The Duke Department of Medicine is proud to recognize faculty who exemplify exceptional dedication to patient care, innovation in clinical practice, and the training of future physicians.
Membership in the Department’s Clinical Excellence Society honors individuals who have demonstrated outstanding clinical skill, leadership, and commitment to advancing the practice of medicine. These clinicians are selected for their impact on patient outcomes, contributions to clinical innovation, and efforts to mentor and support the next generation of healthcare providers.
Meet the newest members of the Clinical Excellence Society
Ankoor Shah, MD
Associate Professor
Rheumatology and Immunology
Dr. Shah was nominated by his division chief, Dr. Megan Clowse, who remarked, “Dr. Shah is a remarkable rheumatologist and an expert in the management of scleroderma, a multi-system inflammatory and scarring disease that strongly impacts each patient’s quality of life.” Dr. Lake Morrison supported her nomination and noted, “He has always been one of my go-to consultants for any rheumatologic conditions we co-treat. Dr. Shah not only consistently looks for new avenues of therapy for patients but also provides thorough and thoughtful care to all the patients we share, and they sing his praises without exception.”
Jennifer Saullo, MD
Associate Professor
Infectious Diseases
Dr. Saullo was nominated by her division chief, Dr. Andrew Alspaugh, who remarked, “Dr. Saullo is recognized for her Infectious Disease and Transplant team members as the 'go-to' clinician for the most challenging and complex transplant cases. She has been instrumental in developing diagnostic and treatment protocols for transplant patients here, harmonizing clinical approaches to these very complex patients.” Dr. John Reynolds supported this, writing, “Her approach to consultation is to provide very detailed and comprehensive guidance in the rationale between choice of regimen, dosing, and monitoring. Her background in pharmacy is useful as she is mindful to give us helpful information in managing these patients.”
Rania Kazan, MD
Assistant Professor
General Internal Medicine
Dr. Kazan was nominated by Dr. Noppon Setji, who remarked, “Dr. Kazan is the most committed physician that I know. As one of the inaugural hospitalists, she has been the model of professionalism and clinical excellence over the last two decades at Duke. She thoroughly reviews every discharge summary, echocardiogram, lab value, and nursing note. Then, she spends time with patients and families reviewing subjective concerns, adding in a detailed physical exam to formulate a differential and unifying diagnosis. Understanding her patients at this level of detail is superhuman.”
Michael Blazing, MD
Associate Professor
Cardiology
Dr. Blazing's Division Chief, Dr. Manesh Patel, nominated him, remarking, "Dr. Blazing is not just reserved for the many faculty members who seek him out as their doctor, but open for any patient with a cardiac problem. He has modeled his professional practice as the standard, always taking on the hardest patients and toughest assignments in the best interest of patients and Duke’s cardiology practice. His communication with patients is effortless, and he always finds a way to connect with his patients, focusing on their needs, allowing him to direct them to optimal, evidence-based care."
Rebecca Burbridge, MD
Associate Professor
Gastroenterology
Dr. Burbridge's Division Chief, Dr. Andrew Muir, nominated her, remarking, “Dr. Burbridge is widely regarded for her extraordinary clinical skills. She is an early adopter of new technology and helped bring endoscopic suturing to Duke. Dr. Burbridge is a gifted endoscopist with an impressive understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract. She also brings great creativity and can envision and develop new endoscopic strategies for diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Due to her great skill and her willingness to take care of patients with limited alternatives, Dr. Burbridge has developed a strong local and regional referral basis.”
Christopher Jones, MD
Professor
Geriatrics & Palliative Care
Drs. Heidi White and Delani Mann nominated him, remarking, “Dr. Jones is a shining example of the clinical excellence recognized by peers and patients, exemplary teaching, and national and regional leadership that characterize department of medicine faculty members of this society. His list of mentees, including students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty, is long and includes numerous academic publications and products.”
Harry Erba, MD
Professor
Hematologic Malignancies and Cellular Therapy
Dr. Erba's Division Chief, Stefanie Sarantopoulo, nominated him, who remarked, “Dr. Erba has forged an illustrious academic career in the field of myeloid neoplasms and acute leukemias. He has led high-impact, multi-center clinical trials and most recently pioneered and co-leads “MyeloMatch,” the National Cancer Institutes of Health precision medicine umbrella trial for patients with AML and MDS. He receives regular referrals for new consults because of his reputation as a fiercely knowledgeable leukemia expert. As a leader, Dr. Erba accepts hard-to-diagnose and treat patients, and he engages in the care of these patients, the sickest and most complex AML cancer patients in the region.