We are delighted to announce the creation of three new divisions within the Duke Orthopaedic Surgery Department.
I. Physiatry Division
Our physiatrists are distributed across various divisions and report to Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery. To better coordinate the different activities for these providers, we are creating a Physiatry Division. This division will feature joint reporting to Neurosurgery and Orthopaedics, mirroring the structure of our Spine Division. A search is underway to appoint a chief for this division.
II. Podiatry Division
This division will address credentialing, quality, education, and clinical coverage specific to podiatry. Under its inaugural chief, Michael Kerzner, DPM, the Podiatry Division will report to our Foot and Ankle Division chief, Mark Easley, MD. This new reporting structure is designed to enhance the coordination of foot and ankle care.
III. Research Division
As suggested by our research-focused faculty, this new division aims to harmonize the reporting structure for our research faculty. Those faculty members with a research-focused position who do not have a primary appointment in another division will report through this new division. For faculty involved in research but have appointments in other divisions, our Research Division leadership will develop a process to facilitate secondary or joint appointments. This change is designed to harmonize and simplify the reporting processes and fund flows without altering our research enterprise's day-to-day functional and operational aspects. Shyni Varghese, PhD, currently our vice-chair of research, will serve as the inaugural chief of this division. While this is a structural change, it will not change her duties or responsibilities.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Varghese and Dr. Kerzner on their new roles.