Civility Champions

The Department of Medicine is committed to making the workplace safe, healthy, and supportive for our faculty, staff, trainees, and patients.

What Does “Civility” Mean in the Duke Department of Medicine?

In keeping with the Institute for Civility’s definition, the founders of the Civility Champio ns program use this definition: “…[C]laiming and caring for one’s identity, needs, and beliefs without degrading someone else’s in the process…Civility is about more than just politeness…[it is] nothing short of a call to our shared humanity where respect, kindness, compassion, and dialogue grow out of a commitment to an ever-deepening understanding of self and others” (Institute for Civility as cited in Shofer et al., 2024).

How was the Civility Champions program formed?

To promote and maintain a culture of civility, we provide resources and support for incidents of bias, harassment, and uncivil behavior.  The Civility Champions program is one form of departmental support.  The program was created in 2018 as part of Dr. Dinushika Mohottige’s scholarship and vision while she was a house staff officer in the Department of Medicine, with support from Dr. Aimee Zaas, the late Dr. Kimberley Evans, Dr. Laura Svetkey, and Dr. Lisa Criscione-Schreiber.  Civility Champion training is a trauma-informed curriculum grounded in principles of restorative practices; it created and is conducted by Ada Gregory, an expert in nonviolent conflict resolution. 

Applications are solicited annually from interested faculty and trainees.  Once accepted, Civility Champions agree to undergo six hours of training, biannual refresher training, and quarterly debrief sessions in an effort to provide informal support to individuals who have experienced harm in the healthcare workplace.

What is the role of Civility Champion?

A cohort of Department of Medicine faculty and trainees have been trained on how to offer informal support in response to incidents of bias, harassment, or other unprofessional behaviors.

These Civility Champions will provide support; explore options for intervention or reporting when safe and appropriate; model the Department’s commitment to addressing the harm these incidents cause; and strengthen our community by working toward an environment of healing and care.

If you experience or witness an incident, please contact a Department of Medicine Civility Champion by email or phone for advice and assistance.

Kathleen Cooney
Kathleen A. Cooney, MD
Chair, Department of Medicine
Wilder 235x300
Julius Wilder, MD, PhD
DOM Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Lisa Criscione-Schreiber
Lisa Criscione-Schreiber, MD
DOM Vice Chair for Education
Jane Gagliardi
Jane Gagliardi, MD, MHS
Civility Champion Debrief Facilitator
Aimee Kirsch Zaas
Aimee Zaas, MD, MHS 
Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency

Upcoming events

Our next three (3) Quarterly Debriefs are scheduled -- please save the following dates in your calendar!  Debriefs will continue to take place virtually via Zoom.

October 9, 2024, from 12-1 pm 

January 9, 2025, from 6-7 pm 

April 8, 2025, from 4:30-5:30 pm 

Watch for announcements:

  • New Civility Champion training planned for spring/early summer, 2025.
  • Refresher training for existing Civility Champions planned for fall of 2025. 

View a list with contact information of resources for support navigating responses to incidents of bias, harassment or related concerns.

 

Options for reporting

There are a number of ways to report an incident of bias, harassment, or a related concern. Click here to view a list with contact information for reporting and navigating responses to incidents. 

  • Office for Institutional Equity
  • GME Mistreatment Hotline
  • Integrity Line
  • PACT 
  • House staff Harassment Hotline

 

Institutional policies

In the Department of Medicine, you may also report an incident to your attending physician; division chief; divisional vice chief for EDI; Julius Wilder MD PhD, DOM Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; or any Civility Champion.

Read our statement of departmental values concerning diversity and inclusion.

To promote and maintain a culture of civility, we provide resources and support for incidents of bias, harassment, and uncivil behavior.

If you are in immediate danger, please contact Duke Campus Police (9-1-1) or Durham VA Medical Center Police (919-286-0411 ext. 6230).

If you think you might benefit from informal support to think through what you have experienced and what options exist, consider reaching out to a Civility Champion.