Dr. Linda R. Adkison, PhD, is an expert in genetics, outcomes metrics, data analysis, and medical education. Her career has spanned nearly four decades in the academic and scientific fields.
Currently, Dr. Adkison is vice provost of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. In this role, she oversees institutional and programmatic accreditation at the main campus in Philadelphia, the additional site campus in Moultrie, Georgia, and the branch campus in Suwanee, Georgia. Additionally, Dr. Adkison oversees the osteopathic medicine clinical career counseling program and the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research. She develops about 500 medical students’ performance evaluations each year for residency applications as well as graduates’ fellowship applications.
A Passion for Science
Dr. Adkison developed a love for science at a young age when she was influenced by a science teacher who worked diligently to inspire and motivate the students to embrace science. This teacher was one of Dr. Adkison’s many mentors throughout her academic career. Those mentors helped Dr. Adkison map out the courses she should take and directed her toward opportunities that would later advance her career.
A biology advisor and personal mentor inspired Dr. Adkison to major in genetics after she showed interest in the structure and function of the double helix aspect of DNA. When Dr. Adkison was in graduate school, the faculty encouraged her to apply to the Jackson Laboratory for a summer fellowship after she earned a master’s degree. She would later complete postdoctoral studies at the same institution.
Dr. Adkison attributes her success to the remarkable individuals who have surrounded her throughout her career journey. She enjoyed spending many afternoons conversing with Nobel Prize winners at The Jackson Laboratory, and some of her mentors have contributed to major scientific achievements, such as those who were part of the first scientific team to map genes in cows. Each of these individuals has had a lasting impression on her.
A Mentor to Her Own Students
Dr. Adkison’s greatest career achievement is watching students graduate and knowing she helped them reach their dreams. When she emails her students, she always reminds them that her goal is for them to succeed.
Dr. Adkison successfully engaged both the faculty and students in routines that fostered success at the Kansas City University School of Medicine and Trinity Medical Sciences University. Together as a team, they helped all students pass their exams and secure placements in residency programs. Ultimately, her greatest achievements have always been her students.
Dr. Adkison is also an author and has published more than 50 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Her research has involved gene mapping and characterization in several vertebrate models, mutational analyses, and outcomes of analyses of student performance. She has authored two genetics review textbooks.
“It is important to always strive for improvement. Even if you are number one, you cannot afford to become complacent because there are always other programs working hard to take your position. You must stay on your A-game and continuously look for ways to improve,” Dr. Adkison says.
In recognition of her achievements, Dr. Adkison has been honored as a Marquis Who’s Who Top Professional. She was also presented with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award by Marquis Who’s Who in 2025 and has been included in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in Medicine and Health Care, and Who’s Who in the World.
