Resource Library >> Social Mission Case Study

Duke University School of Nursing

Domains: Pathways, Admissions, & Graduation, Community Engagement, Curriculum & Programming, Governance & Accountability

The Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) is making efforts to address social determinants of health and end health inequity “through transformative excellence in education, clinical practice, and nursing science.” Their mission statement further emphasizes cultural sensitivity and celebrating differences. 

In tandem with the Center for Latino Adolescent and Family Health, DUSON developed a framework for mitigating harmful social determinants. Some faculty have been selected as Health Equity Leaders for their research addressing inequities and their 2022-2027 strategic plan discusses hires for faculty that focus on social determinants of health. 

Community health courses are available to students. Students are highlighted for their equity work by giving awards to support student projects related to health equity and by students and faculty for their commitment to social justice. 

The nursing school also offers the Mentoring to Increase Access to Health Professions program in partnership with their physician assistant, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and MD programs to encourage underrepresented groups to pursue health professions. Additional mentoring opportunities include the Leading to Equitable Access to Health Professions program that provides support to nursing students pursuing advanced practice programs and their Mentoring Black Nurses program.

One example of a community engagement initiative at DUSON includes the M-PACT mobile clinic, which allows students and faculty to deliver care to rural and underserved areas. M-PACT scholars receive 112 hours of longitudinal training through the clinic, including immersion in a rural community, and receive scholarships.

In 2022, Brigit Carter received the Macy Award for Individual Excellence in Social Mission for her work recruiting and supporting underrepresented nursing students at Duke.

Duke University School of Nursing co-hosted the 2024 Social Mission Alliance conference.

Publications

Thimm-Kaiser M, Benzekri A, Guilamo-Ramos V. Conceptualizing the Mechanisms of Social Determinants of Health: A Heuristic Framework to Inform Future Directions for Mitigation. Milbank Q. 2023;101(2):486-526. doi:10.1111/1468-0009.12642 

Case study developed by Nadia Bey.

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