Hoven Elected 1st Female Chair of World Medical Association

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 16, 2015) – Retired University of Kentucky professor Dr. Ardis D. Hoven was elected the first female chair of the World Medical Association (WMA) at the organization’s 200th council meeting in Oslo, Norway.

Hoven has served as chair of the American Medical Association delegation to the WMA for the past few years and now will serve a two-year term as chair of the WMA. The WMA is the international organization representing physicians from 111 national medical associations.

“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to do this,” Hoven said. “I see myself not so much as a woman in this role, but as a leader of a global organization of physicians who are working to support their peers around the world and improve the lives of their patients.”  

Born in Cincinnati, Hoven received her undergraduate degree in microbiology and then her medical degree from the University of Kentucky. She completed her internal medicine and infectious disease training at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Board-certified in internal medicine and infection disease, Hoven is a member of the American College of Physicians, and the Infectious Disease Society of America.

Hoven has been the recipient of many awards, including the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Distinguished Alumnus Award and the Kentucky Medical Association Distinguished Service Award. In 2015, she was inducted into the Hall of Distinguished Alumni for UK. She was president of the Kentucky Medical Association from 1993 to 1994 and served as a delegate to the AMA from Kentucky. 

Hoven hopes for the WMA to raise its profile internationally and increase the impact of its policies and advocacy on behalf of physicians and patients.

“I want to make our footprint bigger and our voice stronger,” Hoven said. 

Hoven was also inducted into the UK Alumni Association's Hall of Distinguished Alumni. Click on the video above to watch the role UK played in Hoven's medical career.

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