Pamela S. Douglas, MD, has been named a recipient of a 2025 Distinguished Faculty Award by the Duke Medical Alumni Association in recognition of her pioneering contributions to the field of cardiology.
Douglas is a leading cardiovascular physician-scientist whose career spans over three decades of contributions to cardiovascular imaging, clinical research, and addressing health disparities. She currently serves as the Ursula Geller Distinguished Professor of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases at Duke University and has held senior leadership roles in numerous national and international scientific organizations.
Douglas has led several landmark multi-center government and industry-sponsored clinical trials, including the PROMISE Trial, a 10,000-patient randomized study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. This trial was the first of its kind to evaluate non-invasive cardiovascular testing using coronary CT angiography versus traditional stress testing, establishing new standards for imaging-based clinical outcomes research.
Her groundbreaking work has significantly influenced the practice of cardiovascular imaging, emphasizing the importance of linking diagnostic imaging to patient outcomes. She has also contributed to advancing understanding in areas such as heart disease in women, sports cardiology, and cardio-oncology.
Douglas has published over 700 peer-reviewed articles and more than 100 editorials, with work appearing in top-tier journals including The New England Journal of Medicine, JAMA, and JACC. She has co-authored over 35 book chapters and edited major textbooks on cardiovascular health in women.
In addition to her scientific contributions, Douglas has helped reshape the culture of the field of cardiology, promoting greater wellness and inclusion in clinical research and across the cardiovascular workforce.
A frequent invited speaker at national and international conferences, Dr. Douglas continues to influence clinical practice, research methodology, and policy.