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William Cannon, MD, Gives Back to Stritch
 As
long as William Cannon, MD (’88), can remember,
becoming a physician has always been his life’s
calling. When deciding which medical school to
attend, he originally planned to apply to programs
that, at the time, had more name recognition than
Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine
(Stritch). However, he realized that Stritch was
the right choice for him. “There was a sense
of family and an atmosphere of warmth, spirituality,
professionalism and personal responsibility,”
recalls Dr. Cannon of his first impressions of
Stritch.
The characteristics Dr. Cannon describes above
could be applied to him as well. He has spent
his medical career at Loyola University Health
System (Loyola) caring for patients, educating
medical students and taking on leadership roles
that help define medicine at Loyola. After earning
his medical degree from Stritch, he completed
his residency in internal medicine and general
pediatrics at Loyola University Medical Center.
He served as medical director of primary care
and managed care and vice chief of staff of Loyola
University Hospital. Most recently, he was appointed
chief of staff. At Stritch, he serves as assistant
professor of general internal medicine and general
pediatrics, and chairs the Financial Aid Committee.
The values Dr. Cannon learned from his family
and Loyola’s Jesuit Catholic philosophy
continue to motivate him to “to do more.”
He regularly contributes to the Dean’s Fund
for Excellence Fund to help offset the enormous
debt students incur as a result of rising tuition
costs. “Because of this burden,” he
said, “these talented physicians are unable
to share their altruism for the next decade, which
is very problematic.” Dr. Cannon recognizes
that the combined support of all Stritch alumni,
faculty and friends could make the critical difference
for these students.
As chief of staff, Dr. Cannon’s vision
is to maintain the quality of care and smooth
operations of the medical and dental staff. As
medicine changes at a rapid pace, the future lies
on health-care providers working in teams versus
individuals. He noted that the medical center
expansion project is part of the response to that
change. “The physical building was designed
to encourage that teamwork, much like the Loyola
Outpatient Center. We are being proactive in our
approach to patient care.”
Dr. Cannon is proud of the changes he has witnessed
and been a part of during his 20 years at Loyola.
“It has been fascinating to see Loyola from
many different angles. As a medical student, resident,
faculty member, primary caregiver and as chief
of staff, I have been privileged to meet many
outstanding and truly committed people in every
area.”
When asked about the challenges facing health
care, Dr. Cannon replied, “Medicine changes
every day. It’s sometimes frustrating, painful
and tragic. The way we choose to deal with those
changes is often the most difficult yet rewarding
part. The good news is these experiences help
us grow to become better people, doctors, teachers,
husbands, wives and parents.”
For more information on the Dean’s Fund
for Excellence, contact Shawn Vogen, assistant
dean, Office of Development, Stritch School of
Medicine, at (708) 216-5642.
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