Working

Up to eight characters can tell a whole Duke story. 💙

For Program Manager for Duke Health Technology Solutions Brian Gilbaugh, it’s “DLV32,” a tribute to his wife’s lifelong love of Duke Men's Basketball legend Christian Laettner.

“27 years later, I’m still the luckiest man,” he said.

For Director of the Duke University Medical Physics Graduate Program and Professor of Radiation Oncology Physics Mark Oldham, it’s “MED PHYS,” a nod to a career he calls “a most fascinating field.”

For Nurse Practitioner Jennifer Solomon, it’s “R1 DUKE,” a reflection of her roots, her family’s legacy and the place she’s always come back to.

Across Duke, staff and faculty are turning license plates into personal expressions of pride, purpose and connection.

Read their stories: https://today.duke.edu/2026/06/driven-personalize-duke-pride-eight-characters

What would your Duke-inspired license plate say?

Congrats to Mark Darby, Senior IT Analyst for Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI)!

He’s the next winner in our Duke Time Off summer photo campaign after capturing a sunrise during an early morning stroll on Emerald Isle.

As a winner, Darby will receive a 24-can cooler, which is being given away courtesy of Duke University Stores about once every two weeks throughout the campaign.

Show us how you’re making the most of your Duke time off benefit by tagging Working at Duke () on social media or submitting your photo through our Show us how you’re making the most of your Duke time off benefit by tagging Working at Duke () on social media or submitting your photo through our form.

All eligible photos taken and shared throughout the campaign are in the running for amazing grand prizes from the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, the Duke Lemur Center, Duke Arts Presents, and Duke Dining. To be eligible, your photos must be taken and shared between May 20 and Aug. 3, 2026.

If you share your photo on social media and follow Working@Duke, you’ll be eligible for a $50 gift card, one of the grand prizes, courtesy of Duke Dining! Be sure to tag us and use .

How to participate:

https://today.duke.edu/2026/05/show-us-how-you-spend-your-duke-time-summer-2026

Eight years ago, Director of the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute Christopher Newgard climbed to the top of the Carmichael Building for a Working@Duke cover photo.

At the time, his institute was growing into a renovated former to***co warehouse in downtown Durham.

What started with about 150 faculty and staff has expanded to more than 200 and the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute is now a hub for cutting-edge research on diseases, nutrition and exercise.

Being in downtown Durham means collaboration, connection and community.
From research breakthroughs to walking dinners after seminars, the energy of the city fuels the work.

“We really love being part of the downtown community,” Newgard said.

It’s a reminder that when Duke invests in Durham, both thrive.

Read more about Newgard’s journey and Duke’s partnership with Durham: https://today.duke.edu/2026/06/building-science-downtown-durham-catching-christopher-newgard-workingdukes-20th-year



Duke Community Affairs | Duke Health | Discover Durham

“That’s my mom!”

When Cathy Browning, at right with Keisha Williams, walked across the stage to receive a professional certificate, her daughter’s proud shout made the moment unforgettable.

Browning, an Administrative Specialist with Duke University Health System’s Center for Clinical Learning & Development, was among 59 Duke employees recognized this year for completing professional certificate programs in areas such as leadership, communication and more. Participants bring the new skills back to their teams, helping colleagues communicate better, lead more effectively and grow in their careers.

“You made a promise to be the best version of yourself that you can be,” Antwan Lofton, Vice President for Duke Human Resources, told the group. “By finishing and keeping that promise to yourself, you’re able to show up and be that best version to others as well as to the Duke community.”

See how Duke employees are investing in themselves and one another. Read their stories: https://today.duke.edu/2026/06/duke-employees-reach-new-milestones-through-certificate-programs

| Duke Health | Duke Learning and Organization Development

Duke has launched a new National Employee Discount Program, bringing 5% to 60% savings on thousands of brands, travel, entertainment and more for Duke University and Duke Health employees.

The benefit, coordinated through a partnership between Duke Human Resources and Working Advantage, complements Duke’s existing PERQS Discount Program, expanding the range of discounts available to staff and faculty both in the Triangle area and across the country.

Getting started is simple: Sign up and explore deals!

Learn more and start saving: https://today.duke.edu/2026/06/duke-launches-national-employee-discount-program

Our first prize winner, Duke University Hospital Case Manager Lydia Cato, with her new cooler, courtesy of Duke University Stores!

We’re giving away coolers throughout the summer, plus grand prizes at the end of the campaign.

Show us how you’re making the most of your Duke time off benefit by tagging Working at Duke on social media or submitting your photo through our form:

https://today.duke.edu/2026/05/show-us-how-you-spend-your-duke-time-summer-2026

You’ll be in the running for amazing prizes from the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, the Duke Lemur Center, Duke Arts Presents, Duke University Stores or Duke Dining. To be eligible for prizes, your photos must be taken and shared between May 20 and Aug. 3, 2026.

And if you share your photo on social media and follow Working@Duke, you’ll also be eligible for a social media prize – a $50 gift card, courtesy of Duke Dining! Be sure to tag us.



More about Lydia’s prize-winning shot: https://today.duke.edu/2026/06/lobster-boat-adventure-nets-first-duke-time-photo-prize

Working@Duke’s miniature correspondent Devlin visited the Pratt School of Engineering (Duke Engineering) for the school’s Staff Appreciation Week, joining right in with the fun events, including ice cream and ax throwing, a visit to the Duke Innovation Co-Lab, posing with a Staff Appreciation T-shirt and even stopping for a LIVE FOR LIFE employee health assessment.

“His ‘tiny but mighty’ presence was a big hit,” said August Burns, Department Business Manager for the Office of the Dean. “Devlin was a fantastic addition to the week and helped create some really fun and lighthearted moments for our staff during a busy semester. He definitely inspired lots of smiles and conversations everywhere he went.”

One memorable stop was in Burns’ office, where he posed next to her Duke gargoyle and a Duke-themed version of Van Gogh’s “The Starry Night” from a Pratt painting event held years ago.

Devlin’s bravest stop, though, might have been joining Pratt staff and faculty for a “spirited round” of axe throwing at Crazy Axe. He cooled off with everyone by Duke Pond as they tasted Two Roosters Ice Cream.

“That may have been one of his more adventurous appearances of the week,” Burns said.
Want Devlin to visit you? Complete the interest form, and we’ll schedule his stop.

https://today.duke.edu/2026/02/strike-pose-devlin-workingduke-correspondent



The Crazy Axe Mobile

At 37, and in the best shape of his life, Assistant Vice President for Duke University Student Affairs Clay Adams was diagnosed with stage II colorectal cancer, a diagnosis that came as a complete surprise.

In this video, Clay shares his journey from that life-changing moment in January 2016 through surgery, treatment, and recovery and how early action, expert care at Duke Health and strong support from loved ones made all the difference.

“This place may be my employer but the mission and focus of this place is personal,” Adams said. “To put it simply, I owe my life to this place.”



Duke Cancer Institute | Duke Divinity School

A Duke Employee's Cancer Diagnosis Changed Everything At 37, in the best shape of his life, Assistant Vice President for ...

For Lydia Moore, Duke has been part of her story from the start.

Inspired by her parents’ careers here, Lydia has found her own path within the same community that helped shape her.

Her story is a reminder of the deep connections that make Duke more than a workplace.

Read more: https://today.duke.edu/2026/03/my-why-duke

For her , Duke University School of Medicine employee Yana Mitsos and her husband drove through the Mojave Desert to Joshua Tree National Park .

“Time off well spent!” Yana said.

Show us how you’re making the most of your Duke time off benefit by tagging Working at Duke or submitting your photo through our form: https://hr.duke.edu/duketimeoff2026

You’ll be in the running for amazing prizes from the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, the Duke Lemur Center, Duke Arts Presents, Duke University Stores or Duke Dining. To be eligible for prizes, your photos must be taken and shared between May 20 and Aug. 3, 2026.

If you share your photo on social media and follow Working@Duke, you’ll be eligible for a $50 gift card, one of the grand prizes, courtesy of Duke Dining! Be sure to tag us.

https://today.duke.edu/2026/05/show-us-how-you-spend-your-duke-time-summer-2026



Mojave Desert Land Trust