Susan Gurley, MD, assistant professor of medicine (Nephrology) has been named chair of the Program for Women in Internal Medicine (PWIM). Gurley will assume the role this July.
It’s her duty as chair, she said, to make sure PWIM fosters important dialogue on issues that matter to women at Duke: income equity in the division, gender trends in division promotions and support peer-mentoring groups that gives faculty the tools to navigate academic medicine and negotiate important issues such as promotion, faculty development personal and professional life balance.
“I believe in the mission of PWIM,” Gurley said. "We need to have a program like this, although our role has really evolved from the years when there were fewer women in the department.”
Gurley has been active in PWIM since coming to Duke in 1998. In 2006, she became PWIM’s chair of the house staff administrative committee where she organized conferences on C.V. preparation, interview skills and work-life balance – not, she said, just gender-specific interests.
Besides being an active member of PWIM and the Duke community, Gurley also brings a national perspective on women in medicine to the school.
Since 2008, she has represented Duke at the
Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and has served on the national coordinating steering committee of AAMC's Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWMS). Her knowledge of national benchmark data helps ensure Duke remains a leader in gender equity.
“Susan brings a national perspective on women faculty issues to the position,” said
Cathleen Colon-Emeric, MD, the current PWIM chair. “This combination, along with her energy, creativity and good sense, will serve the Program for Women in Medicine very, very well.”
Laura Svetkey, MD, MHS, vice chair of faculty development and diversity, is confident Gurley will enhance PWIM.
"As a result of Cathleen’s leadership and the active participation of so many other women, including Susan Gurley, PWIM provides outstanding value for the women on faculty and in training in the Duke Department of Medicine, and for all our faculty and trainees," said Svetkey. "We look forward to seeing how Susan carries on and expands this tradition."
Gurley said she wants to take what she’s learned nationally and apply it to the Duke community.
“Duke compares well to other institutions, especially within the last five to 10 years,” said Gurley. “We have women in key leadership positions at Duke, including our Dean and now our
Department chair.”
But, Gurley said, Duke could still improve the visibility of their diverse faculty.
“In order to achieve a diverse workforce you have to display it – not just fill quotas, but show you’re commitment to diversity.”
Gurley, who lives in Durham with her husband and two daughters, said she ultimately wants to see more women doing research at Duke.
“There are areas that still need growth, and its not just clinical,” Gurley said. “PWIM is a program that can really strengthen all of the missions of our Department, and I am excited to become more involved.”
