Dr. Fatima Syed Selected for NC Department of Health and Human Services Physician Fellowship

Congratulations to Fatima Zahara Syed, MD, MSc, FACP, who will begin a year-long, part-time fellowship with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) on July 1. The fellowship is designed for early- and mid-career primary care physicians to learn about and contribute to the development of state health policies and programs. During the fellowship, Dr. Syed will continue her clinical practice at Duke and serve as Director of the Primary Care Leadership Track.

Dr. Syed's interest in health policy began well before medical school. She earned a master's degree in Comparative Social Policy from the University of Oxford, where she studied how different healthcare systems approach the delivery of care. Comparing the U.S. healthcare system with those of other countries highlighted the critical role of primary care and the striking differences in the balance between primary care physicians and specialists. That experience not only inspired her career in primary care but also sparked a lasting commitment to medical education. In fact, one of her former Duke primary care students later pursued the same Oxford degree, a full-circle moment that reflects the lasting impact of her mentorship.

Throughout her career, Dr. Syed has translated her policy interests into advocacy. She has been actively involved with the American College of Physicians through its national Health and Public Policy Committee, contributing to the development of policy statements that address issues affecting patients and physicians nationwide. The NCDHHS fellowship offers an opportunity to build on those experiences by gaining firsthand insight into how state agencies shape healthcare delivery and influence the health of North Carolinians.

"I've always been interested in understanding how policy translates into practice," said Dr. Syed. "This fellowship will provide a unique opportunity to learn how state agencies impact the day-to-day lives of our patients while allowing me to contribute as both a clinician and educator."

The fellowship also has personal significance for Dr. Syed. Her parents immigrated from Pakistan and spent the first decade of their lives in the United States living in rural North Carolina, where Dr. Syed was born. She hopes the experience will deepen her understanding of the health challenges facing communities across the state, particularly in rural areas, and strengthen her ability to advocate for policies that improve access to high-quality primary care.

A passionate educator, Dr. Syed encourages trainees to view leadership as an essential part of the future of primary care. "I often tell my students that the future of the primary care workforce depends on physician leadership," she said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside leaders across North Carolina and to bring those experiences back to Duke and to our learners."

The fellowship also offers opportunities to collaborate with physician leaders from across the state, including several with Duke connections. Dr. Syed looks forward to working alongside colleagues who share a commitment to improving healthcare through thoughtful policy, collaboration, and leadership.