Division News

Faculty Promotions February 2024

Congratulations to the following faculty members for their recent appointment or promotion in the Department of Medicine.

Covid-19: Lessons Unheeded

The direct and indirect repercussions, particularly the long-term consequences, of the pandemic on all facets of health and well-being continue to be investigated and reported.  DGIM Professor Keisha Bentley-Edwards has explored several areas impacted by the pandemic including contraceptive access and use among students, the impact of systemic racisms and pre-existing conditions for Black Americans, and access to behavioral weight loss interventions in Black adults.  Her latest publication caps off a special

DGIM Hospitalists Recognized by SHM NC Triangle Chapter

The local chapter of the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) hosted their NC Triangle Chapter Networking and Awards night on February 16 at the Graduate Hotel in Chapel Hill.  Among the award recipients were Tara Spector and Pooh Setji (both won for Clinical Leadership for Physicians), Poonam Sharma (Excellence in Teaching), Lana Wahid (Excellence in Research), Noel Ivey (Best vignette), and David Gallagher

DGIM Residents & Faculty at 2024 NC ACP Chapter Meeting

The 2024 Annual Scientific Session of the NC Chapter of ACP (Chapter Governor Marion McCrary) was held on Feb 9-10 at the Marriott Crabtree Valley Hotel in Raleigh, NC, organized by Program Co-chairs Noel Ivey, Michelle Perkons, Denise Pong, and Fatima Syed.  Along with several residents in attendance, DGIM speakers included Will Yancy, Bruce Peyser, Suchita Shah Sata, David Boyte, Poonam Sharma, and Katherine Neal.  Check out the photos of some of the presenters and attendees below!

Reduced Acute Diabetes Complications Linked to Preventive Drug List Benefits

To improve medication adherence and health outcomes, some employers are offering a ‘preventive drug list’ (PDL) option with reduced out-of-pocket expenses for medications.  In Type 2 diabetes, like other chronic diseases, patients often take multiple medications to manage not only their blood glucose levels but also a constellation of other health problems such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia.

Dr. Suchita Shah Sata Promoted to Associate Professor

Congratulations to Dr. Suchita Shah Sata for her promotion to Associate Professor of Medicine, Career Track.  Dr. Sata is an attending physician in the Division of General Internal Medicine and hospitalist at Duke University Hospital.  She joined Duke in 2015 as a Medical Instructor in the Department of Medicine and is a graduate of Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons. 


PWIM Broadens the Department of Medicine Community Equity Conversation

The Program for Women in Internal Medicine (PWIM), led by Chair Dr. Daniella Zipkin and Dr. Jennifer Rymer, trainee liaison, is broadening the conversation around equity in the Duke University Department of Medicine (DOM). 

Having the space to elevate topics that impact women, holding events that take on the topic of inequity for women and people of color, and creating platforms for authentic discussion at a department level has been ground breaking for Zipkin, associate vice chair for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.   

Trainee Spotlight: Samantha Curtis

Senior resident Dr. Samantha Curtis has won the 2024 Med-Peds Program Director Association (MPPDA) Walter W. Tunnessen, Jr. Award honoring a graduating medicine-pediatric resident for innovative accomplishments in education, clinical care, and advocacy.

Continuing Medical Education: A Pathway to Collaboration and Inspiration

The Duke Department of Medicine (DOM) has long been at the forefront of advancing medical knowledge and fostering collaboration through its Continuing Medical Education (CME) efforts. With a focus on two pivotal programs— Medicine Grand Rounds (MGR) and the Learning Education and Discussion Series (LEADS) —the department not only ensures the maintenance of professional licenses but also cultivates an environment of shared learning, innovation, and inspiration. 

MGR: A Legacy of Innovation 

5 in DOM Complete ALICE Program

ALICE is an annual program that provides targeted development to mid-career women faculty leaders. Applications for the 2024 program are available now and are due November 3.

Mario Family Foundation Awardees Focus on Older Adult Care, Heart Failure Patients, HIV

The Mario Family Foundation Award supports junior investigators in training by annually awarding selected patient-oriented research proposals to fund for one year. This year’s Mario Family Foundation fellow recipients are Judith B. Vick, MD, MPH, General Internal Medicine, Josephine Harrington, MD, Cardiology, and Naseem Alavian, MD, MPH, Infectious Diseases.  

Drs. Wyatt and Bentley-Edwards Receive NIH Award to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities

Christina Wyatt, MD, associate professor in the Division of Nephrology, and Keisha Bentley-Edwards, PhD, associate professor in the Division of General Internal Medicine, received an award from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a project entitled “Interventions that Address Structural Racism to Reduce Kidney Health Disparities, Research Coordinating Center.” 

Faculty Perspective: Leadership Development

The Department of Medicine (DOM) has a longstanding history of providing resources and opportunities to faculty at all levels who are on their journey towards building a rewarding career in academic medicine. One component of the department’s vision includes supporting the development of faculty through professional and leadership development programs.

Duke Medicine Expands Advocacy Curriculum to Include Fellows

Health care providers play a crucial role in medical advocacy, and the Duke Department of Medicine is meeting a need for these physicians’ voices by expanding the scope of medical advocacy training to include fellows as well as residents.