Anthony J. Viera, Jacqueline Barnett, Matthew Case, Carol Epling, Brian Halstater, Michelle Lyn, Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, John Ragsdale, Kenyon Railey, Kristen Said, Gregory Sawin, Hunter Spotts, John Vaughn, Nancy Weigle, J. Lloyd Michener
Corresponding Author: Anthony J. Viera; Duke University School of Medicine - Department of Family Medicine and Community Health. Email: anthony.viera@duke.edu
Section: Family Medicine & The Health Care System
Publication: September 16, 2021
The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic not only forced rapid changes in how clinical care and educational programs are delivered, but also challenged academic medical centers (AMCs) like never before. The pandemic made clear the need to have coordinated action, based on shared data and shared resources, in order to meet the needs of patients, learners, and communities. Family medicine departments across the country have been key partners in AMCs’ responses. The Duke Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (FMCH) was involved in many aspects of Duke University’s and Health System’s responses, including leadership contributions in delivery of employee health and student health services. The pandemic also surfaced the biologic and social interactions that reveal underlying socioeconomic inequalities, issues for which family medicine has advocated since its inception. Key to success was the department’s ability to integrate “horizontally” with the wider community, thereby accelerating the institution’s response to the pandemic.