Melina Kibbe, MD

Since 2021, Melina Kibbe, MD, has been the Dean of the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, the James Carroll Flippin Professor of Medical Science, and the Chief Health Affairs Officer at UVA Health. In these roles, she has focused on advancing the school’s educational, clinical, and research missions. Dr. Kibbe is dedicated to ensuring UVA remains at the cutting edge of medical innovation while fostering an environment of excellence in patient care. Her leadership efforts emphasize integrating scientific discoveries into clinical practice to improve human health. In addition to her roles at UVA, Dr. Kibbe is the Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Surgery, one of the premier journals in the field of surgery. Under her direction, the journal has seen significant growth and has maintained its position as a leading resource in surgical research. Her contributions to the medical field were recognized by her election to the National Academy of Medicine, a prestigious honor given to those who have made significant contributions to healthcare. Dr. Kibbe has received 24 awards for teaching excellence throughout her career, reflecting her passion for educating and mentoring the next generation of medical professionals. Dr. Kibbe is also the co-founder of VesselTek BioMedical, LLC, a company dedicated to developing medical devices for the treatment of vascular diseases. While her direct clinical practice is limited, she leads a research lab focused on developing drug-eluting therapies for vascular conditions. Her research has been supported by numerous external funding sources, ensuring that her work continues to advance the field of medical science. As Dean of the UVA School of Medicine, Melina Kibbe has overseen impressive institutional growth. Under her leadership, the school has significantly increased its research funding, reaching $274 million. She has also overseen an increase in the school’s endowment to $1.7 billion. These accomplishments have enabled the medical school to enhance its programs and hire 550 new faculty members, thereby directly improving patient care and expanding clinical services at UVA Health. Before joining UVA, Dr. Kibbe was the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she became the first woman to hold that position. At UNC, she helped expand research funding and residency programs, driving significant growth within the department. Before her role at UNC, she was on faculty at Northwestern University, where her contributions to research and education earned her several prestigious awards, including the Tripartite Legacy Faculty Prize. Dr. Kibbe’s ongoing research focuses on vascular diseases, particularly drug-eluting therapies. She remains a leading figure in the medical community, with continued funding from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations. Her work continues to have a profound impact on the advancement of vascular condition treatment and shape the future of medical research and education.