Our Initiatives

Create performance standards and metrics for teaching and compensation strategies that incentivize education

• Team to mediate discussions for repairing relationships: Alternative to SRS process
• Caring Project: Consult operating room staff after complications or significant life issues
• Peer groups, open to all, exploring ways to enhance opportunities and remove barriers for early- to mid-career women: 
  • Listen about issues Duke Surgery women face at work and brainstorm possible solutions
• Civility Champions: Available for support on a daily basis across Duke Surgery when people need assistance
• Movement Project: Operation Room based, interventions when musculoskeletal issues arise for trainees, attendings, and staff 
• Supporting increased lactation options for nursing mothers
• Preliminary resident support group: A new formalized support system for preliminary surgical residents

• Leadership presence in and support for affinity groups and national organizations that support resident and faculty development

Community outreach engagement strategies with national organizations.

• Continue and expand commitment to broadening support for all medical students, pre-med students, and residents through engagement with national organizations
• ASSET program: Annual participation with the Durham Nativity School

Rethink how we help our residents and faculty succeed, including formalizing mentorship teams, defining multiple tracks for engagement and promotion.

• Establish teams to provide longitudinal mentoring
• Pilot program for administrative support/staff assistant professional development 

Utilize standardized and equitable recruitment processes for residents, faculty, and staff.

• Best Practices
  • Develop value proposition for new faculty coming to Duke Surgery
  • Long-term recruitment forecast—look 3-5 years in advance for needs
  • Gear messages to fit recruitment goals, such as targeting people at end of residency/mid-fellowship period
  • Division chiefs establish a strategic recruitment plan for 3-5 years out, looking at future goals vs. short-term needs
• Include a broad range of people in recruitment decisions

• Consolidate and expand resources available for junior faculty research development 
• Assist with developing methods to recruit participants in research trials
• Identify Patient Advocate to join Focus Area meetings to provide new perspectives