On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, members of the Duke Department of Surgery, along with leadership and colleagues from across Duke, gathered to celebrate Allan D. Kirk, MD, PhD’s, 10-year anniversary as Chair of the Department of Surgery.
At the conclusion of the weekly Surgery Grand Rounds at Duke University Hospital, attendees were asked to remain for a special surprise presentation.
Vincent E. Price, PhD, President of Duke University; Mary E. Klotman, MD, Dean of the Duke University School of Medicine; Craig T. Albanese, MD, Chief Executive Officer for Duke University Health System (DUHS); and Katherine Stanley, MBA, Vice Chair of Finance and Administration for the Department of Surgery, all remarked on Dr. Kirk’s outstanding leadership in his tenure as Chair and Surgeon-in-Chief of DUHS, as well as his personal character and what he has contributed to the culture of the department and Duke as a whole.
“I would like to congratulate Allan on a decade of incredible service to the university, to Duke Health, and to this wonderful department,” said President Price at Wednesday's celebration. “Allan exemplifies what it means to be a physician–scientist in so many ways, and what it means to be a leader.”
Dr. Kirk is an alumnus of the Duke University doctor of medicine program, general surgery residency, and PhD in microbiology and immunology. He spent 18 years in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps and seven years as a professor of surgery at Emory University before returning to Duke as Chair of the Department of Surgery on May 1, 2014. He holds joint faculty appointments in the Duke Departments of Integrative Immunobiology and Pediatrics; is on the core faculty for Duke Innovation & Entrepreneurship; and is a member of the Duke Cancer Institute.
He was named the David C. Sabiston, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Surgery in 2015.
“Ten years ago, Allan had big shoes to step into, left by former Chairs going back to Deryl Hart and David Sabiston, but he has elevated the department to even higher heights,” said Dean Klotman in her remarks. “His contributions go far beyond the department, as he is always willing to step up, always willing to speak out respectfully, and lead.”
Dr. Kirk is an accomplished transplant surgeon–scientist, widely published author, decorated award recipient, and dedicated educator and mentor. Most recently, he was named the 2024 recipient of the American Surgical Association’s (ASA) highly esteemed Flance-Karl Award, which annually recognizes one surgeon in the U.S. who has made a seminal contribution in basic laboratory research which has application to clinical surgery.
“During Dr. Kirk’s tenure, our surgical platform as achieved monumental milestones,” said Dr. Albanese of Dr. Kirk’s impact on the larger Duke University Health System and its communities. “We’ve performed nearly 750,000 surgical cases, expanded our surgical footprint throughout the Triangle, performed novel procedures, mentored and trained surgical leaders in clinical care, education, research, and consistently improved patient outcomes.”
Dr. Albanese continued, “In his role as Surgeon-in-Chief, Dr. Kirk has been a champion of horizontal thinking and management in which one creates and spreads the single highest standard for care across all of Duke’s entities. He is an ultimate grand champion of culture, and understands the importance of a workplace culture rooted in respect, ownership, and teamwork.”
In Dr. Kirk’s tenure as Chair, the Duke Department of Surgery has seen successes and achievements across all pillars of the department’s mission: patient care, research, education, and community. Under Dr. Kirk’s leadership, Duke Surgery has also solidified and reaffirmed its commitment to growth, innovation, advancement, collaboration, and unity.
“I am humbled and most grateful for being able to work with everyone in this department,” said Dr. Kirk following his colleagues' remarks. “This department is its people. And everything that we have been able to accomplish is a group effort. I am very honored.”
Dr. Kirk will reflect on the department’s growth and wider achievements over the past ten years as he gives his Decade in Review presentation on June 14, 2024.