Return-to-Work MVPs Honored
Duke employees who help co-workers bounce back from injuries earn awards
Duke has recognized 16 employees for helping colleagues continue to work while recovering from injuries.
Recognized as Return-to-Work MVPs, the group received plaques on Thursday during a presentation at a meeting of Duke’s Workers’ Compensation Advisory Committee.
The recipients distinguished themselves in service to their injured Duke colleagues by making it possible for them to work safely during recovery, said Chip Kyles, Duke’s director of Workers’ Compensation.
“It’s hard to overstate the importance of keeping our injured employees productive and engaged in the workplace as they are trying to recover from injury,” Kyles said. “Our goal is that every injured worker should be able to work whenever it’s safe for them to do so. There’s a lot that goes into that.”
Duke University and Health System are committed to affording injured employees the opportunity to continue working. The ability to do that requires a strong partnership between staff, supervisors, managers, and human resources representatives.
“I think of it as a win-win for Duke and the injured worker,” Kyles said. “If an injured worker gets to maintain their wage-earning capacity, their wages are more than what their workers comp would be if they’re out of work. … The injured worker is going to recover better and faster than they would if they’re at home by themselves.”
The 2018 Return-To-Work MVP Award Winners are:
Liset Denis, nurse manager, Duke University Hospital Emergency Department
Dot Taylor, clinical operations director, Duke University Hospital Musculoskeletal & Neuroscience Service
Faye Woods, administrative assistant, Duke University Hospital Musculoskeletal & Neuroscience Service
Susan Harvey, occupational health nurse, Duke Regional Hospital Employee Health
Jacqueline Miller-Klein, staff specialist, Duke Regional Hospital Employee Health
Sarah Haithcock, nurse manager, Duke University Hospital Intensive Care Nursery
Larry West, nurse manager, Brier Creek Multispecialty Clinic
Kenny Villines, senior supervisor, Duke University Environmental Services
Curtis Wright, resident regional director, Duke University Hospital Environmental Services
Missy Harding, business manager, Duke University Hospital Environmental Services
Robin Pietrantoni, manager, Duke Temporary Services
Veronica Whitley, staff assistant, Duke University Central Recruitment and Duke Temporary Services
Michelle Shoffner, employment representative, Duke Temporary Service
Karen Reavis, nurse manager, Duke Raleigh Hospital Radiology
Susan Wright, nurse manager, Duke University Hospital 8300 Medical Unit
Brandon Faw, Environmental Services director, Duke Regional Hospital