Melina Kibbe, MD
Dean, UVA School of Medicine
Since 2021, Melina Kibbe, MD, has been the Dean of the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, the James Carroll Flippin Professor of Medical Science, and the Chief Health Affairs Officer at UVA Health. In these roles, she has been instrumental in advancing the school's mission to translate medical research into transformative therapies that improve human health. Her leadership has also been focused on promoting excellent educational programs for medical and graduate students, supporting physicians in delivering top-quality patient care, and strengthening key community partnerships.
In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Kibbe is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Surgery, a leading journal in the surgical field. Under her leadership, the journal has expanded its influence and is now recognized as the premier publication for surgical research and practices worldwide.
Dr. Kibbe is a distinguished member of the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the medical profession. Throughout her career, she has received 24 teaching awards, reflecting her dedication to education and passion for developing the next generation of medical professionals.
Before joining UVA, Dr. Kibbe co-founded VesselTek BioMedical, LLC, a biotech company focused on developing medical devices for treating vascular disease. Through her funded laboratory, she continues pursuing research in vascular disease, particularly developing drug-eluting therapies.
Her philanthropic efforts also play a significant role in her career, as she regularly contributes to various causes and initiatives that support medical research, education, and healthcare.
Dr. Kibbe’s Achievements at UVA
As the first woman to hold the position of Dean for a full term at UVA, Dr. Kibbe has played a pivotal role in reshaping the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Under her leadership, the school has grown significantly, with over 1,450 faculty members, 607 medical students, 359 graduate students, and over 2,000 staff members. The School of Medicine now oversees $274 million in research funding and $1.7 billion in endowments and reserves. With 29 departments, seven centers, and 17 research cores, the school is equipped to drive forward impactful medical research and patient care.
During her tenure, Dr. Kibbe has brought in 16 accomplished leaders to chair clinical and research departments. Additionally, her leadership has seen 550 new faculty members, clinicians, and researchers hired, which has helped improve patient access and strengthen the school’s academic and clinical programs. Surgical volume, emergency room visits, hospital discharges, and outpatient encounters have significantly increased, reflecting the institution's growth under her guidance.
Dr. Kibbe has also focused on enhancing the quality of medical education at UVA. The incoming medical student class now boasts an average GPA of 3.85 and an MCAT score in the 94th percentile. Through her efforts, the medical school was re-accredited for eight years by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), and the graduate student program has grown by 60% in the last three years. Dr. Kibbe was also instrumental in launching a new degree-granting program in computational biology. These efforts have helped the UVA School of Medicine strengthen its position as one of the top schools in the nation.
Dr. Kibbe’s Medical Career
Before her appointment at UVA, Dr. Kibbe served as Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she was the first woman to hold this prestigious position. During her five years at UNC, she led the department through substantial growth, with surgical volume increasing significantly and federal research funding rising sevenfold. Dr. Kibbe also worked to establish new residency programs and expand the department’s philanthropic efforts, ensuring its long-term success.
Before her time at UNC, Dr. Kibbe was a faculty member at Northwestern University, where she served as Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery and Deputy Director of the Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology. In her clinical role at Northwestern, she treated patients with vascular diseases and led a research lab focused on understanding and treating vascular conditions. Her contributions to both clinical care and education were recognized with numerous awards.
Dr. Kibbe’s Clinical Work and Research
Dr. Kibbe is a highly experienced vascular surgeon skilled in open and endovascular procedures. She has treated patients with a wide range of vascular diseases, including carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and chronic kidney disease. She is board-certified in general and vascular surgery and holds certifications as a registered vascular technologist (RVT) and Registered Physician in vascular interpretation.
Her research is focused on developing innovative drug-eluting therapies for patients with vascular disease. She has been continuously funded by various agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense, and the American Heart Association. Dr. Kibbe’s research has been recognized for its impact on improving patient outcomes, and she holds over 10 patents for her work. She was also awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2009.
Dr. Kibbe’s Leadership in Surgery
Beyond her academic and clinical roles, Dr. Kibbe has held leadership positions in several prestigious national surgical societies. She has served as president of the Association for Academic Surgery, the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society, and the Association of VA Surgeons, among others. She serves as the Secretary for the American Surgical Association and is the Chair of the American College of Surgeons Scholarship Committee.
Dr. Kibbe is also a passionate advocate for including sex as a variable in biomedical research. Her work on sex bias in medical studies has gained national and international attention and led to policy changes at significant health organizations such as the NIH, the FDA, and the Government Accountability Office. She was essential in advocating for the “Research for All Act of 2015,” which aims to improve inclusivity in biomedical research.
Dr. Kibbe’s Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Kibbe is the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and has co-authored over 240 abstracts presented at medical conferences. Her work has significantly impacted vascular surgery, medical education, and health policy. She has received numerous awards, including the Society of Vascular Surgery Women’s Leadership Award, the AMWA Gender Equity Award, and the Virginia Business 2023 Women in Leadership Award.
Dr. Kibbe’s Educational Background
Dr. Kibbe earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago College of Biological Sciences in 1990 and completed her medical degree at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 1994. She is set to receive the 2025 Professional Achievement Alumni Award from the University of Chicago.
Her postgraduate education includes an internship, residency, and research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a vascular surgery fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has also participated in executive leadership programs at Drexel University College of Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management.
Dr. Kibbe’s Early Life
Born in La Jolla, California, and raised in LaVerne, California, Dr. Kibbe’s upbringing in Southern California shaped her passion for medicine. In high school, she was diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent corrective surgery, which inspired her to pursue a career in surgery. This personal experience made her the first in her family to enter medicine.
Throughout her career, Melina Kibbe has shown exceptional dedication to advancing the fields of surgery, medical education, and healthcare. Her leadership, research, and advocacy have had a lasting impact on medical practices, and she continues to inspire future generations of medical professionals.
We are excited to congratulate Melina Kibbe on her recent award. Her hard work and commitment have earned her this recognition, and we are proud to see her impact continue to grow. Read more here.
In addition to her academic leadership, Dr. Kibbe is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Surgery, a leading journal in the surgical field. Under her leadership, the journal has expanded its influence and is now recognized as the premier publication for surgical research and practices worldwide.
Dr. Kibbe is a distinguished member of the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the medical profession. Throughout her career, she has received 24 teaching awards, reflecting her dedication to education and passion for developing the next generation of medical professionals.
Before joining UVA, Dr. Kibbe co-founded VesselTek BioMedical, LLC, a biotech company focused on developing medical devices for treating vascular disease. Through her funded laboratory, she continues pursuing research in vascular disease, particularly developing drug-eluting therapies.
Her philanthropic efforts also play a significant role in her career, as she regularly contributes to various causes and initiatives that support medical research, education, and healthcare.
Dr. Kibbe’s Achievements at UVA
As the first woman to hold the position of Dean for a full term at UVA, Dr. Kibbe has played a pivotal role in reshaping the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Under her leadership, the school has grown significantly, with over 1,450 faculty members, 607 medical students, 359 graduate students, and over 2,000 staff members. The School of Medicine now oversees $274 million in research funding and $1.7 billion in endowments and reserves. With 29 departments, seven centers, and 17 research cores, the school is equipped to drive forward impactful medical research and patient care.
During her tenure, Dr. Kibbe has brought in 16 accomplished leaders to chair clinical and research departments. Additionally, her leadership has seen 550 new faculty members, clinicians, and researchers hired, which has helped improve patient access and strengthen the school’s academic and clinical programs. Surgical volume, emergency room visits, hospital discharges, and outpatient encounters have significantly increased, reflecting the institution's growth under her guidance.
Dr. Kibbe has also focused on enhancing the quality of medical education at UVA. The incoming medical student class now boasts an average GPA of 3.85 and an MCAT score in the 94th percentile. Through her efforts, the medical school was re-accredited for eight years by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), and the graduate student program has grown by 60% in the last three years. Dr. Kibbe was also instrumental in launching a new degree-granting program in computational biology. These efforts have helped the UVA School of Medicine strengthen its position as one of the top schools in the nation.
Dr. Kibbe’s Medical Career
Before her appointment at UVA, Dr. Kibbe served as Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she was the first woman to hold this prestigious position. During her five years at UNC, she led the department through substantial growth, with surgical volume increasing significantly and federal research funding rising sevenfold. Dr. Kibbe also worked to establish new residency programs and expand the department’s philanthropic efforts, ensuring its long-term success.
Before her time at UNC, Dr. Kibbe was a faculty member at Northwestern University, where she served as Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Surgery and Deputy Director of the Simpson Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology. In her clinical role at Northwestern, she treated patients with vascular diseases and led a research lab focused on understanding and treating vascular conditions. Her contributions to both clinical care and education were recognized with numerous awards.
Dr. Kibbe’s Clinical Work and Research
Dr. Kibbe is a highly experienced vascular surgeon skilled in open and endovascular procedures. She has treated patients with a wide range of vascular diseases, including carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and chronic kidney disease. She is board-certified in general and vascular surgery and holds certifications as a registered vascular technologist (RVT) and Registered Physician in vascular interpretation.
Her research is focused on developing innovative drug-eluting therapies for patients with vascular disease. She has been continuously funded by various agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense, and the American Heart Association. Dr. Kibbe’s research has been recognized for its impact on improving patient outcomes, and she holds over 10 patents for her work. She was also awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers in 2009.
Dr. Kibbe’s Leadership in Surgery
Beyond her academic and clinical roles, Dr. Kibbe has held leadership positions in several prestigious national surgical societies. She has served as president of the Association for Academic Surgery, the Midwestern Vascular Surgical Society, and the Association of VA Surgeons, among others. She serves as the Secretary for the American Surgical Association and is the Chair of the American College of Surgeons Scholarship Committee.
Dr. Kibbe is also a passionate advocate for including sex as a variable in biomedical research. Her work on sex bias in medical studies has gained national and international attention and led to policy changes at significant health organizations such as the NIH, the FDA, and the Government Accountability Office. She was essential in advocating for the “Research for All Act of 2015,” which aims to improve inclusivity in biomedical research.
Dr. Kibbe’s Scholarly Contributions
Dr. Kibbe is the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and has co-authored over 240 abstracts presented at medical conferences. Her work has significantly impacted vascular surgery, medical education, and health policy. She has received numerous awards, including the Society of Vascular Surgery Women’s Leadership Award, the AMWA Gender Equity Award, and the Virginia Business 2023 Women in Leadership Award.
Dr. Kibbe’s Educational Background
Dr. Kibbe earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago College of Biological Sciences in 1990 and completed her medical degree at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine in 1994. She is set to receive the 2025 Professional Achievement Alumni Award from the University of Chicago.
Her postgraduate education includes an internship, residency, and research fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a vascular surgery fellowship at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She has also participated in executive leadership programs at Drexel University College of Medicine and the Kellogg School of Management.
Dr. Kibbe’s Early Life
Born in La Jolla, California, and raised in LaVerne, California, Dr. Kibbe’s upbringing in Southern California shaped her passion for medicine. In high school, she was diagnosed with scoliosis and underwent corrective surgery, which inspired her to pursue a career in surgery. This personal experience made her the first in her family to enter medicine.
Throughout her career, Melina Kibbe has shown exceptional dedication to advancing the fields of surgery, medical education, and healthcare. Her leadership, research, and advocacy have had a lasting impact on medical practices, and she continues to inspire future generations of medical professionals.
We are excited to congratulate Melina Kibbe on her recent award. Her hard work and commitment have earned her this recognition, and we are proud to see her impact continue to grow. Read more here.
