DukeMed Alumni News
Fall 2007

In Brief:

Duke alumnus James W. Holsinger, Jr., MD’64, PhD’68, has been nominated by President George W. Bush to be the next surgeon general. A Senate confirmation vote is expected by the end of September.

Holsinger, 68, is a cardiologist and currently professor of preventive medicine at the University of Kentucky. He has led Kentucky’s health care system, taught at several medical schools, and served more than three decades in the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 1993 as a major general.

Most of his career has been spent with the Veterans Health Administration, where he spent 26 years in various positions including serving as chief of staff or director of several VA medical centers. His career with the VA culminated in his appointment as chief medical director of the Veteran’s Health Administration in Washington, D.C. in 1990 under President George H.W. Bush. He held that post until 1993 before moving into the Kentucky health care system.

“It is a great honor to be nominated for the U.S. Surgeon General by President Bush,” Holsinger said.

Holsinger has served as Kentucky’s secretary for health and family services and as chancellor of the University of Kentucky Medical Center. The Kansas City, Kan., native earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky; master’s degrees from the University of South Carolina and Asbury Theological Seminary; and his medical and doctorate degrees from Duke.

The previous surgeon general was Richard Carmona, whose term was allowed to expire in 2006. He is best known for his report condemning second-hand smoke, which inspired a number of state laws prohibiting smoking in public places.

Holsinger and his wife Barbara, WC’64, have four children—Anna, E’87, PhD’91, Ruth, T’91, Sarah, and Rachel.