Kenisha Bethea has been selected as this year's recipient of the Michelle P. Winn Inclusive Excellence Staff Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to diversity and inclusion within the Duke University School of Medicine community.
For more than 20 years, Bethea’s unwavering commitment to fostering community-driven healthcare solutions and championing diversity has been highlighted through her work with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Susan G. Koman Foundation, Duke University Health System, and the Duke University School of Medicine. Her program leadership at Duke has been critical in cultivating a more inclusive research ethos across the Duke research enterprise.
Bethea is a research program leader for the CTSI's Community Engaged Research Initiative (CERI). In this role, she has partnered with faculty leaders to guide the work and support the training of the AME Zion Health Equity Advocates & Liaisons, a partnership between the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the School of Medicine. This partnership is designed to champion health equity and enhance healthcare outcomes within the African American community across North Carolina.
In addition, Bethea has mentored the Durham Tech Research Equity Scholars and Public Health Education students at North Carolina Central University. Under her guidance, each student cohort learns how to engage with communities via an equity-driven lens and operationalize the core tenets of Community Engaged Research practices.
According to the nomination letter submitted on her behalf, “[Bethea] possesses a natural ability to galvanize communities towards transformative change.“
She will be recognized during this year’s Equity Advancement Symposium in early August.