Zoanne Clack

In college, Zoanne Clack majored in communication studies and neurobiology. She spent her post-college years devoted to the practice of medicine. From medical school, Dr. Clack went on to do a residency in emergency medicine and get a master’s degree in Public Health (MPH). After doing a fellowship in injury prevention and working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) doing international emergency medicine, she decided to pursue her creative aspirations.

Dr. Clack moved to Los Angeles in 2000 and was able to quickly land a staff writer position on the CBS show “Presidio Med” in 2001. She then became a medical advisor on the long-lasting series “ER” before moving on to become a writer and move up the ranks to executive producer on ABC’s award-winning, critically acclaimed drama “Grey’s Anatomy.” She has been with the show since its inception and also acts as a medical advisor, assisting in the production of all medical aspects of the show.

In 2005, Dr. Clack and the staff of “Grey’s Anatomy” won a Writers Guild of America Award for Best New Series. She was selected to receive the National Medical Association’s (NMA) Scroll of Merit Award, the highest honor given by the NMA, which is the largest organization of African American physicians in the country. Concordantly, she went on to accept the Leadership and Legacy Alumni Award in 2007 given by the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), an organization with the goal of ensuring culturally sensitive medical education and increasing the number of students of color who enter and complete medical school. She served on their board as a professional member for two years.

Until recently, Dr. Clack continued to work shifts in the emergency department of a small community hospital outside of Los Angeles. She is a staunch advocate of promoting public health issues through the media, serving on the board as an advisor for several global health groups that teach through entertainment. She has represented these groups all over the world, including Croatia, India, Papua New Guinea and Kyrgyzstan. She also has a commitment to inspiring others to pursue their passion and find the courage to follow their dreams. To that end, she gives motivational speeches to colleges, medical schools and other organizations.