We received heartfelt and descriptive nominations for the October 2025 staff members of the month! To nominate someone for recognition, please email Melanie Kirk.
Mary Oris, Senior Scientific Program Leader
"Mary Oris has consistently been an indispensable member of the Department of Surgery for over two decades. Mary supports faculty at every stage of their career by helping them develop and sustain their research portfolios in meaningful and strategic ways. Mary is known for her collaborative spirit. One of her most defining qualities is her 'can-do' attitude, in fact, Mary is known for saying: “Let’s see what your goal is and how you can get it done.”
Mary is the Administrative Director of the NIH-funded Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) since 2005 and she continues to play a key role in securing ongoing funding and advancing the Duke CFAR’s mission. Mary has anchored CFAR’s operations. She worked closely with Dr. Kent Weinhold during his tenure as Principal Investigator, following the program’s original launch by Dr. Dani Bolognesi. Today, CFAR is co-directed by Dr. Georgia Tomaras and Dr. Susanna Naggie, with Mary continuing to serve as the central force behind its administration and day-to-day success. In 2025, CFAR received renewed NIH funding for another five years, and Mary helped drive the successful submission.
Mary oversees a vibrant and interdisciplinary CFAR community that includes faculty, trainees, and collaborators across Duke. Many are from the Department of Surgery, the home of the CFAR grant, while others represent schools, centers, and institutes throughout the university. Through Mary’s leadership, CFAR’s infrastructure continues to catalyze innovation and discovery by HIV scientists at Duke, providing the strong foundation that keeps the program thriving."
-Georgia Tomaras, PhD
Chief, Division of Surgical Sciences
-Guido Ferrari, PhD
Professor in Surgery
Frank Benedetti, Clinical Research Coordinator
"I would like to highlight the outstanding contributions of our Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC), Frank Benedetti, whose work has significantly advanced the success of vascular surgery clinical trials within our division. With a remarkable ability to build trust and rapport with patients and families, Frank has become an indispensable member of our clinical research team.
His dedication to meeting enrollment targets, navigating complex protocols, and supporting investigators has not only streamlined trial operations but also enhanced the patient experience. Our division is deeply grateful for the energy, professionalism, and compassion that he brings to every interaction. His impact is felt daily — from the bedside to the research office — and we’re proud to celebrate his role in driving innovation and excellence in surgical research. Thank you, Frank, for all that you do!’
-Dawn Coleman, MD
Chief, Vascular and Endovascular Surgery