Why Choose Duke

Take the next step toward becoming the health care professional you want to be, and the one we need. Your journey begins here.

Launch Experience

Discover Your Passion

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation’s top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. 

Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 health professions and biomedical PhD students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health. a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke HomeCare & Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations. 

School Facts and Figures    Explore our Educational Programs

 

LeiMeredith Moore-Byers

During my time here, I have yet to feel pressured to change into someone or something I am not. I appreciate faculty viewing my classmates and I as not only Duke PA students, but human beings. They encourage us to stay true to who we are, while still pushing us to grow as individuals and future members of the healthcare team. Lastly, there is most always an open channel of communication between students and faculty, to include guest lecturers practicing in a multitude of specialties. This is helpful when further clarification is needed, or for those times when students have particular field interests!

— LeiMeredith Moore-Byers, PA-S2

 

Find Your Place

 

Duke University is located in the Research Triangle area of central North Carolina—composed of the cities of Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. The Triangle is commonly recognized for its availability of jobs, diversity, relatively low cost of living, affordable housing, safe streets, culture, and nationally ranked food scene. Each city in the Triangle is anchored by major universities: Duke and N.C. Central University in Durham; N.C. State University in Raleigh; and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill. In 2021, U.S. World & News Report ranked the Raleigh and Durham area the #2 Best Place to Live nationwide.

In addition to living in these communities, Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Health strive to improve the health of people and neighborhoods and promote good will as ambassadors of the communities we serve. Faculty, staff, trainees, and students are engaged in programs and services with our community partners to achieve shared goals.

 

Grant Cabell, MS4

Durham has a lot to offer. I love the small town feel and having a pseudo “city-center” while also feeling like it only takes 10-15 minutes to get out into more rural, country areas. Both the beach and the mountains are super accessible for both day and weekend trips, which offer tons of outdoor activities great both during normal times and COVID. I also love eating, and Durham is such a foodie town! There’s such a variety of different cultures and cuisines to try in Durham, and most are very affordable. The music scene around Durham and the surrounding areas is great too, attracting everything from local jam bands to bluegrass groups to big headline artists.

— Grant Cabell, MS4

Duke in Durham
Living in Durham and The Triangle

 

Our Commitment to Creating an Anti-Racist Environment

black and white ribbon Text: Moments to Movement

 In June 2020, the School of Medicine, in alignment with Duke University and Duke Health, announced its Moments to Movement initiative to acknowledge and dismantle systemic racism, and to begin a process that would examine our policies and practices to ensure an environment that promotes equity and stands against racism. One year later, in June 2021, Dean Mary Klotman launched a comprehensive strategic plan designed by four groups — staff, health professions students, graduate students and postdocs, and faculty— to build long-term strategies to dismantle racism throughout our organization and the broader Duke community and to advance knowledge and mitigation approaches to address the health impacts of racial inequity.

Moments to Movement Strategic Plan

Additionally, initiatives across the school and with partners are aimed at combating racism and decreasing health disparities for historically marginalized populations, including work within the Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute, the Duke Center for Research to Advance Health Equity, and LATIN-19 (Latinx Advocacy Team & Interdisciplinary Network for COVID-19), founded by two school faculty members.

Resources for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion