Douglas Char, MD

My pathway to becoming a physician had some early hiccups.  I “flunked” first grade (I’m an identical twin we both had to repeat kindergarten) due to dyslexia (and probably a hint of ADHD).  My college premed advisor informed me that I was “mediocre med school material”.  I wasn’t accepted into medical school and chose to pursue a master’s degree in Immunology before reapplying.  I’ve been overcompensating for my dyslexia for a long time.

I joined the faculty in 1995 after completing residencies in Internal Medicine and Emergency Medicine in Denver (Univ of Color and Denver General).   I was Associate Program Director for 5 years then Residency Director for 14 years –stepping down in 2014. I was very active within CORD and served on the board of directors for 4 years.  I led the medical student longitudinal Diversity and Inclusion curriculum for 5 years.  I serve on the Competency Attainment Committee and Committee on Medical Student Education for the new Gateway Curriculum.

I initially thought my clinical interests would focus on Infectious Disease (I have a masters in Immunology & Microbiology) but when I arrived there was need for a cardiology liaison. I’ve been the department lead for cardiology with a focus on ACS, STEMI, arrhythmias and more recently heart failure. This is manifested in hospital and medical school committees and as a clinical trials investigator.  Participation in clinical trials led me to join the Wash Univ Institutional Review Board. I served as Co-Chair for 15 years.  I’ve always been intrigued by disasters and was a founding member of the federal Missouri-1 Disaster Medical Assistance Team (now Midwest 01).  I work at the headquarters level (HHS/APSR) deploying as the Senior Medical Officer for large national events (hurricane, flood, national security events) as part of the Incident Management Team.

As someone who tends to say “yes to everything” I’ve spent much of my career participating in organized medicine and the medical school. I have served on the Missouri College of Emergency Physicians Board of Director for sixteen years. I was chapter president from 2014-2016.  I have served on the University Faculty Senate Council (2011-2016), SOM Faculty Practice Plan (2019-2023) and Executive Committee of the SOM Faculty Council (Vice-Chair and Chair 2025-2027).  If you want to get involved in hospital, school and regional activities I can help.

I view my role in faculty development as supporting the next generation of academic emergency physicians.  How can I help faculty get established, empowered and thriving?  I see myself as a connector – bringing together faculty with resources and people from across the school, university and our specialty.  I tend to be in my office most days (I live close by and hate doing work at home). I manage my own calendar and can generally set up a meeting within a few days.  I tend to put in a 55-6 hour workweeks and have high expectations of others.  I’ve mellowed a little over the years.  If you want someone who is open and approachable, but also a go-getter who will push you, then we should find time to discuss your career.