Dr. Herbert was awarded the fraternity's William E. Gortney Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2016.
Herbert demonstrated great promise as an Elon student, earning his bachelor’s degree in biology in 1968 and later his medical degree from the Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University in 1972. He completed his residency in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Vanderbilt University in 1976 and a fellowship in maternal and fetal medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center (Southwestern) at Parkland Hospital in Dallas.
He returned to North Carolina in 1978 and served for 22 years as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and then Duke University medical centers before moving on to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he further distinguished himself as Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He retired in 2011. A respected scholar and practitioner, Herbert made significant contributions to medicine during his career, assisting in the development of groundbreaking prenatal tests to measure fetal lung development and, as an educator, preparing students and young physicians for careers in ob/gyn. He has published numerous research articles and is a co-author of an ob/gyn textbook now in preparation for its eighth edition. Herbert is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Medical Fraternity.
He has a national reputation as a successful educator and has received numerous awards in recognition of his contributions to medicine. He has served as President of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics, as well as Vice Chair of the Council of Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Herbert has been named both Elon’s Distinguished Young Alumnus of the Year and Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Despite a demanding schedule, he has made his alma mater a priority, serving in a variety of leadership capacities. Since 1996, he has served as a member of Elon’s Board of Trustees, and he was Chair of the Board from 2014-2016. Bringing his professional experience to the campus, Herbert has served as a member of the Elon University Health Professions Advisory Board, providing an outstanding example of leadership and mentoring students preparing for careers in health care. He and his wife, Marsha, have been generous donors to the university over the years and are very devoted to their family, including son Turner (Kappa Sigma, Davidson) and wife Allison, and son, Coleman, and his wife Jennifer. Each couple has two children.
The William E. Gortney Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented annually to alumni of the Lambda-Lambda chapter. The Award recognizes brothers who bring great honor to Kappa Sigma Fraternity, whether it is through service to his community, outstanding career work, or other achievements. Gortney is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral. He most recently served as Commander, U.S. Northern Command and Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). He is the Kappa Sigma International Fraternity 2013 Man of the Year and the Elon University 2013 Alumnus of the Year. Admiral Gortney was the 50th initiate of the Lambda-Lambda chapter.