Bill Elder, Ph.D., is professor and former chair of the Behavioral and Social Sciences department at the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine. He is also a practicing licensed clinical psychologist at the UH Health Family Care Center. Elder trained in clinical psychology at UT Southwestern Medical Center and completed fellowship training in the Department of Psychiatry at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas. He joined Fertitta Family College of Medicine after 20 years of leadership at the University of Kentucky where he was a professor of Family and Community Medicine and director of Behavioral Health. He is a highly experienced clinician, an educational innovator and a researcher.

Elder has created biopsychosocial training for learners at all levels and emphasizes relational, comprehensive care of patients. He has conducted federal- and foundation-funded clinical research on chronic low-back pain and integration of behavioral health. He was recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for his national service representing psychology for Title VII-funded programs. He received the first Distinguished Alumni Award from UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Clinical Psychology Program.

Most recently, Elder developed transformative, interprofessional curricula focused on embracing quality while reducing health care costs. Content in his curricula focuses on data-driven medical decision making, population health and quality focus. His curricula has also included team-based, collaborative and integrated behavioral health care. As the leader of behavioral and social sciences at the Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Dr. Elder will develop integrated didactic and experiential activities that enable graduates to conceptualize patients at medical, psychological and social levels, to form meaningful and health empowering relationships with their patients.