“We define health equity as the foundation of quality. We have mobilized across our organization to learn from our data and from the stories our people and our patients tell us as we recommit to dismantling racism within our walls and in the communities we serve. At Duke Health, we believe that racism is a public health issue, and it is going to take all of us to address it.” – Rhonda Brandon, chief HR officer and senior vice president at DUHS
Stories about Team Members
Duke Health is all in for change
“Duke Health Stands Against Racism" is a commitment to make lasting change and to create a community that is stronger, healthier and more just. Developed by a group of team members from across the organization over a period of many months, the one-page statement was a team effort across Duke Health entities — with DUHS, the PDC and the Schools of Medicine and Nursing all signing on.
Black History Month Spotlight
Finding Unity one conversation at a time
Nakia Hester, financial analyst III with PRMO
Finding harmony in diversity
Moses Mugo, nurse manager of operations at the Duke Rehab Institute
Celebrating stories of Black excellence and triumph
Camille Grant Valentine, director of community affairs at Duke Raleigh Hospital
Duke neuroscientist publishes anti-racism op-ed series
The moment has finally arrived for the United States biomedical research enterprise to directly confront structural racism in scientific funding, according to Duke neuroscientist Kafui Dzirasa, MD, PhD, K. Ranga Rama Krishnan Association Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
Using cultural intelligence to live our values
The Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion wants all team members to exemplify the school's core values of excellence, integrity, collaboration, respect, innovation, diversity and inclusiveness. Therefore, the School is offering workshops for faculty and staff with the goal of teaching the foundational concepts of cultural intelligence.
Cross-functional team takes a stand for change
Meet the team behind the wearable ways to take a stand against racism and support our Duke Health values.
Leaders Share their Experiences
* links are available with Duke Health login
 | Duke University, School of Medicine address systemic racismIn addition to Dean Klotman, speakers from across the School of Medicine shared their personal experiences dealing with racism: Assistant Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Diversity & Inclusion Johnna Frierson, PhD, fourth-year medical student Kristen Simmons, Associate Professor of Neurology Andrew Spector, MD, and Assistant Professor of Community and Family Medicine Kenyon Railey, MD. |
 | DUHS leaders candidly share stories of racism and resilienceThe virtual conversation “Black Men at Duke and in America" gave four Duke University Health System (DUHS) leaders a chance to reflect on race and personal and social transformation. A. Eugene Washington, MD, chancellor for health affairs at Duke University and president and CEO of DUHS; Brian Wofford, MBA, MHA, vice president of heart operations for Durham County, Duke Heart; Dexter Nolley, MEd, SPHR, chief human resources officer at Duke Regional Hospital; and Fabian Stone, MBA, MHA, MT(ASCP), associate vice president of revenue cycle and health information management at DUHS, each shared their perspectives. The conversation was moderated by Rhonda Brandon, MS, chief human resources officer and senior vice president for DUHS. Read more and watch the video here. |
 | DUHS leaders rise above racism, sexismDuke Health's second virtual conversation about race featured four African American female leaders openly sharing their experiences with racism and sexism. Rhonda Brandon, MS, chief human resources officer and senior vice president for the Duke University Health System (DUHS), moderated the discussion. Panelists included Adia Ross, MD, MHA, chief medical officer at Duke Regional Hospital; Jessica Johnson, MHA, administrative director of medical, surgical and critical care services at Duke University Hospital; Priscilla Ramseur, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC, chief nursing and patient care services officer at Duke Raleigh Hospital; and Katina Williams, MBA, assistant vice president for finance and divisional chief financial officer for ambulatory services at DUHS. Read more and watch the video here. |
 | Duke allies work to end racism, in justiceAcknowledging that being a silent supporter isn't an option anymore, four white Duke University Health System (DUHS) leaders spoke about what it means to be an ally to Black team members during a virtual discussion. Participants included Katie Galbraith, MBA, FACHE, president of Duke Regional Hospital; Keith Stover, vice president for finance for the Patient Revenue Management Organization; Tracy Gosselin, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, chief nursing officer for Duke University Hospital; and Michael Spiritos, MD, chief medical officer of Duke Raleigh Hospital. The conversation was moderated by Rhonda Brandon, MS, chief human resources officer and senior vice president for DUHS. Read more and watch the video here. |
 | Duke clinicians outline tactics for improving health equityThis hour-long conversation was moderated by Rhonda Brandon, MS, chief human resources officer and senior vice president for the Duke University Health System (DUHS). Joining Brandon were Theresa Williamson, MD, neurosurgery resident at DUHS; Kevin Thomas, MD, associate professor in the Department of Medicine and assistant dean for underrepresented faculty development in the Duke University School of Medicine; Vicky Orto, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, chief nurse and patient care services officer at Duke Regional Hospital; and Rick Shannon, MD, chief quality officer for Duke Health. This was the fourth in a series of candid conversations that began this summer on diversity, equity and inclusion at Duke. Read more and watch the video here. |
 | Seizing the moment to make meaningful changeContinuing Duke Health's commitment to having candid conversations about race, a panel discussion featuring Asian American and Pacific Islander team members took place on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Read more and watch the video here. |
 | Creating an equitable environment takes everyoneFeeling listened to and supported were two of the key takeaways from a panel discussion held with LGBTQ colleagues in honor of Pride Month. The conversation was part of Moments to Movement, Duke Health's collective stand against discrimination and injustice. Panelists included Dinushika Mohottige, MD, MPH, a medical instructor in the Division of Nephrology; Dane Whicker, PhD, the director of gender and sexual diversity initiatives in the Office for Diversity and Inclusion in the Duke University School of Medicine; Gaylynn Fassler, an information security analyst and strategic projects lead with Duke Health Technology Solutions; Rob Odom, chief marketing and communications officer and vice president for Duke University Health System (DUHS); and Amber Graham, MD, a psychiatry resident. Read more and watch the video here. |
 | Panel participants aim to be a voice for the unheardPanelists in the Moments to Movement discussion in honor of Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month hope the conversation sparked a curiosity among their colleagues to learn more about other cultures. “What a great world we live in when diversity is part of our lives," said Julio Rodriguez, resident regional director of Environmental Services with Duke University Health System (DUHS). Rodriguez was joined by Stefanie Resillez, MHA, coordinator of volunteer services at Duke University Hospital; Ileana Medina-Shelton, chef manager at Duke Regional Hospital (DRH); and Gabriela Maradiaga Panayotti, MD, IBCLC, associate professor of pediatrics. The discussion was moderated by Rhonda Brandon, chief human resources officer and senior vice president for DUHS, and Patara Williams Johnson, MHSA, program manager for diversity, equity and inclusion at DUHS. Read more and watch the video here. |
