Duke requires all graduate students have health insurance, either through Duke’s Student Medical Insurance Plan or through other coverage options. Dental insurance plans are also available. Postdoctoral appointees are employees, and thus eligible for employee benefits, including employee medical, dental, and vision plans. Additionally, postdocs have access to a variety of work/life balance, stress management, wellness, and entertainment benefits, many at little to no cost.
Below is an overview of health resources provided by Duke and off-campus organizations:
On-Campus Resources
- Student Health: Provides a wide array of healthcare services, some of which are covered by the Student Health Fee. Includes nutrition services, physical therapy offerings, an on-campus pharmacy, and other services.
- Campus Smiles: On-campus dental office providing both standard and cosmetic dental procedures.
- Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): On-campus mental health resource, including individual counseling, group counseling, psychiatric services, mental health workshops, and other services.
- Postdoc Emotional Support and Well-Being Resources: Collection of the various health and wellbeing resources available exclusively to postdoctoral scholars and associates, including the Personal Assistance Service (PAS).
- Blue Devils Care: Duke’s 24/7 tele-mental health service
- DukeReach: General health and well-being resource for Duke students. Useful if you aren’t sure where to begin in accessing Duke resources.
- Student Wellness Center (DuWell): Provides a number of wellness-related resources and activities on topics such as mindfulness, sexual health, holistic wellness, drug education, and more.
- Duke Recreation: Duke’s fitness facilities, most notably the Wilson Center on West Campus. Graduate students are automatic members, though other membership options are available. Intramural sports, group fitness classes, and other activities are offered. Register for classes via the MyRec portal.
- Duke Fitness Club: Networking of fitness facilities through the Triangle region available to postdocs at a reduced membership fee
- Women’s Center: Offers a variety of programs and services for women centered around empowerment, education, activism, and other areas. The center also provides therapeutic services to survivors of gender violence.
- Ombuds: Provide neutral and confidential guidance to Duke students on issues related to institutional equity. Sexual misconduct, harassment, and discrimination reporting also are managed through this office. Note that graduate/professional students and postdocs have different ombudsmen.
- Postdoc Conflict Resolution, Stress Reduction, and Legal Resources: Collection of Duke and external resources on topics such as institutional equity, legal assistance, discrimination/misconduct, and mental and behavioral health support.
- Medical Expense / Financial Hardship Program: The Graduate School provides financial support to students who face significant medical expenses.
Off-Campus Recommendations
In addition to the recommendations below, International House has prepared fact sheets on finding optometrists, doctors, and dentists.
Dentistry
Primary Care / Family Medicine
- Duke Primary Care: Several locations throughout the Triangle region, including Duke Family Medicine Center
- Avance Care: Locations in North and South Durham and throughout the Triangle region.
- Carolina Family Practice & Sports Medicine: Locations in Raleigh, Cary, and Holly Springs.
- Carolina Primary Care: Located in Morrisville
- Integrative Medical Clinic of North Carolina
Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Durham Obstetrics and Gynecology at North Duke Street or in South Durham
- Chapel Hill OBGYN
Optometry / Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Physical Therapy
Gastroenterology
Cardiology
Endocrinology
Note: This list is by no means exhaustive. Duke Health, the primary health system in the region, provides a “Find a Provider” tool that may also be helpful.
