For Duke students

Sick at Duke?
Text a doctor.

Free, any hour, no insurance. For fevers at 1 a.m., finals-week headaches, and everything in between.

Text our AI doctor, freeor text (689) 528-6964
A Pymander text conversation: a student with a fever the night before an exam gets help
For students

Help that fits your schedule.

Health center closed?

Nights, weekends, and holidays. Find out if it can wait until morning or needs care now.

Finals week

Headaches, no sleep, too much caffeine.

A summary to share

After every chat, you get a note you can show a doctor.

Away from home

No family doctor in Durham? Start here.

No bill to your parents

Texting is free and doesn’t go through insurance, so nothing shows up on a parent’s plan.

Answers in seconds

No waiting room. No hold music.

Durham heat is no joke.

Long days outside, game days, and summer classes add up fast. Know the signs, and text us if you’re unsure.

  • Heat exhaustionHeavy sweating, dizziness, nausea. Get to shade, sip water, and cool down.
  • Heat stroke · call 911Confusion, hot dry skin, or passing out. This is an emergency.
  • Stay safeDrink water before you’re thirsty, stay in the shade at midday, and take breaks inside.
What we help with

What can we help you with?

Tap anything to start a text.

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Around campus

Wherever you live.

Tap where you are to start.

In a dormOff-campus apartmentGreek housingCommuting from homeDowntown Durham
Safety

Not sure where to go?

Text us first

New symptoms, medicines, and “is this normal?” questions. Free, any hour.

Urgent care or campus health

When you need to be seen today, like for stitches, a sprain, or a strep test.

911 or the ER

Chest pain, trouble breathing, signs of a stroke, or severe bleeding. In a mental health crisis, call or text 988.

FAQ

Student questions

Can Duke students text a doctor for free?

Yes. Any student 18 or older can text (689) 528-6964 any time to chat with our AI doctor for free. No app or insurance needed.

What if the campus health center is closed?

Text us. Pymander answers nights and weekends, and tells you whether it can wait until morning or needs care now.

Will my parents find out?

Texting Pymander is free and doesn’t go through insurance, so nothing is billed to a parent’s plan.

Is Pymander part of Duke University?

No. Pymander is an independent service and isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by Duke University.