The Department of Surgery has achieved a significant milestone, ranking 16th in the nation for NIH funding, with an allocation of $11.18 million, according to the Blue Ridge Report for 2023. The achievement exceeds a goal set by the department back in 2018, aiming to elevate its research standing into the top 20 within five years. While the accomplishment marks a substantial leap from its previous position at #42, where it had less than $2 million in NIH funding, it is the journey to the top 20, rather than the ranking itself, that is worth acknowledging — a testament to strategic planning and steadfast dedication spearheaded by Dr. Nita Ahuja, Chair of Surgery, with crucial support from Vice Chair of Research, Dr. Peter Gruber, and the collective efforts of researchers and staff members.
"We are very proud of this achievement, but it's important to recognize that it has been the result of a lot of hard work. Progress has been slow, with rankings improving from 36th in 2019 to 35th in 2020, and 38th in both 2021 and 2022. The recent surge to 16th place is a testament to the effectiveness of a long-term approach,” said Dr. Ahuja.
“While the Blue Ridge Report ranking is an important metric, there are many ways to measure the success of a research program, not just in terms of different types of funding, but also in terms of collaborations, publications, and overall culture within the department. Our strategy considers all aspects comprehensively.”
A cornerstone of the department's strategy has been its holistic approach, targeting both the recruitment of well-established scientists and support mechanisms to grow the pipeline of future researchers. Efforts to attract established NIH-funded PhD scientists in key areas have led to the formation of collaborative clusters in precision medicine, vascular biology, health implementation services, and hearing and balance. The addition of esteemed researchers such as Sara Pai, MD/PhD, Jason Sheltzer, PhD, Hong Bo Zhou, PhD, Curtis Pickering, PhD, and others have bolstered the department's research capabilities.
In addition to recruitment, the department has prioritized support for its surgical faculty, offering structured mentorship programs and seed grants to facilitate early-stage research, particularly for junior and previously unfunded faculty members. Rachel Greenup, MD, Robert Becher, MD, David Stitelman, MD, and Roland Assi, MD, are among the department faculty with active clinical practices who achieved R01 funding over the year.
Professional development initiatives targeted at residents and students, include Research Day and the Surgeon Scientist Training Program (SSTP), which addresses a unique niche in academic training, providing continuity of support over the course of a resident's training years to allow for progressive development of research theses, otherwise interrupted by clinical responsibilities. The program has earned the attention of national societies, including the American Society for Clinical Investigation.
Looking ahead, the Department of Surgery has challenged itself to a new goal of top 10 in the next five years.
"Race to the top is not the goal; making impactful contributions is," said Dr. Ahuja. "But metrics are a nice validation."