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.
Chair, Department of Medicine
DOM Vice Chair for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
DOM Vice Chair for Education
Civility Champion Debrief Facilitator
Program Director, Internal Medicine Residency
Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition
Hematology
Infectious Diseases
Medical Oncology
Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine
Rheumatology and Immunology
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
- Duke University/Duke University Health System harassment policy
- Policy on appropriate treatment of learners at Duke University School of Medicine
- Duke Health Code of Conduct
- Duke University Health System/Private Diagnostic Clinic non-discrimination policy
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.