The Office of Community Relations (OCR) was formed in April 2002 to establish and develop relations between Duke Medicine and the Durham , North Carolina community.  OCR endeavors to develop, build, and sustain collaborative relationships with local, regional, and state officials and representatives, as well as key community leaders and residents.  Employees of the OCR serve on a variety of local boards and committees.  For a partial list, see:  FAQ.

 

Since our founding, the City and County of Durham have experienced significant population growth, impacting the local economy and increasing the need for viable health care.  Durham' s population of 260,000 residents (projected to reach 331,275 by 2030) is continually diversifying with growing Latino (12.4%), African-American (40.2%), and Asian (4.5%) populations.* 

 

Together, Duke Medicine and Duke University employ over 34,000 people, with wages and benefits totaling more than two billion.  Duke Medicine and Duke University have contributed to the City and County of Durham in a variety of ways.  The economic impact is significant:  For the 16,500+ Duke employees who are also Durham residents, wages and benefits totaled over one billion in 2008-9.  As of 2009, Duke Medicine alone employs over 6,700 Durham residents, with more than $406 million paid in wages and benefits.

 

Duke Medicine employees are engaged in a variety of health related volunteer activities and initiatives that span the county including Durham Health Innovations, Project Access of Durham County, Partnership for a Healthy Durham, Partners in Care, Healthy Kids – Healthy Communities, and Local Access to Coordinated Health Care (LATCH). 

 

In addition, Duke Medicine supports three community wellness centers: the Holton Resource Center , the Lyon Park Community Clinic, and the Walltown Neighborhood Clinic.  Duke Medicine also supports four separate school-based wellness centers located in George Watts Elementary, EK Powe Elementary, Glenn Elementary, and Southern High School. 

 

Duke Medicine worked with Durham County to provide the Oakleigh facility located on the campus of Durham Regional Hospital for the use of local mental health and substance abuse services.