On July 1, 2025, Ron Falk, MD, officially steps down as Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill—a role he has held since 2015. Over the past decade, Dr. Falk has led the department with a rare blend of scientific rigor, compassion, good humor, and unshakable commitment to the people and mission of academic medicine.
Dr. Falk’s leadership tenure will be remembered as a time of extraordinary growth, resilience, and innovation. Under his direction, the department expanded clinical services, advanced its research portfolio, and significantly increased its educational reach.
A Leader Who Knows His People
More than anything, Dr. Falk has always been a chair who sees people—not just positions or roles.
“Ron has been an unusual leader, one who cares about his people more than one expects from a leader,” said Dr. Janet Rubin, DOM Vice Chair for Research. “Ron’s people tent is capacious, everyone is invited; you just have to work hard—and be happy to see him—and you are welcome.”
This ethos extended to every corner of the Department. From ensuring trainees and staff received the necessary tools for success to prioritizing a culture of support and safety, Dr. Falk consistently led with empathy, conviction, and purpose.
“If you mess up and you tell him you have messed up—his first priority is to make sure you are okay,” said Linda Raftery, DOM Vice Chair for Administration. “Then he stops the hemorrhaging, and finally he works to fix the underlying systems.”
Dr. Falk doesn’t just project strong leadership, he lives it, holding himself to the same high standards of accountability he expects for the department and institution.
“Dr. Falk is an amazing leader who leads with extraordinary verve,” said Dr. Gerald Hladik, Vice Chair for Faculty Development. “One of his pet phrases is, “I’m going to say this out loud”. He then proceeds to do what he says using his extraordinary skills of persuasion. He is always 5 steps ahead of the rest.”
The Academic Mission and Rabbits
A rare triple threat—excelling in the world of discovery, joyfully teaching the next generation, and serving as an international expert in ANCA vasculitis—Dr. Falk is a fierce advocate of the academic mission. He has been a sounding board to senior school of medicine and health system leaders—who value his knowledge and insights.
“In the clinic, he is a master diagnostician,” Dr. Hladik said. “His expertise in glomeruli disease and vasculitis is unparalleled, attracting referrals from around the world. When Dr. Falk speaks; everyone listens.”
He played a pivotal role in the vision and development of the UNC Eastowne Medical Office Building, recognizing the need for expanded, patient-centered outpatient care. Dr. Falk pushed forward a model that prioritized collaboration across specialties, allowing for more integrated and accessible care for patients. His leadership helped ensure the Department of Medicine was a central part of the planning process, from clinical design to faculty engagement. For the past two years he has been laser focused on our role as clinician experts in an academic medical center. Dr. Falk is recognized as an individual who enhances access for the patients we are uniquely positioned to care for.
“When I started working with him, I knew he was a bright, original mind,” Dr. Spencer Dorn, DOM Vice Chair for Care Innovation said. “Over time I got to know him better and appreciate his integrity, dedication, and compassion. I’ve consistently seen how much Ron cares about UNC, about our department, about our patients and about pushing medicine forward.”
He was a strong advocate for the Physician Scientist Training Program. Under his leadership, the program received increased support and visibility, helping to attract and retain exceptional trainees committed to both clinical care and research. Dr. Falk also began the K writing group which has been instrumental in helping our junior faculty pursue their research passion.
“As his VC for Research, I have been buoyed by Ron’s unwavering support for scientific inquiry, development of young scientists, and his recognition of the importance that science has for the academic medicine mission,” said Dr. Rubin. “He likes it all—basic, translational, demographic. He likes it with an n = 3 and an n = 2000. This is good!”
During his time, the internal medicine residency program grew from 75 to 101 residents. Dr. Falk knows every one of them—not just by name, by their interests and passions too. So, if you’re looking for him, and he’s not in a meeting, try the chief residents’ office.
But it wasn’t just his academic brilliance that shaped the department—it was also his humor, quirkiness, and undeniable sense of play. From inserting the phrase “Rabbit,” into the culture (there are now ten years of chief residents who text it to each other on the first of each month), to engineering elaborate Spring and Fall Fest obstacle courses, Dr. Falk built a workplace where laughter, celebration, and community were core to the mission.
“Ron is a prankster,” said Linda Raftery, Vice Chair for Administration. “Many of us have been ‘rabbitted’ by him. We’ve enjoyed the obstacle courses of Spring Fest and Fall Fest. And when tensions rose during the pandemic, he arranged a Whac-a-Mole day. We all got to play.”
Legacy and Gratitude
Dr. Falk’s decade of leadership included some of the most challenging moments in modern medicine, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, he remained a steady, compassionate leader who listened deeply and acted decisively.
“Thank you for modeling what it means to lead with courage when the path is not clear, not conventional, and a little rocky,” said Dr. Kiesha Gibson, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics. “So, whenever I’m faced with a tough decision, I’m going to always carry the sound of your DJ voice in my head, and I’m going to always smile when I reflect on how you’ve been an absolute compass, a challenger, and a friend with unmatched vision.
Dr. Falk’s legacy will endure through the many individuals he mentored—people who are now leading programs, divisions, and initiatives across the Department of Medicine and beyond. He invested deeply in others, taking time to understand their goals, build their confidence, and help them grow into thoughtful, effective leaders. His influence can be seen not just in titles or roles, but in the values and collaborative spirit his mentees carry forward.
“You created this environment where you’ve taken the time to get to know every single person in this department and have helped each of them thrive—and even enjoy the ride along the way,” said Cristin Colford, MD.
As Dr. Falk prepares to hand over the reins, his impact will remain deeply woven into the culture, values, and future of the Department of Medicine. He leaves behind a community strengthened by his vision—and a few games of “Rabbit” to carry the good luck forward.