Dr. Pascal Goldschmidt, the newly appointed chair of the Department of Medicine, is eagerly awaiting his opportunity to forge new interdisciplinary alliances and lead the staff of the University's largest department.
Goldschmidt, current chief of cardiology, has met with success since his arrival at Duke in 2000, instituting the Duke Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Center and creating a solid partnership between the cardiology division and the Institute of Genome Sciences and Policy.
"I see my [new] job description as being the team leader of a wonderful Department of Medicine - wonderful because of the faculty, residents and students," said Goldschmidt, who will take his new position April 1.
Goldschmidt said he is committed to making Duke's Department of Medicine the best in the nation. Achieving this goal requires efforts in the clinical, research and educational areas of the department, he said, emphasizing the Medical Center's responsibility to patient care, safety and training. He added that the Hospital needs to implement a new safety system.
Dr. Robert Califf, professor of cardiology, and Dr. Barton Haynes, outgoing chair of the Department of Medicine, both stressed the need for a collaborative environment, which they said Goldschmidt is capable of fostering.
"We're evolving structurally from independent departments to a structure where the departments are interrelated," Califf said, adding that the departments depend upon each other and upon the new institutes and centers.
Haynes further explained that Goldschmidt would unify basic science researchers and clinicians to form a "translational" research enterprise. "He has been successful in bringing people together and will continue to do so," he said.
With cooperation in mind, Goldschmidt said he plans to call upon colleagues such as Huntington Willard, director of IGSP, and members of the Fuqua School of Business to act as consultants.
"The IGSP is an institute that is vital to the success of the department," Goldschmidt said, adding that ignoring the resources at his fingertips would be a "missed opportunity."
Califf said that with the larger pool of resources, everyone will be better off, especially as the technology required for basic research extends beyond the financial reach of any particular department. Therefore, he said, bringing departments together would facilitate large future investments.
Goldschmidt pointed to his abilities as a team builder as a quality that will help him lead the department.
"What I've achieved is not my achievement, it's the achievement of my team," he said.
With the expansive size of the Department of Medicine, medical school dean Dr. Sandy Williams emphasized the need for strong leadership.
"One must [be able to] secure the concerted efforts of a large faculty working across a broad and diverse spectrum of activities," Williams said.
As the new chair, Goldschmidt will maintain his commitment to genomics and also continue to stress preventive health care and personal health planning.
"I'm excited; I feel very prepared for the job," he said, adding that he was honored to be named. "I feel very humble when I consider who has occupied this position."
Both Califf and Haynes said they are excited about Goldschmidt's appointment.
"Goldschmidt is a delightful person - he exudes energy and thoughtfulness, and it doesn't matter how small you are. Everybody likes him," Califf said.
In anticipation of starting his new position, Goldschmidt is most looking forward to meeting the faculty and staff of the Department of Medicine.
"The biggest reward is trying to have a positive impact on their careers," he said. "I always get up every day and feel, 'Gosh, this is going to be a great day.'"
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