Brooke

Furlong

Start Year: 2026

College/University: Baylor University

Medical School: Texas A&M University School of Medicine

Graduate School: Texas A&M University School of Public Health (MPH)

What were you looking for in a residency program?

I was looking for a program with strong surgical training, high operative volume, and residents who genuinely enjoyed working together. I wanted to be challenged and become an excellent surgeon while also being surrounded by people who would support me through the learning curve of residency. I also wanted exposure to a wide variety of cases and a program that would prepare me to be a confident, well-rounded surgeon.

What advice do you have for incoming interns?

Give yourself some grace. This job is really hard and incredible time-consuming, and you will not know everything on day one. Ask questions, know your patients, and don't be afraid to speak up when you don't know something. But just as importantly, find a way to keep doing the things you love and spending time with the people you love. Residency can take up so much of your life that if you don't make space for the things that make you happy, it can be really hard to see the bright side. Even if it's only a little bit of time here and there, hold onto the parts of your life that remind you who you are outside of the hospital.

What do you like to do outside of Duke?

Outside of Duke, I love spending time with my husband and two dogs, exploring good food around the Triangle, golfing, and cooking/baking at home. I'm also a lifelong race car driver; I grew up racing junior dragsters and eventually moved into faster cars during medical school. I currently race in Competition Eliminator in the NHRA driving a 200 mph dragster. Racing is still a huge part of my life, and I try to get back to the track whenever my residency schedule allows!