Barry Gibney, D.O., Honored with the Carolyn E. Reed, M.D., Distinguished Endowed Chair in Thoracic Surgical Oncology

On August 10, 2024, the MUSC Board of Trustees recognized Barry Gibney, D.O., with the Carolyn E. Reed, M.D., Distinguished Endowed Chair in Thoracic Surgical Oncology.  ‌Endowed Chairs are among the highest academic awards universities can bestow on a faculty member. Endowed chairholders are esteemed faculty members who are recognized for their expertise in a key area of teaching, research, or service.‌ The Carolyn E. Reed, M.D., Distinguished Endowed Chair in Thoracic Surgical Oncology is a long-term commitment to excellence and embodies the spirit and values of Dr. Reed. 

Since his arrival at MUSC in 2017, Gibney has assumed several key leadership roles, both locally and nationally. He currently serves as the section chief of thoracic surgery, the program director of the integrated thoracic surgery residency, and the surgical director of the lung transplant program.

His numerous contributions to MUSC and the patients he serves are a testament to his leadership and dedication. He has been instrumental in building the thoracic surgery robotics program, which is now amongst the busiest in the southeast. He has helped grow the complexity of the lung transplant program, performing the first lung transplant in the Carolinas for COVID-19 pneumonia, the first pediatric lung transplant in the region in over a decade, and the first redo lung transplant in the program’s history.  He has helped elevate the one-year survival outcomes, which are now over 90%, despite the increasing complexity of the recipient population.

“Dr. Gibney’s expertise as a surgeon and his commitment to outstanding patient care has earned him recognition both within and outside the institution,” said Prabhakar Baliga, M.D., chair of the MUSC Department of Surgery. “Dr. Gibney has also embraced Dr. Reed’s legacy by dedicating himself as a surgeon-scientist and surgical educator. I am extremely happy that he is being recognized in such a meaningful way.”

Gibney maintains a significant research effort. He has been funded through the American Cancer Society and was recently an NIH/NCI K12 Paul Calabresi Scholar, where he successfully used his mentored time to become a national PI on a forthcoming cooperative group trial. As a surgical educator, he has actively mentored medical students and residents since his arrival. Upon the departure of the previous program director, the residents of the integrated program unanimously nominated Gibney to take over the position. In that role he has successfully navigated an ACGME site visit, where he has been successful in maintaining full accreditation of the program, while simultaneously increasing the residency complement.

‌About Carolyn Reed, M.D. (March 4, 1950–November 16, 2012) 

Carolyn Reed, M.D., was a national and internationally recognized thoracic surgeon and oncologist with an expertise in lung and esophageal cancer. She was President of the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association, the first woman to ever serve as president of a major thoracic surgical organization. She was the first woman to ever be elected to the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and was subsequently elected as Chairman of the ABTS (2005-2006), the first woman to serve as leader of this organization.

She was the first female member in the MUSC Department of Surgery. ‌During her career at MUSC, Reed held numerous roles, particularly in the development of the Hollings Cancer Center. She served as Associate Director for Clinical Affairs (1998-2000), Director of the Hollings Cancer Center (2000-2004), and Deputy Director of Clinical Affairs (2004-2012).  Read more about her legacy in the Waring Library's  Opening Doors: Women at MUSC.