ME S S AGE FROM THE DE A N DEAR FRIENDS, As dean, I am surrounded by excellence and innovation on a daily basis, and I feel so fortunate to work with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends who are invested in the continuing growth and success of our school. I am pleased to update you on many important milestones. Almost a year ago, the school embarked on a strategic planning initiative, engaging over 100 faculty members to guide the future of our research mission. In July, we shared the research plan, “Leading the Next Generation of Discovery and Impact,” and embarked on its implementation. The plan provides a focus and clarity on the school’s research priorities and reinforces our commitment to conduct research of the highest caliber and integrity as well as our commitment to recruit visionary scientists, develop state-of-the-art resources and support, and enhance our current infrastructure. We are ambitious with our goals and excited for what the future holds. This summer, the school also emerged as a leader in the development of physician-scientists, with the announcement of three new training awards, the appointment of Sallie Permar, MD, PhD, to a national leadership role, and the development of a new physician-scientist development office within the school. Duke was one of five recipients of The Burroughs Wellcome Fund Physician-Scientist Institutional Award, which provides $2.5 million to address training gaps and the high rate of attrition in the physician-scientist pipeline. We also received two highly competitive Stimulating Access to Research during Residency (StARR) R38 awards from the NIH. This is a novel training program designed to support research during the residency period. Dr. Permar was named the next program director for the National Institute of
Child Health and Human Development-sponsored Pediatric Scientist Development Program. Duke is now exceptionally well positioned to promote and develop physician-scientist careers. Duke was also the recipient of a renewal of our Clinical and Translational Science Award, a fiveyear grant of more than $60 million from the National Institutes of Health designed to enhance support and resources that will expedite our ability to translate discovery into improved care for our patients.
DukeMed Alumni News is published by the Duke Medical Alumni Association.
Editor Dave Hart
Assistant Editor & Art Director David Pickel
Contributing Writers Laura Ertel, Dave Hart, Lindsay Key, Whitney Palmer, David Pickel, Mara Shurgot
Finally, I’d also like to welcome three new School of Medicine leaders. Colin S. Duckett, PhD, is our new vice dean for basic science. He will be instrumental in enhancing the environment for our laboratory scientists and will have oversight of the biomedical graduate programs, postdoctoral office, animal care program, core facilities, and research lab space utilization. Michael Pencina, PhD, was named vice dean for data science and information technology for the school. He is responsible for developing and implementing quantitative science strategies as they pertain to the school’s education and training and laboratory, clinical science, and data science missions. Kathleen Cooney, MD, a medical oncologist and internationally known physician-scientist, was named chair of the Department of Medicine. We are fortunate to have her expertise and leadership, and I look forward to working closely with her. I find it especially rewarding to have opportunities to keep our dearest alumni and friends abreast of all that is happening at Duke. Thank you for your continued friendship and support. I look forward to seeing you at Medical Alumni Weekend this fall! Sincerely,
Photography Alex Boerner, Bruce DeBoer, Heather Hackney, Chris Hildreth, Colin Huth, Ken Huth, Greg Knight, Jared Lazarus, John O’Boyle, David Poeller, Shawn Rocco, Brian Smith, Cameron Triggs Cover photograph by Chris Hildreth Produced by Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs. Copyright Duke University, 2018 DHDAA 8542 DukeMed Alumni News is mailed two times a year to alumni, donors, and friends of Duke University School of Medicine. Issues are available online at medalumni.duke.edu. Please contact us at: DukeMed Alumni News 710 W. Main Street, Suite 200 Durham, NC 27701-3973 919-385-3100
dukemed@dm.duke.edu Your comments, ideas, and letters to the editor are welcome.
Mary E. Klotman, T’76, MD’80, HS’80-’85 Dean, Duke University School of Medicine, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs
Mary E. Klotman, MD
Scott Gibson, MBA
Edward G. Buckley, MD
Adrian Hernandez, MD
Judy Seidenstein
Dean and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs R.J. Reynolds Professor of Medicine Professor of Pathology Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology Member, Duke Human Vaccine Institute
Executive Vice Dean for Administration
Vice Dean for Education
Vice Dean for Clinical Research
L. Ebony Boulware, MD, MPH
Billy Newton
Stacy Palmer
Associate Dean and Chief Diversity Officer
Vice Dean for Finance
Associate Dean for Strategic Planning and Chief of Staff
Vice Dean for Translational Sciences
Ann Brown, MD, MHS Vice Dean for Faculty
Theodore N. Pappas, MD Vice Dean for Medical Affairs
Colin Duckett, PhD Vice Dean of Basic Science
Jill Boy Associate Dean and Chief Communications Officer