tom norris

Biographical Information

Tom Norris, MD, serves as Professor and Interim Chair of the UW Department of Family Medicine; and Adjunct Professor of Medical Education – Biomedical Informatics, Medicine, and Health Services. Dr. Norris spent ten years in rural practice in Montana where he was active in the creation and development of the Montana Family Practice Satellite Residency Program. In 1988 he moved to Tacoma to join the faculty of Tacoma Family Medicine, where he served as Residency Director from 1989-1993. Dr. Norris joined the UW faculty as Assistant Dean for Regional Affairs and Rural Health in 1993. He played a major role in adding Wyoming to WWAMI, the UW's regional medical education program. From 1996-2004, Dr. Norris helped establish the UW Physicians Network (UW's network of community-based primary care clinics), serving as both Executive Director and Medical Executive. During this time he also served as the Associate Dean responsible for both the Continuing Medical Education Office and the Office of Medical Alumni Affairs. In 2004, Dr. Norris was promoted to Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, with responsibilities for all aspects of medical student education at the UW School of Medicine. He served in this role through 2010, playing a lead role in establishing a new first year medical school program in Spokane, in developing the TRUST (Targeted Rural Underserved Student Track) program, and in chairing Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation efforts. He also has leadership responsibilities for Continuing Medical Education and Telehealth Services. Dr. Norris continues to practice and teach family medicine, and his research efforts have centered on rural practice, the education of rural family physicians, procedures in family medicine, and the use of telemedicine and medical informatics in primary care settings. Dr. Norris received his MD from the University of Texas Medical Branch.