Eugene Hong, MD, professor of family, community and preventive medicine at Drexel University College of Medicine, was recently appointed associate dean for primary care and community health. In this role, Hong will be responsible for developing and maintaining a strategic primary care framework for Drexel University College of Medicine and the Drexel University Physicians practice. He will report to the dean of the College of Medicine and the CEO of the physician practice plan.

Hong is the Hamot and Sturgis Endowed Chair of the Department of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine, and chief of the Division of Sports Medicine. In his new role, he is charged with developing a strategic growth plan for primary care and community health at the College of Medicine, managing and coordinating all primary care initiatives, and acting as a liaison between the College of Medicine and other Drexel schools and colleges on primary care initiatives. In addition, he will represent the College of Medicine regionally and nationally, as directed by the dean, in matters related to primary care and community health.

“The creation of this position makes a strong statement that the College of Medicine is committed to supporting primary care and community health,” said Hong. “I am excited to expand our reach throughout the city, region and country, while maintaining and growing our patient-centered clinical and educational philosophy, and to further enhance the College’s profile and reputation in the area of primary care. I look forward to building effective collaborations with my colleagues across the Drexel University campus and the Philadelphia community at large.”

Hong will ensure that all Drexel Medicine primary care practices function as physician-led multidisciplinary teams, delivering the best possible clinical care and quality outcomes with the highest possible patient satisfaction and clinical efficiency. He will act as an interface between primary care and specialty physicians to ensure ease of patient access. In addition, he will ensure the growth of primary care related health services research, and he will develop a strategic plan for the role of the College to help address the anticipated national shortage of primary care providers.

Hong joined the College of Medicine in 2003 as an associate professor, division chief, and family medicine residency director, becoming interim chair in 2005, and chair in 2006. He was previously on the faculty at Thomas Jefferson University, where he completed a fellowship in primary care sports medicine, as well as his family medicine residency. He also completed a fellowship in community-oriented primary care at the University of Massachusetts and a general surgery internship at the University of Connecticut. He received his MD from Tufts University School of Medicine and his BA from Columbia University.