Dr. Kelly McMasters , Chair of the Department of Surgery, has been named the Ben A. Reid Sr., M.D. Professor and Chair of the Department of Surgery. Dr. Robert Martin , Division Director, Division of Surgical Oncology, has been named the Sam and Lolita Weakley Professor of Surgical Oncology.

Louisville native Dr. Ben. A Reid Sr., MD established the Ben A. Reid Sr., M.D. Endowed Chair in 1989. A dedicated general surgeon, Dr. Reid Sr. spent more than half a century treating patients. While his true love was surgery, he also was a former athlete who continued to support UofL athletics throughout his lifetime. Up until the very last years of his life, Dr. Reid could be found in the stands cheering on the UofL basketball team. Former Chair Dr. Hiram Polk Jr. is the Ben A. Reid Sr., M.D. Emeritus Professor.

Drs. Sam and Lita Weakley donated major gifts to UofL's School of Medicine to endow Chairs in both Surgical Oncology (1995) and Anesthesiology (1999). Dr. Sam Weakley, who was on the clinical faculty of the department from 1955- 2004, was perhaps the most respected senior surgeon in Kentucky. Dr. Lita Weakley was a highly revered anesthesiologist. Drs. Sam and Lita Weakley dedicated their lives to service, both medical and community, and were tireless advocates for educational excellence. Dr. McMasters previously held the Weakley endowed chair in surgical oncology.