Editor's Note: This story originally appeared in Duke Today and has been adapted for the School of Nursing audience.

By presenting caregivers with a daunting task, giving researchers a pressing global problem to solve, and reshaping the landscape of working and learning, the COVID-19 pandemic could have derailed many of Duke’s core missions. But through the work of teams and individuals across Duke, it didn’t.

This 2021-22 group of Duke Presidential Award winners are prime examples of the dedication, resilience and creativity that allowed Duke University and Duke University Health System to continue to teach, discover, heal, learn, and serve during an especially trying time.

The awards, organized by the Office of the President in partnership with Duke Human Resources, honor individuals and teams from the University and Health System who best demonstrate the values of respect, trust, inclusion, discovery, and excellence, which define and shape Duke as an institution.

Duke University School of Nursing representatives were among the Duke Health’s combined Medical Intensive Care Units (MICUs) acknowledged for their work on the COVID-19 front lines:

• Dwayne Bell, MSN'20
• Melanie Brouillette, clinical and lab instructor
• Rayleen Jones, clinical associate
• Stephanie Niemchak, BSN'83, MSN'15
• Claire Ruis, BSN'18
• Benjamin Smallheer, associate professor
• Brandi Snow, MSN'14
• Carolina Tennyson, assistant professor

The team of nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physicians, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapists, and other advanced practice providers helped care for the sickest patients at Duke’s three hospitals. The team delivered specialized care for patients while keeping pace with changing care and safety recommendations, integrating novel therapies and protective devices. The group also helped improve care through building biorepositories for research, and developing ways to improve communication with patients and families.

“With their fortitude and unwavering service, we are able to continuously provide high quality service to patients in our hospitals and represent the very best of Duke Health,” Dr. Kathleen A. Cooney, chair of the Duke Department of Medicine, said in the nomination. “What is especially noteworthy is that the MICU teams continued to innovate during this period – expanding bed counts, creating devices and leading clinical trials – all while working under extreme stress during uncertain times.”

For the full story, visit the Duke Today website.