Chair of Medicine Dr. Jon Sweet to Retire

After 26 years of dedicated service to Carilion Clinic, Jon Sweet, MD, will be stepping down on Dec. 31 as chair of the Department of Medicine.

Dr. Sweet’s impact on Carilion and the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine (VTCSOM) is both deep and enduring. Over more than two decades, he has shaped the clinical, educational, and academic fabric of our institution. He has served numerous leadership roles, including program director of the Internal Medicine Residency, interim chief of Hospital Medicine, interim chair, and ultimately chair of the Department of Medicine beginning in 2022 following a national search.

A graduate of the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia School of Medicine, Dr. Sweet completed his residency and chief residency in Internal Medicine at Wright-Patterson USAF Medical Center while on active military duty. Before joining Carilion, he served as internal medicine clerkship director for both Wright State University School of Medicine and the Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, early evidence of a lifelong commitment to medical education.

At Carilion and VTCSOM, Dr. Sweet has been an exceptional clinician, educator, and mentor. As program director, he led the Internal Medicine Residency to a 100% three-year pass rate on the American Board of Internal Medicine certifying examination for the first time in program history, expanded resident scholarship and fellowship matches, and secured a $1.9 million HRSA grant to grow the program. He has chaired the VTCSOM Medical Curriculum Committee, led the Medical Student Performance and Promotion Committee, and served on numerous other institutional committees, always with thoughtfulness and integrity.

His excellence in teaching has been recognized with numerous graduate and undergraduate medical education awards, including the Virginia American College of Physicians Teaching Award and the ACP Virginia Chapter’s Laureate Award—its highest honor. He is a member of the VTCSOM Gold Humanism Honor Society and remains deeply respected for his clinical acumen, collaborative approach, and compassionate bedside care.

"It has been a pleasure for many of us to work with Dr. Sweet over the years," said Chief Physician Executive Tony Seupaul, MD. "His leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to patients, learners, and colleagues have left a lasting mark on our department, our school of medicine, and Carilion Clinic as a whole."

Please join us in thanking Dr. Sweet for his extraordinary service and in wishing him the very best in his retirement.