Mary Klotman, MD, chair of the department, announced today that after more than 17 years as the founding Chief of the Division of Hematology, Marilyn Telen, MD, has elected to step down from her role as division chief. "I am very grateful to Marilyn for the many years of dedication she gave the Division," Dr. Klotman said in a message to faculty, fellows, residents and staff.
Thomas Ortel, MD, PhD, will become the new chief of the division, effective today.
During her years as division chief, Marylin built Hematology into one of the premier divisions in the nation focusing on non-malignant hematology. The Division is widely recognized for its excellence in both research and clinical programs, especially in the areas of sickle cell disease and hemostasis and thrombosis.
Marilyn has also served in other capacities at Duke, including many years as the director of the Hematology/Oncology Fellowship Program, director of the Duke-UNC Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center, director of the Duke-UNC Hematology Career Development Program, and as an associate medical director of the Transfusion Service. Marilyn's own research has enjoyed continuous and significant extramural funding since 1984 and has contributed important insights into both sickle cell disease and transfusion medicine. She intends to continue both her research and clinical activities at Duke after stepping down from her chief's duties, and she'll certainly continue to provide excellent mentoring to young investigators.
Tom Ortel, tenured professor of medicine and pathology, is a natural choice to take on the role as chief of the Division of Hematology. He has been a valuable leader in the department and his own research strengths will help him help his colleagues in the Division. Tom earned a B.S. in microbiology and his M.D. and Ph.D. in chemistry from Indiana University. He came to Duke University for internship and residency in internal medicine, completed a fellowship in hematology/oncology, and joined the faculty in 1991.
Tom previously served as vice chair for basic and translational research and is currently the Department's director of lab-based research - which involves the challenging task of keeping track of the large and distributed research-space footprint of our department. He also is Medical Director of the Anticoagulation Management Service and Medical Director of the Duke Clinical Coagulation and Platelet Immunology Laboratories. With more than 170 peer-reviewed research articles and multiple NIH and industry-sponsored grants, including a UO1 and U54, he is an active and productive investigator. His research program investigates the molecular mechanisms whereby various congenital and acquired abnormalities result in "dysfunctional" hemostasis (i.e., hemorrhage or thrombosis) to better understand the molecular mechanisms and interactions that are necessary for normal hemostasis.
Please join Dr. Klotman in thanking Dr. Telen for her long service to the Division of Hematology, and welcoming Dr. Ortel to his new role. Learn more about the division at http://hematology.medicine.duke.edu.