Gunderman graduated summa cum laude from Wabash College and earned his MD and PhD at the University of Chicago. An ISMA member since 2005, he chairs the ISMA’s Physician Wellness Steering Committee, helping to ensure more physicians’ voices are heard.
Gunderman plans to use this new role to help create more interest in the field of medicine for the next generation, which is currently lacking. According to a recent poll conducted by Doximity, about 63%, or nearly two-thirds, of doctors don't want their kids to practice medicine. Gunderman is making it his mission to combat this statistic.
“This is a distress call,” Gunderman said. “We need to work vigorously and together to restore pride and joy in our profession. To do so, we need to ensure that our voices make a difference. After all, we know better than anyone what our patients and communities need. We need a wise and inspiring vision of medicine around which we all can unite.”
Gunderman came from a family of no physicians, but he has proudly cultivated a great learning environment for his children. There are now four physicians in his family, two of which are his sons: Peter Gunderman, MD, an assistant professor of clinical radiology and imaging sciences, and David Gunderman, PhD, a medical student in the class of 2026, who recently received the United States Public Health Service's prestigious 2025 Excellence in Public Health Award.
“The flame of medicine is flickering,” he said. “We need to ensure that the flame that was once passed to us will be burning even more brightly as we pass it on to our children and grandchildren.”
