Thriving in 2024: Mantras for Success in Work and Life from Duke Staff and Faculty

Duke staff and faculty share the words which help them weather challenges and find balance

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Word bubbles with sayings.

And for Jill Foster, a social media ad for a sweatshirt emblazoned with the question, 鈥淲hat if it all works out?鈥 supplied her with a mantra .

鈥淚t really spoke to me,鈥 said Foster, Student Services Officer with the Department of Biology. 鈥淎s someone who comes from a long line of worriers, and often jumps to envisioning the worst-case scenario, replacing negative thoughts with 鈥榃hat if it all works out?鈥 has helped me keep a more positive mindset and perhaps has even manifested everything working out in some situations.鈥

We asked Duke colleagues to send us their mantras, mottos or sayings that help them thrive in work and life. We received around 60 responses. As we head into a new year, check them out. Perhaps you will find one that inspires you.


Charlie Britt

IT Manager, Duke Health Technology Solutions

鈥淵ou are more than you tell yourself!鈥


Robin Banker

Senior Stewardship Coordinator, Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs

鈥淗ave courage, walk on.鈥


Joscelyn Upchurch

Staff Assistant, Pediatric Nephrology

鈥淲ork Smart, not hard.鈥


Leigh Goller

Chief Audit, Risk and Compliance Officer, Office of Audit, Risk and Compliance

Perfect is the enemy of progress.鈥


Marcelle Fuson

Administrative Manager, Clinical Services, Population Health Management 

鈥淭eamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.鈥


Ed Ibarguen

General Manager, 老牛影视 Golf Club

鈥淕etting better every day.鈥


Jordan McCollum

Senior Public Relations Specialist, Senior, Duke Health Physician Marketing

鈥淛ust start.鈥


Kathie Whaley Wiley

Staff Specialist, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health

鈥淓verything is Figureoutable.鈥


Terry Edwards

Employment Representative, Duke Clinical Research Institute

鈥淒ear Past, thanks for all the lessons. Dear Future, I鈥檓 ready!鈥


April Feickert

Associate Director, IT
Associate Director, Office of Academic Solutions and Information Systems

鈥淚t just needs finishing. It will probably be fine. It will definitely be fine eventually.鈥


Jennifer Solomon

Nurse Practitioner, Perioperative Anesthesia and Surgical Screening Clinic

鈥淲e are all wonderful imperfect people in an imperfect process.鈥


Kristi Davis

Financial Management Analyst III, Duke Financial Services

鈥淚f we do teamwork like we should, then we all look good!鈥


Laura Street

Chief Technologist, 老牛影视 Hospital Imaging

"There is always a solution.鈥


Brenda Winkler

Lab Research Analyst II, Pharmacology and Cancer Biology

鈥淚t is necessary, therefore it is possible.鈥


Renee Khan

Grants & Contracts Administrator, Duke Aging Center

鈥淵ou never lose, you learn.鈥


Maria Dziegielewski

Clinical Nurse III, Duke Cancer Center

鈥淟et go, let God.鈥


Jade Lugo

Research Technician III, Duke Human Vaccine Institute
"Be intentional"


Anita Punj

Strategic Services Associate, Duke Health Access Center
鈥淟ook for opportunities to learn new things every day at work from others.鈥


Michelle E. Johnson

Compliance Specialist, Patient Revenue Management Organization

鈥淯se challenges to create new opportunities.鈥


Jennifer Davis

Radiologic Technologist, Waverly Primary Care

 鈥淧eace::Balance::Breathe 鈥 Do what brings you peace. Find your balance. Don't forget to breathe.鈥


Jill Foster

Student Services Officer, Biology

鈥淲hat if it all works out?鈥


Cindy Medlin

Reimbursement Specialist, Duke Financial Services

"Trying times are no time to quit trying."


Elizabeth Taylor

Population Health Care Manager, Population Health Management Office

"Create a vision that makes you want to jump out of bed in the morning.鈥


Kiley Roha

Communications Specialist, Duke Neurosurgery

鈥淒on't believe everything you think.鈥


Bernie Jelinek

Manager, Physics Instrument Shop

鈥淒o not create extra work for yourself by creating a problem where one does not already exist.鈥


Rachael Murphey

Academic Dean, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences

鈥淯se your power for good.鈥


Rebecca Kandler

Respiratory Care Practitioner, Duke Raleigh Hospital

"They don't care what you know, until they know that you care."


Melissa Ly

Shared Resource Lab Manager, Duke Human Vaccine Institute

"Never cease to act because you fear you may fail"


Darrin Vicsik

IT Consultant, Duke Health Technology Solutions

"The water wears away the stone not with force but persistence."


Mandy Kelley

Senior Research Agreements Manager, Office of Research Contracts

鈥淕et what you inspect, not what you expect.鈥


Judith Hill

Medical Records Coder, Patient Revenue Management Office

"It's not about me."


Bill Newsome

Communications Center Operator II, Duke Health Technology Solutions

"YOU WILL NEVER LOSE. You either win or learn"


Cassie Alford

Clinical Nurse, Duke Raleigh Hospital

鈥淕reat things never get accomplished when you stay in your comfort zone.鈥


Taylor Shain

Analyst IT, Fuqua School of Business

"I can do hard things."


Lori College

Staff Assistant, Infectious Diseases

鈥淭here are 3 simple things you need to do in all things in life: 1. Follow the directions. 2. Do your best. 3. Finish the job.鈥


Binakumari Patel

Assistant Director, Lincoln Community Health Center Pharmacy

鈥淜eep Calm and Carry On鈥


Lisa Hinkle

Staff Specialist, Duke Faculty Club

"There's a solution to every problem.鈥


Emma Holt

Medical Lab Scientist, 老牛影视 Hospital Transfusion Services

鈥淒on't give up. Never give up.鈥


Lillian Rodermond

Departmental Business Manager, Department of Romance Studies 

鈥淣on-resistance, non-attachment, non-judgment."


Greg Sawin

Associate Professor, Family Medicine and Community Health

"There is no catching up, there is no falling behind, I am doing the right work that must be done right now." 


Princetta Williams

Project Manager, Duke Health Technology Solutions

鈥淲henever I am faced with challenges at work or any area of my life, I pause, give myself grace, and extend the same grace to others.鈥 


Jeannette Vega

Staff Assistant, Student Affairs
鈥淵ou shouldn't stress things you can't control; you can only control your reaction.鈥


Elizabeth "Putt" Smith

Program Specialist, Duke Cancer Network

"Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you is your trademark."


Schwanda Baptiste

Patient Service Associate, Duke Regional Hospital
鈥淚t we do unto others as we would have them do to us, this world would be a much kinder place.鈥


Lynnette Moats

Assistant Research Practice Manager, Clinical Research

"Everything is figure-outable.鈥


Jenni Solis

Grants & Contracts Administrator, Duke Quantum Center 

鈥淚 am not a bad mom because I work. I am not a bad employee because I am a mom."


Robyn Donohue

Comparitive Medicine Specialist, DLAR

鈥淛ust do it and do it well because they count on you!鈥


Jen Peele-Clark

Health Information Management Specialist, Patient Revenue Management Organization

"Left foot, Right foot, Breathe, Repeat"


Eileen Williams

Clinical Social Worker, Duke Regional Hospital

鈥淜eep the faith. Have courage. And be kind.鈥


Paula Batton

Director of Customer and Academic Support, Office of Information Technology

鈥淪ustaining the newness is just as important as gaining the insight that comes from experience."


Bessie Wade

Service Access Team Leader, North Carolina Eye, Ears, Nose & Throat

"One call, one patient at a time."


Angela Rice-Warren

Education & Training Coordinator, Duke Cancer Institute

"Does the choice I'm making now match my goals?"


Amy Spaulding

Staff Assistant, Pratt School of Engineering

鈥渊别蝉!鈥


Tina Lipscomb

Case Manager, 老牛影视 Health System 

鈥淲hen you wake up make a choice to be fully present.鈥


Seanna Horan

Administrative Assistant, 老牛影视 School of Medicine

鈥淥n we go!鈥


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