Guided by Erica Taylor, MD, MBA, Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and CMO of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), the Duke Health Integrated Practice (DHIP) has advanced its foundational DEI efforts while maintaining the central mission of translating DEI to clinical platforms with meaningful, effective, and innovative strategies.
In response to an identified need to afford our clinical team members opportunities to connect meaningfully to our Duke Health DEI mission, Dr. Erica Taylor developed the concept of a network of clinical staff liaisons who would serve as the ambassadors of equity and inclusion for their local practice environments. Following the best practices of our existing DHIP Patient Safety Liaison program, Dr. Taylor and her team constructed a pathway for DHIP Clinic Leaders to appoint a member of their team to this inaugural position. The DHIP DEI liaisons are charged with fostering a bidirectional communication conduit between the DHIP DEI leadership and the front-line clinical teams to ensure optimal translation of our equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts to the patient care environments, achieving a level of knowledge and understanding that can then be passed on to their teammates through regular huddles.
Nearly 80 DEI Liaisons represent our 100+ DHIP ambulatory clinic practices committed to serving in this capacity. Dr. Taylor and her team meet with the network monthly with very intentional goals, subject matter expertise, and a vision for enhancing the impact of this work.
“One of the most powerful aspects of this network is that, for the first time, we have opened a very dynamic door of connectedness between our clinic teams and DEI leadership," said Dr. Taylor. "While we have many opportunities for faculty, administrators, and leaders of various levels to engage in DEI efforts, very little existed for our front-line staff members to use their talents and expertise to advance the health equity and inclusion mission. In addition, we are all collectively working to strengthen the connectedness we feel towards our organization’s goals. This became a very relevant solution. What’s even more rewarding is hearing about the experiences of our amazing clinic staff across all specialties, many of whom have been committed to this work in their local communities for years. Their voices and needs are now heard indefinitely to benefit our patients – and each other.”
The monthly meetings are structured to include an educational session on a relevant clinical DEI subject facilitated by Dr. Taylor, followed by necessary policy or procedure updates, and then a best practice highlight presented by a clinic staff member. For the first meeting in July, Dr. Taylor presented on “DEI at Duke Health” and provided an overview of the various stakeholders who lead these efforts. In August, she presented on “Social Determinants/Drivers of Health at Duke Health” with instructional guidelines on navigating areas of concern for patients and locating the necessary resources. After each meeting, the liaisons receive a “Know*Share*Do” document to share with their clinical teams.
We look forward to supporting this pioneering network as it reminds us of our purpose and obligations to inclusive, equitable care.
Numerous DHIP-led strategic undertakings and partnerships have bolstered the DEI mission, including the DHIP Administrative Fellowship DEI Leadership Experience, Clinical Chair Meetings and Leadership Metrics, and Supply Chain Diversification. Further, cross-entity collaborations, such as the Executive DEI Leadership Team, Clinical Enterprise DEI Curriculum Inventory, and DHIP DEI Strategic Transition Committee, reinforce alignment and amplify the collective impact of our efforts. Details can be found in the latest DHIP DEI Impact Report >