Alumni All-Stars Recognized for Leadership, Service and Global Impact

A visionary in HIV vaccine development, a global leader improving outcomes for mothers and newborns and a dedicated volunteer who has guided Duke’s health initiatives for more than two decades. 

These are just a few of the 48 alumni recognized during Duke Alumni Engagement and Development’s annual alumni awards ceremony and Founder’s Day dinner, both held in late September on Duke’s campus.   

“The Alumni Awards ceremony is such a fulfilling and heartwarming experience. We have amazing alumni across the globe, and it’s an honor to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in their service to Duke, the alumni community, and the world.” said Laura Heilenday ’06, M.B.A.’12, Duke associate vice president and chief engagement officer at AED.  

Awardees included the following Duke alumni: 

Bart Haynes HS’75 received the Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor presented by Duke Alumni Engagement and Development. An internationally recognized physician-scientist, Haynes has pioneered immunology and vaccine research for more than five decades. Since 1999, he has led the Duke Human Vaccine Institute, advancing groundbreaking HIV vaccine research and developing innovative approaches to influenza, tuberculosis and coronaviruses, including Duke’s COVID-19 response. A gifted mentor and former chair of The Duke Department of Medicine, Haynes has influenced generations of Duke-trained physicians and scientists worldwide. 

Jonathan Wigser M.B.A.’94 received the Charles A. Dukes Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service for more than 20 years of leadership and service. He chaired the Duke Cancer Institute Board of Advisors from 2017 to 2022, earning the William W. Shingleton Award, and continues to serve on the School of Medicine Board of Visitors and the Duke Health Campaign Committee, advancing Duke’s role in medical innovation and alumni engagement. 

Anne “CC” Lee B.S.E.’96 received the Beyond Duke Service and Leadership Award for her global impact on maternal and newborn health. As professor of pediatrics at Brown University and founding director of the Global Alliance for Infant and Maternal Health Research, she has shaped international health policy, invented life-saving technologies like the Bili-ruler and led emergency responses in underserved regions. 

Kira Jacobs M.E.M.’97 was recognized for the Forever Duke Award for her leadership as president of the Nicholas School Alumni Council. In that role, she doubled Reunion attendance, expanded alumni programming and strengthened mentorship opportunities. A tireless volunteer, Jacobs has also served on the Duke Boston Regional Board and supported community partnerships. 

The Forever Duke Award also honored the 50th Reunion Committee for class of 1974 at Duke Medical School, which brought 58 classmates back to campus and inspired nearly $1.5 million in giving. Their efforts fostered mentorship, reflection and philanthropy while setting a powerful example of alumni connection and impact. 

The full roster of awardees are as follows: 

Distinguished Alumni Award 

•  Bart Haynes HS’75, P’08 

Charles A. Dukes Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service 

•  Sue Gregory B.S.E.’87, P’18 

•  Drew Neisser ’79 

•  Mark Vahradian ’89 

•  Tom Wanty III ’81, P’20 

•  Jonathan Wigser M.B.A.’94 

Beyond Duke Service and Leadership Award 

•  Gabriela Asturias ’17 

•  Shari Schwartzman Eberts ’90 

•  Dudley Flood Ed.D.’80  

•  Anne “CC” Lee B.S.E.’96  

•  Gina Wilson M.S.N.’14, D.N.P.’16 

•  Gerald Milton Woods M.D.’76, P’02  

Forever Duke Award 

Individual Awardees 

•  Debbie Chang M.B.A.’99 

•  Leslie Limbaugh Cooper ’92, P’20, P’25 

•  Tom DeTitta ’82  

•  Anne Dowling ‘92, P’23, P’24, P’25 

•  Adam Gabay ’16 

•  Kira Jacobs M.E.M.’97 

•  Dana Krug ’89, P’22, P’27 

•  Taylor Lipsich ’20 

•  Sally Gaines Moorhead ’88 

•  Dana Goldsmith Needleman ’94, P’29 

•  Patrick Nevins ’07, M.P.P.’16 

•  Chase Olivieri ’11 

•  Maggie Ostdahl ’01 

•  Jonathan Arturo Salinas ’16 

•  Abbie Taylor ’02 

•  Moyo Tillery D.P.T.’11 

•  Adam Tomasiello ’13 

•  Donald Wine II ’04 

•  Bradley Zimmer ’00, J.D.’03 

Group Awardees 

Duke Medical School Class of 1974’s 50th Reunion Committee 

•  Walt Curl M.D.’74, P’98 

•  Bob Downs, Jr. ’70, M.D.’74 

•  Dan Goodenberger M.D.’74 

•  Rick Kopelman M.D.’74 

•  Phyllis Leppert M.D.’73, HS’76 

•  Berkeley Powell M.D.’74 

•  Fred Sanfilippo M.D.’74, Ph.D.’75, HS’79 

•  Douglas Schocken ’70, M.D.’74, HS’75, HS’78, HS’81, P’12, P’15 

•  Bill Stead ’70, M.D.’74, HS’77 

•  Rob Todd III ’70, Ph.D.’75, M.D.’76   

•  Tom Rainey ’70, M.D.’74, P’04, P’07  

Duke Nashville Region: Celebrate Diwali Event Co-Chairs 

•  Kalpana Gowda ’87 

•  Deepak Gupta M.B.A.’07, P’24 

•  Devi Ponnazhagan M.B.A.’18 

Duke DC Region: Duke Black Alumni (DBA) Leadership Team 

•  Kimberly Page ’98 

•  Kecia Troy ’98