The Duke Department of Medicine deeply values its administrative professionals and the significant impact that they have on our daily operations. In honor of Administrative Professionals Day on Wednesday, April 23, we are celebrating our administrative heroes who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
We recognize and appreciate our administrative support professionals who are central to our department's success.
Join us in honoring them and their valuable contributions to the department’s ongoing success.
Meet our Administrative Heroes
Natalie Ashley, BN Administrative Director, Duke Palliative Care
Nominator: Dr. Wil Santivasi
I wanted to take the opportunity this Administrative Professionals Day to thank Natalie Ashley, MHA, GradDipAdvN, BN, our administrative director in Duke Palliative Care. She is a tireless, thoughtful, skilled, and dedicated colleague. Natalie's heart and soul are fully behind our mission to take excellent care of patients and families and expand the reach of palliative care at Duke and across North Carolina. She never shies away from a challenge and does everything in her power to support the people with whom she works and our patients. Thanks for everything you do, Natalie!
Deirdre Woodard, Provider Support Assistant, Oncology
Nominator: Dr. Laura Alder
Deirdre always goes above and beyond! She has a great attitude, is always very responsive and helpful. She prioritizes patient care and wants to support the providers. Very organized. A pleasure to work with!
Anna Baker, Administrative Assistant, Gastroenterology
Nominator: Dr. Lindsay King
I have worked directly with Ms. Baker for the last two years. She is responsible, organized, and proactive. She effectively manages calendars, organizes visiting speakers and manages our grand rounds. She was instrumental in working through the process to attain MOC credits for grand rounds. She is kind, compassionate, hard-working and devoted. She is a strong team member. Her administrative work allows for the system to run smoothly and efficiently thus enhancing providers administrative and clinical work
Sandra Claiborne, Administrative Assistant, Hematology
Nominator: Melody Hall
Sandra is a wonderful administrative assistant and is one of the people I go to for questions, EPIC issues, and is the one who really works hard at team building. She is the one who coordinates our potlucks, games, ideas to put into play, and links our researchers/nurses/providers with what is going on in and around the whole unit.
Cheryl Woodard, Cardiovascular Research Center Program Coordinator
Nominator: Maria Price Rapoza, PhD
Cheryl Woodard was a member of the Duke Cardiology family since 1987, and in the most recent years has been an instrumental force as the Program Coordinator in the CVRC. Cheryl touched innumerable lives in her time at Duke. She passed in an automobile accident earlier this week. The outpouring of support and grief has been tremendous. She was featured in a wonderful DOM article in 2017 and continued with that high standard of excellence. I've also been collating the many accolades she has received in remembrance emails this week, and would be happy to share those as well. I've shared a photo below from her 30-year celebration several years ago.
David Cox, Division Administrator, General Internal Medicine
Nominator: Dr. William S. Yancy
David joined the Division of General Internal Medicine in January of 2024 coming from Duke Primary Care so he had a rather large adjustment in work tasks even though he was experienced and knowledgeable in all the key areas. He made the adjustment quickly and soon was able to carry out tasks efficiently and accurately, while developing a strong understanding of the needs and processes within the division and department. He is a great listener with passion to support staff and faculty within his division as well as collaborators outside the division. He is non-judgmental and fair when working with his constituents--ensuring support that is appropriate for the individual and equitable to peers. He has done a great job during his transition as well as with transition of chief of the division. David is a huge asset to DGIM.
Alicia Kincaid, Staff Assistant, Education
Nominator: Marianne Drexler
Alicia does an amazing job helping to keep the medicine UME office running efficiently. She is consistent, kind, and confident in her role. Alicia is a rock star and I’m so fortunate to work with her.