Dennis Clements to Receive Kyle J. Cavanaugh Award for Leadership and Service

Man wearing a suit, standing in front of a tree
Dr. Dennis Clements, III, professor emeritus of pediatrics and adjunct professor of global health

Dr. Dennis Clements, III, professor emeritus of pediatrics and adjunct professor of global health, will be honored in March with the Kyle J. Cavanaugh Award for Leadership and Service.

Clements is the third Duke employee to receive the award, which was created in 2022 to periodically recognize extraordinary contributions by Duke staff and faculty whose leadership has had a lasting impact on the university. The award is named in honor of former Vice President for Administration Kyle J. Cavanaugh, who retired in 2022.

Over the course of nearly 50 years at Duke, Clements’ career reflected the full breadth of the university’s mission, advancing excellence in education, research and clinical care. A visionary leader in pediatric medicine and a driving force behind Duke’s global health efforts, he played a foundational role in shaping programs and mentoring leaders that continue to influence healthcare locally and around the world.

Clements founded the Duke Vaccine and Epidemiology Unit, led Pediatric Primary Care for more than 20 years, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI), where he served as interim director and led DGHI’s undergraduate education programs. His leadership helped position Duke as a leader in health education, research and community engagement.

Clements also worked with colleagues and local officials in Honduras to build the first health clinic to serve the Intibucá region.

In addition to his administrative and clinical leadership, Clements was deeply committed to teaching and mentorship. He was a highly sought-after advisor for medical students and twice named DGHI Educator of the Year.

“Through his scholarship, leadership and unwavering dedication to service, Dennis Clements exemplifies the values embodied by the Kyle J. Cavanaugh Award,” said Duke president Vincent E. Price.

Price will present Clements with the Kyle J. Cavanaugh Award during this year’s Presidential Awards ceremony, which will also honor five individuals and two teams with the Presidential Award. The ceremony will take place March 17 at 4 p.m. at Page Auditorium, with a reception to follow at Penn Pavillion. All members of the Duke community are invited to attend and celebrate this year’s award winners.