Blue Devil of the Week: Linking Duke Health Across the Southeast

Name: Veronica Garrett 

Position: Administrative Specialist for Duke Network Services

Years at Duke: 37 

What she does at Duke: Garrett is the master of connections for Network Services, which supports Duke Health System’s relationship to community-based programs across the Southeast. 

She works with the Duke Telestroke Program to help build stroke programs in community hospitals around North Carolina and Virginia. Garrett assists Duke physicians with credentialing in preparation to provide care to patients who don’t have access to a medical specialist in the community.

“It’s nice to know I play a small part in helping people receive the treatment they need when they don’t have the ability to travel,” Garrett said. “This office spreads Duke resources across the region.” 

Garrett also assists in billing for Network Services and manages its fleet of seven vehicles that Duke employees use to access clinics. She keeps a spreadsheet to track when the vehicles are in use, who checks them out and when they are in need of services like oil changes and tire rotations.

“It’s just amazing to see this office has grown to the point of needing a fleet of vehicles,” she said. “When I started here 35 years ago there were maybe 10 of us in an office. Now we take up nearly four floors of University Tower.” 

What she loves about Duke: No matter where she is in the world, the name “Duke” can strike up a conversation with a stranger. 

“Duke touches so many lives,” Garrett said. “It’s a special feeling to meet someone who has had a loved one treated at the hospital or who is a huge Duke Blue Devil fan. Strangers quickly become acquaintances because of Duke.”

Memorable day at work: Garrett was sifting through her email in 2017 when she noticed a message from President Vincent E. Price. Garrett thought it was just a university announcement and quickly disregarded it. A coworker then ran into her office and told her to read the email. 

Garrett had won a Presidential Award. 

“I’ve been on cloud nine ever since,” she said.

Lois Pradka, senior director for Duke Clinical Engagement with Network Services, nominated Garrett for the award.  

“Whether work is added or taken away, she maintains her class, her integrity and her joyful side,” Pradka said. 

A special object/memorabilia in her office: Garrett keeps the Presidential Award hanging across from her desk. 

“If I’m ever feeling down or stressed I just need to look at that award and my spirits are immediately lifted,” she said.

First-ever job: Garrett worked as a counselor for a summer camp in her hometown of Maple Hill, N.C. 

“It was a great way to spend my summer,” she said. “I just played games with children all day.” 

Best advice received: About five years ago, Garrett started attending a bible study with women from congregations across Durham. She said the meetings taught her to put her trust and belief in a higher power. 

“Life can be hard,” she said. “A relationship with God will help you endure a lot.” 

Something most people don’t know about her: Garrett’s father served in the United States Air Force and her family spent three years stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska.  

Garrett, who was in middle and high school at the time, recalled skating on a homemade ice rink in the middle of her neighborhood and numerous school bus delays because moose were in the road. Not to mention the 20 hour of daylight in the spring and summer and 20 hours of darkness in the winter.

“The winters were so long, but I learned to enjoy them,” Garrett said.  

Is there a colleague at Duke who has an intriguing job or goes above and beyond to make a difference? Nominate that person for Blue Devil of the Week.