Mark Newman
2001-Present

In 2001, with Dr. Reves’ departure for the Deanship at the Medical University of South Carolina, Dr. Mark Newman assumed the position of Chairman with renewed focus on the advancement of clinical care through research and education. Dr. Newman is the Merel H. Harmel Professor of Anesthesiology--the department's first distinguished professorship so titled.

JG Reeves
1991-2001

Dr. Jerry Reves assumed leadership of the department in 1991. He developed stronger subspecialty anesthesia programs, created more fellowships, and emphasized research in molecular pharmacology, neurobiology, and clinical pharmacology. With steady progress through the years, the department became one of the few centers of academic excellence in the field of anesthesiology.

W.D. Watkins
1983-1990

Dr. Harmel retired from the chairmanship in 1983 and was followed by Dr. W. David Watkins, from the Harvard system. Dr. Watkins emphasized a strong residency program. The number of residents increased from 29 to 50, in the seven years of his leadership. The department continued to play in important institutional role, having within the department a Clinical Director of the Hyperbaric Medicine Center, a Director of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, a Co-Director of the Surgical Intensive Care Units at the VA and Duke Hospitals, and the Director of the Duke Heart Center.

Merel Harmel
1971-1983

Dr. Merel H. Harmel, then distinguished Professor and Chairman of Anesthesia at New York Downstate Medical Center and the Pritzker School of Medicine in Chicago, was recruited to Duke to continue to develop the young Department. The Department grew in quality and quantity with the addition of faculty and residents. as well as the inauguration of a basic science research program.

Sara Dent
1968-1971

In 1968, what was formerly a division within the Duke Department of Surgery became an independent academic Department of Anesthesiology. This major transition was shepharded under the guidance and watchcare of the late Dr. Sara Dent, professor of anesthesiology. Dr. Dent served as chair until 1971, when Dr. Merel H. Harmel became chair. Dr. Dent was an enthusiast of the Orange County Rescue Squad, North Carolina, and continued to nourish this passion until her death in 1999.