WILLIAM E. DUNCAN, MD, PhD, FACP

Chief Consultant

Medical-Surgical Service

Dr. Duncan is a native of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania and grew up in Bethesda , Maryland . He completed his undergraduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University and received M.D. and Ph.D. (in Biochemistry) degrees from the Medical College of Virginia.  He did his internship and Internal Medicine residency training at the Pennsylvania Hospital and fellowship training in Endocrinology and Metabolism at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania . 

Dr. Duncan entered the U.S. Army in 1982, serving initially at the Dwight David Eisenhower Army Medical Center , in Augusta GA. In 1984, he was transferred to Walter Reed Army Medical Center , Washington , D.C. where he served until his retirement. His assignments there included staff endocrinologist (1984-1991), Assistant Chief, Endocrine- Metabolic Service (1991-1994), Chief, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Service (1994-2000) and Chairman, Department of Medicine (2000-2005). COL Duncan has served as the Endocrinology Consultant to the Office of the Surgeon General, Endocrinology Consultant to the Office of the Attending Physician to Congress, Director of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism and Associate Chairman of the Department of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University, Program Director of the Army Endocrinology fellowship training program and Associate program director of the combined Army and Navy Endocrinology fellowship program. After retirement from the U. S. Army, he joined the Veterans Health Administration as the Chief Consultant, Medical-Surgical Service at the Central Office in Washington D.C.

Dr. Duncan is board certified in Internal Medicine and in Endocrinology and Metabolism. He is a fellow in the American College of Physicians and a member of the Academy of Medicine of Washington , D.C. . His main research interests are in metabolic bone diseases and he has published 69 scientific manuscripts, abstracts and chapters. He has received The Peter Forsham Award for Academic Excellence in Endocrinology. His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal. He holds the Army’s “A” Proficiency Designator and is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit. He is Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University .

He is married to Lori A. Barnet and they have three children: Seth, Clark and Alice. The Duncan ’s reside in Rockville , Maryland .

MISSION STATEMENT:

The mission of Medical-Surgical Service is to assure that top quality acute health care is available, immediately accessible and efficiently provided to all eligible veterans as clinically indicated.  The Medical-Surgical Service will assure that clinical professionals and expert specialist have a significant voice in program assessment and outcome analysis.

Interaction between veterans (and their families) and staff will be conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect.  We recognize that patients are integral members of the health care team. The Medical-Surgical Service will ensure that each patient (or his/her representatives) understand (1) the nature of the illness or injury that led to the acute care episode, (2) how to avoid or reduce risks of recurrence where possible and (3) the follow-up plans.