Kelvin Moses, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Urology, is the first holder of a new directorship created to honor recently retired and former chair Joseph A. Smith Jr.
The Joseph A. Smith, Jr. Directorship in Urologic Oncology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center was established to support an individual focused on urologic education and research with a focus on global health.
“The Smith Directorship honors the legacy of Jay Smith here at Vanderbilt and across the globe. It will help us to continue to support one of his great passions — global surgery and teaching clinicians in other countries,” said David Penson, MD, professor and chair of Urology.
“I can think of no one more appropriate to carry on Jay’s work than Kelvin Moses. He is committed to improving health, both locally and across the globe, loves teaching others, and is a master surgeon. I know he will do great things with this,” said Penson, Paul V. Hamilton M.D. and Virginia E. Howd Professor of Urologic Oncology.
Smith, who still serves as the director of Global Surgery in the Department of Urology, has a passion for global health and routinely goes to Africa and Asia to teach surgery in these areas, taking Vanderbilt faculty and residents to provide an incredible educational experience and motivation for them to pursue efforts in global health.
With the new directorship, Moses aims to keep that tradition alive for many years to come. Moses, who also has a particular interest in global health, has accompanied Smith on several trips to Africa, in addition to going to Africa on his own with faculty and residents. Moses has been to Rwanda annually since 2018 and participated with IVUmed (International Volunteers in Urology) since 2009.
“Dr. Smith has established an international legacy as a surgeon-humanitarian and educator,” Moses said. “I am deeply humbled and grateful to Dr. Smith and the Department for entrusting this legacy to me. I aim to continue his work throughout the African continent and further develop relationships and programs for the benefit of patients and trainees.”
