Kirstin
Binz
Kirstin  Binz
Senior Assistant Resident
House Staff

Start Year: 2020

Basics

Hometown
Columbia, MO

Where did you attend university/college?
Missouri University of Science and Technology

Where did you attend medical school?
University of Missouri - Columbia

What are your career goals?
To provide patient-centered care and practice evidence-based medicine. I will likely pursue subspecialty training but am keeping an open mind at this early stage of my career.

"The people are hands down the best part of Duke (#DukeFam). Every single person who is a part of the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care here at Duke is dedicated to doing right by our patients."

-Kirstin Binz

Reflections on the Duke Program

What were you looking for in a residency program?
I wanted a program that provides care for a diverse patient population, was closely tied with a VA hospital, and would set me up well for whichever career path I end up on. I wanted a program that values developing well-rounded physicians, not just intelligent physicians. I also looked for a program that fostered a sense of family and community among the faculty and house staff. Duke checked all of these boxes!

What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
The people are hands down the best part of Duke (#DukeFam). Every single person who is a part of the multi-disciplinary approach to patient care here at Duke is dedicated to doing right by our patients. The faculty are invested and interested in teaching to every level of trainee. The patients are also interested in teaching the house staff and are grateful for the world-class care they receive at Duke!

What are your observations about the relationships between faculty and house staff?
The faculty are incredibly supportive of the house staff and provide the right amount of autonomy to the interns to facilitate learning while providing a safety net layer of support. The relationship between the faculty and house staff is also very relaxed and feels more like colleagues working together than the historical hierarchy system.

Tell us about your co-residents. What has helped you connect, support each other, and form friendships?
The pandemic has made it challenging to get to know my co-interns as a large group. However, GroupMe has made it easier to communicate with the whole group to get tips and tricks for the different rotations as well as advice on socially distant things to do in Durham. Everyone I have had the privilege of working with so far is so bright and kind and I am excited to continue to meet new people as the year goes on and hopefully one day we can all hang out together!

About Duke University and Durham

What has surprised you most about Duke?
The initial impression I got on my interview day was that everyone here is kind, supportive, encouraging, and intelligent. I am most surprised that this has held true across all of the rotations I have done thus far.

What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
The opportunities for outdoor activities! There are so many parks and other outdoor areas to explore and hike around with my husband and dog.

How does the Triangle appeal to people of diverse backgrounds?
There are such a wide variety of activities to do around here that it is easy to find something for everyone.

Where did you choose to live and why?
My husband and I are renting a home in Northern Durham because we enjoy being outside and need a yard big enough for our German Shepherd to run in. Northern Durham provided the perfect blend of proximity to the hospital with proximity to city parks, Eno River State Park, and other outdoor adventure areas.

What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
Each neighborhood in Durham is unique and all residents are more than happy to talk more about the neighborhood they live in to help you decide which one is the best fit for you!

What are your interests outside of medicine?
I love to do anything outside and am always willing to try something new. I am an avid hiker, scuba diver, enjoy traveling and spending time with my family and friends, gardening, canning/preserving foods, cooking, and reading.

House Staff