Clinical Excellence Society

An expansion of the Master Clinician Awards, the Clinical Excellence Society recognizes Duke Department of Medicine faculty who excel in clinical practice. Members of the Society are exceptional clinicians who have made contributions to the practice of patient care, clinical innovation, and training the next generation of physicians. They are widely considered to be "the doctor's doctor."

Purpose
Mission
Eligibility
Membership
Submission

Purpose

To recognize DOM faculty members who excel in clinical practice.
To celebrate our master clinicians, who are generally considered as “the doctor’s doctors.” These are the clinicians we call for advice on the most challenging cases and the who we ask to take care of our family members.
To enhance the development of exceptional, engaged clinicians and clinical leaders in our DOM.

Mission

Excellence - focus attention on successful clinical career paths both within and outside of the academy, highlighting career paths that include government service, non-profit entities for underserved communities, public health, clinical education, and clinical research
Innovation - highlight innovative programs focusing on how they were developed, collate resources available to develop business plans, emphasize university and departmental resources for development of new clinical programs
Advocacy - meaningful and equitable incentive structure, EHR improvements, opportunities to collectively raise issues within the department, across departments, with the health system, locally and regionally to support clinical practice
Advancement - elect new Society members, maintain the functions of the Society, and communicate the work of the Society to all department members

Eligibility

Must have a primary appointment in the DOM and hold a regular rank appointment.
Have good standing in the DOM.
Engage in clinical practice for at least 50% of their professional effort.
Active in clinical practice for at least 10 years with at least 5 years at Duke Health.
Selection criteria include:
- Extraordinary clinical skills and bedside manner
- Recognition by colleagues, referring physicians, trainees and patients
- Evidence of leadership regionally and nationally

Membership

Active members can participate in selecting members and all business activities of the society.
Active members who transition to emeritus status can continue to stay engaged in the Clinical Excellence Society. However, they will not be able to participate in the business of the society.
Membership to the society will be evaluated by a membership committee. This committee will serve for two years, after which a new membership committee will be selected.
Nominations will occur once/year. The nomination process will include a nomination letter with supporting comments from a range of evaluators.
The membership committee will select a slate of candidates that will be put forward to a vote of the entire membership of the society after confirmation that all candidates are in good standing in the department.