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, Dr. Kibbe has been committed to advancing medical education, scientific discovery, and patient care. She promotes a collaborative and innovative environment at UVA, where students and clinicians can thrive. Under her leadership, UVA has continued its mission to combine cutting-edge research with excellent healthcare delivery, making significant strides in advancing medical science and education. Dr. Kibbe also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of JAMA Surgery, a leading journal in the field of surgery. Through her editorial leadership, the journal has continued to grow in prominence, helping shape the landscape of surgical research worldwide. Her exceptional work has earned her membership in the National Academy of Medicine, one of the highest honors in the field. Additionally, Dr. Kibbe has received 24 awards for teaching excellence, reflecting her deep commitment to mentoring students and fostering educational advancement. In addition to her academic and editorial leadership, Dr. Kibbe co-founded VesselTek BioMedical, LLC, a company focused on developing medical devices to treat vascular diseases. Although her direct clinical practice is more limited, she remains actively involved in research, particularly developing novel drug-eluting therapies for vascular conditions. Her work in this area continues to be supported by funding from national organizations, allowing her to push forward innovative treatments that improve patient outcomes. As Dean of UVA’s School of Medicine, Dr. Kibbe has overseen significant growth in faculty and funding. Under her leadership, the school has secured $274 million in research funding and has expanded its endowment to $1.7 billion. She has also played a crucial role in hiring 550 new faculty members, further enhancing the institution’s research capabilities and patient care. These achievements have solidified UVA’s leadership in medical education and healthcare. Before joining UVA, Dr. Kibbe was the Chair of the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where she made history as the first woman to hold that position. At UNC, she was instrumental in growing research funding, expanding clinical services, and launching new residency programs. Dr. Kibbe also served as a faculty member at Northwestern University, where she was honored with the Tripartite Legacy Faculty Prize for excellence in research, teaching, and leadership. Dr. Kibbe’s research focuses on vascular diseases and developing innovative drug-eluting therapies. She remains a leading figure in her field, with continued support from organizations like the National Institutes of Health, advancing the treatment of vascular conditions and contributing to the future of medicine.