Christopher J. Hostler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the division of Infectious Diseases, has been named associate chief of staff, Medicine Specialty Service, at the Durham Veterans Administration Health Care System, effective June 4.
In his new role, Dr. Hostler will provide administrative, programmatic, and clinical leadership for the Medical Service to ensure achievement of the clinical, research, and education goals. Durham VA Health Care System’s Medicine Specialty Service is comprised of 12 sections including cardiology, dermatology, endocrinology, gastroenterology, hematology/oncology, hospital medicine, infectious diseases, public health & epidemiology, nephrology, neurology, pulmonary and critical care, and rheumatology.
“I look forward to partnering with our outstanding section chiefs, administrative staff, and chief residents to help move our service forward with a focus on our clinical, educational, and research missions,” Hostler said. “As a veteran, I am deeply invested in advancing the services we provide to those who have raised their right hand and sworn to support and defend the Constitution. I’m looking forward to finding new ways to leverage technology so that veterans locally and around the country can take advantage of the immense well of expertise that we have here in Durham.”
“A segment of our strategic focus is to build a pipeline for our trainees to remain within Duke, while continuing to provide exceptional service and leadership to our local community,” said Department of Medicine Chair, Kathleen Cooney, MD. “Dr. Hostler’s successful growth both with Duke and the Durham VA is a testament for this type of infrastructure.”
Cooney added: “Not only is this a win for medicine, additionally his experience, expertise and strong leadership skills will ensure that our military veterans continue to receiving the best care possible at the Durham VA and beyond.”
Dr. Hostler joined the Durham VA as a staff physician in Infectious Diseases in 2017. In January 2020, he assumed control of the infection prevention program and shortly thereafter, was tasked as the clinical lead for the COVID-19 Incident Command.
Recognizing a need for ongoing public health efforts, Durham VA leadership created the Office of Public Health and Epidemiology (OPH/E) in May 2020 and named Hostler as its inaugural chief. He continued to guide the health system through the pandemic while engaging with national VA leadership in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
Dr. Hostler has a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering and life sciences from the United States Military Academy, earned his medical degree from Duke, and a master’s degree in public health leadership from the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. He completed a residency in internal medicine and fellowship in infectious diseases at Duke/Durham VA and served as chief medical resident at the Durham VA from 2015-2016.