Thomas A. Bruce

Tom Bruce is a Professor of Health Policy and Management, and he now serves as Associate Dean at the Clinton School. He is a physician and educator who has served in several capacities as a faculty member and administrator within the University of Arkansas system. After training at Duke, Cornell, the University of Texas, and the University of London, he began his academic career at Wayne State University, Detroit, then served for 6 years as Head of Cardiology at the University of Oklahoma. From 1974-1985 he was Dean of College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), with a commitment to improve access to rural health services. In 2000-2002 he served as the inaugural dean for the UAMS College of Public Health, creating a partnership that linked the University with the Arkansas Department of Health and with designated Arkansas communities to advance citizen-based health improvement. In January 2003 he was invited to help plan the Clinton School, and he served for more than a year as its inaugural Dean.

From 1985-1997 he was a program director for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Michigan, helping create new grantmaking initiatives and directing projects in health, leadership, and rural development.

Since 1975 Dr. Bruce has been listed in Who’s Who in America. An honorary DSc degree from his alma mater was awarded in 1995. Other awards include the Presidential Good Turn Award (Boy Scouts of America), and special citations from the University of Transkei (South Africa), the Kaohsiung Medical College (Republic of China), and Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (Dominican Republic). He volunteers regularly with the Arkansas Community Foundation (chairing the Philanthropy Roundtable), Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts, Garvan Woodland Gardens (Hot Springs), Watershed Community Development Agency, and Heifer International.