Charles B. Cairns, MD

Charles B. Cairns, MD, is the Walter H. and Leonore Annenberg Dean of the College of Medicine and senior vice president for medical affairs at Drexel University. He is a national leader in emergency medicine and critical care education, research, and health system leadership.

Dr. Cairns earned his medical degree from the University of North Carolina and completed his residency and fellowship training at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

He has held numerous leadership roles, including dean at the United Arab Emirates University and the University of Arizona, chair of emergency medicine at the University of North Carolina, associate chief at Duke University, and director of emergency medicine research at the Duke Clinical Research Institute.

Dr. Cairns has led major national research initiatives, including serving as director of the National Institutes of Health United States Critical Illness and Injury Trials Group and principal investigator for multiple federally funded programs. He has authored more than 200 scientific publications, secured more than $40 million in research funding, and received national recognition from organizations including the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM).