About Us
At the Duke Global Neurosurgery and Neurology (DGNN) Division, we are driven by a single, unifying belief: that access to high-quality neurological and neurosurgical care should not depend on geography. Our work brings together clinicians, researchers, educators, and health system leaders worldwide to close critical gaps in care and build lasting capacity in the neurosciences.
DGNN operates at the intersection of clinical excellence, research, training, and service. By combining DGNN’s academic rigor with long-standing partnerships in low- and middle-income countries, we help develop sustainable systems that strengthen local capacity, improve outcomes, and elevate the standard of care for patients everywhere.
Vision
Our vision is to become a leading global health academic and service organization in the neurosciences — one recognized for advancing equity through research, education, and innovation that transforms health systems and lives.
Mission
Our mission is to promote health in low- and middle-income countries through a multi-faceted, evidence-based, and collaborative approach that improves patient access to care and health outcomes, strengthens health systems, and informs policy.
We pursue this mission through training, research, service, and the development of sustainable global partnerships that empower local leadership and align with each community’s unique priorities.
Core Values
At DGNN, our values define how we work and why we do what we do.
- Integrity – We are guided by honesty, accountability, and respect in every collaboration and decision.
- Collaboration – We believe in partnership over prescription, working side-by-side with institutions and practitioners worldwide to co-create solutions.
- Passion – We are driven by purpose and compassion, committed to making a meaningful and measurable impact.
- Research – We generate and apply knowledge that informs better care, stronger systems, and more equitable policy.
- Diversity – We honor the strength that comes from different perspectives, cultures, and experiences.
- Education – We train and mentor the next generation of clinicians, scientists, and leaders in global neurology and neurosurgery.
Our Story
The division’s roots trace back to 2007, when Dr. Michael Haglund established Duke’s collaboration with Mulago Hospital and Makerere University College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda, to build neurosurgical capacity. This partnership became the foundation for what is now DGNN.
Since 2009, DGNN has led training programs with surgical centers across East Africa, focusing on developing local expertise and sustainable systems of care. Ugandan residents spend one month at Duke as part of their residency, gaining exposure to advanced techniques and research methods. Upon graduation, these neurosurgeons practice in Uganda, expanding access to care and strengthening national health infrastructure.
The program celebrated a historic milestone in 2014 with the graduation of its first neurosurgeon. This moment marked not only individual achievement but also a proof of concept for global neurosurgical education built on partnership, sustainability, and shared vision.
From that beginning, DGNN has continued to grow, extending its reach to new regions, launching collaborative research, and building integrated programs in epilepsy, rehabilitation, and systems strengthening — all anchored in the principle of equitable, locally led progress.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, DGNN continues to build on a decade of impact by expanding research collaborations, developing innovative training programs, and deepening engagement with policymakers and global health organizations. Our goal is not just to extend DGNN’s reach, but to strengthen the systems that ensure every patient, everywhere, has access to life-saving care.