News

Karen White Tong first came to our EMG labs as a college sophomore, soon becoming fascinated with the neurological processes behind nerve conduction studies and with her interactions with patients. Now as a clinical research coordinator, she’s running a large clinical trial for patients with Parkinson’s disease and recruiting patients with spinocerebellar ataxia.

With 18 new peer-reviewed articles from members of our faculty, August 2020 was a record-breaking month for the Duke Neurology Department. Clinical research highlights published in the past 31 days include an analysis of patients presenting with vertigo in Emergency Departments, an essay on the human cost of COVID-19 and how we can help people connect during difficult times, and a study finding new benefits for therapies for myasthenia gravis.

Clinical social worker Allison Allen, MSW, LCSW, is a member of the committee that plans the annual Social Worker of the Year award celebration. She thought it was odd she hadn't heard how the department would recognize this year's recipient virtually. That's because she was the 2020 awardee.

“We were having our weekly virtual check-in and I realized my bio was being read," Allen said. “My husband then entered our home office with our kids and presented me the award. Previous winners are my mentors, so it was humbling to be this year's recipient."

Jerri Harris’ path to healthcare started in childhood. As a daughter and granddaughter of nurturers and caregivers, Harris saw the difference that compassion, empathy, and care could give to individuals in need. Now as a regulatory coordinator within our Neuroscience Clinical Research Organization, Harris works behind the scenes to make sure our clinical research studies operate smoothly and effectively.

When Lauren Prochaska, BSN, RN, took on the role of nurse manager for Duke’s 1L clinic one year ago, she faced the formidable task of overseeing all the clinic’s daily operations. Since then she’s had to keep those duties up while thinking outside the box to make sure patients received safe, effective, and compassionate care during an emerging epidemic.

Jessica Carlson grew up with a “super mom” who was always present with affection, support, and a willingness to take her daughter to tennis meets every weekend in blazing summer heat. Seeing her mother get diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, as well as her perseverance despite the debilitating effects of the disease, inspired Carlson to pursue a career in neurology.

In addition to the development and administration of a potential therapy and following participants over time, every clinical trial also has a complex set of budgeting and financial concerns. Jillian Deignan, our finance practice manager, makes sure these issues are handled accurately, promptly, and completely for our Department. In this week's "spotlight" interview, Deignan talks to us about how her current job compares to her previous work in the Department of Pediatrics, and the highs and lows of her work.

This week, both Duke University and the School of Medicine took steps to acknowledge and address systemic racism, both within their institutions and across the nation, with particular emphasis on the effects racism has on Black communities and individuals. On Tuesday, June 16, Duke University held "Living While Black," an all-day symposium bringing together distinguished Black faculty, students and staff.

James Camp, MSN, likes to think of himself as the Moriarty of Duke University Hospital’s neuro Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where he works behind the scenes, plotting ways to improve safety, innovation, and daily operations across the unit. For this week’s spotlight interview, the nurse manager talks to us about how he works to handle the information deluge of the COVID-19 pandemic, his joys of patient care and maintaining spreadsheets, and what he wishes more patients knew about visiting the neuro ICU.

As the COVID-19 epidemic is making neurological emergencies harder to treat--and potentially more dangerous for the patient--neurology providers at Duke’s three hospitals are rising to the challenge with robots, iPads, and an unprecedented level of collaboration.

The patient in Durham Regional Hospital was unresponsive to questions. The ambulance had brought him into the emergency room with meningitis, or inflammation around the brain--as well as symptoms that could have been caused by COVID-19.