T. Austin Witt, MD

portrait of austin witt
What are your career goals?

My career goals are to serve the medically vulnerable populations of the Southeast United States by leveraging the resources of academic medicine for social justice through health equity. I aspire to direct a residency program that focuses on primary care in the context of micropolitan cities in the South and the rural communities that abut them; like my hometown of Oliver Springs and neighboring Knoxville, Tennessee. Larger cities and small rural towns present a stark contrast in patient populations and cultures, but face many similar health disparities in access and equity among various patient demographics.

What attracted you to the Duke Family Medicine Residency Program?

I met former program director Dr. Viviana Martinez-Bianchi after a talk she gave on population health and health disparities at the American Academy of Family Physician's National Conference in 2017. The passion with which she spoke about the city and people of Durham reminded me for the passion I have for the people and places I know and love in East Tennessee. I knew she was someone I could train under and learn from. At subsequent conference, I continued to meet more and more people from the Duke program and they all blew me away with their compassion and humanism. At my interview day, I saw the culture and atmosphere that all of those awesome people create with my own eyes. I knew then Duke was a place I could thrive as a physician and as a person.

In your opinion, what makes Duke Family Medicine special?

Duke Family Medicine is special because of their commitment to being a partner with the people of Durham. The training Duke offers in population health is rooted in service to people rather than exploiting vulnerable people for academic benefit. We offer a world-class experience at a premier academic institution like Duke, but we also get the small community program feel because of how entrenched the residents and faculty are in Durham.

What strengths or skills do you have that could be of benefit to the community?

Throughout medical school, I held several leadership positions at the local, regional and national level with organizations such as the Association of American Medical Colleges, the Tennessee Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Through these positions, I have learned how to listen and advocate for my patients and community at all levels. I hope to bring a listening ear, an observant eye, and an open heart to Durham in order to help affect positive change in the community.

What are you passionate about?

Clinically I am passionate about environmental and occupational health. I come from a working class family and I have family members who have experienced work related injuries and illnesses due to unsafe working conditions and lack of foresight by large companies and agencies. Growing in a former coal mining town, I have seen the long-term effects of exploitation on a physical space, local economics, and the people that have to live there. I want to work to make sure that workers are properly treated by their employers and organizations are held accountable for their actions that affect our physical world.

What is your hometown?

Oliver Springs, TN

What are your hobbies outside of work?

In my free time I like to stay active by running and playing with my Australian Shepherd, Chance. I like to experiment in the kitchen by cooking and baking various cuisines. I also like to create craft cocktails to go along with my cooking pursuits. I am a sports nut and love anything associated with my alma mater, the University of Tennessee (GO BIG ORANGE!). Although, I am learning to appreciate what the Blue Devils can do on the court. I enjoy all kinds of music from folk to hip-hop, and will jump at any chance to see a live show.

What is something that not many people known about you?

Before I came back to my original dream of medicine in 2015, I initially pursued a PhD in Biochemistry and Biophysics at Texas A&M University. I was researching mitochondrial disease in a translational medicine lab there for a brief time, before I realized my passion was for the people and not for the science.

Education and Training

  • James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University (Medical Education-MD)
  • University of Tennessee-Knoxville, BS in Biology with Concentration in Biochemistry and Cellular and Molecular Biology (Undergrad)