We welcome Benjamin Holmes, DC, PhD, to the Duke Spine Division as an assistant professor of Orthopaedic surgery. Dr. Holmes brings a wealth of experience in chiropractic care and public health, and we are excited about the expertise he will contribute to our clinical and research teams.
Dr. Holmes earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the University of Western States in Portland, Oregon, followed by a chiropractic community-based internship at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center. He then went on to earn his PhD in Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. His broad educational background and extensive career have shaped him into a compassionate and skilled practitioner with a strong commitment to patient-centered care.
A Passion for Relationships and Healing
When asked what brings him joy, Dr. Holmes said, "I find my greatest joy in relationships—my relationship with God, myself, and others. I enjoy activities that strengthen these relationships, such as prayer, scripture study, church worship, date nights, yoga, and running, especially in Duke Forest."
As a chiropractor, Dr. Holmes is passionate about helping patients build and strengthen their relationships—not just with others but also with themselves. "One of my greatest aims is to facilitate healthy relationships for my patients by relieving pain," he explained. "Relieving pain creates space for patients to develop and deepen relationships with themselves and others."
Why Duke?
Dr. Holmes and his family recently moved to Durham from Rochester, Minnesota, where he practiced at Mayo Clinic. Initially from Washington State, he said their decision to relocate to Durham was driven by various factors, including the appealing weather, access to college sports, and proximity to the ocean (and fresh seafood!).
On a professional level, Dr. Holmes is particularly excited about collaborating with his colleagues at Duke. "What excites me most about working here is the people I get to work with, including my chiropractic partners and research mentor, Dr. Christine Goertz," he said. With a strong foundation in nonoperative spine care and a budding interest in research, Dr. Holmes is eager to expand both skill sets at Duke.
A Vision for the Future of Spine Care
Looking ahead to the next five to ten years, Dr. Holmes is optimistic about the evolving role of nonoperative spine specialists in healthcare. "I see specialists trained in triage and therapeutic best practices filling an important gap in spine care nationwide as primary spine practitioners," he said. "Right now, low-value spine care practices are prevalent across the country. I am eager to help lead the transition toward high-value care by contributing to the exciting work already underway here at Duke."
We are excited to have Dr. Holmes join the Duke Chiropractic Division and look forward to his contributions to our mission of advancing patient care and innovative research in spine health.