Duke University School of Medicine is one of the nation’s leading institutions for medical, health professions and biomedical education, clinical care, and biomedical research. The school comprises more than 2,600 regular rank faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 health professions and biomedical PhD students, and more than 6,000 staff. The School of Medicine, along with Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System, and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC), collectively compose Duke Health.
Planning for the School of Medicine began nearly a century ago in 1925 when businessman James Buchanan Duke, benefactor of Duke University and The Duke Endowment, bequeathed $4 million to establish the Duke University School of Medicine, as well as the Duke University School of Nursing and Duke University Hospital. Less than five years after the school opened in 1930, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) ranked Duke in the top quarter of medical schools in the country. In the nearly 100 years since, the School of Medicine has built an international reputation as a world-class academic medical institution.
Leadership
Duke University School of Medicine is led by Dean Mary E. Klotman, M.D. Dean Klotman also serves as Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs for Duke University and Chief Academic Officer for Duke University Health System. She works with a leadership team comprising 13 vice deans, a chief of staff, and a communications officer, 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 25 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 wide range of health professions education programs. These include the Doctor of Medicine program, recognized nationally for its unique patient-centered curriculum; the nation’s first Physician Assistant program; a Physical Therapy program; 16 biomedical PhD programs, and an innovative Master of Biomedical Science, numerous other master’s degree programs, and a new Occupational Therapy Doctorate program. 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.
Biomedical PhD Students
Academic Year 2022-23
51 Biochemistry
28 Biostatistics
70 Cell and Molecular Biology
8 Cognitive Neuroscience
31 Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
9 Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
69 University Program in Genetics and Genomics
36 Immunology
25 Medical Physics
37 Molecular Cancer Biology
85 Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
73 Neurobiology
32 Pathology
42 Pharmacology
12 Population Health Sciences
6 Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program
Total Biomedical PhD Students: 614
Source: Office of Biomedical Graduate Education, July 1, 2022
Graduate Certificate Program Students
Academic Year 2022-23
Students in these certificate programs may be Biomedical PhD students, or graduate students in School of Medicine or other Duke professional schools.
1 Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering Certificate
67 Cell and Molecular Biology
63 Certificate in College Teaching
1 Cognitive Neuroscience
2 Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
29 Developmental and Stem Cell Biology
2 Integrated Toxicology & Environmental Health Program
Source: The Graduate School, July 1, 2022
International Students
Academic Year 2022-23
458 Duke-NUS (Singapore)
294 MD
36 MD/PhD
128 PhD
29 Duke Kunshan University
Source: The Graduate School, July 1, 2022
Graduate Medical Education Trainees
Academic Year 2022-23
1,192 Residents and Fellows
Source: Graduate Medical Education, July 18, 2022
Education & Training Rankings
Duke University School of Medicine is ranked No. 6 for research, according to U.S. News & World Report, Best Medical Schools, 2023.
Specialty Programs
- Anesthesiology: 3rd
- Surgery: 3rd
- Internal Medicine: 5th
- Radiology: 6th
- Obstetrics and Gynecology: 8th
- Pediatrics: 8th, tied
- Psychiatry: 9th, tied
- Family Medicine: 13th, tied
Source: U.S. News & World Report, 2023
Education Programs
- Physician Assistant, 1st, tied (U.S. News & World Report, 2020)
- 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 national recognized clinical enterprise, and our unique scale and depth in clinical research. The combined efforts of the school’s basic and clinical faculty members in 25 departments, and numerous centers, institutes and initiatives make Duke one of the largest biomedical research enterprises in the country with $1 billion in sponsored research expenditures annually.
By the Numbers
- Ranked No. 6 for research, according to U.S. News & World Report, Best Medical Schools, 2023.
- Duke University School of Medicine is proud to claim 2 Nobel Laureates among its faculty.
- Duke University had approximately 2,289 active clinical research studies, into which approximately 24,700 patients were enrolled. (FY22)
- In 2021, Duke University received more than $608 million from the National Institutes of Health to advance medical research, ranking 3rd in the country among universities, research institutions and teaching hospitals that are awarded the taxpayer-based research dollars, according to the 2021 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research report. Additionally, 10 departments ranked in the top 10 (Pediatrics, Surgery, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, Genetics, ENT, Pharmacology, Ophthalmology).
- Duke University School of Medicine is one of only two schools in the nation ranked in the top 10 for research and in the top 20 for most diverse graduates among medical schools.
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, Duke University Health System, and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. Founded in 1998 to provide efficient, responsive care, Duke University Health System offers a full network of health services and encompasses three highly regarded hospitals—Duke University Hospital, Durham Regional Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital—physician practices, home hospice care and various support services at locations across North Carolina.
Patients Served
Inpatient Discharges, FY22
40,515 Duke University Hospital
15,884 Duke Regional Hospital
9,386 Duke Raleigh Hospital
65,785 Total Duke University Health System combined
Admissions, FY22
40,243 Duke University Hospital
16,246 Duke Regional Hospital
9,218 Duke Raleigh Hospital
65,707 Total Duke University Health System combined
Outpatient Visits, FY22
1,247,458 Duke University Hospital
216,974 Duke Regional Hospital
384,046 Duke Raleigh Hospital
863,194 Duke Primary Care
2,030,279 Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC)
4,741,951 Total Duke University Health System and PDC combined
Source: Duke University Health System, July 26, 2022
Source: PDC, July 28, 2022
Faculty & Staff Snapshot
Regular Rank Faculty
242 Basic Science Faculty
2,369 Clinical Science Faculty
22 Other Faculty (in Centers, Institutes, Administration)
2,633 Total Number Faculty
Source: School of Medicine Finance Office, July 1, 2022
School of Medicine Staff and Postdocs
6,083 Staff
361 Postdocs
Source: School of Medicine Finance Office, June 2022
Duke University Health System Employees
22,723 Staff
Source: Duke University Health System, July 1, 2022
Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) Employees
1,903 Employees
Source: PDC, July 18, 2022
Faculty Memberships
(Faculty with a primary or secondary appointment in the School of Medicine)
2 Nobel Laureates
17 American Academy of Arts and Sciences
49 American Association for the Advancement of Science
65 American Society for Clinical Investigation
48 Association of American Physicians
4 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators
1 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Hanna Gray Fellow
1 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Internal Research Scholar
33 National Academy of Medicine
14 National Academy of Sciences
152 Faculty holding distinguished professorships
Data as of July 1, 2022
Alumni Snapshot
More than 12,000 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 support for 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)
5,989 Doctor of Medicine (MD)
351 Medical Scientist Training Program (MD/PhD)
2,051 Doctor of Physical Therapy Program (DPT)
2,768 Physician Assistant Program (MHS, PA)
24 Clinical Leadership (MHS)
685 Clinical Research Training Program (MHS)
297 Master of Biomedical Sciences
241 Master of Biostatistics
308 Master of Management in Clinical Informatics
245 Master of Science in Medical Physics
86 Pathologists’ Assistant Program (MHS)
Total Living Alumni: 12,549
Source: Duke Medical Alumni Association, June 15, 2022
Community Partnership Snapshot
In alignment with Duke Health and Duke University, the Duke University School of Medicine is committed to serving others in our local community and beyond. Our faculty, staff and students make science-based decisions and seek to transform discoveries to improve human health through a variety of community initiatives.
Duke in Durham
The city of Durham, North Carolina, is also known as the "City of Medicine" because healthcare and health-related services are a primary local industry. Nearly one third of people in Durham are employed in a health-related field at one of more than 300 local businesses, organizations, and practices.
By the Numbers
$823 Million: Community Health Benefit, FY21
Duke University Health System contributed $823 million to benefit the community across North Carolina, including $141 million in financial assistance for residents needing healthcare.
$13 Million: Direct Contributions, FY21
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:
- $8.1 million for Lincoln Community Health Center and its satellite community clinics, which serve a majority poor and uninsured population.
- $2.6 million for Durham County’s Emergency Medical Services program.
- $2.2 million in cash contributions to other community organizations.
Source: Office of Community Health, Duke Health, September 2021
Global Impact Snapshot
Duke University is internationally recognized as a leader in global health research and education. Our 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 30 countries, as well as Durham and other communities in the United States, to improve access to healthcare and address disparities in health outcomes. DGHI researchers are at the forefront of research and policy to end the COVID-19 pandemic, 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
- 92 core and 69 affiliate faculty members
- 52 percent of the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) faculty members are from the School of Medicine
- 270 active research grants
- $74 million in annual external research funding
- DGHI faculty have active research projects in 33 countries
- DGHI enrolls 350 students in global health education programs at all levels (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral and medical programs)
- Nearly 100 students participated in global health research during summer 2022, working with partners in 15 countries
Source: Duke Global Health Institute, July 1, 2022
Philanthropy Snapshot
Philanthropic support is critical to the School of Medicine’s success in carrying out its core missions of research, education, and patient care. 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.
The Duke Endowment in 2021 supported Duke University’s efforts to expand its faculty in computation, materials science and the resilience of the body and brain by completing the second phase of a $100 million investment. It is the largest award Duke University has ever received. The funds, divided equally between the university and the School of Medicine, provide the foundation for Duke Science and Technology, a faculty hiring and fundraising effort designed to elevate excellence in the sciences at Duke. In conjunction with Duke Science and Technology, Duke University has created a new class of endowed professorships, called Duke Presidential Chairs, to maximize the university’s ability to recruit and retain exceptional faculty.
By the Numbers
$96.4 million: New philanthropic commitments
New gifts pledged and/or received from all donors include support for all of the School of Medicine's missions.
$2.7 million: Contributed to the Medical Annual Fund
The Medical Annual Fund provides unrestricted resources that help the School carry out its missions, meet essential needs, and leverage new opportunities. Funds that are not directed toward a specific purpose by the donor can be used by School of Medicine leadership for the area of greatest need.
$5.5 million: Reunion giving
Source: Duke Health Development & Alumni Affairs, July 1, 2022