatives. He is currently the Wethington Endowed Chair in the Health Sciences, professor of preventive medicine and health services management, and director of doctoral studies in the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. He also has appointments in the UK College of Medicine in the departments of Internal Medicine, Surgery and Anatomy.
Holsinger was secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services from 2003 to 2005, returning to UK in 2006. While serving as secretary, he had responsibility at the executive level for management of the state’s health and social services programs including the Medicaid program, the public health system, the Department for Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services and the Department for Community Based Services, as well as several commissions.
Prior to his time in Frankfort, Holsinger was senior vice president at UK and chancellor of the UK Medical Center for nine years. During his chancellorship, Holsinger also taught medical students and even attended classes himself. During Holsinger’s tenure as chancellor, six buildings were completed and three more began construction. With the need for space a constant concern, the opening of new facilities was always important to him.
At the end of his chancellorship, Holsinger said: “The look of this end of campus has changed significantly. Especially when the bridge that will stretch across Rose Street is finished, this part of campus will be a remarkable part of the university.” But Holsinger acknowledged that, although buildings are important, they come after relationships with people, especially students. Holsinger certainly is no stranger to students – whether as their professor or as their classmate.
“When I came to UK in 1994, I really wanted to have more of a defined relationship with the university, instead of just being an administrator,” Holsinger said.
That’s when he made a decision that would provide him the chance to get to know students and professors at UK on a different level.
Holsinger recalls meeting with the director of undergraduate admissions at that time, Joe Fink, and saying: “I’ve got something I want to ask you, but promise you won’t laugh at me.” Since he had entered medical school at the end of his junior year in college, Holsinger told Fink he wanted to finish his bachelor’s degree at UK. He says Fink did laugh, but Holsinger began 30 hours' worth of courses that would lead to a bachelor’s degree in human studies.
Although an unlikely classmate for undergraduates, Holsinger was able to blend in. He never told professors who he was, although his classmates usually figured it out halfway through the semester. Holsinger still keeps in touch with the students he met, and has even written letters of recommendation for them.
“It’s a neat way of having a different group of friends,” he said.
During each decade since the 1960s, Holsinger has enrolled in courses, with a continuous interest in learning and expanding his mind.
“One of the things I found in my life is that I learn a lot differently when I have a pen in my hand,” Holsinger said. “I’d rather exercise my brain as I get older by taking a course than by doing crossword puzzles.”
As Holsinger reflected at the time on his career at UK, there were many accomplishments to look back on. At least a dozen new academic and professional degree programs were added to the offerings at UK under his guidance. Research dollars more than tripled during his tenure. Perhaps most significantly, Holsinger helped maintain the financial stability of the UK Medical Center through a very tough financial period for academic health centers.
In 2005, he said: “You know, it’s been a really fun job. I’ve had a really good time for nine years.”
Last year, before leaving office, President George W. Bush appointed Holsinger as a member of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, for the remainder of a two-year term expiring May 5, 2010. Previously, Bush had nominated Holsinger for appointment as U.S. Surgeon General.
"I greatly appreciate President Bush’s appointing me to the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports," said Holsinger. "Clearly a major issue for Kentuckians and all Americans is our sedentary lifestyle which markedly contributes to the obesity epidemic. I look forward to the opportunity to continue my efforts at dealing with this major issue at a national level."
Holsinger also received the Dr. Jack Trevey Community Service Award from the Lexington Medical Society last year for his decades-long commitment to health care and contributions to community service at the local, national and international levels.
“I am honored to have my name linked to that of Dr. Jack Trevey who served the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky in such a significant manner,” he said.
A native of Kansas City, Kan., Holsinger holds a doctorate in anatomy and physiology and a medical degree from Duke University. He also holds a master’s degree in hospital financial management from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor's degree from the University of Kentucky in human studies, as well as a master's degree in biblical studies and a doctor of ministry degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. He completed residencies in general surgery at Duke Hospital, Durham, N.C., and Shands Teaching Hospital, Gainesville, Fla., and a fellowship in cardiology at the University of Florida.
Holsinger is the son of Ruth R. Holsinger of Durham and Brig. Gen. James W. Holsinger, deceased. He is married to Dr. Barbara Craig Holsinger and they have four daughters, Anna, Ruth, Sarah, and Rachel, and six grandsons.
Most of Holsinger’s career was spent with the Veteran’s Health Administration, where he spent 26 years in various positions, including serving as chief of staff or director of several VA medical centers. Before becoming chancellor at the UK Medical Center, he was director of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Lexington for one year. He also served as undersecretary for health for the Department of Veterans Affairs and chief medical director of the Veterans Health Administration in Washington, D.C., overseeing a nationwide health care system with 172 hospitals and over 200,000 employees. Additionally, Holsinger served the country for 31 years in the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps, achieving the rank of major general prior to retiring in 1993.
"Dr. Holsinger has devoted his life to health care and education -- here at the University of Kentucky and as a leader at the state and federal levels," said Dr. Thomas H. Waid, the UK professor of medicine who nominated Holsinger for the Trevey award. "I and my colleagues at the University of Kentucky continue to support him as a scientist, clinician and health educator and we are glad that one of our own is serving us regarding health issues for the United States."
Holsinger enjoys many of his "favorite things" such as family, church, teaching, gardening, household projects, books, getting degrees, medicine, tea, military, travel, eating, being a student, Lake Junaluska, World War II, buildings, new degree programs, classical music and veteran's affairs.
But for Holsinger, the human relationships are still what is most important.
”In today’s world the faculty, staff, and students of the UK College of Public Health are deeply committed to making a difference in the world in which we live," Holsinger said. "All of us are committed to lifelong learning, while at the same time we care about each other, which is demonstrated by our enjoying our relationships with each other.”
