James Jackson was born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended Carleton College in Minnesota, where he majored in Russian with a concentration in Biochemistry. After college, he returned to the Bluegrass to complete his medical studies at the University of Kentucky. In medical school, James enjoyed studying ethics and medical humanities, and graduated from the global health track. He matched into a 5-year combined residency program in Family Medicine and Psychiatry at the University of Iowa. There, he pursued added training in leadership and hospice and palliative medicine. James feels fortunate to have participated in several domestic and international health opportunities. He is excited to join the HEAL team to gain experience in effective health partnership towards a career in medical education and diplomacy.