Kim Duncan, MD, has saved and improved countless lives as a pediatric and adult cardiothoracic surgeon in Omaha.
He recalls patients who as babies he operated on who’ve gone on to do great things. He said he still gets wonderful letters from parents.
Dr. Duncan is stepping back from 35 years of surgeries, but will be passing his knowledge, skills and passion on through future generations of surgeons, and others.
He is former chief of the UNMC Department of Surgery-Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, as well as the former chief of pediatric heart surgery at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. On July 1, he will shift focus to expanding work in education, research and in clinical care.
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“UNMC is special to my wife and to me for a number of reasons,” Dr. Duncan said. “I have the opportunity to do what I want to do — neonatal and pediatric heart surgery and adult heart transplants. Everyone has always been exceptionally generous and good to me. Two of the reasons our two kids were educated at UNMC.”
Among his many plans, he will become more active with the thoracic surgery residency program and continue to support the adult congenital cardiac surgery program. He wants to develop a program of summer research for students and ultimately, a formal research program for surgical residents.
He’ll collaborate with colleagues on a research project to expand the donor pool for heart transplantation and provide a hands-on experience for clinical perfusion students as they learn to operate the heart-lung bypass machine.
He will be training cardiothoracic fellows, surgical residents and students, using surgical simulation techniques in conjunction with iEXCEL in the Davis Global Center.
“We need more opportunities to do hands-on training as close to real life surgery as possible so we’re developing cardiac simulation models,” Dr. Duncan said.
He said he loves his work.
“It’s always fun being involved with young, enthusiastic people,” Dr. Duncan said. “There’s a lot more students can learn about how to take care of patients. You see the lightbulb go on and see their skills developing.
“The best way is to show what I do and how I do it.”
He’s also excited about working alongside his son, Brett Duncan, MD, a cardiac surgeon, UNMC alum and assistant professor in the same division.
“It’s the most amazing thing of all, it’s been a dream came true. He’s trained in adult heart and aortic surgery and came back after being away from home 10 years.”
Congrats Dr Duncan. Welcome home! What a great win for UNMC and our learners and patients!
Kim, thank you for your service. We are all grateful. Best.
Dr. Duncan is THE BEST! His surgical skills saved my grandson’s life nearly 13 years ago. He’s saved countless others during his career. We’re so lucky to have him!
Jolene Wees
Dr. Duncan is amazing! He is a huge reason my 4 year old grandson is alive today.
Congratulations Kim. Thanks for continue to educate the next generation of physicians.
Dr. Kim Duncan is one of a few top surgeons in my book. He saved my son when he was only 15 months old (open heart surgery). Our son is 27 and living his life to the fullest thanks to Dr. Kim Duncan!
Just saw this. Congratulations to my class mate from the University of Alberta and all the best. You are a star, eh? David Rutz MD, University of Alberta, Class of 1976, retired family physician after practicing in Lincoln, NE for 42 years.