About Melina Kibbe

Since 2021, Melina Kibbe has taken on the role of Dean at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, as well as serving as the James Carroll Flippin Professor of Medical Science and Chief Health Affairs Officer at UVA Health. Her leadership has significantly influenced the School of Medicine’s mission, directing efforts to translate scientific discoveries into therapies that benefit human health. She is deeply involved in fostering high-quality educational programs for medical and graduate students, ensuring physicians can provide top-tier patient care, and establishing critical partnerships with local and regional communities.

In addition to her responsibilities at UVA, Dr. Kibbe serves as the Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Surgery, one of the most respected journals in the field of surgery. Under her guidance, JAMA Surgery has flourished, becoming a leading platform for disseminating surgical research worldwide.

Dr. Kibbe is a proud member of the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the medical field. Her commitment to education is also evident in the 24 awards she has received for excellence in teaching throughout her career.

Dr. Kibbe co-founded VesselTek BioMedical, LLC, an innovative company that develops medical devices to address vascular diseases. She continues researching treatments for new vascular conditions through her laboratory, where she works on developing drug-eluting therapies supported by external funding. She is also dedicated to philanthropy and frequently contributes to various causes that align with her vision for advancing healthcare.

Since becoming Dean, Dr. Kibbe has brought about significant growth at the UVA School of Medicine. She is the first woman to be appointed to a full term as Dean, and her leadership is instrumental in overseeing an institution that includes over 1,450 faculty members, 607 medical students, 359 graduate students, and more than 2,000 staff. The school has 29 departments, seven large centers, 17 research cores, and numerous smaller centers. Under her leadership, the school has secured $274 million in research funding and maintains $1.7 billion in endowments and reserves.

During her tenure, Dr. Kibbe has hired 16 recognized leaders to head clinical and research departments. Hiring 550 new faculty members, including clinicians and researchers, has profoundly impacted patient access, increased surgical volumes, and improved operations throughout the medical center. These developments have increased emergency room visits, hospital discharges, and outpatient encounters.

Her leadership has also strengthened the school’s academic reputation, attracting high-caliber students. The incoming medical student class has an average GPA of 3.85 and an MCAT score in the 94th percentile. In addition, she played a crucial role in the medical school’s successful re-accreditation for eight years by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME). Under her guidance, the graduate student program has expanded by 60% in the past three years, and a new program in computational biology was successfully launched.

Before joining UVA, Dr. Kibbe was Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she made history as the first woman to hold this position. She also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. During her tenure at UNC, Dr. Kibbe led the department to significant achievements, including a substantial increase in federal research funding and peer-reviewed publications. Under her leadership, the department expanded and grew its residency programs, and philanthropic efforts were enhanced, leaving the department in a strong position upon her departure.