Medical Professor and Duke Undergraduate Receive Sullivan Award

Dr. Jennifer Garst and Duke senior Beth Brantley were recently named the first faculty/staff and student recipients of the newly reinstituted Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award at Duke.

The New York Southern Society established the award in 1925 in memory of Sullivan, a Southerner who became a prominent lawyer, businessman, and philanthropist in New York. The award seeks to perpetuate the excellence of Sullivan's character and humanitarian service by recognizing and honoring such qualities in others.

Garst, an assistant professor of medicine in oncology, was nominated for her commitment to holistic patient care. Brantley was recognized for her dedication to Durham and Duke through her leadership in the Community Service Center and Project BUILD.

Duke reinstated the award this year after a decades-long hiatus and now joins several other southern universities in presenting this award to recognize faculty, staff, or students who exhibit distinction in their profession and outstanding community service.

"The idea of rewarding ethical service to the community by both students and faculty/staff seemed very consistent with our institutional values," said Provost Peter Lange.

Duke University President Nannerl O. Keohane presented the award to Garst during a May 6 ceremony in her office that was attended by some of Garst's colleagues and family.

"You have not only excelled as an excellent clinician and an enthusiastic educator but have demonstrated character, compassion, and a sense of community responsibility in your advocacy for oncology patients and their families at Duke Hospital and in Durham and surrounding communities," Keohane told Garst at the ceremony.

Garst colleague Antoinette Polito, a physician assistant in Inpatient Oncology Service (9300 unit), nominated her: "Your caring attitude extends beyond simply the patient in the exam room or the hospital bed, and you never hesitate to engage in the spiritual work of discussing end of life concerns with dying patients and their families," Polito said. "You are a quiet voice of strength and compassion in an always difficult time."

Sam Miglarese, assistant director of Duke's Office of Community Affairs and Zoila Airall, assistant vice-president for student affairs, presented Brantley's award to her as part of the May 10 William J. Griffith University Service Award breakfast in the Von Canon ballroom.

"Of all the student service leaders, Beth Brantley stood out as an exemplary recipient because of her commitment to encouraging student involvement in Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership, at the same time creating an increased appreciation of the university's host city," Miglarese said.

Brantley, whose friend Loree Lipstein nominated her, served as director of Project BUILD in 2001 and as co-director of the Community Service Center during this academic year. Brantley, who is headed to medical school, also volunteered at Duke Hospital.

"She approaches her activities, academics, and life with integrity not common to the average student," Lipstein wrote. "She has been a role model to me for four years and I'm sure countless others would say the same'Her intense involvement in these activities is a testament to her spirit of love and helpfulness to improve the lives of men and women in her community."