Duke Health

Dave Warthen smoked for 50 years. In September 2025, he joined Duke’s smoking cessation program “Quit at Duke.” And thanks to the team’s expertise and individualized approach, he’s been cigarette-free since March 2026. “Quit at Duke works,” Warthen said, “and I will tell anybody to do it.”

Cervical disc replacement surgery is a new option for people with pain in the neck and/or arm due to arthritis or degenerative disc disease. Unlike cervical disc fusion surgery, which cements vertebrae together, cervical disc replacement swaps out the problematic disc for an artificial one. This shortens post-operative recovery time, preserves mobility in the spine, and still allows for spinal fusion surgery down the line, if needed. Wondering whether cervical disc replacement is right for you? Here, Duke spine surgeon Deb A. Bhowmick, MD, answers your questions.

When Dominique Williams woke up at Duke University Hospital’s Emergency Room after being shot seven times, all she could do was cry. She felt scared, alone, and misunderstood -- until she met someone from the Duke Violence Recovery Program. It offers support to violent crime victims and their families during and after their hospital stay, and helps them forge a path to a better future.

Treating gun violence as a public health concern, the Duke Violence Recovery Program aims to prevent readmissions and lower the human life and financial costs of violence in the Durham community. “When I was at my lowest, they helped me see that, not only will I heal, but one day I will be back to myself again,” said Williams.