


Duke School of Medicine
The Duke Medicine in Motion chapter strives to carry out the Medicine in Motion mission by providing engaging events centered around physical activity, philanthropy, and wellness in a safe and inclusive environment for members of the Duke and Durham communities. We aim to build a community that is inclusive of all abilities, promotes resilience, and supports the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of our diverse health professions students and professionals.
Join our mailing list here!
https://lists.duke.edu/sympa/info/medicineinmotionduke
Events
Events
Angels Among Us 5K Run & Walk of HOPE (Duke School of Medicine)
Join our Duke Medicine in Motion team here for the Angels Among Us 5K Run & Walk of HOPE! All proceeds from the event go directly towards research and clinical trials of brain and spinal tumors at The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke.
Angels Among Us 5K and Walk of HOPE is held on Duke Medical Center Campus at the corner of Erwin Road and Flowers Drive. The 5K starts at 8:00am but we'll coordinate a meet up before the gun goes off for whoever wants to come by!
Events
Bollywood + Rhythm with Roshini (Duke School of Medicine)
Join Roshini for a high-energy, bass-boosted dance-based workout! We’ll be moving to the rhythm of our favorite Pop, Bollywood, and Tollywood tunes — and perhaps getting a great workout in while we’re at it 😘
All levels welcome, and no dance experience needed. Bring some water, comfy clothes, and your dancing (tennis) shoes!
Location to be announced!
Events
O2 Fitness Cycle Class (Duke School of Medicine)
Join O2 Fitness Cycling Instructor and DPT student Jordyn in a free, private cycling class at 10:30am or 11:30am! This high-energy class is the perfect way to start off your Saturday and get your body moving. There are 16 seats per class, so sign up quick to reserve your spot and get ready to ride those stresses away!
Events
Eno Fool's Day Hike (Duke School of Medicine)
Spring has sprung and we're ushering in the warmer weather and sunnier days ahead with a 3.9-mile hike in the Eno along Holden's Mill Trail! We'll get started around 9am with some snacks at the trail head and invite you to join us for tacos to follow just down the road at El Jefecito. Just bring water (and a buddy!)
Events
Rhythm/HIIT with Jamie & Madhura (Duke School of Medicine)
Shake away the Sunday scaries with a mix of strength and cardio tracks to some of your (favorite) high-energy pop songs! Among their many other talents, MS2s Jamie Karl and Madhura Pande will lead us through a combined rhythm and HIIT session from 10:00-11:00am in Studio 124 of the Rubenstein Arts Center. Bring a yoga mat/towel and/or light dumbbells (i.e., 5s, 10s) if you want, but totally optional. All fitness and ability levels urged to come for a great sweat and a fun class!
Parking info for the Rubenstein Arts Center:
The Campus Drive lot, located at the corner of Campus Drive and Anderson Street, is directly across the street. Visitors may park in this lot on weekends (after 5pm Friday through Sunday evening) with a valid Duke parking permit or via the PayByPhone app or by calling 866-234-7275 (location #3121).
Events
Black History Month Skate Night (Duke School of Medicine)
Following our "United Skates" Documentary Screening depicting the centrality of skating rink culture in the Black community, we will hit the skating rink to celebrate Black History Month.
We will sponsor the $6 admission for the first 15 people to sign up! After that, the only cost is $5 regular skate rental or $6 roller blade rental. After the first 15 people, costs include $6 admission + $5-$6 skate rentals.
Head over to United Skates of America website to sign the waiver!
Events
Maud 2.23 Run with Duke WC4BL @ Ponysaurus Brewing (Duke School of Medicine)
We and our friends at WC4BL invite all you runners, joggers, and walkers out there to join us for Maud 2.23, a run/walk sponsored by Together We Stand NC and hosted at Ponysaurus Brewing's weekly Thursday Pony Run club to remember and honor the memory of the avid runner Ahmaud Arbery, who lost his life on February 23, 2020, in a senseless act of racism and violence.
WC4BL and Medicine in Motion members will meet up at Ponysaurus at 6:30pm, which offers 3-mile and 5-mile loops through downtown Durham (though you can definitely go longer or shorter). This is a great opportunity for those interested in learning more about Together We Stand NC – and great preparation for all those considering or signed up for the Duke DPT 18th Annual 5K!
Optional: $28 event registration with Together We Stand NC includes a Maud 2.23 LS shirt and a pair of Feetures performance socks. All registered runners/walkers also receive a chance to win prizes including free running shoes from HOKA. Together We Stand NC has decided to funnel the donations from all Durham events and t-shirt sales to Porch Durham, a local program that provides supplemental food to children and families facing hunger in Durham County. Registration not required to attend.
From the Together We Stand NC website:
"Together We Stand began in June 2020 as an antidote to the increasing and divisive acts of racism, fear, and ignorance. What was originally designed as a memorial run has evolved into multiple opportunities for unity and courageous conversations. Through these conversations we are shining a spotlight on how racism and hate erode all our lives while working to change our hearts and actions."
Events
"United Skates" Documentary Screening (Duke School of Medicine)
"As America's last standing roller rinks are threatened with closure, United Skates spotlights a community fighting in a racially charged environment to save the underground African-American subculture of roller skating, which has been overlooked by the mainstream for generations--yet has given rise to some of the world's greatest musical talent." (HBO)
In celebration of Black History month and leading up to Black History Month Skate Night on February 27th, join us for a screening of the Emmy-nominated 2019 film "United Skates" in TSCHE 3025! We'll have pizza, popcorns, and drinks to share for the 1:29 run time – and hope we'll all leave with a richer appreciation of the African American tie to a tradition of skating.
Events
A Night of Self Care (Duke School of Medicine)
Stop by anytime between 6:30-8:30pm on Thursday night to care for yourself and practice self-love. We will relax, drink some tea, paint nails if you want, and have an opportunity for some brief yoga/stretches. Feel free to bring your favorite snacks if you would like.
Guests can park in any of the unmarked spots on Intuition Cir. If those spots are full, you are able to parallel park on Constitution Dr or at the community club located at 322 Constitution Dr. Please do not parallel park on street on Intuition Cir.
Events
Sweat Lab Indoor Ride (feat. Mimosas) (Duke School of Medicine)
Come for the ride, stay for mimomas! We're headed back to The Sweat Lab for a free 60-minute indoor spin class followed by a mimosa social for anyone who wants to stick around! 🍾
Class is capped at 40, so sign up early to secure your spot. If you sign up and can no longer make it, PLEASE let us know so we can offer your spot to another student and pack the class!!
Class will start promptly at 11:45 am so please arrive by 11:30 am to sign the waiver and get fitted for shoes.
Chapter Leads

Anna Dagher

Hello all! My name is Anna and I am a second year medical student at Duke. I was born, raised, and went to school in Maine prior to moving to Durham (where I am loving the warmer weather!). Growing up, I spent weekends piled in a minivan with friends traveling to soccer and basketball games. On weekdays, my dad would invite me to the gym after work where we’d run together while telling stories and laughing. This sparked my passion for fitness, which has grown over the years through college soccer, a couple ACL surgeries, and a personal training certification. Team sports, HIIT workouts, weightlifting, long walks, and indoor cycling are my “go-to” forms of movement, but I love trying new things! Exercise has been instrumental for my mental health throughout the years, and I can’t wait to continue striving towards a balanced life rich with mental and physical health alongside you all!

Breanna Polascik

Hello, I’m Breanna and I’m an MS4 at Duke Med! I’ve always enjoyed being active. Growing up, I was a tap dancer, martial artist, and spent my summers swimming on the swim team and winters skiing double black diamonds. Since then, I’ve also developed strong passions for weightlifting, running (thanks, pandemic!), biking the American Tobacco Trail, and hiking on beautiful nature trails. I actually spent 5 weeks backpacking and kayaking on Lake Superior and in Pisgah National Forest! I am beyond excited and humbled to be a part of the Medicine in Motion Chapter at Duke Med in order to foster a community at Duke and in the larger triangle area that revolves around fitness, service, and wellness.

Chris Lea

My name is Chris, and I have been in Durham since 2014 when I started undergrad at Duke. I am originally from Atlanta, GA. Wellness in medical school has looked like runs through the Duke Forest, Zoom workouts with friends, and early morning spin classes. I chose to be involved with Medicine in Motion because of the desire I have to a create community around exercise that is welcoming to all regardless of prior experience.

Daphne Zhu

My name is Daphne, and I am a first year medical student at Duke. Growing up in the suburbs of Dallas, TX, some of my favorite memories were being active in the outdoors, whether through hiking trips or marching band practices in triple-digit heat (it was a love-hate relationship). I discovered weightlifting in high school, and I fell in love with the way it helped me feel both physically and mentally strong. When I'm not in the gym, you can find me running (slowly), taking photos, or enjoying a good bowl of oatmeal. I'm excited to be a part of Medicine in Motion and continue building a community around accessible and inclusive movement!

Erik Furseth

Hey there! My name is Erik and I’m a 2nd year PT student at Duke. I’m from Memphis, TN, where I spent most of my childhood playing competitive soccer and running track. I played four years of soccer at the University of Memphis. After undergrad, I went back and got my Masters in Exercise and Sports Movement Science while continuing to play soccer and step into a coaching roll with local club teams. Currently, I like to stay in shape by playing soccer and working out/coaching at a local CrossFit gym. When I’m not in the gym or on the field (or studying) I like playing golf, walking my two dogs, or playing some kind of video game! I wanted to join medicine in motion primarily as a way to show others how beneficial exercise is and how diverse it can be. It’s easy to exercise when it’s something you enjoy!

Ethan Agritelley

Hello all! I’m Ethan, a second-year medical student at Duke. I grew up right outside of Portland, Oregon and moved to Durham at the start of medical school. I went to undergrad at Cornell where I played football. I have since transitioned to distance running. I tell myself I do it for fun though sometimes (usually…kidding) I question this. I enjoy all types of running but especially love exploring new trails in the mountains and state parks. To balance my running, I lift weights and decompress with yoga. I also love reading, watching TV, and recently started brewing my own beer. I am excited to be a part of the Medicine in Motion team and hope to share my love of exercise and movement with all!

Jane Gray

Howdy! Jane Gray here, PA S-1 at Duke. I’m a firm believer that health and wellness are all about befriending yourself, exploring your limits and getting to know new friends in the process. I’m a member of Duke’s triathlon club (the answer is yes if you ask me to sign up for a sprint or a relay), and I recently completed my first Ironman 70.3 - but my oldest loves are long-distance/cross-country bike touring and hanging out with my backpack on a mountain. Come as you are and let’s have fun!

Jordan Burnett

Hi, I’m Jordan and I’m a second year DPT student at Duke! Growing up as a competitive gymnast in a mountain town, I was always active at practice or hiking with my family and dogs. After injuries kept me from continuing gymnastics, I pursued dance, yoga, and weight lifting. My current favorite forms of movement are teaching yoga, hiking with my dog, rock climbing with friends, and running obstacle course races with my partner! I am so honored and excited to be a part of the Duke Medicine in Motion chapter and look forward to building community through movement, service, and wellness. Exercise can carry many emotions with it, positive and negative, so I hope to support others in discovering their favorite ways to move!

Julia Laughlin

Hello! My name is Julia Laughlin and I am a first year student in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program here at Duke. I’m from Illinois and went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for undergrad where I studied kinesiology and was a member of Vitality Dance Team. I love to go on runs and walks outside, which is one of the many reasons I’m so excited to be in North Carolina! Some other passions of mine are meeting new people, appreciating nature, cooking, and music. I’m excited to be a part of Medicine in Motion because I love physical activity and promoting healthy living!

Lauren Schaeffer

Hi! I’m Lauren and a 2nd year DPT student. I am from Memphis, TN where I grew up doing gymnastics and running cross country. In college I sailed dinghy boats at FSU and love a good day out on the water. Now, I enjoy hiking and participating in local brewery runs when I have free time. Healing with exercise has motivated me to pursue physical therapy as my future career, and I can’t wait to share my passion through Medicine in Motion.

Michael Aiduk

Michael is a MD-PhD student at Duke. He loves team sports (most recently played intramural basketball and ultimate frisbee). He enjoys running, weight training, golf, snowboarding, table tennis, chess, and the sport of marathon Star Wars viewing. When medical school moved virtual during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael maintained connection and a bit of normalcy via MM Zoom workouts with classmate and fellow MM leader Chris. Michael really appreciated these workouts, and is now excited to help foster community, inclusion, and philanthropy at the Duke MiM chapter.

Michael Ivey

Hello! My name is Michael Ivey, and I am a current MS2 at Duke Med. I am originally from a very rural area in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Growing up, I was constantly outside: I loved fishing, hunting, and I played basketball, football, tennis, and ran track. As an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, my interest in organized sports transitioned towards weightlifting, hiking, and encouraging my friends to take a work break to even just take a walk with me outdoors. I also am a chatter box who loves making fitness unintimidating. My goal is to help people find what they enjoy so that they can use fitness as a stress reliever – not inducer. Although I am new to the Durham area, I look forward to building a stronger connection between the Duke Med family and the local community. Just remember that fitness should be fun, and you can eat that doughnut!!