Dr. Jennifer L. Eaton MD

I chose to be a physician because I believe it is one of the most meaningful ways to contribute to improving people’s lives at all levels—individual, family, community, and ultimately our society as a whole. In family medicine, we are uniquely suited to this task because of our well-rounded training and our desire to serve the communities we live in. For my patients, I see myself as an advocate and a collaborator towards our shared goals. I aim to provide compassionate, non-judgmental care, regardless of where someone might be in their health journey. I care deeply about health equity and system improvements to help people get the care they deserve—this is central to my work and drives me to be better every day. I am fluent in Spanish and welcome the opportunity to work with patients from diverse backgrounds. In my clinical practice, I am particularly interested in procedural care, reproductive health, and caring for people living with chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. Outside of work, my husband and I are usually chasing our kids around, but if I catch a free moment, I love gardening, painting, and cooking elaborate meals for my family.

As a family medicine physician, I am committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive care to individuals and families of all ages and backgrounds. I believe that everyone deserves a doctor that they can trust - someone who listens, understands their unique needs, and supports them through every stage of life. Whether I'm caring for newborns, teens, adults, or seniors, I strive to create a welcoming, inclusive environment where every patient feels seen, heard, and empowered in their health journey. I have interests in inpatient medicine, chronic disease management, women’s health/prenatal care, rural/underserved populations, and addiction medicine. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring downtown Durham with my husband and son, thrift shopping, crossword puzzles, and visiting the beaches of NC.

As a physician, my approach to patient-care is centered on humility. Medical training has given me an extremely valuable skill, but only my patients truly know their own bodies, not to mention the ins and outs of their lives. I try to maintain this awareness whenever I talk to a patient, that they are the expert on their own life and body. I also come to medicine knowing that doctors and the medical system at large have perpetrated significant harm, especially in the United States and especially on black and brown, Indigenous, poor, queer, and disabled people. Carrying this legacy with me pushes me to uphold a personal and community mandate to disrupt patterns of harm that I see in medicine and in my own practice. My special areas of interest include HIV medicine, gender-affirming care, abortion care, substance use treatment, inpatient medicine, and prenatal care. My scholarly work focuses on teaching medical students how to effectively participate in medical advocacy for incarcerated people. Outside of work, you can find me in a community organizing meeting, trail running in Orange County, or cooking in kitchens around the Triangle with my friends.