By Duke Medicine News and Communications

DURHAM, N.C. -- Eric J. DeMaria, M.D., has been named chief of endosurgery and vice chairman of Network General Surgery at Duke University Medical Center. The announcement was made by Duke surgery chairman Danny O. Jacobs, M.D.

DeMaria, known for his contributions to advanced laparoscopic surgery, will begin his new duties at Duke July 1, 2005. He comes to Duke from Medical College of Virginia, where he served as chief of general and endoscopic surgery and director of the MCV Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery.

His new responsibilities will include directing the minimally invasive surgery programs, as well as Duke's bariatric surgery program, located at Durham Regional Hospital, where he will also assume the position of chief of Duke general surgery.

DeMaria received his medical degree at the Boston University School of Medicine in 1983, and then completed seven years of advanced surgical training at Brown University/Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island. He has also served on the faculties of Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center and Boston University Medical Center.