Dr. Kathleen Berfield Appointed to the K. Alvin and Shirley E. Merendino Endowed Professorship

Dr. Kathleen Berfield

The K. Alvin and Shirley E. Merendino Endowed Professorship was recently appointed to Dr. Kathleen Berfield, Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Chief of Thoracic Surgery at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. This Endowed Professorship was established in 2006 to provide support for the Department of Surgery in attaining its mission of resident education.

Dr. Berfield joined the Department of Surgery as Assistant Professor in 2016, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2022. She is the Program Director for the Cardiothoracic Surgery-Integrated & 4/3 residency programs as well as the Cardiothoracic Surgery-Traditional and Cardiothoracic Transplant/MCS fellowship programs.

“Dr. K. Alvin Merendino left behind a legacy of excellence at the University of Washington both in and out of the operative room,” said Dr. Berfield. “In addition to being a skilled surgeon he was a master educator, leader and colleague. I am beyond proud to be named the K. Alvin and Shirley Merendino Endowed Professor. It is a distinction I will strive to be worthy of and I carry his commitment to education forward in my own career.”

Published Wednesday, August 31, 2022