Donna D. Elliott

Donna D. Elliott, M.D., Ed.D., is a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, (Educational Scholar), Vice Dean for Medical Education and Chair of the Department of Medical Education at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. Dr. Elliott received her BS, MD, MS, and EdD from the University of Southern California. In her role as vice dean, Dr. Elliott oversees all aspects of the MD program and advises the Keck School’s dean on all academic areas related to medical students including admissions, student affairs, wellness, academic support, curriculum and diversity and inclusion. As chair of the Department of Medical Education, Dr. Elliott is responsible for leading faculty members who have expertise in course/program evaluation, assessment, curriculum development, clinical skills assessment, faculty development, educational technology, instructional design, research design, psychometrics and statistical analysis. They also provide mentoring and support to Keck School faculty and students who are interested in conducting research in medical education.

Dr. Elliott has received numerous teaching and mentoring awards including the Mellon Award for Excellence in Mentoring and the Excellence in Teaching Award both from the University of Southern California. She was also named a Master Teacher at the Keck School of Medicine and elected a faculty fellow in the USC Center for Excellence in Teaching. Dr. Elliott received the Women Leaders in Medicine Award from the American Medical Student Association and was named a Remarkable Woman of USC. In 2021, Dr. Elliott received the Edithe J. Levit Distinguished Service Award from the NBME and the AAMC Group on Student Affairs Exemplary Service Award.

Dr. Elliott serves on a number of working groups at the AAMC and is currently a member of the AAMC Advancing Holistic Review Initiative Advisory Committee. Dr. Elliott previously served as the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) National Chair for the Group on Student Affairs (GSA) and as a member of the executive board of the National Board of Medical Examiners.