UHC Spotlight: Stephen Rodgers, MD

By Jason Diggs, UHC Marketing GA

Dr. Stephen Rodgers completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Tulsa and completed his medical school training at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Dr. Rodgers finished his residency in pediatrics in 1973, and practiced pediatrics for 10 years before taking an interest in administrative medicine in Virginia Beach.

“I always liked science. I liked mechanical, technical stuff so I thought I wanted to be a surgeon. But pediatricians were more like my personality, so I easily aligned with them and their specialty,” he said.

For 23 years he worked at the Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and was chairman of the Credentials Committee, where he managed 600 doctors and health professionals’ credentials and privileges to practice at the hospital.

In 2006, Dr. Rodgers decided to leave the daily rigors of that practice and join us as a university physician. He continues to practice medicine in student health services and also serves as the University Health Center Medical Director.

"I enjoy working at JMU because of the friendly atmosphere built from the students, faculty, and administration," he said.

When Dr. Rodgers is not serving JMU students, he likes to spend his time maintaining his modest farm, mending fences, and building a barn. He loves riding and caring for his horses, and tries to spend as much time as possible with his wife, children, and grandchildren.