Ronald David
The Rev. Canon Ronald David, MD, is a physician and priest. A graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a doctor of medicine degree with honors (the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society). He was resident and chief resident in pediatrics and fellow in neonatal perinatal medicine at the University Health Center of Pittsburgh.
A neonatologist concerned about infant mortality, Ron was appointed Deputy Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was appointed Acting Secretary of Health before joining the Harvard Kennedy School faculty as a lecturer in public policy where his research interest was women’s health as it is defined and affected by patriarchal politics and power.
Returning to clinical and academic medicine, Ron was appointed chief medical officer of the District of Columbia Health and Hospitals Public Benefit Corporation. There he witnessed much despair and dysfunction and disease. This was a time of spiritual discernment for Ron and he was set on a conscious path to ministry that led to his earning a Master of Divinity degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary and ordination to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church USA.
Ron is certified as a clinical chaplain and diplomate in the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. He served as chaplain and supervisor of clinical theology at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles.
His standing as an honorary canon was bestowed on him by the Bishop Diocesan of Los Angeles for his counsel and special service to the Church.