Chair Awards for Administrative Excellence

The Duke Department of Medicine Chair Awards for Administrative Excellence recognizes individuals and teams who have made distinctive contributions to the Department of Medicine while upholding Duke values and supporting the Department's mission during the academic year - demonstrating excellence in the management of department resources in a value-driven, data-informed, and unbiased manner.

The three, distinct, award categories will honor those who see obstacles as opportunities and who have demonstrated skillful, compliant, and impactful execution in "getting things done the right way."

Distinguished Achievement in Administrative Service Award

The Distinguished Achievement in Administrative Service Award recognizes a faculty and/or staff member who has made significant contributions toward the mission of the department by providing exceptional and continuous service to our faculty, staff, and students. Service can include participation with governance groups or committees to advance the mission and strategic priorities of the Department or demonstrating excellent work ethic and have an extraordinary impact within the department as a role model.

Rising Star Award for Administrative Excellence

The Rising Star Award for Administrative Excellence recognizes an emerging faculty and/or staff member in administration whose record reflects ongoing and exceptional growth in contribution to the profession and increased levels of leadership, responsibility, and sphere of impact within the Department of Medicine. While eligible nominees have not yet reached a manager- or director- level position, their track-record reflects a strong career trajectory with the possibility of forward advancement and potential for appointment at the highest levels of the profession.

Team Award for Administrative Excellence

The Team Award for Administrative Excellence recognizes teams working in partnership with DOM Divisions and institutional (DUHS, SOM, and DHIP) central offices to develop and implement effective and efficient operational and financial planning, reporting, human capital management, communication processes and resources, and performance monitoring systems that support the department of medicine faculty and staff achieve their research, clinical, clinical research, and educational objectives.

Nominees, either individuals or team, should take into consideration those who, through their exceptional contributions, exemplify at least one of Duke's five institutional values: Respect, Trust, Inclusion, Discovery, and Excellence. Individuals and teams can be nominated both for contributions over the past year or for extraordinary service over the course of a longer period.

Please note that the Awards for Administrative Excellence are intended to be a rare recognition. No individual awards (vs. team awards) will be given more than once to the same individual.

Nominees for the Rising Star and Team awards must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

  1. Permanent, full-time or part-time benefits-eligible employee.
  2. Employed in current position for at least one full year.
  3. Free from any disciplinary actions for the last five years.
  4. Must have demonstrated exceptional and ongoing achievements and have made significant and demonstrable contributions to their Division and/or the Department of Medicine.
  5. Division Leader or Head of Department Office must approve the nomination.

Distinguished Achievement in Administrative Service Award

  • Nominations for this award must be submitted by members of the DOM Advisory Board or the DOM Operations Steering Committee, directly, to the Chair for consideration.
  • Self-nominations will not be accepted.
  • Evidence that the contributions of the nominee are having a sustained and positive impact within their division, department and/or the profession as a whole.

Rising Star Award for Administrative Excellence

  • Must be an early- to mid-stage career working in administration. “Early- to mid-stage” could be anywhere from 3 to 10 years in the field of administration.
  • Must not have attained the rank of Manager, Administrator, or Director at Duke.
  • Demonstrated excellence in the following areas: (A) Work performance and (B) Leadership and commitment - resulting positive outcomes in projects or initiatives that, in total, demonstrate exceptional early and ongoing achievement.
  • Evidence that the contributions of the nominee are having a sustained and positive impact within their division, department and/or the profession as a whole.
  • Evidence that the nominee's portfolio of work and resulting successes point to increasing levels of responsibility, both internal and external to the department or Duke.

Team Award for Administrative Excellence

  • Teams may consist of two (2) or more staff members.
  • Teams implementing successful projects during the previous fiscal year.
  • Projects must be impactful and meaningful to the Department’s mission and should currently be in the monitoring phase.
  • Nomination should include metrics and supporting documentation.
  • Teams must have showcased outstanding contributions that have gone above and beyond in their service to the Department.
  • Any member of the Department of Medicine community can submit a nomination for Administrative Excellence Awards.
  • Nominators must:
    • Provide nominee and nomination information
    • For the Team Award, must provide nominee information for each team member
    • Provide a summary, in 500 words or less, to support your nomination, explaining how this individual or team meets the criteria for the award
    • Complete nominations for the Rising Star Award must include the nominee's CV or resume
  • Submit nomination via Qualtrics at https://duke.is/AdminAwards

Award selections will be made at the discretion of the Administrative Excellence Nomination Committee appointed by the Chair and Vice Chair for Administration and Finance. The Committee may choose to grant one award, no award, or multiple awards in any one year.

Award winners will be notified prior to the Department of Medicine annual Awards & Recognition Ceremony held each Spring.

2023 Award Recipients

Chris Weymouth
Chris Weymouth, Director of Finance
Distinguished Achievement in Administrative Service Award
Christy Dixon
Christy Dixon, Administrative Manager
Rising Star for Administrative Excellence Award
Denise Wynn
DOM-RA Effort Management Team
(Denise Wynn, Director, receives award for team)
Team Award for Administrative Excellence