Duke has worked alongside many different individuals throughout his career. He continues to be professional in his approach with his patients and his colleagues. He interacts with students professionally and courteously and is always a positive role model for his profession.

Duke advocates for his patients in all the care he provides. He continues to work with the providers to ensure that each patient has the supplies, support, and equipment they need to succeed at home. He also genuinely is concerned about the staff who provide care to the patients and is an advocate for ensuring they have the time they need for lunch, a break, or other issues that may arise.

Duke is a partner for his patients and the staff he oversees. Duke can enlighten a room with a joke that helps everyone feel at ease. He is a partner for his patients' families as well, especially when he offers to bring them a freshly made cup of coffee, and the family is overjoyed with his service.

Duke is also a partner with the providers in giving them input that is valuable for the care of the patient. Duke is accountable not only for the time he spends on the unit but also for the time he spends researching any best practices for his role as a safety team member.

He brings years of knowledge and experience to the team, and he shares monthly safety team moments with everyone, so they are aware of what is important. He also adapts his teaching to each individual's needs to ensure they have the tools to be successful. He continues to lead his team each day to achieve positive outcomes.

Duke ascended to the role of Charge Nurse and has been a positive leader. His attention to successfully triaging the patients waiting, the patients coming into the unit, working with other team leaders throughout the ministry, and actively being a safety team member gives Duke a feel for what is needed next in the unit.

Duke also leads by example when taking lunch, a break, or any other time he needs to be away from the unit for scheduled meetings. Duke has so many accomplishments throughout his many years of service. He is always humble and kind to everyone he meets. He welcomes new students, new staff, and returning staff to the bedside.

Duke has an impressive resume that includes his work with Assistant fire Chief/Training Officer, Chief Medical Officer for a local Fire department, NIMS, Hazardous Materials Technician, HAZWOPER First Receiver Instructor, Fire-rescue training Master Firefighter, Emergency Medication Services Instructor, Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Instructor, CPR Instructor, Trainer and County Coordinator, Region 5 RTAB representative, District Representative for REMSS, UBC Council Chair, Safety Committee Member, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (1993 to present), ENA member, set medic for a full length movie 2024, "Bloodstained Ivory".

Duke is a multi-talented and multi-generational individual who recognizes that his talents and accomplishments have given him many opportunities to enrich other people's lives through his compassionate care.

Anyone who has worked with Duke, even for a short amount of time, will have something positive to say about his work ethic and his dedication to his profession. Duke is generous with his time to others as well as creating a work-life balance. He has received many certifications and awards throughout his many years of service.

He truly is a DAISY in the field of wildflowers, and I am honored to have been a nurse who has worked with him for many years.

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Duke is also a DAISY Award Honoree!