Former chief of the Division of Urology at Duke, David Paulson, MD, died on August 9, 2024. Dr. Paulson served as chief of the division from 1980 to 2003.
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1938, Dr. Paulson received his BA and MD from Duke. He also embarked on a surgical residency at Duke with aspirations of becoming a thoracic surgeon. However, during his time as a clinical associate at the National Cancer Institute, he developed an interest in prostate cancer, prompting a career shift.
Returning to Duke, Dr. Paulson completed his urology residency in 1972 and assumed the role of assistant professor. He rose to associate professor in 1975 and then professor in 1980, when he became the division chief of Urology at the young age of 42—a position he held for 23 years. In 2008, Dr. Paulson was named professor emeritus of surgery. Dr. Paulson’s prolific contributions to urologic oncology included over 400 published manuscripts, with a special focus on prostate cancer management. For most of his career, he performed over 200 radical perineal prostatectomies a year and developed an international reputation for his expertise in this approach.
Dr. Paulson’s impact on Duke Urology was profound. Under Dr. Paulson’s guidance, the Division of Urology expanded from a small faculty group to a robust team of subspecialists providing cutting-edge urology care in all disciplines. He grew the Duke Urologic Assembly into one of the top international urology symposia in the world. His business acumen allowed him to build the CURED endowment, which helped propel Duke Urology to the highest echelon of urology training and research centers in the world. Dr. Paulson also played a pivotal role in shaping the future of Duke Urology — which was elevated to departmental status in 2023 — by training over 120 residents and 25 fellows during his tenure, including some who are now faculty.
In retirement, Dr. Paulson and his wife, Ellen, resided in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Their shared interests in travel, golf, and tennis enriched their lives, as did the joy of spending time with their five children — Robin, David, Brooke, Julia, and Tony —and their many grandchildren. Their commitment to Duke continued through the establishment of the David F. Paulson Endowed Lectureship in the Department of Urology.
Dr. Paulson’s legacy remains indelible, and his impact on urology endures.