Duke University School of Medicine is one of the nation’s leading institutions for health professions and biomedical education, clinical care, biomedical research, and community partnership. The school comprises more than 2,600 regular rank faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students in a variety of health professions and graduate degree programs, and more than 6,200 staff.
Leadership
Duke University School of Medicine is led by Dean Mary E. Klotman, MD. She also serves as Executive Vice President for Health Affairs for Duke University and Chief Academic Officer for Duke Health. She works with a leadership team comprising 13 vice deans and a chief of staff, as well as department chairs and center and institute directors. Associate and assistant deans also assist the dean with the oversight and management of the School of Medicine.
Departments, Centers, and Institutes
The Duke University School of Medicine comprises 26 clinical and basic science departments. The school’s strong emphasis on research to improve clinical outcomes encourages collaborations among faculty members, departments and other schools at the university, and has resulted in the development of numerous centers and institutes.
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Education & Training Snapshot
The Duke University School of Medicine offers a variety of health professions and graduate degree programs. These include the Doctor of Medicine program, recognized nationally for its unique patient-centered curriculum; the nation’s first Physician Assistant program; Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy doctorates; 16 biomedical PhD programs; an innovative Master of Biomedical Sciences, and numerous other master’s degree programs. The School of Medicine also is home to the Medical Scientist Training program which allows students to combine an MD degree with a PhD in the biomedical sciences in partnership with The Graduate School. Duke's Graduate Medical Education includes more than 160 residency and fellowship programs and more than 1,000 trainees. Explore the diversity of the school's student and trainee populations.
Biomedical PhD Students
Academic Year 2023-24
47 Biochemistry
32 Biostatistics
48 Cell and Molecular Biology
7 Cognitive Neuroscience
30 Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
10 Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
71 University Program in Genetics and Genomics
41 Integrative Immunobiology
26 Medical Physics
36 Molecular Cancer Biology
77 Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
62 Neurobiology
30 Pathology
38 Pharmacology
18 Population Health Sciences
4 Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program
Total Biomedical PhD Students: 623
Source: School of Medicine Finance Office, August 2023
Graduate Certificate Program Students
Academic Year 2023-24
Students in these certificate programs may be Biomedical PhD students, or graduate students in School of Medicine or other Duke professional schools.
53 Cell and Molecular Biology
63 Certificate in College Teaching
1 Cognitive Neuroscience
1 Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
34 Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
2 Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program
5 Global Health
32 Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Source: Duke School of Medicine Finance Office, August 2023
International Students
Academic Year 2023-24
466 Duke-NUS (Singapore)
285 MD
37 MD/PhD
144 PhD
45 Duke Kunshan University
28 MS in Global Health
17 MS in Medical Physics
Sources: The Graduate School, August 2023
DKU University, September 2023
Graduate Medical Education Trainees
Academic Year 2023-24
1,192 Residents and Fellows
Source: Graduate Medical Education, September 2023
Ranked Education and Training Programs
SPECIALTY PROGRAMS
- Anesthesiology: 3rd
- Internal Medicine: 4th
- Obstetrics and Gynecology: 4th, tied
- Surgery: 4th
- Radiology: 5th
- Psychiatry: 8th, tied
- Pediatrics: 10th, tied
- Research: 5th
Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2023
EDUCATON PROGRAMS
- Physician Assistant, 1st, (U.S. News & World Report, 2023)
- Physical Therapy, 7th, (U.S. News & World Report, 2021)
Research Snapshot
Duke University School of Medicine is the vibrant home for the next generation of discovery. Our capacity for innovation stems from knitting together our existing strengths in fundamental basic science and deepening our growing translational capabilities, our integration with Duke’s nationally recognized clinical enterprise, Duke University Health System, and our unique scale and depth in clinical research. The combined efforts of the school’s basic and clinical faculty members in departments, centers, and institutes make Duke one of the largest biomedical research enterprises in the country with over $1.1 billion in sponsored research expenditures annually.
By the Numbers
- Duke University School of Medicine is proud to claim 2 Nobel Laureates among its faculty.
- Over 2 million patients enrolled in more than 2,500 active studies with 3,500 study sites worldwide (as of FY24)
- In 2023, Duke University School of Medicine received more than $551 million in sponsored research grants from the National Institutes of Health to advance biomedical research, ranking seventh in the country among medical schools, according to the 2023 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research report.
- In 2023, Duke University received more than $701 million in total grants and contracts, including R&D, from the National Institutes of Health, ranking fifth in the country among universities and research institutions, according to the 2023 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research report.
Patient Care Snapshot
Patient care is an integral part of what makes Duke University School of Medicine a hub for pioneering research and innovation. Every day, our investigators, clinicians, and staff work together to translate research findings from the bench to the bedside, and to learn from patients as we improve their care. This collaborative spirit fuels the translation of scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Duke University School of Medicine, Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System, comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic health care and research center. The Health System advances Duke Health's clinical mission by delivering care across three hospitals — Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital — and outpatient services including Duke Primary Care and Duke Health Integrated Practices, Duke HomeCare & Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.
Patients Served
Inpatient Discharges, FY23
41,710 Duke University Hospital
15,466 Duke Regional Hospital
10,222 Duke Raleigh Hospital
67,398 Total Duke University Health System combined
Admissions, FY23
41,549 Duke University Hospital
15,866 Duke Regional Hospital
10,204 Duke Raleigh Hospital
67,619 Total Duke University Health System combined
Outpatient Visits, FY23
1,244,363 Duke University Hospital
236,000 Duke Regional Hospital
397,299 Duke Raleigh Hospital
925,553 Duke Primary Care
2,105,362 Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC)
4,908,577 Total Duke University Health System and PDC combined
Source: Duke University Health System, August 2023
Faculty & Staff Snapshot
Faculty
2,686 Regular Rank Faculty
245 Basic Science Faculty
2,420 Clinical Science Faculty
21 Other Faculty (in Centers, Institutes, Administration)
Source: School of Medicine Finance Office, July 1, 2023
Faculty Engaged in Education and Research
1,367 Faculty
Source: School of Medicine Finance Office, FY23
School of Medicine Staff and Postdocs
6,226 Staff
354 Postdocs
Source: School of Medicine Finance Office, July 1, 2023
Duke University Health System Employees
26,278 Staff
Source: Duke University Health System, July 1, 2023
Faculty Memberships
(Faculty with a primary or secondary appointment in the School of Medicine)
2 Nobel Laureates
15 American Academy of Arts and Sciences
49 American Association for the Advancement of Science
73 American Society for Clinical Investigation
48 Association of American Physicians
1 Howard Hughes Freeman Hrabowski Scholar
4 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators
25 National Academy of Medicine
14 National Academy of Sciences
174 Faculty holding distinguished professorships
Data as of August 2023
Faculty Diversity Snapshot
Duke University School of Medicine works to attract and retain a diverse cadre of talent who positively impact how we teach, learn, and serve in an increasingly diverse world. The school is committed to enhancing racial diversity and equity, inclusion, and respect for our faculty, staff, trainees, and students.
While there is still significant work to be done, the school wants to acknowledge where progress has been made. Furthermore, the School of Medicine knows that representation alone is not the full story and will continue to promote and ensure an equitable and inclusive environment across the Duke community.
By the Numbers
- From 2019 to 2023, Black or African American representation among regular rank faculty grew by 32%, from 107 faculty in 2019 to 141 faculty in 2023.
- Women’s representation on the faculty has shown steady growth over the years, increasing by 15% from 1,046 in 2019 to 1,200 in 2023.
Source: Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, July 1, 2023
Alumni Snapshot
Over 13,000 health professions alumni from the Duke University School of Medicine span across the country and world, with the largest contingency located in North Carolina, California, and Florida. School of Medicine alumni provide critical philanthropic support for the School of Medicine research and education missions, including financial assistance for students and funding for research initiatives and endowed professorships. The Duke Medical Alumni Association supports and promotes the interests of the Duke University School of Medicine and its extended community and nurtures lifelong relationships and learning.
Health Professions Education Program Alumni (Living)
6097 Doctor of Medicine (MD)
374 Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD)
2223 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT)
36 Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD)
2928 Physician Assistant Program (MHS, PA)
101 Pathologists’ Assistant Program (MHS)
24 Clinical Leadership (MHS)
717 Clinical Research Training Program (MHS)
386 Master of Biomedical Sciences
334 Master of Biostatistics
377 Master of Management in Clinical Informatics
277 Master of Science in Medical Physics
27 Master of Science in Population Health Sciences
Total Living Alumni: 13,558
Source: Duke Medical Alumni Association, August 28, 2024
Community Partnership Snapshot
The Duke University School of Medicine is committed to serving others in the local community and beyond, and has expanded its reach to involve the community in all its missions, including patient care, educational programs, and research initiatives. We partner with numerous community organizations to improve health care and address social drivers of health among our neighbors in Durham and across North Carolina.
Our community partnerships include:
- Wellness centers located in Durham public schools that support underprivileged students.
- A collaboration focused on promoting health equity within the Black community, addressing disparities, and enhancing clinical research engagement.
- In 13 senior housing sites, partnered with Lincoln Community Health Center, an initiative that delivers primary care, case management, and therapeutic services to elderly and disabled individuals.
- A bilingual program for uninsured Durham residents emphasizing in-home health education on chronic diseases, coupled with patient advocacy and support.
By the Numbers
$945 million: Community Health Benefit, FY22
Duke University Health System contributed $945 million to benefit the community across North Carolina, including $145 million in financial assistance for residents needing health care.
$13 million: Direct Contributions, FY22
Duke provided more than $13 million in cash and in-kind support for community groups to help eliminate health care disparities and improve access to high-quality medical care, including:
- $8 million for Lincoln Community Health Center and its satellite community clinics, which provide accessible, affordable, high-quality outpatient health care services to the medically underserved
- $3 million for Durham County’s Emergency Medical Services program
- $2 million in cash contributions to other community organizations
Source: Office of Community Health, Duke Health, September 2023
Global Impact Snapshot
Duke University is internationally recognized as a leader in global health research, education, and capacity building. The Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) brings together knowledge and resources from across the university to address today’s most important global health issues. Faculty, staff, and students are engaged in collaborative research with partners in more than 40 countries, as well as Durham and other communities in the United States, to improve access to health care and address disparities in health outcomes.
DGHI researchers are at the forefront of work to identify emerging infectious diseases and new pandemic threats, as well as cutting-edge research addressing the global rise in non-communicable diseases, access to mental health, and the health impacts of climate and environmental change.
By the Numbers
- 93 core and 72 affiliate faculty members
- 51 percent of the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) faculty members are from the School of Medicine
- 225 active research grants in FY24
- $56.5 million in annual external research funding in FY24
- $12.8 million invested in strategic partnerships around the world since 2013
- DGHI faculty have active research projects in 49 countries
- DGHI faculty were authors on 982 scholarly publications in 2023-24
- DGHI enrolls 293 students in global health education programs at all levels (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and medical programs)
- 98 students participated in global health research during summer 2024, working with partners in 16 countries, including the United States
Source: Duke Global Health Institute, September, 2024
Philanthropy Snapshot
Philanthropic support is critical to the Duke University School of Medicine’s success in carrying out its core missions of research, education, patient care, and community partnership. Outright gifts, endowments, and investment income constitute nearly 20 percent of the school’s annual revenue, helping to meet key needs across the institution: scholarships and financial aid that help students afford the cost of attendance, endowed professorships that help Duke recruit and retain outstanding faculty; innovative research; and new buildings, facilities, and infrastructure.
In FY23, a record of nine new professorships were launched across several disciplines. Philanthropic support for endowed professorships is among the most lasting and meaningful investments that can be made in the School of Medicine. We aim to be the destination of choice for the nation’s most talented leaders and promising young faculty in biomedical sciences, and named professorships are perhaps the most valuable tool for the recruitment and retention of these high caliber individuals. They provide the brightest minds with the dedicated support needed to achieve boundary-pushing science, care for our patients and the community, and educate and train the next generation of leaders.
By the Numbers
$123.4 million: Philanthropic Commitments
$61.7 million: Private Grants
$185.1 million: Total FY23 Private Support
All private support includes commitments from philanthropic donors, such as individuals and foundations, in addition to non-governmental grants that faculty receive to support their research.
$2.9 million: Contributed to the School of Medicine Annual Giving
Annual Giving provides resources to support medical education and training, research, and flexible funds for emerging needs and new opportunities for the Duke University School of Medicine.
$5.7 million: Reunion Giving
Source: Duke Health Development & Alumni Affairs, July 1, 2023