Residency Program Mug Banner Photo

Our residency program provides excellent training in all areas of general and sub-specialty neurology.

In addition to being a tertiary care center where interesting cases are sent from around the state and country, Duke University Hospital serves as a community hospital for Durham and the surrounding region. The volume of patients and diversity of the neurological conditions that come through our inpatient wards and outpatient clinics ensure that every resident has ample opportunity to gain expertise in all aspects of neurology.

The Duke Neurology Residency Program recognizes that inclusion and respect are necessary components of its mission of world-class patient care, education, and research. Our program is committed to building and maintaining a community where all members thrive in a welcoming and engaging environment. Read more about our efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive environment across the Department here.

Mission Statement

The Duke Neurology Residency Program aims to train outstanding neurologists and prepare them for successful careers serving patients with neurologic conditions. The program provides care for economically and ethnically diverse patients from throughout North Carolina and neighboring states. The program seeks to embody the Duke Health core values of excellence, integrity, teamwork, respect, and innovation, equipping our graduates with the tools necessary to adapt to an everchanging healthcare environment. 

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About Durham

Read about our vibrant home city of Durham.
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Virtual Duke Campus Tour

Take a virtual, 360-degree tour of our medical campus.
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Health and Wellness

Learn about our trainees' health and wellness benefits.
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Conferences

Learn our conferences and didactics.
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Year by Year

Learn about each year of our residency program.
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Research, Training and Leadership

Learn about residents' research, teaching, and leadership opportunities.
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Our Residents

Meet our current class of residents.
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Our Alumni

Learn about our graduates and where they've been.
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Residency Leadership

Meet our residency program directors.
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Ask a Resident

Ask our residents about life in Durham, their experience so far, or other questions.
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Culture, Engagement and Impact

Learn how our program is committed to an environment where all members thrive.
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How to Apply

Apply for our residency program.
David Fear, MD

Chief Resident Spotlight: David Fear, MD

This week's chief resident feature is David Fear, MD. Dr. Fear came to Duke after completing his medical training at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine in Scranton, PA. The co-host of The DR Pod looks forward to continuing his vascular neurology training at Vanderbilt next year. What are your plans once you complete your final year of residency? Vascular Neurology Fellowship at Vanderbilt University. How have you changed or grown since joining Duke Neurology for residency?
Rahul Gaini, MD, MBA

Chief Resident Spotlight: Rahul Gaini, MD, MBA

As the academic year comes to a close, we're highlighting our chief residents and exiting fellows as they embark on the next phases of their careers. Our first chief resident to be featured is Rahul Gaini, MD, MBA. Dr. Gaini came to Duke after completing his medical training at The University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine. From establishing a podcast to buying a house, Dr. Gaini has experienced several milestones over the last four years and looks forward to more as he stays in Durham for fellowship. 
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Duke Neurology Research Round Up, December 2023

What do a speech prosthetic that translates brain signals into speech, retinal scans that detect cognitive impairment, and a promising new form of genetic therapy for Parkinson’s and some forms of dementia have in common? They’re all examples of the 21 peer-reviewed journal articles authored members of the Duke Neurology Department published this November.  
V Chang

Resident Spotlight: Vincent Chang, MD, LLM

As a child, Vincent Chang, MD, LLM, dreamed of being an airline pilot, but a high school neuroscience course, and later, time interacting with stroke patients in medical school, convinced him to pursue neurology.
N Phan

Resident Spotlight: Nhu-Y Phan, MD

When Nhu-y Phan, MD, became the first member of her family to complete college and then medical school, she felt a range of emotions. Feelings of pride, gratitude, and accomplishment mixed with a sense of responsibility to provide care to her local Vietnamese community, as well as fear stemming from the challenges of providing compassionate, holistic care to these populations. 
NIH photo raw nerve ending

Duke Neurology Research Round Up, August 2023

This July, members of the Duke Neurology Department contributed to 10 new peer-reviewed journal articles. Highlights of this research include a new study that found persistent associations between neighborhood income levels and poor outcomes for neurocritical care, a trio of studies that provide insights into the origins and development of Alzheimer’s disease, and a preliminary analysis of the merits of a potential off-label therapy for ALS.
M Maher portrait

Resident Spotlight: Michelle Maher, MD

Michelle Maher, MD, first became interested in the brain when she was 10 years old. Alzheimer’s disease had robbed Maher’s grandmother of much of her long-term memory, but she continued to play the piano as beautifully as she had before. A demonstration of deep brain stimulation in medical school solidified that interest, and Maher knew that neurology was for her.
NIH Brain Scan Image

Duke Neurology Research Round Up, July 2023

A promising new therapy for brain tumors detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine and a  validation of a popular stroke treatment for patients taking vitamin K antagonists published in JAMA are just two highlights of the 15 peer-reviewed journal articles authored by members of the Duke Neurology Department this June.