by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
February 26, 2026
Dr. Underwood is thought for his advocacy towards well being fairness initiatives.
Dr. Willie Underwood III, a urological surgeon and Morehouse alum, will lead the American Medical Affiliation as its incoming president.
Underwood turned the official President-elect final June in the course of the 2025 AMA assembly in Chicago. There, his fellow medical professionals voted for him to steer the affiliation into its subsequent period.
Underwood brings over a quarter-century of expertise in medication, notably within the surgical discipline. Underwood has been a pioneering determine in robotic urologic surgical procedure, working revolutionary medical approaches for 15 years.
Previous to this, Dr. Underwood started his journey by way of increased training at Morehouse Faculty. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s in biology from the all-men’s HBCU, he continued his medical research at SUNY Upstate Medical Faculty.
There, he obtained two graduate levels, together with his doctorate in medication and a grasp’s in cell biology and anatomy. Following this, he obtained an extra grasp’s in well being administration and coverage from the College of Michigan Faculty of Public Well being.
Along with his superior levels in tow, Underwood additionally co-founded KAPS Biotechnology LLC, holding patents for co-developing a biomarker for prostate most cancers. His profession has made him a notable voice in medical analysis, co-authoring over 120 peer-reviewed publications, e-book chapters, and printed abstracts.
Upon his newest appointment, Underwood expressed his gratitude to steer the establishment at this “essential second” in healthcare and medical development.
“It’s an unbelievable honor to be chosen by my friends to signify physicians and the sufferers we serve at this essential second for well being care and medication,” Dr. Underwood stated in a press release. “The AMA is main the best way in combating for a rational Medicare cost system, to rein in prior authorization, and scale back doctor burnout. I’ll stand as much as advocate for our career in a manner that can encourage, inspire, and activate physicians to hitch the AMA in our efforts to enhance the well being of our nation.”
Already a vocal member of the AMA, he beforehand served on its Board of Trustees in 2019, whereas additionally chairing the board in 2023. As a pacesetter in medical innovation, Underwood additionally held membership within the Nationwide Medical Affiliation Fee to Finish Well being Care Disparities, American Urological Affiliation Public Coverage Council, in addition to board membership for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Protect of Western and Northeastern New York.
Alongside his medical career, Underwood additionally launched a profession as a speaker and presenter, with appearances throughout in-person conferences, radio, and tv.
Beneath his tenure, which begins in June 2026, Underwood will proceed advocating for well being fairness, notably for each sufferers and docs. In a 2024 interview with the Nationwide Press, he spoke on the monetary pressure of well being inequities inside the U.S., emphasizing the significance of eliminating these boundaries to offer high quality healthcare.
“Well being inequities price this nation relies on wherever from $350 billion a 12 months in direct healthcare prices, to $450 billion a 12 months while you embody lack of productiveness,” Underwood stated. “It’s going to be a trillion {dollars} in direct and oblique healthcare prices by 2040. We’re achieved if that occurs. So we have to determine how we put issues collectively that change that for the betterment of all of us.
His work will go towards making certain docs can carry out at their highest degree whereas prioritizing the wellness and therapy of sufferers, regardless of their background.
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