Ralph Snyderman served as chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of the School of Medicine from 1989 to 2004, leading the development of the Duke University Health System and serving as its first president and CEO.

In honor of Duke University's centennial, Dean Mary Klotman, MD, highlighted the School of Medicine's past and how it informs the present and fuels the future in her 2024 State of the School Address on June 12. 

Nimmi Ramanujam and her research team created the Pocket Colposcope, and a sister device the Callascope, lightweight, handheld devices which bring improved cervical cancer screening to settings where these capabilities have not been available.

Dr. Ed Miao’s corner of immunology research involves the rather dramatic plot twist that occurs when a cell confronted by an enemy pathogen basically blows itself up to stop the invader from causing more damage to the body.

Zhang’s group at Duke is studying the half of the human genome that is made up of long, repetitive sequences of DNA called transposons, or “jumping genes.” They’re given that nickname because of their habit of jumping around in the genome, making changes and enabling evolution.

The first Black woman to graduate from the Duke School of Medicine in 1972, Jean Spaulding went on to help lead Duke Health as an administrator, making primary health care accessible to low-wealth residents across Durham and beyond.

Prentiss Harrison was the first African American physician assistant in the country. Learn more about him and other pioneering graduates of the Duke Physician Assistant Program, which was the first such program in the country.

Deryl Hart, MD's pioneering work on the use of ultraviolet radiation as a means of combating airborne infections in the operating room won national acclaim. As the University's 4th president, he oversaw the desegregation of the undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools.

From 1979 to 2009, Duke Hospital ran a futuristic rail system to transport patients, staff, and visitors between Duke South, Duke North, and Parking Garage No. 2.

Duke Life Flight’s helicopters and ambulances, along with the specialized medical staff from Duke University Hospital, has been providing rapid life-saving care to critical patients since 1985.