The Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health at Duke University Medical Center is an academic unit specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical and laboratory investigation of infections. Division activities emphasize three main areas:

In 1930, Dr. David T. Smith "founded" infectious diseases at Duke. As chairman of microbiology, he built a nationally recognized department and simultaneously lent his expertise to clinical problems. Dr. Norman F. Conant, in Smith's group, built Duke's strong reputation in mycology. In 1959, Dr. Suydam Osterhout moved from the Rockefeller University to strengthen the clinical microbiology service, and in 1977 Dr. David Durack came to Duke from the University of Washington to become the first Chief of the Division.

 

Over the next 28 years, the Division greatly expanded, growing from four to 23 full-time faculty and from one to twelve fellows. In 1994, Dr. John Hamilton became the Division Chief. Presently the Division also has 5 MD, MD/PhD, or PhD faculty with secondary appointments. This brochure describes the current interests and activities of the Division.