Victor Ayeni, MD, a resident in Duke’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, is bringing fellow residents closer to Durham — one connection at a time. Since arriving in 2024, he has helped residents engage with the community through hands-on service, creative programming, and meaningful partnerships. Whether volunteering in a local garden, mentoring students, or creating new ways for residents to get involved, Ayeni is building bridges that extend beyond clinical settings. As a leader in the Internal Medicine Residency Community Engagement Program, he has expanded opportunities that bring trainees and community members together, grounded in a simple belief: “Community is a health intervention.”

The Duke University School of Medicine’s employee resource group ME² partnered with Duke University Health System’s affinity group BLACKtivate for an evening of connection, celebration, and style at this year’s Juneteenth Sneaker Ball held on June 19. The event brought together colleagues from across Duke to celebrate one another while honoring the historical significance of Juneteenth.

The Durham Early College of Health Sciences is building a new pathway into healthcare careers and early results are strong. After its first year, all but a single student will return for the next academic year. A collaboration between Duke Health, Durham Public Schools, and Durham Technical Community College, the innovative program prepares high school students for roles in clinical research and patient care through hands-on learning and real-world exposure.

Extreme heat is a growing public health threat, hitting outdoor workers, older adults, and people in rural or low-income communities the hardest. Duke researchers recently examined how North Carolina can better protect those most at risk. Their findings point to the need for more direct communication, such as text alerts, and stronger data. With tools like the Heat Health Alert System and NC DETECT, the state is well positioned to lead efforts to reduce heat-related illness.