Melina Kibbe, MD

Since 2021, Melina Kibbe, MD, has been serving as 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 leadership roles, Dr. Kibbe has worked to advance the school’s mission of improving human health through innovative research, top-tier medical education, and the delivery of high-quality patient care. She is dedicated to ensuring UVA remains at the forefront of healthcare, empowering students and healthcare professionals to deliver exceptional service while promoting groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

Dr. Kibbe is also the Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Surgery, one of the foremost journals in the field of surgery. Under her leadership, JAMA Surgery has continued to set the standard for surgical research worldwide. Her contributions to the medical field were recognized with her election to the National Academy of Medicine, a prestigious honor that reflects her extraordinary impact on healthcare. Additionally, Dr. Kibbe has received 24 awards for teaching excellence, demonstrating her passion for mentoring medical students and her commitment to shaping the future of healthcare education.

In addition to her academic and editorial roles, Dr. Kibbe co-founded VesselTek BioMedical, LLC, which develops medical devices for treating vascular diseases. While her direct clinical practice has been reduced, she remains deeply involved in research, focusing on developing drug-eluting therapies for vascular conditions. She continues to lead a research lab with funding from various national agencies, ensuring that her contributions to vascular medicine remain innovative and impactful.

Under Dr. Kibbe's leadership, the UVA School of Medicine has experienced significant growth. The institution has seen a rise in research funding, reaching $274 million, and has grown its endowment to $1.7 billion. She has also overseen the hiring of 550 new faculty members, enhancing clinical services and research opportunities at UVA Health. These accomplishments have contributed to improving patient care and strengthening the overall capabilities of UVA’s healthcare system.

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. She helped expand research funding, clinical services, and residency programs at UNC. She also served on the faculty at Northwestern University, where she was recognized with several awards, including the Tripartite Legacy Faculty Prize for excellence in research, teaching, and leadership.

Dr. Kibbe’s ongoing research continues to focus on vascular diseases, specifically the development of novel therapies. Her work remains funded by agencies like the National Institutes of Health, and her contributions to the field have impacted vascular medicine and surgical care.