Each summer, aea high school students go behind the scenes with Duke health care professionals to learn about more than 70 different careers at Duke Health. The 2025 program ran from July 8-25. Dates for 2026 will be announced in early 2026.
“I liked that we were always learning something…We were always moving, and I appreciated that we made the most out of our time while we were in the hospital."
Mina Zuhair, 2024 Intern
The MaryAnn Black Internship experience is designed to expand students’ interest in the health care industry and to build a pipeline that meets the health care workforce shortages in our community. This education-to-career program is a collaboration between Duke and Durham YouthWorks.
Each summer, more than 80 Duke employees volunteer to make the program a reality. In addition to learning about dozens of healthcare specialties from volunteers, the students also received general test-taking skills training, office and dining etiquette training, and hands-on experience while visiting areas in Duke’s School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and other campus locations.
The Duke University Health System (DUHS) has a long history of providing educational opportunities for Durham high school students, including the MaryAnn Black Summer Internship Program. The program honors MaryAnn Black, a former State Representative, Durham County commissioner, and Duke University Health System leader who, for many years, helped build strong connections between the health system and the local community.
Learn more about MaryAnn Black’s life and contributions in this Duke Today story and WRAL documentary.
Application Process
Applications for the 2026 MaryAnn Black Summer Internship Program open in January 2026. The YouthWorks program requires you to be a Durham City or Durham County resident, between the ages of 14 and 24 as of June 30, 2026.
Selected applicants will participate in an orientation session in March 2026.
To learn more about the program, please contact Darla Wohlfarth.