James B. Reuler, MD, MACP
James B. Reuler, MD, MACP
Dr. James "Jim" B. Reuler, MD, MACP, was born in Decatur, Illinois in 1947. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology at the University of Illinois in 1969 and spent one year at the University's College of Veterinary Medicine. Following this he attended the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine where he graduated in 1973. After medical school he served as an intern and junior resident in the Department of Medicine at the University of Chicago hospital and clinics. In 1975 he came to Oregon as a senior resident in the Department of Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University where he stayed as a faculty member. In 1979 he became Chief of the Section of General Medicine at the Portland Veteran's Affairs Medical Center where he has practiced and taught to this day. Over the years his academic career has allowed him to make great contributions at the VA Medical Center and at Oregon Health & Science University. These include important roles on the Admissions Committee, Program Coordinator for the Primary Care Internal Medicine Training Program, and multiple other leadership roles at the VA Medical Center and in the Department of Medicine.
During his time in Portland, Dr. Reuler has been involved in the training of nearly two generations of physicians and this is the role for which he is most beloved. He has been a popular in-patient and out-patient attending among residents and medical students, as well as other learners. He has the rare gift of being able to make any patient-related topic interesting and shares his knowledge and curiosity enthusiastically with students and colleagues. In addition to being a wonderful teacher, he is a respected and popular speaker among colleagues and presents topics reflecting the broad range of internal medicine. Over the years of his teaching and service, he has been the recipient of multiple teaching awards from all levels of trainees---students, residents, and colleagues. He also has been honored on several occasions by receiving local and national awards recognizing his leadership and humanism.
Dr. Reuler has been a leader in the American College of Physicians serving as Governor-elect and Governor of the Oregon Chapter from 1996 through 2001. Within the ACP he has served on several task forces and committees, coordinated the regional scientific meetings, reviewed for the MKSAP and actively sought to increase medical student involvement in the ACP. In 1987 he was awarded the ACP Alfred Stengel Traveling Scholar Award. The Oregon Chapter awarded Dr. Reuler the Howard P. Lewis Distinguished Service Award in 2003. He became a Fellow of the ACP in 1980 and a Master in 2004 in recognition of his long service to the ACP and the field of internal medicine.
In addition to his work in medicine, Dr Reuler has been a role model to his students and colleagues for his devotion to family and his thoughtful attention to blending work and family life. He has been a community leader and recognized for his tireless efforts to bring healthcare to the homeless and disadvantaged. This work lead to the formation of the Wallace Medical Concern in Portland, a clinic providing on-site health services for the homeless. In 2002 Dr. Reuler was awarded the Oscar E. Edwards Memorial Award for Volunteerism & Community Service from the ACP for his work with the Wallace Medical Concern. In addition, he has been active in Physician's for Social Responsibility and a strong professional and community advocate for a national health care system in the United States. In recent years he has served as a mentor in the YWCA LearnLinks Educational Support Program for the homeless. In 2006, Dr. Reuler was rated by his peers as one of the "top doctors" and one of the "most admired healers" in the state of Oregon. In recognition of his community volunteer work, he has received numerous community service awards.
Dr. Reuler is a leader in the development of the field of academic general internal medicine, a relatively new field until the early 1980's. He has served on multiple national committees with the Society of General Internal Medicine and actively moved the field of academic general internal medicine forward with his service, leadership and scholarship. He is the author of numerous articles and book chapters on a broad range of topics reflecting the great breadth of knowledge of a true generalist.
A review of the publications and presentations Jim has given over the years reflects his broad range of knowledge, as well as his values. Some examples of the medical topics include: hypothermia, sore throat, low back pain, chronic pain, pressure sores, hypertensive emergencies, and periodic health examinations. More recently his presentations have been of a more philosophical nature and reflect his deep devotion to humankind. Some notable titles include: "Kindness", "Doctoring, Citizenship, Communities: Forging the Bonds", "Mentoring", and "Caring for the Underserved", to name a few. These titles reflect on the person and teacher Jim is and has been. He has truly made a difference in the lives of many in the community, has been a leader and role model for his colleagues and trainees and has trained nearly two generations of young physicians while living what he taught. His contributions to the field of internal medicine and community life in Oregon are inspirational and will be enduring.
Page Posted: 3/19/2007
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Contact Information
Thomas G Cooney, MD, MACP
Oregon Chapter Governor
Mary Olhausen
Phone: 360-892-1814
Fax: 360-326-1844
