Inside Duke Medicine

Marcus hopes new post is departmental ‘bridge’

Jeffrey R. Marcus, M.D., has been named assistant vice-chair for pediatric surgical affairs in the Department of Surgery, department Chair Danny O. Jacobs, M.D., announced.

In the newly established position, Marcus will represent 13 surgeons in eight surgical sections and hopes to become a bridge between the departments of surgery, pediatrics and the Medical Center in a way that will further increase Duke’s commitment to pediatric surgical care.

“Dr. Marcus is a talented surgeon and leader, and I look forward to working with him to enhance the already strong collaboration between surgeons, pediatricians, and other pediatric providers,” said Joseph St. Geme, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

Marcus says his goal is to represent the needs and issues unique to pediatric surgical specialists and their patients.

“For medical centers, which have some shared pediatric and adult facilities and resources, it is important to consider the most optimal infrastructure to ensure the highest level of service. By creating a focused communication network between departments and administration, we hope to create a more seamless working environment. Doing so, we believe, will ultimately help us recruit more of the best and brightest surgeons in the fields, and ensure that we have the tools and expertise necessary to take surgical care for children to an even higher level.”

Ultimately, Marcus believes the new environment he and others at Duke will help create may be emulated by hospitals across the country that are facing similar organizational dilemmas and looking for workable solutions.

A resident of Chapel Hill, Marcus, 40, is a board-certified plastic surgeon who’s clinical and research interests focus on the correction of facial deformities and aesthetic facial enhancement for children and adults. He’s an expert in rhinoplasty, cleft lip and palate repair, as well as surgery to correct facial paralysis, craniosynostosis and other craniofacial conditions.

A 1994 graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School, Marcus did his residency in general and plastic surgery at Northwestern University, and completed two fellowships in pediatric plastic surgery and in craniofacial surgery at the University Toronto: Hospital for Sick Children. In addition to his new position, Marcus is also surgical director for Duke Children’s Hospital, director of Duke’s Cleft Team and Craniomaxillofacial Trauma Program, and an assistant professor at Duke University Medical School.