Resident Life

Duke and Durham

Residents enjoy an outing to see the Carolina Hurricanes play
Residents enjoy an outing to see the Carolina Hurricanes play

The Department of Pathology is located within the Duke University Medical Center complex and is directly adjacent to the Duke University campus. Duke is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful collegiate campuses in the United States. Residents have access to cultural and athletic events that enrich and enliven the community. Duke University Hospital is a full-service tertiary and quaternary care hospital that is ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report.

The State of North Carolina is known for its great beauty, moderate climate and four seasons. Durham is a city of 260,000 located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina with easy access to both sea and mountains. Hardwood and evergreen forests, hills and lakes, meandering rivers and streams, wildlife and flowers characterize our local landscape. The cost of living is lower than in large metropolitan areas and many trainees own their own homes. Outdoor activities abound year around.

Residents with Dr Cummings at retreat
Dr. Thomas J. Cummings with residents at a retreat

North Carolina State University in Raleigh, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Research Triangle Park (a world-renowned university-related research park composed of a large number of governmental and research institutes) are close by and add to our cultural and scientific community.

For additional information, please visit the extensive Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau site at http://www.durham-nc.com/.

More Resources About Durham

Duke in Durham

Discover Durham

Salary and Benefits

Left to right: Dr. Jiaoti Huang, Dr. Natalie Ellis, Dr. Teague Smith, Dr. Bethany Freeland LeClair, Dr. Thomas J. Cummings
Left to right: Dr. Jiaoti Huang, Dr. Natalie Ellis, Dr. Emily Teague Smith, Dr. Bethany Freeland LeClair, Dr. Thomas J. Cummings

Duke University Medical Center and the Department of Pathology offer competitive salaries and benefits. For information about stipends, contract agreement of appointment, and other opportunities for residents, please visit Home | Duke Health GME Stipends | Duke Health GME

  • $1,500 book fund and $1,500 additional travel allowance per year for first author presentations at scientific meetings
  • BLS/ACLS fee paid by Department of Pathology
  • Free 24-hour access to fitness facility located on campus
  • Free parking
  • Hospital coat and laundry services
  • Malpractice insurance
  • Maternity/paternity leave
  • Medical and dental Insurance
  • Military leave
  • Sick leave
  • Term life insurance
  • Three weeks vacation per year, plus five extra days during either Christmas or New Year's week (as determined by Duke ICGME policy).

Health and Wellness

Duke Graduate Medical Education and Duke Human Resources offer many opportunities for health and well-being. The Department of Pathology also offers a variety of events and opportunities throughout the year. Please learn more at https://gme.duke.edu/  and  https://hr.duke.edu/wellness.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

The department diversity statement provides guiding principles for recruitment, retention, and daily interactions with one another, and which aligns with the mission of Duke University and Duke Hospital: The program is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive learning environment. We treat each other, our patients, and their loved ones with respect regardless of the differences among us. We respect the diversity of our health care team members. We respect the diversity of our patients and their loved ones. We recruit, retain, and celebrate a diverse group of resident, fellows, faculty, and staff. We support and protect members of racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans and military families, members of the LGBTQ communities, immigrants and refugees, and the many others who enrich our community. 

The program participated in the Duke GME EDI-focused First Look Event for prospective 2021-2022 URiM residency applicants.

Our department has recruited an EDI Committee with staff, trainee, and faculty representation. Events include:

  • Started having quarterly meetings of the EDI Committee
  • Issued and analyzed a departmental survey to take the pulse of community members with respect to issues of diversity and inclusion
  • Drafted a Departmental statement on EDI
  • Created smaller working groups that will focus on Departmental Culture and Representation and Community Outreach
  • Recruited two speakers to present on the topic of disparities in cancer at grand rounds and two speakers to speak on the topic of transgender health
  • Issued at least monthly emails with information on anti-racism resources and events
  • Had faculty enroll in training on teaching equity, training on research on health disparities, the Moments to Movement allyship workshop, and active bystander training.
  • Gathered data on racial/ethnic and gender distribution among staff, students, residents, fellows, and faculty
  • Added a diversity and inclusion statement to the departmental website
  • Purchased books for a Pathology Department anti-racism library.