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Duke Recognizes ‘Return-to-Work’ MVPs

Staff members receive awards for helping colleagues return to work after an injury

The 2016 MVP award recipients, left to right: (front row) Rob Stephenson, Regina Ford, Joyce Fullwood, Sharon Harris; (middle row) Verland Perry, Tammey Wilkerson, Sumetrice Porter, Samantha Belden; (back row) David Morgan and Bernard Smith; (Not pictured) William English

Over the past year, Bernard Smith has gone above and beyond in helping colleagues with broken limbs or other medical conditions find suitable work accommodations at Duke.

Smith, an associate director in Housing, Dining and Residence Life, has adjusted work schedules, moved desks to the first floor of buildings, and provided special projects or frequent breaks for employees.

“We talk to employees and we do everything in our power to work with the employees and their doctors and help them work through their injuries,” Smith said. “Employees have come to me over the years and say they are very appreciative that we were able to modify their work and their schedule. That’s always a good feeling.”

Smith, along with 10 other Duke staff members, received an “MVP” award last week for providing opportunities for employees to get back to work while recovering from an occupational illness or injury. These managers and human resources staff members worked with Duke Workers’ Compensation to accommodate employees in their job, in a different position within their department or unit, or elsewhere within the institution as part of the Duke Return-to-Work Program.

The employees were recognized during a presentation in Duke Human Resources, where Kyle Cavanaugh, vice president for administration, and Chip Kyles, director of Duke Workers’ Compensation, offered remarks and honored them with a plaque and letter of thanks.

“Injured employees who work safely and productively during their recovery period get better and get better faster than people who don’t work,” Kyles said. “We want to thank staff members who’ve done the hard work in placing injured employees in work areas that suit their needs. Their success serves as a model for other departments and units.”

These Duke staff members were named 2016 Return-to-Work MVPs:

  • Samantha Belden, nurse manager, Duke Hospital Surgery (Unit 4100)
  • William English, administrative services manager, DUHS Palliative Care
  • Regina Ford, nursing program manager, Duke Raleigh Hospital
  • Rob Stephenson, occupational health nurse, Duke Raleigh Hospital
  • Joyce Fullwood, nurse manager, Duke Heart Center (Unit 7200)
  • Sharon Harris, human resources generalist, Duke Regional Hospital
  • David Morgan, security sergeant, Duke University Police Department
  • Sumetrice Porter, human resources manager, Patient Revenue Management Organization
  • Bernard Smith, associate director, Housing, Dining and Residence Life
  • Tammey Wilkerson, nurse manager, Duke University Hospital Adult Cardiac Cath Lab
  • Verland Perry, clinical lead, Duke University Hospital Adult Cardiac Cath Lab