Leadership Update: Vice Dean for Data Science Role Transition

Michael Pencina, PhD, has stepped down as vice dean for data science at Duke University School of Medicine and chief data scientist for Duke Health, effective September 30, 2025. Dr. Pencina accepted an exciting new opportunity as chief AI scientist with UnitedHealth Group. We will miss his leadership and celebrate the extraordinary foundation he has built for our school’s future in data science and artificial intelligence.

Over the past decade, Dr. Pencina has been instrumental in shaping Duke’s data science strategy for research, clinical care, and education. His leadership positioned Duke as a national leader in the responsible and rigorous application of AI in health care. Through initiatives like Duke AI Health and the Algorithm-Based Clinical Decision Support Oversight program, he has embedded governance, transparency, and trust into our approach to algorithmic innovation. As co-founder of the Coalition for Health AI (CHAI), he helped unite academic, industry, and federal stakeholders to promote trustworthy AI across the health care ecosystem. 

Duke is well-positioned to continue leading in the fields of AI research and data-driven innovation. Our growing robust partnerships with industry leaders will endure along with a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our AI governance group will take this moment to evaluate how best to structure leadership for the next phase of our AI and data science journey. This thoughtful approach reflects the complexity and opportunity of the field.

Please join me in wishing Dr. Pencina continued success in his new role. 

Mary E. Klotman, MD
Executive Vice President for Health Affairs, Duke University
Dean, Duke University School of Medicine
Chief Academic Officer, Duke Health