Thomas Owens -- "Physician Champion" Takes on Many Roles

Dr. Thomas A. Owens represents many things to many people at the Duke University Health System. So much so, that when he was nominated for the 2006 Presidential Award, the nominator had to write "see attached" for his title and department to have enough space to list his many roles separately.

Now in his 12th year at Duke, Owens is the director of the Hospital Medicine Program, and the associate director for the Internal Medicine Residency Program. He is also associate director for the Medicine and Pediatrics Residency Program, and medical director of the General Medicine patient care units 8100 and 8300 at Duke University Hospital (DUH).

Owens is described as a "physician champion," taking on leadership roles and change initiatives in several areas. He says all of his efforts come down to one very important focus -- the patient.

Executive Leadership

Presidential Award

Wanda Bride, cardiology nursing

Dr. Thomas Owens, hospital medicine, Department of Medicine

Presidential Meritorious Award

Dr. Debra Hunt, occupational and environmental safety

Mollie Sykes, School of Medicine

Gael Hallenbeck, law school

Billy Ray Newton, pediatrics

Dr. Carolyn Robbins, Lincoln Community Health Center pharmacy

In 2006, Owens helped develop and lead the efforts of the Durham County Transfer Center. Through the center, he helped ensure that there was a smooth transition when patients were transfer patients transitioned from DUH to Durham Regional Hospital.

He also developed a scorecard that helped the Hospital Medicine Program staff improve practices and patient satisfaction, leading to decreased patient length of stay.

He also is involved in efforts concerning patient safety. In 2005, he teamed up with the Duke Health Technology Solutions (DHTS) to help General Medicine staff learn a new computerized system that would reduce medical errors.

He also was appointed the lead physician to redesign the medication reconciliation process for patients. This process ensures that patients receive accurate information about the medications they are prescribed during and after their hospital stays. Owens developed strategies to educate physicians about ways to streamline the process, such as the use of electronic form completion.

Owens says he is fortunate to be surrounded by people with the same mission of patient care. "We all have the same goal: to make Duke Medicine a phenomenal place for faculty, students and staff to learn and excel," he says. "When any of us have ideas to improve our care and processes for our patients, we're greeted with support and excitement."

Joseph A. Govert, associate professor of medicine, supervised Owens as an intern and says he has always been dedicated to his patients. Govert says he's thrilled that Owens received the 2006 Presidential Award in the Executive Leadership category, an award he shared with Wanda Bride.

"It is clear that Tom sees his primary mission as that of teacher and caregiver," Govert says. "Tom recognizes that effectively performing these roles requires improvement in the systems of care and the systems supporting the teaching effort, even if his personal efforts to improve these systems mean less chance of academic advancement for himself. I think this sort of personal sacrifice is the essence of Dr. Tom Owens."