In 2017, Duke University received a gift from The Duke Endowment to name the DukeEngage-Durham program after President Emeritus Brodhead, commemorating his deep commitment to Durham. “Thanks to this support,” said Brodhead, “Duke students will be able to deliver their classroom knowledge in service to the Durham community and integrate their DukeEngage experiences with their curricular learning.” Read more about Pres. Brodhead’s connection to DukeEngage.
APPLY TO THE BRODHEAD DUKEENGAGE PROGRAM – DURHAM (Holistic Health)
Information Session:
Brodhead DukeEngage-Durham Program Overview
The home of Duke University, Durham Tech and North Carolina Central University, Durham is the fourth largest city in North Carolina, with a population of almost 300,000. Ironically, Durham has two very distinct yet contradictory nicknames. Referred to as the “Bull City” in the 1800s because of its production of Bull Durham tobacco, today Durham is also known as the “City of Medicine,” with over 300 medically related companies and agencies, including the Duke Health System.
Today, Durham continues to grow as a health care, higher education, and technology focused city, with the downtown district experiencing a renaissance of sorts. The arts, sports, restaurants and startups dominate the spirit of the city and contribute to its popularity as a destination and home for many.
During the program’s eight weeks, students in DukeEngage Durham will strive to answer several questions:
- What does it mean to be known as the “City of Medicine”?
- What are the implications of having a world-class health system located in your community and how does this relate to creating a healthy community? What would it take for Durham to become a “blue zone”?
- How might Durham become a place that not only stands for “whole person health” but also a city that values equitable access to quality health care?
In considering these questions, students will have the opportunity to engage with a number of agencies and organizations that are committed to improving the health and wellness of children, the elderly, and other constituencies within the community. In doing this work students will consider the various dimensions of wellness, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, financial, social, intellectual and environmental. Students will also have opportunities to examine their own values and approaches to their personal wellness and self-care. We will meet weekly as a group for dinner so that students can discuss their work and discoveries, share perspectives about our healthcare system and learn from local experts.
Community Partnership(s)
Examples of potential agencies and organizations include:
- Center for Child and Family Health
- City of Medicine Volunteer Medical Corps
- Duke Integrative Medicine
- Durham Parks and Recreation
- Durham Public Schools (DPS) Foundation
- Durham Sports Commission (DSC)
- Lincoln Community Health Center
- Reality Ministries
- Root Causes
- Self-Help Credit Union
- Senior PharmAssist
- Swing Pals
- TROSA
Program leaders will work with community partners to identify projects/initiatives that will be mutually beneficial to these agencies and the students involved. Such projects might include: developing a model to integrate health-related services/programs; working directly with local physicians and healthcare administrators to identify ways to provide more accessible services; helping to more fully integrate sports and physical activity into the Durham community; assisting with the “whole school” health program. Students will be asked to prioritize their selection of community partners and complete a brief rationale for their top choices. Final placement decisions will be made by community partners and program directors.
Program Requirements
Coursework: There are no required or recommended courses for students to take; however, students who have demonstrated an interest in health and wellness in their course of study and/or extra-/co-curricular activities will be given preference.
Skills and Personal Qualities: Students who are interested in learning about themselves—focusing on their personal values and developing their self-awareness—will benefit from and enjoy this program the most. In addition, the program hopes to attract students who embrace teamwork and community building, and want to engage in reflective work.
Logistics
Housing, meals, and transportation: Students will live together in an apartment setting and will generally buy groceries and cook their own meals. There will be opportunities for group/program dinners as well as time to learn from nutritionists/chefs about healthy eating. Transportation to and from work and other events will be provided by DukeEngage when walking and public transit are not feasible.
Local safety, security, and cultural norms: If you have special needs related to health, culture, disability, or religious practices, we encourage you to contact the program director(s) or the DukeEngage office to discuss whether your needs can be accommodated in this program.
For guidance on how race, religion, sexual/gender identity, ability, or other aspects of identity might impact your travels, we suggest exploring the Diversity, Identity and Global Travel section of the DukeEngage website.
Academic Connections
This program is open to all students, and might especially appeal to students who imagine a possible health-care related career, and/or a life that values achieving and maintaining personal health and wellness.
DukeEngage cannot guarantee that any program will occur. Programs may be cancelled for various reasons, including COVID considerations.
