For some, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, but for the new neurology residents, we can have Christmas in July with reflex hammers, ophthalmoscopes, and safety pins in black bags instead of under a tree. Just as exciting, right? A big welcome to our new residents, fellows, and faculty!
If you are new to Duke Neurology, it’s important for you to know that we are committed to an inclusive and anti-racist environment. I encourage you to review our Diversity and Inclusion website https://neurology.duke.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion. It is undergoing upgrades and will soon have even more information about the departmental actions toward diversity, inclusion, and anti-racism in the coming weeks, so check back often. I am attaching to this email a copy of the Neurology Department D&I Resource List for your reference as well.
I’m very pleased to announce that the Duke Neurology D&I leadership team is expanding and coming to a site near (most of) you. Dr. Mariam Wasim (Duke Raleigh), Dr. Suma Shah (South Durham), Will Alexander, MA (Bryan Research Building), and Beth Kearney, PA-C (Morreene Road Clinic) will be serving as D&I Site Champions for their respective locations. I will serve in that role for Duke South/Clinic 1L. The purpose of having site champions is to provide more people with a familiar face to talk to if D&I issues or concerns arise. They can help identify and solve problems at the local level, and they will help keep me informed of larger problems we need to solve on a departmental level. Thank you to all of our site champions for volunteering!
All members of the department, including research and clinical staff, trainees, APPs, and faculty are welcome to join the Neurology Department Diversity and Inclusion Committee. We meet quarterly, currently by Zoom. Our next meeting is this Thursday, July 23 at noon. If you would like to join the committee, please email me and I will add you to our list and send you the Zoom link.
A reminder to everyone that the department operates an anonymous feedback box online. Please use this to make suggestions, recognize a colleague for outstanding work, or let us know about something you did that we should celebrate together as a department (don’t be humble or shy!)
If you are just joining Duke Neurology and I haven't met you yet, please send me a note to say hi.
Have a great weekend!
Andrew