Faculty Professionalism

Professionalism is a core value and expectation of all Duke School of Medicine faculty. As a community, each of us affirms and animates this value through our daily interactions with each other, our learners, our team members, our trainees, our patients, and the public. While professional behavior is the overwhelming norm, academic medicine is a highly complex, high-stakes work environment in which episodes that test the boundaries of professionalism can occur. This page will be developed as a hub for connecting faculty with resources to sustain a professional environment. It is a growing resource, and new content will be continuously added.

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Statement on Faculty Professionalism

As a community of faculty, it is necessary to have mechanisms to manage concerns about unprofessional behavior in a manner that is fair, balanced and respectful.  The document transcribed below addresses this need by providing a statement of values regarding professional behavior. It also outlines procedures for reporting concerns, and provides resources for discussing concerns.

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Institutional Resources

The Vice Dean for Faculty is available to discuss concerns, assist with problem resolution and connect with other Dean’s Office resources.

Ann Brown, MD, MHS
919.684.4139
ann.brown@duke.edu

Duke University policies and procedures governing misconduct in research establish how allegations or evidence of possible research misconduct will be addressed.

Donna Kessler, PhD
Tel: 919.668.5115
Email: donna.kessler@duke.edu
Web: https://myresearchpath.duke.edu/topics/misconduct-research

The Duke Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance (OARC) manages the ACOI program and conducts annual assessments of COI, including potential or perceived COI. 

Tel: 919.684.3121
Email: dukecoi@dm.duke.edu
Web: https://oarc.duke.edu/

Serves the entire Duke University and Health System workforce with three closely aligned programs — Employee Occupational Health, LIVE for LIFE and the Personal Assistance Service — which emphasize a proactive approach to improving health and productivity and preventing disease.

Tel: 919.684.3136 (option #2)
Web: hr.duke.edu/wellness/eohw

Offers assistance in creating diversity strategic plans, searches, and providing education and coaching on unconscious bias.

Tel: 919.684.1067
Email: ODI@dm.duke.edu
Web: https://medschool.duke.edu/about-us/equity-diversity-inclusion/about-office-equity-diversity-inclusion

This is a resource for faculty, staff and their immediate family members to receive free and confidential short-term counseling. The staff at PAS can help with personal or work-related issues.

Tel: 919.416.1PAS
Web: https://pas.duke.edu/

Office of the Ombuds serves as a resource to listen, discuss concerns, and help Duke community members navigate options for resolution of issues related to their work or education. 

Jessica Kuchta-Miller
Tel: 919.864.1032
Web: https://ombuds.duke.edu/about-the-university-ombuds/

Supports medical, graduate, PA and PT students and all post-docs in the School of Medicine.

Email: ombudsman@mc.duke.edu

Handles concerns about harassment and compliance in the areas of equal opportunity or affirmative action.

Tel: 919.684.8222
Web: oie.duke.edu/

Joint commission, patient privacy

Tel: 919.668.2573
Email: compliance@mc.duke.edu
Web: intranet.dm.duke.edu/compliance/SitePages/Home.aspx

Research integrity and privacy

Tel: 919.684.2475
Web: https://oarc.duke.edu/

Designed to promote the highest standards of professional conduct and ethical behavior and support the delivery of high quality patient-centered care through improved communication and teamwork.
Web: intranet.dh.duke.edu/SitePages/PACT.aspx (login required)

William J Richardson, MD, Co-Director

Diana McNeill, MD, Co-Director

Cynthia Gordon, RN, Administrative Director

This tool is currently in development.

Victoria Parente, MD, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair
Email: victoria.parente@duke.edu
Tel: 919-684-2536

How to Report Concerns

Speak to the person directly
Concerns about disruptive behavior are ideally raised directly with the person, as s/he may be unaware of how their behavior is affecting others. 

Speak to a supervisor or higher up
If speaking to the person directly is unsafe or does not resolve the issue, the concern should be reported to the next level of institutional authority, such as the Vice Chair for Faculty, Division Chief, Department Chair or Unit Director. In addition, other resources are available, including School of Medicine leadership, the Compliance Offices, the Office of the Ombuds, the Student Ombuds, the Office for Institutional Equity and Duke Personal Assistance Service. If the concern came from within a health care environment, individuals may also consider reporting incidents to the DUHS Professional Accountability Program (PACT). 

Seek Dean’s Office support
Most faculty issues will be resolved at the personal, division, or department level. But when this is inappropriate, is unsuccessful, or when any party to the issue is uncomfortable with such an attempt, assistance from the Dean’s Office may be requested.

Call the Integrity Line (800-826-8109)
Available anytime (24/7/365) to faculty/staff/students to report any concerns, including those about unprofessional faculty conduct. Complaints may be made anonymously.