Orthopaedic Surgery Department Updates: July 19
- Many thanks to today’s Ralph Coonrad, MD, Visiting Professor - Charlie Johnston, MD, for his insights about the biological treatment of severe orthopaedic abnormalities. We appreciated seeing a room filled with pediatric orthopaedic colleagues from UNC. Together, we support the Pediatric Ortho Fellowship program.
- Strategic plan update discussions are now underway…in 2014, our plan had three main tenants: transparency, trust, and teamwork to help us transform orthopaedic surgery through research, education, and clinical. The updated plan from 2018 extended the tenants to include effectiveness and innovation. A small group of faculty members will begin meeting to review the current plan and make effective updates. Your participation is essential to our success.
- Please join me in congratulating:
- Dean C. Taylor, MD, COL (ret) USA, as he begins his National Presidency with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).
- Christopher Shaffrey, MD, on his National Presidency with the Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)
- Alison Toth, MD, on her Duke University Health System (DUHS) Board of Directors appointment.
These faculty members' combined talent, expertise, and energy will continue to steer all associated organizations in the right direction.
- I encourage you to consider the new word I introduced last week: Eudaimonia. It is a Greek word translating to the state or condition of 'good spirit,’ commonly translated as 'happiness' or 'welfare.’ Greek philosophers studied and discussed how we put purpose into what we are doing in life. It is not about being ‘happy’ – it’s about having a purpose in life. People who achieved ‘eudaimonia’ commonly made a better holistic impact on their lives – grades, training, relationships, etc. As a result, this is what makes good students. It’s a balance between good and bad. As we consider refining the strategic plan and focusing on the department's culture, this concept of ‘eudaimonia’ is vital.
- As you know, news stations reported the shooting death of Benjamin Mauck, MD, at the Campbell Clinic last week in Memphis. We should ask ourselves how to help with prevention and solutions. For example, I and many others in our department are Doctors 4 Gun Safety members. Dave Attarian, MD, authored an editorial in 2002 that encouraged taking action and for the voices of healthcare professionals to be heard as it relates to systemic/societal problems. Since last week, a few of you have asked how Duke recommends dealing with disruptive behaviors in the healthcare system. I encourage you to review the training you received from the Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality (Disruptive Behaviors in the Healthcare Setting). Let’s work together to generate good data to make a positive difference.
- May 8, 2024: Mark your calendars for the 2024 Ortho Department Research Day. The Goldner Visiting Professors include Todd McKinley, MD, Orthopaedic Trauma Surgeon and researcher, Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital; and Richard L. Leiber, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer & Senior Vice President, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab.
- Our recent Culture Pulse survey highlighted three areas to improve department-wide: communication, community, complicated bureaucracy, and policies. We are focused on solutions, so I encourage you to participate in various upcoming community-building opportunities that include:
- July 21: Department Social Drop-In – Join your colleagues for light fare, beverages (beer and wine), and conversation, 3-5 p.m., IPE, 311 Trent Drive.
- Aug. 13: You and your family are invited to celebrate the start of the new academic year with food, fun, and a Durham Bulls baseball game! 4:00 – 9:00 p.m., Tobacco Road Sports Café, 280 S Mangum Street, Durham. Please RSVP to attend by 7/25.
- Dec. 8: Bowling Night with Duke Orthopaedics, 6-9 p.m., Bowlero, Durham, NC. All are welcome!
- COMPASS (Colleagues Meeting to Promote and Sustain Satisfaction) Sessions are in motion for four groups of faculty members. Contact Jennifer Curtin if you want to join a group. “The Mayo Clinic found that giving physicians a way to gather in small groups for semi-structured, private discussions in restaurants, coffee shops or reserved rooms results in measurably lower burnout and social isolation, and higher well-being and job satisfaction.”
