It is with profound sadness that we inform you of the passing of a beloved member of our Duke Anesthesiology family, Marcy S. Tucker, MD, PhD, assistant professor of anesthesiology. She passed away on March 19 at the age of 63.
Dr. Tucker grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Duke University. A dedicated lifelong learner, Dr. Tucker’s academic journey was marked by a profound commitment to understanding the human mind and body. She earned a Master of Science in psychology from the University of Georgia before embarking on a decade of study at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. There, she earned both her MD and a PhD in neurophysiology.
Dr. Tucker completed her clinical training in Massachusetts, serving a transitional internship at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and a residency in anesthesiology at Massachusetts General Hospital. In 2002, following the completion of her residency, she joined the faculty of Duke Anesthesiology as an assistant professor, where she treated patients at Duke's Ambulatory Surgical Center for 15 years. A member of the Ambulatory Anesthesiology Division, Dr. Tucker's areas of research focused on neuronal signal transduction, minimizing adverse effects of sedation utilizing nonpharmacological distraction techniques, and regional anesthesia. She was highly regarded as a clinician, mentor and colleague until her retirement in 2017.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Tucker was a tireless volunteer. Following her retirement from Duke, she participated in medical mission trips to Rwanda, Guatemala, Honduras, Trinidad, Maui, and Tijuana. In her downtime, Dr. Tucker found joy in the simple pleasures: spending time at the beach, reading a good book, or exploring new destinations. She was a constant fixture at her sons' sporting events and a passionate fan who loved cheering for both her Duke Blue Devils and Georgia Bulldogs.
Dr. Tucker leaves behind her husband of 39 years, Vance, and their three sons, AJ, Hank and Matt. Please join us in extending our sincerest condolences to Dr. Tucker's family, friends and colleagues. Duke flags will be lowered in honor of her life and legacy.