James
Davis
James  Davis
Junior Assistant Resident
House Staff

Basics

Hometown
Gainesville, FL

College/university
Georgetown University

Residency
University of Florida College of Medicine

What are your career goals?
Cardiology or Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine

Reflections on the Duke Program

What were you looking for in a residency program?
I was looking for a program that would provide me with the foundation to be the best internist that I can be while keeping all doors open for me to be able to pursue whatever I end up desiring for my career after residency. I was also looking for a place with a culture that I felt was welcoming with residents and faculty who were humble and authentic.

What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
The Duke program is uniquely exceptional in that the training is rigorous and of the highest quality that can be found anywhere in the country, but every step of the way, you are surrounded by people who are kind, patient, generous, and motivated to help you succeed.

What are your observations about the relationships between faculty and house staff?
I have consistently been impressed by the thoughtful and down-to-earth nature of the faculty that I have had the opportunity to work with here at Duke. Their clinical acumen and enthusiasm for teaching have created an atmosphere that has made it exciting to come to work every day.

Tell us about your co-residents. What has helped you connect, support each other, and form friendships?
My group of co-residents is one of the best parts of being here at Duke! My co-interns are such a friendly and impressive group of people that I am proud to be a part of. People are also always up for grabbing a meal or celebrating a special occasion, even after a long day of work, which speaks to the culture that we have of prioritizing our wellness outside of the hospital.

What has surprised you most about Duke?
I have been most surprised by the quality of our noon conference lunches!

About life in Durham

What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
So far, the best parts about living in Durham have been the friendly people and the great running trails!

How does the Triangle appeal to people of diverse backgrounds?
The Triangle is incredibly diverse and has something for everyone. People here are welcoming and progressive and value all forms of diversity. As a physician at Duke, we have the privilege of being able to care for some of the most vulnerable residents of the Triangle from all backgrounds and are thereby given the opportunity to confront health disparities every day.

Where did you choose to live and why?
I chose to live in downtown Durham because I wanted some separation between my home and the hospital, and I wanted to make it as easy as possible for me to socialize with my co-residents even after a long day of work.

What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
My only recommendation would be to visit the area if you're able to and spend some time in the neighborhoods that are most popular for residents to live in. That's what helped me decide where to live, and I don't think I would have ended up somewhere I like as much as where I am now without making that trip.

What are your interests outside of medicine?
I like to run, play soccer, read, eat good food, and play video games. I also like to watch a lot of sports and root for the Gators, the Jaguars, and Arsenal.

 

House Staff