Catherine

Cheney

Where is your hometown?
Julian, NC

Where did you attend:
Undergrad College/University: UNC Chapel Hill
Medical School: Wake Forest
Residency: Duke

List your Medical and Non-Medical Honors and Awards:
Duke GI Division Fellow Research Award (2025)
NIH Fogarty Center Global Health Fellowship (2024)
Stead Resident Research Grant (2024)
Duke GI Division Resident Research Award (2023)
Duke Dawn Provenzale Research Award (2022)
Fulbright International Grant (2012)

Tell us briefly about your background before embarking on your medical training?
Before medical school, I studied epidemiology with a focus on risk prediction modeling.

Outline your career plans in gastroenterology (If you know it at this point in your training)?
I am still honing my career interests, but currently, I have a clinical interest in hereditary cancer syndromes
with a research interest in early-onset colorectal cancer.

What were you looking for in a fellowship program?
I was looking for a fellowship program with strong mentorship, enthusiastic fellows, and opportunities in both
research and clinical practice to work towards my unique career goals.

What advice might you offer residents looking at fellowship programs?
I would ask current fellows about their relationships with faculty and the quality of mentorship they receive,
as well as where recent graduates have gone after fellowship. I’d also look closely at the breadth of clinical
and procedural skills you can expect to develop, opportunities for research and leadership, and whether
fellows have meaningful protected time to pursue those interests. Ultimately, I think it’s important to find a
program that will not only provide excellent clinical training, but also give you the mentorship, flexibility, and
opportunities to grow.

From your experience in fellowship, what have you learned about training at Duke?
I’ve been consistently impressed by how down-to-earth, supportive, and approachable everyone at Duke is,
despite being incredibly accomplished and often leaders in their fields. The training offers a great balance of
autonomy and mentorship. You’re trusted to take ownership of your patients, while working with faculty who
are genuinely invested in your growth as both a physician and a person. There are also abundant opportunities
to explore research, leadership, and develop along your own unique career path.

How is your life in the Triangle area outside of work?
I grew up in NC and no matter how far and wide I go, I keep coming back. I think the Triangle is a really great
place to live for young people. It has a lot of the amenities of a bigger city, with the benefits of living in a
smaller town (i.e., the traffic isn't horrible). There is an easy international airport, great restaurants, a huge
performance arts center, and decent hiking/running trails right nearby.

What is your favorite restaurant in Durham?
Queen Eggxpress

List your hobbies and interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy pottery, gardening, playing guitar (badly), going to live events at DPAC and the
Carolina Theater, as well as traveling whenever I get a chance.