Robert Emerson Windom Oral History Interview

Robert Emerson Windom (b. 1930) received his MD from Duke University in 1956 and completed his residency at Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas. In 1960, he moved to Sarasota, Florida to practice internal medicine. In 1986, Windom left private practice to accept a presidential appointment as assistant secretary for health in the US Department of Health and Human Services. Since 1989, Windom has been a private health care consultant. In this oral history interview, Windom discusses his time in Florida public health service. He talks about his role in the design and implementation of a community medical clinic in Sarasota County, Florida. Windom also provides his perspective on the connection between organized medicine and public health. He reflects on governmental encroachment into healthcare and details the effects of legislative changes on public health. Windom also talks about his role as president of the Florida Medical Association and describes the issues he encountered, including skyrocketing malpractice insurance premiums and attempts to place limits on legal damages for pain and suffering. Windom also details his appointment to the position of the assistant secretary for health within the US Department of Health and Human Services and provides insights into the federal program and its history