UMMC Professor receives American College of Physicians' highest honor

Dr. Joe Files, professor of medicine and director of the Division of Hematology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, has received his mastership from the American College of Physicians, joining a select group of Mississippi physicians who have received the national organization’s highest recognition.

“It’s really quite a unique honor for me to receive this award. For service, this is the highest honor they bestow,” Files said.

The ACP is the largest medical-specialty organization and second-largest physician group in the United States. Its membership of 130,000 includes internists, internal medicine subspecialists and medical students, residents and fellows. The group’s goal is to enhance the quality and effectiveness of health care by fostering excellence and professionalism in the practice of medicine.

Four Mississippians, all University of Mississippi Medical Center faculty, have received mastership since it was established in 1923. They include Dr. Robert Blount, Dr. Harper Hellums, Dr. Peter Blake and Dr. James Achord.

To qualify for ACP mastership, a physician must be a fellow in the organization, be highly accomplished in their professions and be distinguished by the excellence and significance of their contributions to the field of medicine.

Files jokes modestly about his nomination.

“A lot of people must have perjured themselves for me to get it,” he said, smiling.

Dr. Shirley Schlessinger, interim chair of the Department of Medicine, said Files exemplifies the attributes required for the recognition and more. She said the ACP Mastership status is awarded sparingly and only to remarkable physicians who have dedicated their careers to excellence in patient care, a passion for educating the next generation of physicians, and a commitment to expanding medical knowledge. 

“Dr. Joe Files unquestionably deserves and has brought honor to our department and to our institution in receiving this prestigious title and tribute from the American College of Physicians,” she said. “He is truly a ‘master’ of medicine, an excellent role model for all of us in our profession.”

A native Mississippian and University of Mississippi graduate, Files earned the M.D. at the Medical Center in 1972. He completed his residency at UMMC in internal medicine, including a year as chief resident. He then attended the University of Washington in Seattle for his hematology fellowship, where his primary focus was in the field of bone marrow transplant. He returned to join the Medical Center faculty in 1979.

Files has been an active member in the ACP for more than 30 years and served as the governor of Mississippi for the college from 2001-05. His primary focus has been patient care and resident education.

Nancy Youngblood, executive director of the ACP Mississippi chapter, said members were unanimous in their decision to nominate Files. She will be among the contingent attending the annual ACP meeting in San Diego April 5-9 to see Files receive a special master academic hood during the convocation ceremony.

“I don’t think there has been a better role model, mentor, educator and physician than Joe,” Youngblood said. “This man has been admired and respected for as long as anyone at university. His career has been astonishing.”

Dr. Stephanie Elkins, professor of medicine, has known Files since 1987 when she was an internal medicine resident. She said he was the reason she decided to go into hematology/oncology.

“He trained me and then hired me,” she said. “He’s the reason I do what I do.

“He’s just one of those consummate physicians, possessing the clinical skills, the knowledge and the compassion.”

Elkins also said Files has been instrumental in developing hematology/oncology in Mississippi.

“Many of those who practice hem/onc in the state trained with him or under him. That’s a great legacy,” she said.