James M. Haley ’85M (MD), ’88M (RES), P’18

James M. Haley, MD, is a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) who has dedicated his career to improving quality, safety, and the patient experience as well as fostering provider wellness, the biopsychosocial approach, and patient-centered care./p>

A New Jersey native, Haley completed his undergraduate education at Fairfield University in Connecticut. He then went on to graduate with his medical degree from SMD and complete an internal medicine residency at Strong Memorial Hospital. Following a chief residency year at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Haley entered primary care practice in Brighton and was an attending physician at Strong. During that time, he was a Lawrence A. Kohn Teaching Scholar and received the James M. Stewart Award for Distinguished Clinical Teaching. After 12 years in full time practice, Haley was recruited to Rochester’s Unity Hospital where, until his retirement in 2020, he held various posts including chair of medicine, chief quality officer, chief medical officer, and senior vice president while also continuing as a primary care physician. Haley received Unity’s Physician Recognition Award in 2016.

An advocate for education throughout this career, Haley has been involved in medical student and resident education and mentoring, providing departmental oversight for Unity’s Internal Medicine Residency Program; serving as Unity’s designated institutional official for medical education; and having longstanding involvement with SMD clinical teaching and with student recruitment, serving on multiple committees, including the Medical School Admissions Committee.

Haley was past president and currently serves on the board of the Rochester Academy of Medicine and is a longstanding member of the Monroe County Medical Society. In 2009, Haley received the Academy of Medicine’s Award of Merit. He is an active SMD alumnus, serving as its Class of 1985 class agent, is a longstanding Alumni Council member, and is a charter member of the George Eastman Circle.