Hi all! My name is Anivarya and I’m a third year medical student at Duke. I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona with the quintessential “grand canyon childhood,” hiking neighborhood trails on weekdays and exploring new rock formations on weekends. As a student, I love moving through weightlifting and dance and enjoy trying new plant-based recipes that keep my mind and body powered for the day. I’m also passionate about finding ways to integrate lifestyle into academic settings and create educational spaces for providers and patients to lead wellness-first lives. I’m incredibly excited to be part of the Medicine and Motion community, and can’t wait for our next adventure!

Hello all! My name is Anna and I am a third-year medical student at Duke. I was born, raised, and went to school in Maine prior to moving to Durham (where I am loving the warmer weather!). Growing up, I spent weekends piled in a minivan with friends traveling to soccer and basketball games. On weekdays, my dad would invite me to the gym after work where we’d run together while telling stories and laughing. This sparked my passion for fitness, which has grown over the years through college soccer, a couple ACL surgeries, and a personal training certification. Team sports, HIIT workouts, weightlifting, long walks, and indoor cycling are my “go-to” forms of movement, but I love trying new things! Exercise has been instrumental for my mental health throughout the years, and I can’t wait to continue striving towards a balanced life rich with mental and physical health alongside you all!

Hi, my name is Baxter! I’m a 1.5-year-old lemon beagle born and raised in NC. Triangle Beagle Rescue saved my life before my forever hooman brought me to Durham. I think movement is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. For instance, I follow a strict regimen of a daily dose of zoomies followed by vicious tug-of-war battles with the couch cushions. Plus, my hooman routinely takes me outside for long walks and runs (with lots of sniff breaks, of course). Movement has helped me lose over 1/3 of my body weight, and I’m still going!! I may be the newest (and tiniest) member of Duke’s Medicine in Motion, but what I lack in size I sure make up for with my loud voice and might. These pesky NC squirrels don’t stand a chance!

Hello! My name is Bryan and I’m a second year DPT student at Duke. I was born and raised in the great state of Colorado where you get 300 days of sunshine each year! Because of this, I grew up doing a lot of hiking and skiing. While my athletic prime is far behind me, I still enjoy weightlifting, basketball, and golf. I’m a big believer in the power of activity to improve mental wellbeing, especially as busy students. I’m extremely excited to contribute to the Medicine in Motion community, and help others find a healthy work-life balance with activities that are challenging, inclusive, and fun!

Hiya! I’m Dana Oakes, a second year DPT student at Duke. I was born and raised just south of Denver, Colorado where I grew up trying just about every sport under the sun, and enjoyed getting outdoors, camping, biking, hiking, and skiing. Before coming back to school for my DPT, I dabbled in seasonal work as a hiking tour guide on the Great Wall of China in 2019 and a ski instructor in 2021 and 2022. As a student I am passionate about weightlifting, pickleball, skiing, tennis, and walking/hiking. I consistently find community in outdoor spaces and hope to help foster that community through Medicine in Motion here at Duke!

Hey everyone – my name is Daniel, and I am a first-year medical student at Duke! Besides being in Durham now, I’ve called Massachusetts home my whole life, but I feel most at home when I have a soccer ball at my feet, some friends, and an open area to scrimmage, juggle, or play soccer tennis (especially if it’s on the beach). Badminton is another one of my favorite sports, and I play casually in Duke Club Badminton! I also love weightlifting, which I rely on as a way to recharge after long periods of studying or taking exams. This passion played a large role in what drew me to medicine in the first place after it inspired me to work part-time as a personal trainer in college and learn more about the body. Besides these activities, I genuinely love trying out new ways to stay moving – since coming to Durham, my peers have inspired me to try tennis, cycling, running a 5k, and Orange Theory! Meeting new people and developing friendships through all these activities is what has made my time at Duke so special, and I’m excited to continue finding ways to do so with everyone down the line!

My name is Daphne, and I am a second year medical student at Duke. Growing up in the suburbs of Dallas, TX, some of my favorite memories were being active in the outdoors, whether through hiking trips or marching band practices in triple-digit heat (it was a love-hate relationship). I discovered weightlifting in high school, and I fell in love with the way it helped me feel both physically and mentally strong. When I'm not in the gym, you can find me running (slowly), taking photos, hanging out with my two cats, or enjoying a bowl of oatmeal. I'm excited to continue building a community around accessible and inclusive movement with Medicine in Motion!

Hello all! I’m Ethan, a third-year medical student at Duke. I grew up right outside of Portland, Oregon and moved to Durham at the start of medical school. I went to undergrad at Cornell where I played football. I have since transitioned to distance running. I tell myself I do it for fun though sometimes (usually…kidding) I question this. I enjoy all types of running but especially love exploring new trails in the mountains and state parks. To balance my running, I lift weights and decompress with yoga. I also love reading, watching TV, and recently started brewing my own beer. I am excited to be a part of the Medicine in Motion team and hope to share my love of exercise and movement with all!

Howdy! Jane Gray here, PA S-2. I’m a firm believer that health and wellness are all about befriending yourself, exploring your limits and getting to know new friends in the process. My oldest loves are long-distance/cross-country bike touring and hanging out with my backpack on a mountain, but I’m always down for an adventure if you offer. Come as you are and let’s have fun!

Hi, I’m Jordan and I’m a second year DPT student at Duke! Growing up as a competitive gymnast in a mountain town, I was always active at practice or hiking with my family and dogs. After injuries kept me from continuing gymnastics, I pursued dance, yoga, and weight lifting. My current favorite forms of movement are teaching yoga, hiking with my dog, rock climbing with friends, and running obstacle course races with my partner! I am so honored and excited to be a part of the Duke Medicine in Motion chapter and look forward to building community through movement, service, and wellness. Exercise can carry many emotions with it, positive and negative, so I hope to support others in discovering their favorite ways to move!

Hello! My name is Julia Laughlin and I am a first year student in the Occupational Therapy Doctorate program here at Duke. I’m from Illinois and went to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for undergrad where I studied kinesiology and was a member of Vitality Dance Team. I love to go on runs and walks outside, which is one of the many reasons I’m so excited to be in North Carolina! Some other passions of mine are meeting new people, appreciating nature, cooking, and music. I’m excited to be a part of Medicine in Motion because I love physical activity and promoting healthy living!

Hi everybody! My name is Karleigh Derleth, and I am a first year DPT student at Duke! I have always been active in a variety of sports including volleyball, basketball, and soccer as well as show choir. In college I was able to learn how to weight lift properly and ended up getting really into yoga, both hot and normal. I am from the Midwest, so it is nice to be able to go for hikes whenever I want here in North Carolina! I have found such incredible support and love through these active communities, and I am so excited to share that with others by being a part of this awesome team. I look forward to sharing new experiences with other like-minded individuals!