COL Jeffrey Kavolius graduated from the University of Vermont before obtaining his MD degree from Uniformed Services University (class of ’84). Following a surgical internship at Walter Reed and an operation tour in Korea, Dr. Kavolius became a fixture in the Walter Reed general surgery residency. His overwhelming charm and personality were used to motivate students, residents, and attending staff to be better surgeons on a daily basis. Upon graduating in ’90 he began his general surgery career as an attending at Ft Bragg. He was deployed with the 5th MASH in the first gulf war and earned the bronze star as his unit was one of 2 hospitals that crossed into Iran from the western Saudi desert and then raced back across Iraq to cut off Sadam’s Republican Guard at the Euphrates River. Wanting to continue his surgical education after redeployment, Jeff was accepted into the surgical oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering. His surgical skill, enthusiasm and drive were immediately noticed by his chief, Dr Murray Brennan, who named Jeff to be the Chief Resident during his second year. What followed has become legend amongst both his colleagues and trainees. From Fitzsimmons to Tripler he influenced, taught and motivated residents and students along the way. He touched an entire generation of Army Surgeons. His terminal assignment was at Tripler Army Medical Center where he was the general surgery residency training director and Chief of General Surgery. A dedicated educator, he brought the quality of that institution’s residency to entirely new level. More than anything else, Jeff will be remembered by those who practiced with him, and who were taught by him, as the consummate physician who cared more for his patients and colleagues than he did for himself.
The 2nd Place award in the Basic Science session will be given in recognition of COLF Jeffrey Kavolius.