Brigit M. Carter, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN, associate dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and associate professor, has been with the Duke University School of Nursing in different capacities for 17 years.

Carter has served as head of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) since its inception in 2018. Since 2003, she has also been a clinical instructor, instructor for the Making a Difference in Nursing Program, academic coordinator for the Making a Difference in Nursing II Program, and program director of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program. In concurrent with her current posts, Carter acts as faculty in the DNP and MSN programs, academic coordinator for The Academy for Academic and Social Enrichment and Leadership Development for Health Equity Program and project director for the Academy for Academic and Social Enrichment and Leadership Development for Health Equity II Program.

Under her leadership, The ODEI oversees the Racial Justice Task Force and Committees, which was co-created with the Dean’s Office, and regularly hosts and co-hosts events for the School’s community. The next scheduled event is a panel discussion on the upcoming issue of Creative Nursing, “In It Together: Dismantling Systems of White Supremacy” on February 23, which Carter is co-facilitating. The panel consists of the thought leaders with articles in the issue.

In the fall of 2020, Carter’s commitment and significant contributions to the advancement of diversity and inclusion within the nursing profession were formally recognized, when the American Nurses Association awarded her the Diversity in Nursing Award.

Carter earned her PhD from the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, her MSN from UNC at Greensboro, and her BSN from North Carolina Central University. Previously, she’s worked at the Duke University Medical Center as an administrative assistant in the Medical Center Development unit, a HUC/CNAII in the Surgical Intensive Care unit, clinical nurse I – IV and coordinator for Staff Education and Development in the Intensive Care Nursery. She continues to work as a clinical nurse IV for Duke Hospital in the Intensive Care Nursery.

A U.S. Navy veteran, Carter’s also spent time in the Navy Nurse Corps through the U.S. Navy Reserve. She retired in January 2018 from the U.S. Navy as a commander after 28 years of service.