William G. Elder PhD

Dr. Elder trained in clinical psychology at the UT Southwestern Medical Center and served a fellowship in the Department of Psychiatry at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. He moved to the UH College of Medicine after twenty years of leadership at the University of Kentucky where he was Professor of Family and Community Medicine and Director of Behavioral Health. He is a highly experienced clinician and educational innovator and researcher.

Dr. Elder has created biopsychosocial training for learners at all levels and emphasizes relational, comprehensive care of patients. He has conducted federally and foundation-funded tertiary clinical research on chronic low back pain and integration of behavioral health. He has served his community locally and led at the national level on medical education. He was recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for his national service representing psychology for Title VII funded programs. He received the first Distinguished Alumni Award from UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Clinical Psychology Program.

Most recently, Dr. Elder developed interprofessional curricula to transform care to embrace quality while reducing health care costs. Content in this curricula focuses on data-driven medical decision making, a population health and quality focus, and team-based collaborative and integrated behavioral health care. Future UH College of Medicine graduates will be prepared to integrate information and use technology at more and more advanced levels.