John H. Sampson, MD, PhD
Inaugural Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery, 2015-2020
- Robert H. and Gloria Wilkins Distinguished Professor and Past Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery
- Current the president of Private Diagnostic Clinic, Duke's physician practice
- The National Institutes of Health's top-funded neurosurgeon
- Member of the National Academy of Medicine
- Member of the Association of American Physicians
Allan H. Friedman, MD
Chief 1996-2014; Interim Chair 2020-2022
- Trained at Duke under Guy Odom and Robert Wilkins
- Neurovascular Fellowship trained with Charles Drake and Gazi Yasargil
- President, Southern Neurological Society (1997-99)
- Fellow, American College of Surgeons (2000)
- Co-Director of Duke Brain Tumor Center
- President, Society of Neurological Surgeons (2010-2011)
Robert H. Wilkins, MD
Division Chief 1976-96
- President, Congress of Neurological Surgeons (1979-80)
- President, Southern Neurological Society (1992-93)
- Chairman, American Board of Neurological Surgery (1996-97)
- Distinguished Service Award from CNS (1998)
- Distinguished Service Award from AANS (2000)
- Founder and editor of Neurosurgery (1977-1982)
Dr. Guy Odom
Division Chief 1960-76
- Trained at Montreal Neurological Institute under Wilder Penfield
- President, Society of Neurological Surgeons (1970-71)
- President, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (1971-72)
- Recipient of Harvey Cushing Medal
- Established Duke Neuropathology in 1945
Dr. Barnes Woodhall
Division Chief 1937-60
- Trained at Johns Hopkins under Walter Dandy
- President, American Association of Neurological Surgeons (1963-64)
- Established first brain tumor program in the nation (1937)
- Awarded Legion of Merit Award during World War II
- Chancellor of Duke Hospital (1960-64)
- Pioneered the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center