Dr. Ellis graduated from Western Illinois University, summa cum laude in 1967 and from the University of Illinois School of Medicine cum laude in 1971. He completed a year of Internal Medicine and a pathology residency at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center with Board certification in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology in 1976. Dr. Ellis was Director of Laboratories at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center - San Pedro. He is a founding member of Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group, Inc. He is a past president of the American Pathology Foundation and the Los Angeles Society of Pathologists. He serves currently on the College of American Pathologists Practice Management Committee and the boards of the American Pathology Foundation, Pathology Inc, Little Company of Mary Service Area Board and the George Dock Society for the History of Medicine. He is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha National Medical Honor Society, APF, ASCP, ASC, CSP, and IAP. He has several publications and presentations in his areas of interests in hematopathology, parasitology, and medical history.