David M. Kipnis

Over the span of his nearly 50-year career at the School of Medicine, David M. Kipnis, MD, has witnessed his vision become a reality. Kipnis received an honorary doctor of science degree in 2004.

As its chairman for two decades, he elevated the Department of Internal Medicine to world-renowned prominence. He attracted the most sought-after minds to the University, forged new trails in securing necessary resources and bridged the division between basic and clinical sciences.

Kipnis is internationally known for his groundbreaking research that has aided the fundamental understanding of diabetes and metabolism.

As head of the Department of Medicine and chief of medicine at Barnes Hospital for nearly two decades, Kipnis propelled the department through unprecedented growth. During his tenure, the number of full-time faculty increased from 46 to 160; the operating budget rose from $4.5 million to $110 million; and the department’s research enterprise grew to comprise 25 percent of the University’s total research budget.

He is chair of the Scholar Advisory Committee of the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust, serves on several corporate boards and is a highly sought-after adviser within and outside the University.

His prestigious honors include the George M. Kober Medal from the Association of American Physicians, the Ernest Oppenheimer Award from the Endocrine Society, and the Lilly Award and Banting Medal from the American Diabetes Association.

He was elected to the Institute of Medicine in 1974 and to the National Academy of Sciences in 1981. He was selected as a Master of the American College of Physicians in 1993.