Kakra Hughes, MD PhD, is an academic at heart, taking a practical approach to both his life and work, regardless of the starting point. For Hughes, it is never too late to embark on a new journey and explore new possibilities. He grew up in Ghana, West Africa, and moved to the United States a few weeks after turning 17. His college advisor picked him up just as he stepped off the airplane and drove him straight to his dormitory at Central State University in Ohio, a historically Black college, through a scholarship to study Water Resources Management.
In his junior year, Hughes began considering a career change to medicine, shifting his focus away from water resources and applying to medical school. Once this decision was made, he fully committed to his studies.
Hughes earned his medical degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, which offered him a 90% scholarship. He also holds a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical and Translational Research from Georgetown University and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Services Research from the University of Maryland. He completed his surgical residency at Los Angeles County’s Martin Luther King, Jr./Charles Drew University Program.
He was particularly drawn to vascular surgery due to the combination of complex open surgery, emerging technologies associated with endovascular surgery and the opportunity for meaningful connections with patients.
"I liked the fact that you had both long-term connection with patients as well as short-term involvement on occasion. I appreciate the combination of medical, surgical, as well as endovascular – all that attracted me to vascular surgery," Hughes said.
Hughes believes his decision to pursue vascular surgery solidified later in his training, ultimately becoming clear during his fourth year of residency. He completed his vascular training at Harvard Medical School/Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and undertook an additional year of Endovascular Surgery Fellowship at the Arizona Heart Institute.
"All the folks who trained me were phenomenal individuals, and I'm deeply grateful to them," Hughes said. "I am also very thankful to the Good Lord for the magnificent family that I am surrounded by: a lovely wife, a phenomenal son and an adorable daughter. I am particularly fortunate to have grown up with two remarkable brothers (including a twin-brother), a wonderful sister and my 85-year old parents who are currently in Ghana both doing very well. At the end of the day, I realize that anything good that has happened in my life is only because of the grace of God. As the Apostle Paul wrote, 'what do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?'"
Hughes is the chief of the Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Division and a tenured professor at Howard University and Hospital. He has served in numerous leadership roles at Howard, including President of the Medical Staff and Chairman of the Medical Executive Committee. He began as an assistant professor and has played a role in strengthening the vascular program at Howard.
"It became a natural progression for me to step into the division chief position when my senior partner and then division chief, David Rose, became associate dean for the medical school," Hughes said. He is also taking on a new position as research and faculty development vice chair.
Kakra is an active member of several surgical societies, including the Southern Surgical Association, the Halsted Society, the Society of University Surgeons, the Society of Black Academic Surgeons, the National Medical Association Surgical Section, the American College of Surgeons, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS), the Society for Black Vascular Surgeons, the Eastern Vascular Society, the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery and Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. He serves on the Program Committee and the Conflict of Interest and Professional Conduct Committee within the SVS and is also an ad hoc member of SVS’ Document Oversight Committee. He is an assistant editor for the Journal of Vascular Surgery, associate editor for Annals of Vascular Surgery and previously served as section editor for Vascular and Endovascular Surgery (currently remains on the editorial board). He also serves as associate editor for the Journal of the National Medical Association.
At Howard University, a prominent historically Black institution, Hughes recognizes the rich history he encounters daily.
"I understand that schools like Howard have played significant roles in the fight for civil rights. As an immigrant from Africa, I am deeply grateful for the efforts of those who came before me, and I recognize that it is only because of the struggles of the descendants of slaves that I can enjoy many of the opportunities available to me in America today," said Hughes. “I do not take that for granted.”
He views Black History Month through the lens of an academic surgeon, emphasizing the importance of academic excellence. He tells his trainees, "There's no substitute for excellence."
He draws inspiration from notable leaders associated with Howard University, particularly Charles Drew, an African American surgeon whose work is credited with blood banking in America. Drew famously said, "Excellence of performance will transcend artificial barriers created by man." This was repeatedly quoted by the late chairman and surgeon-in-chief of Howard, Dr. LaSalle Leffall, Jr., who occupied the office right next to Hughes for the last several years of his life.
This message is also relevant for aspiring vascular surgeons.
"There are many discussions about social justice today, and I believe there is great value in that. However, I believe that for young trainees, your primary role in dismantling systemic racism at this time is to focus on your own individual professional and academic excellence," Hughes said.
For those like him with years of experience, partnering with vascular leaders toward fairness is necessary. In contrast, his advice for individuals in their 20s and 30s is to "primarily focus on absolute excellence—academic and professional excellence in everything you do. This has to be taken with a grain of salt because if MLK had waited out of his 30s to do any civil rights work, that would not necessarily have worked out too well, given that he died at 39. My point, however, is to emphasize to my younger colleagues the need to be hyper-focused on their training to become excellent and try to avoid too many distractions," he said.
Hughes emphasizes the Society for Vascular Surgery's (SVS) work promoting service to the underserved, particularly through the Vascular Care for the Underserved Project, previously known as VISTA (Vascular Volunteers In Service To All).
He noted that much of his research has focused on socioeconomic disparities related to amputation and revascularization. This focus has become a key engagement area for SVS, highlighting the organization's responsibility in addressing these issues.
"We, as a leading organization, should be at the forefront of these efforts. I'm pleased to see that SVS leadership is making significant strides in these areas. I believe it is crucial for us to take action," Hughes said.
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