Mission Driven: Education, Research, Patient Care, and Community Partnership

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.

Mary Klotman, MD

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

Education Icon (graduation cap)

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.

About Education

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
       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, August 18, 2022


Graduate Medical Education Trainees

Academic Year 2022-23

1,192   Residents and Fellows

Source: Graduate Medical Education, July 18, 2022


Education & Training Rankings

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

EDUCATON PROGRAMS
  • Physician Assistant, 1st, tied (U.S. News & World Report, 2020)
  • Physical Therapy, 7th, (U.S. News & World Report, 2021)

Research Snapshot

Research Icon (flask and magnifying glass)

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.

About Research

By the Numbers

  • 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 2022, Duke University received more than $527 million from the National Institutes of Health to advance medical research, ranking ninth in the country among universities, research institutions and teaching hospitals that are awarded the taxpayer-based research dollars, according to the 2022 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research report. Additionally, 10 departments ranked in the top 10 (Orthopaedics, Surgery, Anesthesiology, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Neurosurgery, Genetics, Pharmacology, Psychiatry, Ophthalmology).

Patient Care Snapshot

illustration of clinician and other person

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.

About Patient Care

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

Faculty Resources

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.

About Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

 

By the Numbers

  • From 2018 to 2022, Black or African American representation among regular rank faculty grew by 31%, from 102 faculty in 2018 to 134 faculty in 2022.
  • Women’s representation on the faculty has shown persistent growth over the years, increasing by 16% from 981 in 2018 to 1,137 in 2022.

Source: Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

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

durham icon illustration

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.

About Community Partnerships

 

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

global partnerships icon

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. 

 Duke Global Health Institute 

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

Giving Icon (wrapped gift box)

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

    Giving to Duke Health