John Sampson Named Dean of CU School of Medicine
October 2024
John H. Sampson, MD, PhD, MBA, became the Richard D. Krugman Endowed Chair, Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, and the Dean of the University of Colorado School of Medicine, on July 1, 2024.
Previously, he was the Robert H. and Gloria Wilkins Distinguished Professor of Neurosurgery and Senior Vice President of Duke University Health System and the Duke Health Integrated Practice, leading thousands of School of Medicine faculty, community physicians, psychologists, and advanced practice providers who are the clinical talent force for Duke University.
"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Sampson to this vital role, and confident that he will lead with tremendous vision and purpose at a pivotal time in the history of the CU School of Medicine,” said Donald M. Elliman, chancellor of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. “His record as a physician, scientist and champion of academic endeavors will lend itself to propelling our school and our campus into our next chapter of innovation and breakthrough.”
Sampson is a physician-scientist and member of the National Academy of Medicine. With a career spanning over 25 years, his journey is underscored by a relentless pursuit of excellence across clinical practice, research, education, and leadership domains.
Throughout his tenure, he has inspired and mentored diverse teams and fostered a culture of innovation. As a transformational leader, Sampson has orchestrated collaborative change initiatives and successfully converted visionary ideas into actionable plans.
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As a surgeon-scientist, he holds a deep commitment to advancing new therapies into the clinic and compassionately treating patients with brain tumors and other diseases of the nervous system. He has authored nearly 300 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals and the held the distinction of being the highest NIH-funded investigator in his field for several consecutive years.
As the Inaugural Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Duke, he championed faculty and student led innovative educational programs such as the Surgical Autonomy Program; the Learner Mentorship, Leadership, and Coaching program; and the Global Neurosurgery Program. These initiatives not only advanced patient care and education but also extended the impact of these trainees to underprivileged regions globally.
He also pioneered the Neuro-innovations Program, which provided training for students at all levels on entrepreneurial activities; and executed on a strategic initiative to develop the WellSpentMD App, which effectively reduced burnout by rewarding clinicians and learners with congratulations and encouragement.
Sampson’s academic journey began with a medical degree in Canada, followed by a PhD in neuroimmunology and MHSc in clinical research at Duke University. He did his research training under the internationally renowned neuro-oncologist, Darell D. Bigner, MD, PhD, and Nobel Laureate, Gertrude Elion.
Recognizing the importance of health sector management, he further honed his skills with an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, earning the distinction of Fuqua Scholar as a top tier graduate.
Beyond his professional pursuits, Sampson finds joy in family time, a passion for racing cars and critiquing Hi-Fi music with his sons, and a commitment to physical well-being through Peloton cycling and trail running, complemented by the practice of meditation.