Students, faculty, staff, and friends of the Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) gathered on Nov. 6 for the School’s 2023 State of the School address, presented by Interim Dean Michael Relf, PhD, RN, ANEF, FAAN, who assumed the role on Oct 1. Relf, a DUSON professor and member of the community for more than 15 years, stressed the importance of transparency and togetherness in continuing the mission, vision, and values developed by the School in recent years.

“It is we together as a community who decide the mission statement of the school,” said Relf. “And it is our responsibility to fulfill that mission: to advance health equity and social justice through transformative education, clinical practice, and nursing science.”

In his address, Relf highlighted the School’s accomplishments over the past year, including faculty and staff advancements and new hires, growth in the Student Success Center, a record number of global clinical immersion experiences, development of new community health programs and partnerships, new educational and research initiatives, new marketing and communications efforts, and more.

Relf also noted the School’s many recently announced distinctions, including continued top-level U.S. News & World Report rankings, national recognition for the DUSON-DUHS DANCE academic-practice partnership and continued recognition from the American Assembly for Men in Nursing as a top educational institution for men in nursing. Relf also announced the news that DUSON had received CCNE reaccreditation for all four academic programs.  

In addition to noting DUSON’s accomplishments, Relf stressed for the community the importance of “3 Ts” in looking ahead:

• Together: Togetherness is essential to set norms and values of the DUSON community and to create a sense of belonging.
• Transparency: Promoting a commitment to leadership transparency and community engagement on initiatives.
•  Transform: In working together and valuing transparency, DUSON can truly achieve our mission of being transformative

Relf noted that these values are vital for creating and maintaining a sense of belonging at DUSON, a major focus for the School’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB).   

“When we focus on belonging and foster inclusion and equitable principles, we then will achieve diversity in our school,” said Relf.