Duke Flags Lowered: Dr. Thomas Kinney, Davison Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Dies

It is with great sadness that we write to inform you that Thomas Kinney, MD, passed away on May 25, 2020. Dr. Kinney was the Wilburt C. Davison Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Associate Chair Emeritus in the Department of Pediatrics.

In the nearly 50 years since he earned his medical degree at Duke, Dr. Kinney made outstanding academic contributions in the area of clinical research in pediatric hematology, including leading a national study that defined the natural history of sickle cell disease. He played a critical role in the implementation of North Carolina’s newborn screening program for sickle cell disease and co-chaired the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Panel which developed the national guidelines for newborn sickle cell screening. He also played a leadership role in defining the use of hydroxyurea to treat children with sickle cell disease.

As a member of the Department of Pediatrics, he served as the Pediatric Residency Program Director, Co-director of the Medicine-Pediatric Residency Program, and as an Associate Dean in the School of Medicine. More recently, he directed the Children’s Clinical Research Unit that oversees all clinical trials in the Department of Pediatrics. 

Dr. Kinney received the Excellence in Professionalism Award from the School of Medicine in 2015 and the Duke Medical Alumni Distinguished Faculty Award in 2013. He also was the lead physician on the design and construction of the McGovern-Davison Children’s Health Center.

Please join us in extending our deepest condolences to Dr. Kinney’s family and friends.