Austin, Texas — The University of Texas System Board of Regents has named Dr. Melina R. Kibbe MD as the sole finalist for the presidency of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston).
Dr. Kibbe currently serves as the chief health affairs officer at UVA Health, as well as the dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
According to UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin P. Eltife, “Dr. Kibbe is a nationally recognized physician-scientist committed to delivering first class clinical care, health innovation, and exceptional medical training.”
Eltife added that the regents were pleased with the strong interest shown by outstanding candidates from across the country and expressed gratitude to the search advisory committee and chancellor for their robust recommendations.
As a major academic health center, UTHealth Houston plays a crucial role in health care innovation while also serving as a key driver of the state’s health professional workforce.
Dr. Kibbe is recognized for her entrepreneurial background, along with a successful history in leading initiatives at prominent academic health institutions.
UT System Chancellor ad interim John Zerwas MD, who chaired the presidential search advisory committee, remarked, “Dr. Kibbe is well-equipped to lead UTHealth Houston’s promising future and its exceptional community of educators, researchers, and clinicians.”
He emphasized her high-impact contributions in discovery, academic success, and enhancing the clinical enterprise at every institution where she has worked.
Since joining UVA in 2021, Dr. Kibbe has managed Virginia’s largest medical school, assessed through metrics of budget, faculty, and research portfolio.
Under her leadership, the school has seen significant expansions in programs and partnerships, including recruiting 16 new chairs and over 550 faculty members.
Additionally, she has overseen the establishment of new academic departments and clinical centers, notably the UVA Health Leadership Institute.
As a practicing vascular surgeon and a prolific researcher, Dr. Kibbe’s work primarily focuses on novel therapies for vascular disease. Her research efforts are backed by funding from the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Furthermore, she co-founded VesselTek BioMedical, a company dedicated to the development of medical devices aimed at treating vascular disease.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kibbe has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles and holds numerous patents, showcasing her extensive contributions to the medical field.
Expressing her excitement for the new role, Dr. Kibbe stated, “It’s an extraordinary honor to be named as sole finalist for the presidency at UTHealth Houston, an institution that stands at the forefront of health education, research, and patient care.”
She continued, “UTHealth Houston is uniquely positioned to shape the future of health care in Texas and beyond. I am inspired by its mission and look forward to building on UTHealth Houston’s legacy of innovation and excellence to strengthen our communities across the state and nation.”
A graduate of the University of Chicago College of Biological Sciences and the Pritzker School of Medicine, Dr. Kibbe completed her residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, followed by a vascular surgery fellowship at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Before her time at UVA, she chair the Department of Surgery at the University of North Carolina and held a tenured professorship in the Department of Surgery at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine.
Dr. Kibbe will remain the sole finalist for a state-required 21-day waiting period before officially being declared president.
She will succeed UTHealth Houston Interim President LaTanya J. Love MD.
The board expressed gratitude to Dr. Love for her leadership and dedication to advancing UTHealth Houston’s vital mission.
image source from：utsystem
