In Memoriam: Kelly Ann Machovec, 1978-2022

Kelly Ann Machovec, a pediatric anesthesiologist and an associate professor at Duke University, died on March 30. She was 43 years old and suffered from cancer.

A native of Baltimore, Dr. Machovec earned her medical degree and a master of public health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She went on to complete a residency in anesthesiology at Drexel University College of Medicine in Philadelphia and a fellowship in pediatric anesthesiology at the Duke University School of Medicine. In 2013, Dr. Machovec joined the anesthesiology faculty at Duke as an assistant professor of anesthesiology and was promoted to associate professor of anesthesiology in 2019.

Dr. Machovec’s research primarily focused on the hemostasis management of children following open heart surgery performed on cardiopulmonary bypass. She was recently awarded the Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award at the Duke University School of Medicine. Recipients of this distinguished award are recognized as exemplars of humanism in the care of their patients, their compassionate delivery of care and respectfulness given to their patients and health care colleagues, as well as for their clinical excellence.

Dr. Machovec was described by a colleague as having “the determination of Ruth Bader Ginsberg, the curiosity of Marie Curie and fierceness of Wonder Woman.” The department of anesthesiology at Duke has established the Kelly Machovec Humanism Award. The recipient of this annual departmental award will exemplify grace and compassion in their delivery of patient-centered care, reverence for patients, their loved ones, and colleagues, ethical principles, and a continuous commitment to clinical excellence.