Melina Kibbe, MD, Colin G. Thomas Jr. Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery, has been named Dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Chief Health Affairs Officer for UVA Health.
Dear Colleagues,
Melina Kibbe, MD, Colin G. Thomas Jr. Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery, has been named Dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine and Chief Health Affairs Officer for UVA Health.
While we will certainly miss her at UNC, this is an outstanding opportunity for Dr. Kibbe to lead another one of our nation’s top public medical schools. We wish Dr. Kibbe great success and look forward to following along as she begins this next phase of her career in Charlottesville.
Dr. Kibbe came to UNC in 2016 and in her five years of leadership, the Department of Surgery has grown in all areas of our mission. In the area of research, grant funding has increased 7-fold. The Department has enhanced existing clinical services and added new ones to better serve the people of North Carolina while also serving as an active partner in our work to integrate and excel clinically, establishing their presence at our Panther Creek and UNC Children’s Raleigh facilities. The Department recently finalized a new Surgery Education Center to facilitate collaboration and cutting edge educational opportunities for faculty and learners.
She is an accomplished leader and outstanding colleague who has advocated for her department, faculty, and the patients we serve. She has brought outstanding surgeons to our faculty and helped grow the careers of so many faculty and learners through her mentorship. Our institution has benefitted in so many ways from her time with us.
We will make announcements in the weeks ahead about interim leadership for the Department and the process for our chair search. Today, though, join us in congratulating Dr. Melina Kibbe on this exciting new opportunity and thanking her for her great contributions to UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine.
Sincerely,
Wesley Burks and Cristy Page