The Elite 7 Pillars: What Makes Duke Internal Medicine Residents The Best In The Nation (2025 Update)

The Duke Internal Medicine Residency Program continues to set the national standard for physician training, and as of late 2025, the program is buzzing with fresh leadership and groundbreaking curriculum enhancements. The residency, housed within the prestigious Duke Department of Medicine, is renowned for cultivating future leaders in clinical care, research, and medical education, attracting some of the most competitive medical school graduates from around the globe. This year's focus is on reinforcing the core pillars of training while expanding leadership opportunities, notably by increasing the number of Chief Residents to further support the comprehensive clinical and professional development of every trainee. The 2025-2026 academic year marks a period of exciting evolution, welcoming a new cohort of residents from the highly anticipated Match Day 2025 and celebrating the accomplishments of its current trainees who are moving on to top-tier fellowships. Program leadership, including Program Director Aimee Zaas, MD, MHS, and Department Chair Kathleen Cooney, MD, MACP, are committed to maintaining a training environment that balances rigorous clinical exposure with a supportive, team-based learning approach, ensuring every resident achieves graduated autonomy across all rotations.

Key Leadership and Program Structure Updates (2025-2026)

The success of the Duke Internal Medicine Residency Program is directly tied to the caliber of its leadership and the structure designed to foster excellence. The program has recently expanded its Chief Resident team, a move designed to enhance mentorship and administrative support for the large and diverse group of residents.

• Program Director: Aimee Zaas, MD, MHS, continues to lead the program, focusing on innovative educational strategies and resident wellness.
• Department Chair: Kathleen Cooney, MD, MACP, oversees the entire Duke Department of Medicine, providing strategic direction for both residency and fellowship programs.
• 2025-2026 Chief Residents: The Chief Residents are senior leaders who manage the clinical and educational schedules, serving as critical mentors. Notable Chief Residents for the 2025-2026 term include Sachi Oshima, MD (a Duke University School of Medicine graduate), and Lauren Pinion, MD.
• Chief Resident Expansion: In a significant program update, the number of Chief Residents has been expanded from four to five, reflecting the program’s commitment to providing an extra layer of support and mentorship to its housestaff.
• Program Tracks: The program maintains several specialized tracks, including the Categorical Track, which forms the core of the residency, providing comprehensive training in general internal medicine and preparing residents for fellowship or general practice.

The program's commitment to leadership development is evident in the prestigious roles its residents and alumni assume. The Chief Resident role itself is a stepping stone to major academic and administrative positions nationwide.

The Seven Core Pillars of the Duke IM Residency Experience

The Duke Internal Medicine Residency Program is built upon a foundation of core educational and developmental principles that distinguish it as a premier training institution. These pillars ensure that residents are not just competent clinicians but are also equipped to be leaders and innovators in the rapidly changing landscape of healthcare.

1. Clinical Development: This is the bedrock of the training, emphasizing comprehensive and outstanding clinical exposure across Duke University Hospital and the Durham VA Medical Center. The curriculum is designed to promote graduated autonomy, allowing residents to take increasing responsibility for patient care as they progress through their PGY1, PGY2, and PGY3 years.
2. Professional Development: Beyond clinical skills, the program focuses on the non-clinical competencies necessary for career success, including communication, teamwork, and professionalism. This pillar is crucial for residents aiming for academic medicine, private practice, or leadership roles.
3. Research and Scholarship: Duke is a powerhouse for medical research, and residents are strongly encouraged to engage in scholarly activity. Opportunities range from basic science to clinical trials and health services research, allowing trainees to contribute to the advancement of medical knowledge.
4. Educational Innovation (Duke IM Core): The residency utilizes the "Duke IM Core" curriculum, which includes innovative educational tools like "Back To Basics" sessions, a dedicated "Night Curriculum," and educational podcasts to reinforce core internal medicine concepts in a flexible, modern format.
5. Mentorship and Advising: A robust system of faculty advisors and Chief Resident mentors ensures that every resident has personalized guidance for career planning, research projects, and navigating the challenges of residency life. The Joseph C Greenfield, Jr. Mentorship Award highlights the importance of this pillar.
6. Community and Wellness: Recognizing the demands of internal medicine training, the program places a high value on resident wellness and community service. The Housestaff Community Service Award is one way the program recognizes residents who give back to the Durham community.
7. Diversity and Inclusion: The program actively honors and promotes diversity, recognizing the contributions of Black leaders and other underrepresented groups who have served as Chief Residents and faculty, ensuring a welcoming environment for all trainees.

Recent Achievements and Fellowship Match Success (2025)

The caliber of the Duke Internal Medicine residents is consistently demonstrated through their numerous awards, teaching accolades, and exceptional success in the national fellowship match. The 2025 Match Day brought a diverse and highly qualified class, further solidifying the program's prestige.

Match Day and Fellowship Success

The 2025 Fellowship Match Day saw Duke residents match into highly competitive subspecialties across the country, with a significant number choosing to remain at Duke for their subspecialty training. This high retention rate is a testament to the strength of the Duke Department of Medicine's fellowship programs, which span nine different subspecialties. For residents, matching into a top fellowship in fields like Cardiology, Gastroenterology, or Oncology is the culmination of years of hard work.

Prestigious Resident Awards

The program annually recognizes outstanding residents and faculty through a series of prestigious awards. These accolades highlight the commitment of the residents to teaching, mentorship, and clinical excellence:

• The 2025 Duke Regional Teaching Award: Recognizing exceptional teaching by a resident or faculty member at Duke Regional Hospital, with Dr. Doug Hilbert being a recent recipient.
• The Joseph C Greenfield, Jr. Mentorship Award: Honoring a faculty member who has provided outstanding mentorship to the housestaff, with Dr. Kara being a notable past winner.
• GIM Resident Excellence Award: Given to a senior assistant resident for outstanding performance in General Internal Medicine, with Dr. Lauren Pinion being a past honoree before her Chief Resident selection.
• Lecocq Award for Outstanding Senior Resident Talk: Recognizing excellence in educational presentations by a senior resident.

Life and Benefits for Internal Medicine Trainees

Training at Duke is a demanding but rewarding experience, and the institution provides robust support and benefits to its residents and fellows. The environment in Durham, North Carolina, offers a high quality of life, balancing a vibrant city atmosphere with manageable living costs.

Financial and Wellness Support

The benefits package for Duke residents and fellows for the 2025-2026 academic year is comprehensive, designed to support both their professional and personal well-being. This includes competitive stipends and critical benefits such as disability insurance. The program also emphasizes a supportive culture, which is frequently cited by residents as a key reason for choosing Duke. The focus on team-based learning and a welcoming environment helps mitigate the stress of rigorous internal medicine training.

Career Trajectories

Graduates of the Duke Internal Medicine Residency Program consistently secure highly sought-after positions. Whether they pursue academic careers at institutions like Harvard, Johns Hopkins, or Duke itself, or enter highly competitive private practice roles, the Duke training pedigree opens doors globally. The program's emphasis on research and leadership ensures its alumni are prepared to become leaders in whatever path they choose, driving innovation in patient care, health policy, and medical education for decades to come.