Dr. David Barbe (BA '76, MD '80, MHA '05) has been named President of the World Medical Association, and was formally inaugurated on October 30, 2020. As a delegate from (and past President of) the American Medical Association, Barbe will be leading the WMA in its mission to advocate for physicians and medical standards worldwide.
As a family physician from Mountain Grove, Mo., Barbe has cited his experience there as shaping his knowledge of health inequity in rural communities; a challenge made more dire by the COVID-19 pandemic. During his year-long term, he'll be focusing efforts on addressing health care access, in addition to working with public health officials on effective policies.
Barbe was previously recognized by the School of Medicine with a Distinguished Service Award in 2013. He is also a life member of the Mizzou Alumni Association.