The Duke Neurology Department has announced four new All Star Awards in recognition of outstanding their patient care, teamwork, initiative, and willingness to go the extra mile. Our most recent All Stars are Hillary Yu, NP, Ann Augustine, MD, Maria Perrone, and Natalie Dupuy. Read the nominations below to learn more about our most recent All Stars, or nominate yourself or a colleague for an All-Star Award here.
Hillary Yu, NP
"Hillary Yu always, always, always goes above and beyond to help me understand what or why is happening with my very rare disease. I couldn't ask for a more sincere, caring, thoughtful and thorough caregiver. She has never hesitated to go through the many steps necessary for making every single effort possible to obtain the required authorization. She has even gone so far as immediately asking the drug company representative. She's an outstanding PA but above all, Hillary is an outstanding and passionate person who truly cares for each of her patience. I definitely feel blessed to have her as one of my most valuable advisers and advocates for my care. Her commitment to her patients speaks volumes about the importance of her patience. Duke is very fortunate to have her as a caregiver and on the front line of care for their patients and their needs."
Nominated by Anonymous Patient
Ann Augustine, MD
"Thank you for your help, you are very much appreciated. Sharing a great example of Dr. Augustine's commitment to providing great care and helping people keep their lives together! From Dr. Gardner (Morehead City): I wanted to share information to highlight dedication and excellence in access to medical care by Dr. Augustine, with neurodiagnostic sleep medicine. I have a young male veteran, single father of a young daughter, who was at risk of losing his job due to untreated sleep apnea that was newly diagnosed. He needed treatment in order to keep his job but the wait times for a follow up appointment exceeded his job requirements. I reached out to Dr. Augustine directly and she managed to see him within the required timeframe so that the veteran was able to keep driving a propane truck. He was so appreciative. As a CBOC psychiatrist, I am also very appreciative of her collaboration Rich O'Brien with me regarding my patients. I feel very supported. Thank you."
Nominated by Kenneth Goldberg, Durham VAMC
Maria Perrone
Maria planned all of the logistics for the recent Duke-NCCU Neurology and Neuroscience Career Day, coordinating with the hotel, the Duke-NCCU Bridge office, and Duke Stores, with which she was able to negotiate a donation of gifts for our participants. She organized and edited all of the speakers' powerpoint presentations. She independently conceived and created a summary sheet handout to provide the students with an easy reference for all of the information they received. She got to the site early to set up and stayed late to clean up, keeping all of the gifts and papers and signs with her, transporting them to and from her car. During the day, she oversaw all of the volunteers and kept the day running smoothly. She was absolutely invaluable to pulling off the event and went far above and beyond and clearly took the success of the program as a personal mission.
Nominated by Will Alexander and Andrew Spector, MD
Natalie Dupuy
"Not a day goes by in Clinic 1L without Natalie receiving a compliment from a patient or family member regarding her sunny disposition and empathy. On an especially busy day last week she took the time to get a patient an expedited cardiology referral as he was discharged from the CT Surgery service without adequate medication refills. On the same day she took care of personally transporting a distraught legally blind patient and her service dog to the ED. Natalie is simply the best!"
Nominated by Vani Chilukuri, MD