Dr. Kevin L. Thomas is the Donald F. Fortin Distinguished Professor of Cardiology and serves as Vice Dean for Culture, Engagement, and Impact at the Duke University School of Medicine, where he leads efforts to cultivate an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment for all members of the SOM community. In this role, Dr. Thomas partners closely with the Dean and collaborates with all faculty, staff, and students to design and implement practices and policies that foster belonging, engagement, and excellence across the School of Medicine.

Dr. Thomas has developed and directed several signature initiatives at Duke, including the ADVANCE-UP Faculty Development Program, the Duke Health Disparities Research Curriculum, and the Bridging the Gap to Enhance Clinical Research Pathway Program. His contributions have been honored with the School of Medicine’s Michelle P. Winn Inclusive Excellence Award (2016) and the Excellence in Professionalism Award (2021). In 2024 he was the recipient of the James Youngblood award for leadership by the Heart Rhythm Society, the international professional society for Cardiac Electrophysiologists.

Dr. Thomas is also an accomplished clinician-scientist and tenured Professor of Medicine. His research portfolio includes more than 180 peer-reviewed publications and editorials, with funding from the National Institutes of Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, American Heart Association, and industry partners. He has served as principal investigator or co-investigator on 20 multi-year projects focused on improving cardiovascular care quality and outcomes. Throughout his career, Dr. Thomas has demonstrated a deep commitment to mentorship, sponsorship, and professional development across the educational continuum.

Dr. Thomas earned his BS from Emory University and MD from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He completed his internal medicine residency at Duke University, serving as Chief Resident in Medicine (2003–2004), followed by fellowships in cardiology and cardiac electrophysiology. He joined the Duke faculty in 2007.