Mission Driven: Education, Research, Patient Care, and Community Partnership
A Day in the Life of Nicole Miller: Third-Year Medical Student
Nicole Miller thought medical school was going to be all books and studying, but in her third year at Duke University School of Medicine she also does clinical work, research and community work, and she even finds time to dance.
Miller wants to give back to our younger generation – a pursuit that results from having been a pediatric patient herself. In the morning, she conducts clinical work and child development research through the Reach Out & Read program at the Duke Children’s Primary Care Clinic. In the evening, she helps feed community members through Duke’s Root Causes during Wellness Wednesday, an after-hours clinic offered at Duke Children’s Primary Care in North Durham.
A Vision for Surgical Excellence: A Conversation with Dr. Peter Allen
Dean Mary Klotman, MD, meets with Dr. Peter J. Allen, the recently appointed Chair of the Department of Surgery, to discuss leadership philosophy and vision for the future of surgical innovation at Duke. With Duke Surgery already recognized as a global leader in clinical care, education, and research, Dr. Allen shares his plans to build on this legacy – expanding innovation in key areas, strengthening mentorship and training programs, and driving interdisciplinary collaboration across the health system.
Patient-Centered Health Education: A Conversation with Dr. Aditee Narayan
Dr. Narayan shares her vision for transforming health care through patient-centered, interdisciplinary health care professions education. She highlights how teamwork, foundational medical knowledge, and new technologies such as AI must all serve one purpose: preparing our students to deliver compassionate, effective care. From curriculum design to clinical innovation, Dr. Narayan reminds us that educating the next generation is not just a responsibility — it’s an opportunity to shape the future of health.
