Shelly Goomber, a postdoctoral affiliate within the Duke College Faculty of Drugs’s Division of Pediatrics, got here to the USA from India for the primary time in 2019 to conduct analysis in medical genetics.

For a lot of her time within the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic saved her from doing a lot exploring. However with a three-day weekend for Ithe July Fourth vacation, she took benefit of her time without work and visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee, along with her two youngsters.

It was on that journey, amid the festive environment, when the picture above was taken, displaying Goomber on a scenic overlook, framed by U.S. flags.

“I used to be actually interested by Independence Day,” Goomber mentioned. “I actually wished expertise this. I can perceive the nationwide spirit. I’m from India and other people there love their nation.”

Goomber is the third winner within the Duke Time Off picture marketing campaign, which highlights enjoyable instances, hobbies, particular moments and summer season adventures throughout private time without work work. Goomber will obtain a cooler courtesy of the Duke eStore. Up to now, at the very least 118 photos have been shared. 

To be eligible for prizes, photographs should be taken between Could 26, 2021, and Aug. 9, 2021, and shared by present College and Well being System employees and college throughout the identical time interval. Share photographs on social media utilizing #DukeTimeOff or add right here.

Try another photographs Duke colleagues have captured this summer season.

Michael Royster, a supervisor with Duke College Shops, shared this picture from a household journey to the rock quarry at Eno River State Park.

“It’s a few 0.7-mile hike to get to the quarry and it was beautiful and inexperienced,” mentioned Royster, who loved the spot together with his sons Cameron and Aiden. “Swimming was enjoyable, too. We had a good time.”

The Affected person Income Administration Group’s Danielle Shipman captured this scene of the surf at Florida’s Siesta Key Seaside.

“I’ve by no means felt extra relaxed than after I’m on the seashore, listening to the rhythm of the waves,” Shipman mentioned. “The sensation of the sand between my toes is grounding and the salty breeze refreshing.”

Find out how to share your 2021 summer season photos:

• Submit your picture on Twitter, Instagram or Fb with #DukeTimeOff. Inform us what you’re doing together with your time away from work. Bear in mind: embody #DukeTimeOff in your put up, so we are able to discover your snapshots on social media;
• Submit your picture and caption on the Working@Duke Fb web page: fb.com/workingatduke;
• Or add your picture: hr.duke.edu/DukeTimeOff2021 

We all know your trip plans will look completely different this summer season as a result of COVID-19. And that’s okay. We welcome photos of your particular moments and adventures that seize a reprieve from the stress of those difficult instances, so long as you observe CDC pointers to journey secure. 

Through the marketing campaign, the Working@Duke editorial crew will award some Duke-themed merchandise from the Duke eStore. Grand prizes on the finish of the marketing campaign embody:

• In a single day stick with breakfast for 2 at Washington Duke Inn, courtesy of the Washington Duke Inn
• $100 present certificates to the Durham Performing Arts Heart
• A digital portray package deal for one family with their favourite lemur species. This package deal features a custom-edited video of your portray session, and the winner will obtain one of the best work of the bunch together with a ravishing picture of the artist(s) for show – all courtesy of the Duke Lemur Heart

Obtained a narrative thought? Ship concepts, shout-outs and images by our story thought type or write working@duke.edu.