Dr. Wayne Frederick

President Emeritus, Howard University

Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick is president emeritus of Howard University, leading the institution as its 17th president from 2014-2023. He was recently selected by the Howard University Board of Trustees to serve as the distinguished Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery.

Dr. Frederick advanced Howard University’s commitment to student opportunity, academic innovation, public service and fiscal stability. He oversaw a series of reform efforts, including the expansion of academic offerings, establishing innovative programs to support student success and the modernization of university facilities.

Dr. Frederick received his B.S. and M.D. from Howard University and earned a Master of Business Administration from Howard University’s Business School in 2011. He began his academic career as associate director of the Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut. Upon his return to Howard University, his academic positions included associate dean in the College of Medicine, division chief in the Department of Surgery, director of the Cancer Center and deputy provost for Health Sciences. Prior to his appointment as interim president of Howard University, Frederick was its provost and chief academic officer.

Dr. Frederick is the author of numerous peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, abstracts and editorials and is a widely recognized expert on disparities in health care and medical education. His medical research focuses on narrowing racial, ethnic and gender disparities in cancer-care outcomes, especially pertaining to gastrointestinal cancers.

Dr. Frederick was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. He currently serves on the boards of directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Humana Inc. He is a member of surgical and medical associations, including the American Surgical Association and the American College of Surgeons.