Inside Duke Medicine
It’s about our patients, not about buildings
posted August 26th, 2009
William J. Fulkerson Jr., M.D., DUHS senior vice president for clinical affairs, on keeping the focus on patients and the quality of care:
Construction of a new Cancer Center and a major expansion of Duke University Hospital support the three missions of Duke University Health System: patient care, research and education. As we move ahead with the planning and construction of these facilities, it will be important for us to continue our focus on patients and the quality of their experience with Duke Medicine.
Our patients and their families come to us every day seeking medical help, frequently for serious, potentially life-threatening conditions. This is often the most vulnerable moment of their lives and they can be fearful and anxious.
I believe the most important thing that any of us can do is to seek out opportunities – whether large or small – to make a difference in the lives of our patients and their loved ones. Each of us within Duke Medicine has the ability to directly, or indirectly, make a difference in the experience of a patient or family member.
I’m proud of the quality of service and compassion that we provide to our patients and their families and visitors every day. As we kick-off this historic expansion of Duke University Hospital, maintain your focus on providing each patient and family member with the best experience with Duke Medicine.