Leon McDougle, MD, MPH

Physician, Professor

Primary Care - Family Medicine

Leon McDougle 4.9 out of 5

Make an appointment

614-688-6490
Accepting new patients

Conditions and expertise

  • Primary Care
  • Diabetes Mellitus

Locations

  • Outpatient Care East

View location details

Academics and research

Department: Family Medicine

View my research

About

Gender
Male

Biography

As a family medicine physician, I provide primary care for a mostly older and multicultural community in the Near East Side of Columbus. I treat and manage a wide range of conditions and diseases, but most of my time is spent in administrative leadership roles at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and The Ohio State University College of Medicine to support our mission of improving the health of people living in Ohio and across the world through innovation in research, education and patient care. The remainder of my time is dedicated to patient care; medical student, resident, fellow and staff education; and research.

I enjoy working at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center because of the difference in care stemming from our strength as interdisciplinary teams committed to providing inclusive care with cultural sensitivity and humility all the way from the frontline staff to the Dean of the College of Medicine and CEO of the health system. I really appreciate the 'can do' and collaborative spirit that can be found across the academic medical center, campus and central Ohio communities.

In my free time I enjoy watching sports and science fiction on television, reading biographies and walking with my wife, Natasha.

Highlights

  • Rated in the top 10% of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2015, 2016 and 2018
  • Best Doctor in America, 2013-2022
  • Founding contributor, Urban Family Medicine Residency
  • Partnered with Biomedical Science and College of Medicine leadership to obtain National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding to start the DISCOVERY Post Baccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)
  • 121st National Medical Association President (August 2020-July 2021)
  • Elected to serve one year term as National Medical Association President Elect July 31, 2019, followed by one year term as the 121st NMA President
  • National Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Diversity and Inclusion, 2013-2015
  • 1st African American to achieve the rank of professor with tenure in The Ohio State University Department of Family and Community Medicine

Conditions and expertise

  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Primary Care

Locations

Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.

Credentials

Education

Residency - Family Medicine
Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, Camp Pendleton, CA
7/1/1989 - 6/30/1992
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, United States
7/1/1985 - 6/9/1989
Graduate
University of Michigan Public Health-Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
1/1/0001 - 4/26/2001

Certifications

  • American Heart Association National Center
    3/1/2001
  • American Board of Family Medicine
    7/10/1992

Academics and research

I am the first African American to achieve the rank of Professor with tenure in The Ohio State University Department of Family and Community Medicine. A graduate of the University of Toledo and OSU College of Medicine, I completed the family medicine residency at the Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, California, and earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, Department of Health Management and Policy. I have been recognized as being among the top 10 percent of physicians nationally for patient satisfaction. I was elected to serve as Chair of the Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Diversity and Inclusion (2013-2015) and President-Elect of the National Medical Association July 31, 2019. I also provide service for the AAMC as faculty for the Healthcare Executive Diversity and Inclusion Certificate Program and Minority Faculty Leadership Seminar.

Research interests

  • Primary Care

Editorial activities

  • Editorial Board: Spectrum: A Journal on Black Men - October 1, 2011 to present

National positions

  • President-Elect, National Medical Association
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Network of Minority Research Investigators Annual Workshop Planning Committee
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Network of Minority Research Investigators Senior Research Mentor
  • AAMC Collaborative of Health Equity: Act, Research, Generate Evidence (CHARGE)
  • Representative, Association of American Medical Colleges Group of Diversity and Inclusion
  • Representative, Association of American Medical Colleges Group on Student Affairs, Committee on Student Diversity Affairs

Professional memberships

  • National Medical Association
  • American Academy of Family Physicians, Diplomate and Fellow
  • National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions
  • Association of Military Surgeons of the United States

Honors and awards

  • University of Toledo College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Outstanding Alumnus for the Academic Year 2017-2018
  • North American Primary Care Research Group PEARLS for clinical impact: Wallace LS, McDougle L, Miser WF, Wexler RK. Gaps in Knowledge: What do Primary Care Patients Know about the Opioid Medication they Have Been Prescribed? Recognized as one of ten PEARLS among 700 presentations at the NAPCRG Annual Meeting, November 24, 2014, New York, New York. 2014
  • Multicultural Leadership Award from the National Diversity Council 2013

Academic information

Department:
Family Medicine
Division:
Family Medicine

More about my research

Ratings and reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

77 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

4.9 out of 5 overall
  • Explains Things Carefully
    4.8 / 5
  • Listens Carefully
    4.9 / 5
  • Gives Understandable Instructions
    4.8 / 5
  • Knows My Medical History
    4.8 / 5
  • Shows Respect
    5.0 / 5
  • Time Spent Together
    4.9 / 5

Patient Comments

  • Reviewed on Oct 31, 2025

    Doctor was exceptional

  • Reviewed on Oct 19, 2025

    I have very high respect for my provider

  • Reviewed on Oct 14, 2025

    It's was a good time there

  • Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

    Good

  • Reviewed on Sep 09, 2025

    My care provider is awesome!

Consulting and Related Relationships

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.

As of 11/3/2025 Dr. McDougle has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.

  • National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
  • Rainbow PUSH Coalition

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