Where is your hometown?
Harwich, Massachusetts
Education and Training
College/University: Brown University
Medical School: University of Massachusetts Medical School
Residency: Duke University
Honors and Awards
- 2019/2020 Chief Medicine Resident, Durham VA Medical Center
Fellow Perspective
Tell us briefly about your background before embarking on your medical training:
I grew up in small town on Cape Cod where I spent my summers waitressing at a local breakfast restaurant. I am a first-generation college graduate and earned a degree in community health at Brown University. Prior to matriculating to medical school, I took a gap year where I worked as a pre-doctoral research assistant at the Emergency Medicine Network (part of MGH) in Boston, MA.
What were you looking for in a fellowship program?
I was looking for a program that provided a breadth of clinical experiences with varying complexity matched with a faculty that value mentorship of its trainees. I feel lucky to have found that here at Duke.
What advice might you offer residents looking at fellowship programs:
In my opinion, you should focus on the feel of a program – how the fellows and faculty interact with each other and the tone set by the Program Director. It’s the comradery that makes fellowship fun, productive, and sustainable. So much has been different since the pandemic, of course, but the relationships that exist between the faculty and peers are a big part of why I think we’ve been able to thrive as a program.
From your experience in fellowship, what have you learned about training at Duke?
The Duke experience provides strong clinical training with a supportive and committed faculty to help you find your unique path as a physician. That commitment is invaluable as you advance through fellowship and look toward the next steps in your career. Watching recent graduates of the program embark on their careers with a sense of confidence in their ability to practice independently has been nothing short of inspiring. Fellowship can be bit overwhelming when you first begin, but seeing this growth in my peers makes me feel great about the preparation Duke is able to offer us.
How is your life in the Triangle area outside of work?
My husband and I viewed moving to Durham as somewhat of a meeting-in-the-middle, as I am from the Northeast and he is a proud Texan. When we first moved here and used google maps to get around, we laughed when we realized the route was red solely because of red light and not any actual traffic. It has been a great and affordable place to start a family, providing lots to do within the Triangle as well as short day trips with the beach and the mountains nearby.
What is your favorite restaurant in Durham?
Durham is full of amazing places to eat, with new places popping up all of the time. I especially love Gocciolina, a cozy Italian restaurant with a small plate style menu. They transformed their menu and remained opened for take-out during the pandemic!
Please tell us about some of your hobbies and interests outside of work:
Currently, my main hobby outside of work is running around and laughing with my two-and-a-half-year-old. I am also a novice tennis player and enjoy hitting when I get the chance.
Active Social Media Sites:
Twitter: @amandaboyd88