This week Mary Klotman, MD, transitions to her new role as Dean of the Duke University School of Medicine. Department of Medicine faculty, trainees and staff are remembering Dr. Klotman's leadership and service to the Department during her tenure as chair, from 2010-2017, with words of thanks.
Here are a few words from your colleagues:
"You supported our young careers by being resourceful, enthusiastic, and dedicated to our success, and for this I am so grateful. Thank you for always believing in innovation and in the traditions of Duke Medicine." - Juliessa Pavon, MD, assistant professor of medicine (Geriatrics) and former chief resident
I have been privileged to work with Mary for the past 36 years. As an intern, resident and fellow, Mary was my "older sister", and she provided wonderful and tough mentorship for me. Throughout this time, I have seen Mary's career evolve and prosper. To put it simply, Mary improves everybody and everything that she touches, which is a remarkable achievement.
John Bartlett, MD, professor of medicine (Infectious Diseases)
"I am so grateful for your leadership, and particularly your support of professional development for our women and early career faculty in the Department of Medicine. There have been so many positive changes in the Department's culture during your tenure that reflect your open, encouraging, creative, and inclusive leadership style. I am looking forward to learning even more from you as my Dean. All my best wishes and support as you transition to this new role!" - Cathleen Colon-Emeric, MD, associate professor of medicine (Geriatrics)
"Thank you for being such a tremendous and visionary leader for the Department! You have forever transformed my view of female leadership and its effectiveness. We are incredibly lucky to have you as our Dean." - Gowthami Arepally, MD, associate professor of medicine (Hematology)
"You brought vision, dedication, adaptability, inclusiveness, and graciousness to serve us well, and challenged us to bring the same. Thank you for your stellar leadership of the Department of Medicine." - Mary Foster, MD, associate professor of medicine (Nephrology)
"I really appreciate your energy, enthusiasm, vision and leadership. Thanks for serving as a role model for physician-scientists and for valuing and promoting research and the physician-scientist pathway. I look forward to your leadership as our Dean!" - Gerry Blobe, MD, PhD, professor of medicine (Medical Oncology)
"Thanks very much for your strong and consistent leadership of the department, marked by transparency and a strong commitment to all three missions (and with just the right amount of input from above). Under your leadership it has always been a pleasure and a privilege to come to work every day and I have always had the sense that collectively we are doing something special here." - Stephen Smith, MD, professor of medicine (Nephrology)
When I learned that you would be our next Dean, I reflected back with a smile on our advisory sessions together that began during my 4th year of medical school. Over the years, I came to appreciate your deep commitment to people, to new ideas, and to advancing the human condition through strategic clinical improvement and research. Under your leadership, fantastic things are in store for DukeMed, and I look forward with great pride to seeing the many culminations of your leadership come to fruition. Laura Musselwhite, MD, fellow (Hematology-Oncology)
"Thank you for investing in faculty - by devoting both time and resources in new ways. Thank you also for being a fierce advocate for the Department. I suspect that we will never know all the times you "went to bat" for us. You have been a role model to so many." - Heather Whitson, MD, associate professor of medicine (Geriatrics)
"Your leadership has helped make our Department the best at Duke. I wish you all the same success and more at the SOM as we look forward to a great future across the most dynamic School at Duke." - Jim Nieman, MBA, HR Director
More from the series
Listen to Mary Klotman talk about her time as Chair of the Department of Medicine