Start Year: 2021
Basics
Hometown
Baku, Azerbaijan
Where did you attend college/university?
Utah Tech University
Where did you attend medical school?
Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah
What are your career goals?
Cardiology & Medical Education/ Academic Medicine
"The program is rigorous, but family friendly. Leadership (chiefs, APDs, PDs) are all very attentive to the needs of interns and residents. The program has a great reputation among fellowship directors across the country, which speaks highly of the quality of Duke's internal medicine residency program."
-Nijat Aliyev
Reflections on the Duke Program
What were you looking for in a residency program?
Strong sense of community, comradery, and a supportive approach from supervising physicians. A rigorous program that was also family-friendly.
What are the strengths of the Duke Program?
The program is rigorous, but family friendly. Leadership (chiefs, APDs, PDs) are all very attentive to the needs of interns and residents. The program has a great reputation among fellowship directors across the country, which speaks highly of the quality of Duke's internal medicine residency program.
What are your observations about the relationships between faculty and house staff?
Faculty are extremely supportive of residents and it makes for a wonderful learning environment.
Tell us about your co-residents. What has helped you connect, support each other, and form friendships?
Everyone in my class is very accomplished, yet so down-to-earth. We've organized multiple get-together events before and during residency, ranging from drinks at local breweries to sand volleyball games. Everyone is connected via a shared GroupMe chat, and we all share tips and tricks to be successful.
What has surprised you most about Duke?
How down-to-earth everyone is, and how much everyone truly cares about the success and learning of interns.
About Duke University and Durham
What is the best thing about living in Durham and the Triangle?
Great cost of living, no traffic, easily-available parking. Everything one would need is within short driving distance.
How does the Triangle appeal to people of diverse backgrounds?
The population of the Triangle is very diverse to begin with, which makes it feel more welcoming for all people, regardless of their origin.
Where did you choose to live and why?
My wife and I rent a townhome in a townhome community in northern Durham. It's close to all hospital locations and is located in a lovely neighborhood with a community pool and a few parks close by.
What advice would you give to someone looking to move to Durham?
If you're moving with a family, consider townhomes in northern or southern Durham. If you're moving as a single person, apartments downtown offer a lot of amenities, an easy way to socialize with peers, and put you pretty close to various restaurants. Also, consider sharing an apartment with roommates to keep the costs of living more manageable.
What are your interests outside of medicine?
Board games, video games, card games, chess, fantasy books. Lifting weights, running, hiking, volleyball.