Dr. Schwinn's pioneering research and clinical contributions have significantly advanced our understanding of anesthesia delivery and perioperative care. Dr. Schwinn arrived at Duke in 1986 for clinical cardiac anesthesia training followed by a five-year basic science research fellowship, spent in the laboratory of Nobel Prize recipient, Dr. Robert Lefkowitz. She stayed for 22 years, playing a critical role in developing bench research in our department. Dr. Schwinn’s illustrious tenure as director of the department’s molecular pharmacology laboratory and then vice chair for research spanned a remarkable 18 years, establishing an unparalleled standard for excellence and innovation in research that continues to permeate the department. She was instrumental in advancing NIH-funded research and making groundbreaking discoveries in alpha adrenergic receptor signaling while serving as the director of perioperative genomics. A physician-scientist and member of the National Academy of Medicine, Dr. Schwinn's laboratory was funded for 27 years by the National Institutes of Health; she was a nationally renowned investigator in molecular pharmacology with an emphasis on the mechanisms underlying acute and chronic stress responses. Prior to being appointed Palm Beach Atlantic University's ninth president, where she continues to lead with distinction, Dr. Schwinn held esteemed positions such as dean of the Roy J. & Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa and chair of the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine at the University of Washington, Seattle – showcasing her exceptional leadership acumen and a proven track record of driving impactful change and innovation in academic settings.
Dr. Schwinn’s impact extends beyond research; her career has left an indelible mark on Duke, the field of anesthesiology, and academic medicine at large. She is an exceptional educator and mentor, dedicated to shaping the next generation of physician-scientists. At Duke, she oversaw the third-year medical school curriculum (2000–2005) and helped establish the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. She pioneered an NIH-funded physician-scientist fellowship program at the University of Washington and oversaw the development of a transformative new medical school curriculum at the University of Iowa. Dr. Schwinn is delighted that this named professorship will provide needed support to physician-scientists in Duke’s Department of Anesthesiology.