Dr. Bill Purdy Named Director of Student Health at Duke
Since 2004, Purdy has served as interim medical director for Duke's Student Health Center
Dr. Bill Purdy has been named director of student health at Duke University.
Since 2004, Purdy has served as interim medical director for Duke's Student Health Center. His appointment begins July 1.
Purdy joined Duke in 1998 as assistant clinical professor in the Department of Community and Family Medicine and as attending physician in Duke's Student Health Center. From 1999 to 2002, he also served as attending physician for Durham Regional Hospital.
"I certainly am excited about the new opportunity and am eager to see what I can do to make student health a more active participant in the daily life of the university as well as making sure we maintain the high quality of care the students have been receiving," Purdy said. "Having the resources of both the Division of Student Affairs and the Department of Community and Family Medicine puts student health in a unique position to make innovative improvements to what I think is already an excellent program."
A 1968 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Purdy took a five-year break between college and medical school to serve on the U.S. Olympic rowing team, volunteer with the Peace Corps in Uruguay and teach in Concord, Mass. He graduated from Case Western University School of Medicine in 1977 and spent the next three years at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, completing his internship and residency in pediatrics.
In 1980, Purdy and his family moved to Kalamazoo, Mich., where he spent the next 13 years in private practice, followed by five years as head of the outpatient clinic in the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies. While there, he was also medical director of the spina bifida and multi-handicapped clinics.
"We have searched diligently for the best possible fit for student health, for student affairs and for DukeUniversity," said Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta. "We are absolutely thrilled that Bill will be leading our student health program -- ensuring a continuation of leadership so fundamental to the health and well-being of our students."
Purdy maintains an interest in adolescents, college health, sports medicine and patients with special needs. He is married, lives in Durham and has three grown children.