Welcome

Welcome to the Duke Department of Anesthesiology.

It is a profound honor and a true privilege to step into the role of interim chair for this exceptional department. Having worked alongside many of you as a fellow faculty member for nearly three decades, I care deeply about this department and know firsthand the profound compassion that defines this team.

Our shared vision is clear: Exceptional Care. Bold Science. Transformative Impact. Every day, I see these principles come to life in our operating rooms, clinics, intensive care units, and research laboratories. Patient safety and comfort are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you are here for a routine procedure or complex critical care, our team is committed to guiding you safely and comfortably through your medical journey. We understand the trust you place in us, and we honor that trust with clinical rigor and genuine human warmth.

As we enter this next chapter, our core mission remains our guiding compass. We will continue to lead with inquiry, teach with intention, and care with precision. Together, we are uniquely equipped to push the boundaries of anesthesiology, reimagine perioperative medicine, advance the science of pain relief, and redefine excellence in critical care.

Behind every medical breakthrough, published study, and clinical procedure stands a person—and that individual is the true reason for everything we do.

I am deeply devoted to sustaining strategic investments in our research programs, working hand in hand with all of you to ensure we remain a premier recipient of research funding in our field. 

Together, we will safeguard our proud standing among the nation’s top five ranked residency programs, while continuously elevating the educational quality and clinical performance that define our entire department.

To our patients and community: navigating medical care can be a vulnerable time, but you are in the hands of an elite, deeply compassionate team. We honor the trust you place in us by delivering precise, evidence-based care with genuine human warmth and respect.

To our faculty, trainees, and staff: outstanding clinical and scientific impact is only possible when our people are supported. My primary goal is to serve you and to foster a collaborative, encouraging environment where you have the resources to thrive.

Thank you for visiting us, and thank you to our Duke Anesthesiology team for your tireless dedication to our patients and to one another. 

Warmest regards,

Gavin Martin, MB ChB, MMCi, FRCA
Professor of Anesthesiology
Interim Chair, Duke Anesthesiology
Anesthesia Director, Duke University Health System
Vice Chair, Clinical Operations, Duke Anesthesiology