Over the last few months, team members at Duke University Health system hospitals have been caring for hundreds of patients with COVID-19. Today, our team is proud to celebrate with Fayetteville resident Maury Turner who represents the 1000th patient with COVID-19 discharged from Duke Health. He was one of the first patients to have treatment at the dedicated Respiratory Care Unit at Duke University Hospital, which opened the day he arrived on July 13. The Air Force veteran and associate pastor says he’s looking forward to sitting under the cherry tree at his home with family and friends.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our entire Duke Health team has committed to a comprehensive response focused on keeping our patients, colleagues and community healthy and safe. Over the last several months, our talented teams have worked tirelessly to identify opportunities, develop innovative solutions, implement changes and support each other in the true spirit of excellence that defines Duke Health. This work has been integral to our response efforts and has allowed us to continue providing exceptional care in our hospitals, clinics and communities. Today we are proud to celebrate a very special milestone – the successful discharge of more than 1,000 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 throughout the Duke University Health System.

Among the group of patients at the three hospitals who collectively accounted for the 1,000th discharge was a patient from Duke University’s new respiratory care unit, which was established earlier this year to allow the provision of critical care for patients with respiratory illness.

While we know the pandemic is not yet behind us, we hope that each of our team members will pause today and reflect upon their contributions to this achievement and the import impact of our collective commitment to caring for our patients, their loved ones and each other.”

-Joseph Rogers, Chief Medical Officer, Duke University Health System.