As the daughter of a cardiac surgeon and a drug and rehabilitation nurse, Dr. Kendal Endicott is well-acquainted with the hard work and determination required in the medical field. Being the oldest of her siblings, she learned a strong work ethic from her father and perseverance and passion from her mother.
Her parents instilled in her the true essence of healthcare, which involves meeting people in their times of need. For her mother, this meant playing cards with patients during night shifts in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
“My father modeled work-life balance in a way that never deterred me, as a woman, from pursuing surgery,” said Dr. Endicott. She fondly recalls how her father would attend their baseball games wearing a suit and tie after a full day in the operating room, always showing enthusiasm that masked his exhaustion.
Dr. Endicott attended Indiana University School of Medicine, where she met her husband, a gynecologist in the United States Army. Together, they created a family and cherish their four children.
“The call to parenthood alongside my surgical career makes my life full—often too full—but I truly feel blessed to live both vocations,” said Dr. Endicott.
She found her calling in vascular surgery, particularly within the Veterans Affairs community. One patient who stood out to her was a bilateral amputee who had suffered a catastrophic anastomotic bleed. After his operation, she visited him at his bedside to apologize, wishing there was more she could have done. His response was one of acceptance; he assured her that he knew they had done their best.
“Tragic outcomes occur despite our best efforts, and from this Veteran, I learned that the most important aspect of my practice is giving my patients my best—in every moment. It is a privilege to care for people at such vulnerable points,” said Dr. Endicott.
Her professional passions include aortic surgery and education. Since joining the Inova Fairfax team in 2020, she has taken on the role of general surgery associate program director, working to provide comprehensive options for aneurysm and dissection care to the Northern Virginia community. She feels fortunate to educate the next generation of surgeons.
“Nothing brings me more joy than watching young medical students and residents develop into thoughtful, compassionate and competent surgical leaders,” said Dr. Endicott.
She credits strong female mentors for her perseverance and success. Although women have made significant strides in medicine, she believes leadership roles remain predominantly male, which can affect financial and programmatic support across various environments. Dr. Endicott expresses her gratitude for her multi-disciplinary male partners who helped her navigate early challenges by “ignoring the noise.”
Women’s History Month is a time for her to reflect on her lineage and the strong women who paved the way for her.
“We all have stories of the women who supported and shaped us. This month is about honoring those women who loved us and created opportunities so that our daughters, nieces and grandchildren will face fewer barriers than previous generations,” said Dr. Endicott.
This month, she is advocating for donations to the Vascular Care for the Underserved (VC4U) award, which provides funding for research focused on specific women’s vascular health needs.
Dr. Endicott emphasizes that vascular surgery is not for the faint-hearted, as patients often present with advanced age, comorbidities and complex challenges. She explains that the specialty needs passionate young men and women who are dedicated to mastering the art of vascular surgery.
“Some of the toughest decisions we make involve choosing not to operate and instead walking alongside the patient on their journey,” said Dr. Endicott.
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