October 21, 2010

Graham recognized by Duke University

Thomas P. Graham Jr., MD

Graham recognized by Duke University

After a lifetime spent rebuilding little hearts and sending children on their way to a more normal and healthy life, Vanderbilt's Thomas Graham Jr., M.D., has been recognized by his alma mater, Duke, with a Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Thomas Graham Jr., M.D.

Thomas Graham Jr., M.D.

The Duke Medical Alumni Association honored Graham on Oct. 15 for his dedication to cardiac surgery and cardiovascular medicine, including the founding of the first Division of Pediatric Cardiology within Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Department of Pediatrics.

A native of Charlotte, N.C., Graham earned a bachelor's degree from Duke in 1959 and a medical degree in 1963.

He came to Vanderbilt in 1971 as the Children's Hospital was emerging as its own entity.

In the 1990s he received the first Ann and Monroe Carell Family Endowed Professorship.

Under his leadership, Vanderbilt's pediatric cardiology program grew from two cardiologists into a division of 20 pediatric cardiologists and nine fellows.

Graham stepped down as director of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology in 2004 and the Division of Pediatric Cardiology was named in his honor. Graham stopped seeing patients in 2007 but continues to write and teach fellows.