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Michael Paul Cary

Associate Professor in the School of Nursing
School of Nursing
307 Trent Drive, Office 1050 Clipp Building, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Cary is an Associate Professor and Elizabeth C. Clipp Term Chair of Nursing in the Duke University School of Nursing. Dually trained as a health services researcher and applied data scientist, Dr. Cary uses AI and machine learning to study health disparities related to aging and develop strategies to advance health equity and improve healthcare delivery to older adults in diverse populations. His research has been supported by the National Library of Medicine, National Institute of Nursing Research, and the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute. He has published more than 50 manuscripts, book chapters, and editorials and has mentored numerous students and faculty members. In 2022, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing for his significant contributions to improve health and healthcare.

Most recently, he was selected by Duke Health to be the inaugural AI Health Equity Scholar. In this health system leadership position, he leads an interdisciplinary team in identifying clinical algorithms that perpetuate racial and ethnic health and health care disparities and implementing system-wide standards for mitigating their harmful discriminatory effects on patients. These meaningful contributions are vital to addressing health disparities and promoting equitable health outcomes for all patients at Duke and beyond.

Dr. Cary received a bachelor’s degree in health services administration from James Madison University. He also earned a bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree in nursing from the University of Virginia.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor in the School of Nursing · 2023 - Present School of Nursing
Core Member of the Center for Biobehavioral Health Disparities Research · 2014 - Present Center on Health & Society, Social Science Research Institute

In the News


Published February 12, 2025
Black Men in Nursing: Where Their Journeys Started
Published October 21, 2024
Announcing the Inaugural Cohort of the Duke Faculty Academy
Published April 8, 2024
School of Nursing: Developing AI to Advance Health Equity

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Recent Publications


Preparedness for care transitions to home and acute care use of skilled nursing facility patients.

Journal Article BMC geriatrics · March 2025 BackgroundThe purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) describe the relationship between patient or caregiver reported preparedness for care transitions, and acute care use in 30 days after discharge from a skilled nursing facility (SNF); and (2) e ... Full text Cite

Empowering nurses to champion Health equity & BE FAIR: Bias elimination for fair and responsible AI in healthcare.

Journal Article J Nurs Scholarsh · January 2025 BACKGROUND: The concept of health equity by design encompasses a multifaceted approach that integrates actions aimed at eliminating biased, unjust, and correctable differences among groups of people as a fundamental element in the design of algorithms. As ... Full text Link to item Cite

State of Black men in nursing: An oral history of the challenges and the benefits of five Black male nurse leaders.

Journal Article Nursing outlook · January 2025 The underrepresentation of Black men in nursing continues to pose a significant challenge to diversity and equity in healthcare leadership. While systemic barriers, such as implicit bias, limited access to advanced education, and lack of mentorship, have b ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Models of Post-Acute Care in Complex Older Adults with Fracture

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2024 - 2030

Nurse LEADS: Training in Nurse-LEd models of care ADdressing the Social Determinants of Health

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Dynamics of Symptom Experience and Functional Recovery in Nursing Home Residents with Dementia after Hip Fracture Surgery

ResearchAdvisor · Awarded by Southern Nursing Research Society · 2022 - 2023

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Virginia · 2012 Ph.D.
University of Virginia · 2006 M.S.N.