Holly J. Humphrey, MD ’79 Becomes New Board Chair

She is the first woman to lead North Central College’s Board of Trustees

On Jan. 1, 2023, Holly J. Humphrey, MD ’79 began her tenure as the new chair of the North Central College Board of Trustees.

Dr. Humphrey is the first woman to serve in that role. Regarding her milestone appointment, she is reflective about the College’s original mission. “In 1861, the founding resolution to create North Central read: ‘This College will be for male and for female students.’ At the time, it was unusual for women in the U.S. to be enrolled in college, particularly in a coeducational setting,” Humphrey said.

“From the very beginning, North Central has been a leader as an institution, creating opportunity for all.”

Those same values have been at the root of Humphrey’s long career in medical education leadership. She is president of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, which supports initiatives that improve education for medical students, allied health students, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals. She is also the Ralph W. Gerard Professor in Medicine Emerita at the University of Chicago. She served for 30 years in various faculty and leadership roles at the university, most recently as the dean for medical education. Graduating medical students at the University of Chicago selected her for the institution’s Gender Equity Award on five occasions. She was the recipient of the Favorite Faculty Teaching Award more than 25 times.

Humphrey is a proud alumnus of North Central, where she earned an undergraduate degree in biology and chemistry. “North Central College catalyzed my career in medicine by building a strong foundation in the liberal arts,” she said. Humphrey then earned her medical degree from the University of Chicago, where she completed an internal medicine residency and a pulmonary and critical care fellowship.

Humphrey’s favorite building on the North Central campus is the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center. To this day, she appreciates that, as a student, she was able to perform with the College orchestra without being a music major.

“The combination of a strong liberal arts faculty and opportunities in the fine arts and athletics was unparalleled,” she said. During her time at North Central, Humphrey met her husband, Duane Follman, MD’79. Humphrey is a recipient of the North Central College Outstanding Alumni Award, and she has served as a trustee on North Central’s board since 2004.