Honest, fair, funny and kind are a few of the words people across Duke University Health System (DUHS) use to describe Paul Newman, senior vice president of the Duke Health Integrated Practice (DHIP), formerly the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC). After 40 years of service, Newman retired from Duke, the only employer he has ever known, on Sept. 30.
"Duke Health would not be who we are today without Paul Newman's leadership and tireless commitment to our people and patients," said Dr. Tom Owens, executive vice president and chief operating officer of DUHS. "Paul has always been a vocal advocate for Duke and Duke physicians, and he has led our physician practice through many challenging times. With each hurdle, we have come through stronger and more aligned than before."
After graduating from Duke University, Newman joined the PDC in 1986 and became its Executive Director in 1994. For the next 30-plus years, Newman shepherded Duke's independent physician practice from approximately 650 physicians practicing on the Duke University campus and generating $150M in revenue, to today with 1,900 physicians, more than 100 clinics across North Carolina, and $1.5B in annual revenue. He helped establish and lead innovative and collaborative programs at Duke including Duke Well, our Patient Revenue Management Organization and Durham Casualty Company.
In response to the changes in health care, Newman helped physicians manage through the implementation of the electronic medical record system; integrated community practices into the PDC to expand patient access; created the Duke Patient Access Center; renovated and modernized Duke outpatient clinics; and introduced Advanced Practice Providers to patient care teams. Most recently, Newman was instrumental in leading the aligned partnership between DUHS and PDC, creating the new Duke Health Integrated Practice.
"Paul's strong presence, wisdom and historical knowledge will be greatly missed," said Dr. Matt Barber, president of the Duke Health Integrated Practice. "Yet his courage, patience and advocacy for Duke physicians have created a roadmap for the ongoing success of Duke Health and will endure for years to come."
"It has been a privilege to work here at Duke and to live in a thriving Durham community, working alongside colleagues I respected and admired," Newman said.
After decades of service to Duke, he will now turn his full attention to his growing family, travel and the many hobbies he holds dear.
