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.
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
Social Science Research Institute,
University Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Preparing the nursing workforce for the health AI era: Insights from the Macy Foundation Conference on AI in Medical Education
Journal Article Journal of Professional Nursing · July 1, 2026 The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is reshaping the clinical practice environment, demanding timely preparation of the nursing workforce. As trusted frontline health professionals often tasked with providing education, nu ... Full text CiteBridging the governance gap in health artificial intelligence: integrating nursing perspectives into the National Academy of Medicine Artificial Intelligence Code of Conduct.
Journal Article J Am Med Inform Assoc · May 1, 2026 BACKGROUND AND APPROACH: In 2025, the National Academy of Medicine released an Artificial Intelligence Code of Conduct (AICC). In this commentary, we examine how the AICC introduces governance mechanisms to oversee AI applications and how it can support th ... Full text Link to item CiteNurses' Perspectives on AI in Clinical Practice: Implications for Training and Workforce Development.
Journal Article Nursing administration quarterly · April 2026 This study explored nurses' perspectives on the adoption and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical practice within a large university-affiliated health system in the southeastern United States. Through a survey enriched by open-ended ques ... Full text CiteRecent Grants
1/3 CTSA UM1 at Duke University
ResearchFaculty Member · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 20322/3 CTSA K12 Program at Duke University
ResearchMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2025 - 2030Models of Post-Acute Care in Complex Older Adults with Fracture
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute · 2024 - 2030View All Grants
Education
University of Virginia ·
2012
Ph.D.
University of Virginia ·
2006
M.S.N.