DUKE UNIVERSITY HEALTH SYSTEM - One of America's Preeminent Academic Medical Centers

Duke University Health System ("DUHS") is a world-renowned institution dedicated to providing outstanding patient care, educating tomorrow's HealthCare leaders, and discovering new and better ways to treat disease through biomedical research.

Founded in 1930, DUHS provides every level of HealthCare from preventive care to multidisciplinary, diagnostic, and therapeutic care in every medical specialty. DUHS employs 1,128 primary care, specialist, and subspecialist physicians, as well as 460 faculty, and research physicians. It maintains 1,124 acute-care beds and admitted 37,400 patients, provided for 1,080,640 outpatients visits, including 1,500 international patient visits/admissions.

Duke University Health System ("DUHS") For the past 5 years, U. S. News and World Report has ranked Duke University Health System ("DUHS") in the 10 best hospital in America for demonstrating high levels of competence in major medical specialties. DUHS ranked among the "Top 5 Hospitals in America" for excellence in Cardiac and Geriatric Care. DUHS also ranked among the "Top 10 Hospitals in America" for medical excellence in treating Cancer, Digestive Disorders, Gynecological Disorders, Kidney Disease, Orthopedics, Rheumatology, Urological, and Respiratory Disease. (See U.S. News & World Report, July 18, 2005).


RESEARCH

Leon Levine Science Research Center and Medical Sciences Research Building
Recently opened, these 520,000-square foot research facilities provide excellence in cross-disciplinary scientific exchange, intersecting the fields of surgery, pediatrics, pharmacology, obstetrics/gynecology, pathology, cancer, and genetics. Affiliated with Duke University's Schools of Environment and Engineering, these research facilities make extensive use of the opportunities for shared instrumentation, including microscopy of cells, structure determination of biological molecules, and the transgenic animal facility that will benefit genetic research throughout the University. There are approximately 1,800 clinical trials testing new therapies underway at DUHS at any given time.

The Duke Clinical Research Institute
The Duke Clinical Research Institute is one of the world's most sophisticated clinical trials units, helping investigators mount innovative studies of new pharmaceuticals or other advances in treatment. Unique among academic medical centers, the Institute has conducted studies at more than 3,120 sites in 59 countries, has over 5,000 investigators worldwide, and has over 300,000 patients enrolled. It conducted the largest thrombolytic trial in history and has the oldest and largest cardiovascular database in the world (200,000 patients and counting).

The Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy
The Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy (IGSP) represents Duke University's comprehensive response to the broad challenges of the Genomic Revolution. The institute comprises of scientists, engineers, physicians as well as scholars in law, business, economics, public policy, ethics, religion, environmental studies, and other humanities and social sciences. The IGSP serves as a training ground for a new generation of health care professionals, including primary care physicians, physician scientists, health-related personnel, community-based lay educators, and genetic counselors, in the field of genomics and an information resource for physicians in the region and beyond, providing data about genetic tests and detailed interpretations of results.


MULTIDISCIPLINARY AND SPECIALTY PRACTICE CENTERS

Aesthetic Services
For patients interested in the latest options for improvement and rejuvenation of their appearance, Duke brings together specialists from the areas of Plastic Surgery, Dermatology, Oculoplastics, and Otolaryngology.

Arthritis Center
One of only two institutions designated by the National Institutes of Health as a Specialized Center of Research for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Duke University Arthritis Center offers a variety of highly focused programs and clinics to address the needs of patients suffering from this disease.

Children's Services
Duke Children's Services draws on more than 25 medical and surgical disciplines to treat neonates to adolescents. This center treats pediatric AIDS, digestive and neurological disorders, and severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCIDS). Duke pediatricians have pioneered both the use of umbilical cord blood to perform transplants, and the use of screening techniques to detect genetic diseases in newborns.

Comprehensive Cancer Center
Utilizing a multidisciplinary approach to treating large tumors, Duke oncologists also utilize bone marrow transplantation, hyperthermia, and the latest chemotherapeutic protocols in aggressively treating cancer. Duke also operates an on-line family health education information service.

Center For Digestive Health
Operating one of the largest endoscopy services in the United States, Duke's Center for Digestive Health addresses a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders from unexplained chronic abdominal pain, as well as liver and bowel disease.

Eye Center
Eye Center researchers are on the leading edge of efforts to identify the genes and control the processes that cause blinding eye disease. With particular expertise in the treatment of congenital cataracts, Eye Center surgeons perform more than 3,500 operations annually in specially designed, vibration-free operating rooms utilizing the most advanced equipment.

Heart Center
Utilizing sophisticated technology and the world's oldest and largest computerized information bank on Cardiovascular Disease, Duke Heart Center physicians are able to determine appropriate therapies for numerous disease profiles. Care includes coronary artery bypass grafts, balloon angioplasties/stents, and valve repair and replacement featuring minimally invasive techniques.

Musculoskeletal Services
Includes an Orthopedic Program offering major joint reconstruction and reconstructive microsurgery, a Back and Spine Clinic offering specialized approach to chronic back pain, and a Sports Medicine Center that provides a multidisciplinary approach to athletic injury and rehabilitation.

Sickle Cell Center
Adult and pediatric hematologists remain on call around the clock to treat acute and chronic forms of sickle cell anemia as well as hepatitis C.

Stroke Center
Duke's Acute Stroke team endeavors to provide timely interventions to treat and even reverse the symptoms of stroke.

Surgery
All types of minor and major surgeries are performed at DUHS, including acclaimed oncology, reconstructive, micro and endo surgery.

Transplant Center
DUHS performs liver, lung, and kidney transplants.

Wellness and Prevention Program
The Duke Wellness and Prevention Program provides an extensive array of services designed to promote general well-being and enhance the quality of life for people coping with chronic conditions. These services include intensive executive health retreats, customized health plans for people with chronic conditions such as arthritis, and the Duke Diet & Fitness Center, one of the nation's most successful and sought-after weight management programs. Most of these services are provided at the Center for Living campus.

International Patient Services
The International Center offers French, Spanish and Arabic-speaking representatives, appointment scheduling, assistance with medical visa applications, travel, transportation, accommodation, and "host family" services. Hotel, restaurant, travel agency, and banking services are located nearby, and shuttle service is available 24 hours per day.


LOCATION AND LOCAL AMENITIES

Duke University Health System (DUHS) is located in Durham, North Carolina, which is known as the "City of Medicine." DUHS has gained national recognition as a biomedical research center attracting over 300 health-related companies including IBM, Glaxo-Wellcome, and Sumitomo. With mild year-round temperatures, Durham offers many outdoor recreational activities including the 7,700-acre Duke Forest and a Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course. Also of interest to visitors and patients is the 20-million dollar Durham Arts Center, the Museum of Life and Science and Primate Center.

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