Two Department of Medicine Leaders Honored with 2026 Chair's Award

By Duke Department of Medicine
2026 Chairs Award Winners
The Duke Department of Medicine has recognized two faculty members for exceptional leadership and service, presenting the 2026 Chair’s Commitment to Excellence Award to Dr. Juliessa Pavon and the 2026 Chair’s Award to Dr. Michael Pignone

Pavon Recognized for Advancing AI Strategy Across the Department

Dr. Juliessa Pavon, the department’s AI strategy director, was honored for her leadership in guiding the responsible integration of artificial intelligence across the Department of Medicine.

Pavon was appointed to the role in early 2025 and, in just 12 months, has “accomplished amazing things,” according to Chair Dr. Kathleen Cooney. Her work has focused on building the bridge between faculty, staff, trainees and Duke Health’s expanding AI infrastructure.

Key accomplishments under her leadership include:

  • Establishing a cross‑department AI committee

  • Hosting multiple well‑attended AI‑focused events aimed at broadening AI literacy and engagement

  • Continuing to lead an NIH‑funded research program using AI to support deprescribing of CNS‑acting medications in older adults

Dr. Cooney praised Pavon as an “inspirational leader” whose vision and collaborative approach have accelerated the department’s ability to adopt and evaluate emerging AI technologies.

Pignone Honored for Strengthening Quality and Innovation Efforts

The 2026 Chair’s Award was presented to Dr. Michael Pignone, vice chair for Quality and Innovation. Pignone returned to Duke in 2024 after leadership roles at Dell Medical School and the University of North Carolina.

Since rejoining the institution, Pignone has expanded the department’s capacity for quality improvement, data‑driven evaluation and system‑level innovation. His portfolio at Duke includes leadership roles in the Department of Medicine, the Duke Cancer Institute’s cancer screening initiatives, the Margolis Center for Health Policy and the DUHS CACHE program.

Within the Department of Medicine, Pignone has:

  • Built a unified framework for quality‑of‑care evaluation across all 13 divisions

  • Mentored early‑career investigators in quality improvement research

  • Developed a departmental quality dashboard benchmarking Duke’s performance against peer institutions

  • Launched a new leadership rounding program bringing DOM, DUHS and nursing leaders to inpatient teams across Duke Health

Dr. Cooney credited Pignone with strengthening systems of care and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

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