New Director for Personal Assistance Service

TO:  Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, Deans, Directors, Department Heads, and Managers
FROM:  Kyle Cavanaugh, Vice President of Administration
Carol Epling, MD, MSPH, Director of Employee Occupational Health & Wellbeing
RE:  New Director for Personal Assistance Service

We are pleased to announce that Nichole Capitanio will assume the role of Director for Duke’s Personal Assistance Service (PAS) on April 16.

Nichole currently serves as the Director for Staff & Employee Assistance Programs at the Cleveland Clinic, where she has been since 2005. During that time she served in various leadership positions, worked closely with physicians, and managed a team of 13 professionals to provide psychological health and wellness programs for physicians, scientists, nurses, and other staff members at the Cleveland Clinic.

Nichole earned her bachelor of arts in social work at Cleveland State University and completed her master of science in social administration at Case Western Reserve University.

We are excited to have someone with Nichole’s experience and credentials join our team at Duke. She has a proven track record of creating innovative approaches to serve and support the clinical community at one of the nation’s premier institutions. The program has grown and developed under her leadership, and we are looking forward to her helping build on the success of Duke’s Personal Assistance Service.

Nicole succeeds Andy Silberman, who retired in 2017 after nearly 40 years of service that included the founding of Personal Assistance Service in 1985. Since his retirement, Terry Nicotra has served as the interim director. We are grateful to have someone with Terry’s experience to provide guidance and stability during the recruiting and transition process.

Please join me in welcoming Nichole to Duke. If you or members of your department have questions or need assistance with Personal Assistance Service, please visit the website or call 919-416-1PAS (919-416-1727). Thank you.