Dr. James Becker of Huntington, West Virginia, is vice dean for Government Affairs, Health Care Policy and External Affairs at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University and medical director of the Bureau for Medical Services at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. He is an associate professor in the Department of Family and Community Health at Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine where he conducts his clinical activities and directs the Section of Occupational and Environmental Health.
Dr. Becker is a 1993 graduate of Marshall University School of Medicine. After completing his residency in family practice he did a one-year fellowship in primary care occupational medicine. He is a certified Diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine.
Prior to his medical school training, Dr. Becker worked for 15 years as a research and clinical toxicologist. He has devoted a significant part of his clinical activities to addiction medicine and, for the last 17 years, has provided medical care in support of the acute detoxification program of the Prestera Mental Health Center.
Dr. Becker was the Medical Director for the West Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission from 2003 until 2007 and was part of the team leading the workers’ compensation reform effort that arose from Senate Bill 2013. Dr. Becker was recognized as West Virginia Family Physician of the Year, 2013. He is married to Kim, a retired school teacher, and they live on their farm in Lavalette, WV where they share a great interest in gardening, hiking and hunting wild mushrooms.