Duke Psychiatry’s Nicole Heilbron Receives Presidential Award

By Susan Gallagher

Nicole Heilbron, PhD, associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences and vice chair of clinical services, has received a Duke University Presidential Award. 

The Presidential Awards recognize individuals and teams who made distinctive contributions to Duke University and Health System and have demonstrated its institutional values of respect, trust, inclusion, diversity and excellence during the 2018-19 academic year. The awards are the highest honor given by Duke to staff and faculty members.

“This year’s Presidential Awards winners have made exceptional contributions to our community and exemplified our abiding values—respect, trust, inclusion, discovery and excellence,” said Duke University President Vincent E. Price. “Together, they demonstrate that no matter the department or area of service, Duke’s dedicated, talented employees are the foundation of our university’s success. I am delighted to recognize their outstanding service.”

Heilbron Is Laser-Focused on Serving Patient Needs

With an ability to draw the best out of her colleagues, Heilbron has become one of the department’s most admired leaders. She’s also re-envisioned the department’s clinical services, bringing about changes that better serve the needs of patients.

“The effectiveness of clinical services in meeting patient needs has been at the forefront of Dr. Heilbron’s work, across clinics and programs,” wrote Moira Rynn, chair of the Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. “Quality improvement analyses have demonstrated the success of her efforts to anticipate and meet the needs of patients, provide cost-savings to the system, and maximize the ability of our mental health workforce to meet the needs of the patients and families seeking care.”

The winners—five teams and seven individuals—were honored at an awards ceremony on February 25 in Page Auditorium, followed by a reception in Penn Pavilion. 

This article was adapted from a Duke Today article about this year’s Presidential Award winners. Read the full article.

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