It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of a beloved member of our Duke Anesthesiology family, Professor Emeritus Cecil O. Borel III, MD. He passed away on May 2 at the age of 75.
Dr. Borel is widely recognized as a pioneer whose work fundamentally shaped the field of neurocritical care. Recruited to Duke in 1993, he established an esteemed neuroanesthesiology program and a neurosurgical ICU that was ranked among the top five in the world. When neuroanesthesia became an independent division in 1997, he was appointed its inaugural chief. In this role, he cemented the program’s global reputation and expanded the Neuro-ICU through the strategic recruitment and training of specialists. A visionary leader, he was among the first to advocate for a multidisciplinary approach, successfully integrating experts from internal medicine, neurology, anesthesiology, and neurosurgery to build a cohesive ICU team. Beyond his work with physicians, he helped establish one of the earliest Acute Care Nurse Practitioner programs in the country - if not the world - with a specific focus on neurocritical care. He also developed the nurse practitioner (NP) rounding model, positioning NPs as the cornerstone of the patient care team. His legacy of innovation and collaboration continues to influence the standard of care today.
Dr. Borel earned his medical degree from Drexel University in 1977 and achieved dual board certification in internal medicine (Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania) and anesthesiology (Johns Hopkins University) before completing a fellowship in critical care medicine (University of Maryland). During his early career at Johns Hopkins, he was a foundational member of the team that established the third neuroscience critical care unit in the world.
Outside of his pioneering clinical work, Dr. Borel was an accomplished sailor and master boat builder, a pursuit chronicled in the department’s BluePrint magazine. In 1999, he embarked on the ambitious construction of the Janetess—a vessel named in honor of his wife—which served as a passion project through his retirement in 2012 and into his final years. Beyond Dr. Borel's medical practice, he was a talented flutist with a lifelong passion for jazz; an interest that took root in college as a member of a blues band. He also found joy at the canvas through painting during his earlier years.
Dr. Borel leaves behind his wife of 48 years, Janet, and his sister, Rebecca. Please join us in extending our sincerest condolences to Dr. Borel's family, friends and colleagues. Duke flags will be lowered on June 5 in honor of his life and legacy.