A proud 1995 graduate of Alden High School, Dr. Corey Simon has built an extraordinary career that bridges compassion, science, and leadership. This year, Corey was honored as one of Alden’s Distinguished Alumni Award recipients — a recognition that celebrates his remarkable journey from a small-town student to a nationally respected researcher and educator.
During his time at Alden, Corey was a dedicated student-athlete and musician, balancing his role as a trumpet player in the band with his position on the Bulldogs football team. After graduation, he attended the University at Buffalo, where he earned degrees in Exercise Science and Physical Therapy. It was there that he met Maria, a nursing student who would later become his wife and lifelong partner.
Following graduation, the couple moved to Cleveland, where they both began their healthcare careers at Metro Health Medical Center. Two years later, they returned to Buffalo after the birth of their first daughter. When their second child arrived, the family embarked on a new adventure — relocating more than 1,000 miles south to Gainesville, Florida, where Corey pursued his Ph.D. at the University of Florida.
In 2016, the Simons made North Carolina their permanent home when Corey accepted a position at Duke University. Today, he serves as an Associate Professor in the Duke Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Senior Fellow in the Center for Aging. As a pain scientist, his groundbreaking research focuses on identifying genetic, blood, and energetic biomarkers that help predict patients at risk for severe pain and poor surgical recovery. His work aims to improve outcomes by developing personalized interventions that prevent long-term health complications.
Corey and Maria are the proud parents of two daughters: Jayden, a high school senior interested in early childhood education, and Kennedy, a nursing major and fullback for Queens University of Charlotte Women’s Soccer.
When Corey received the call from Alden announcing his award, he admits his first reaction was one of disbelief. “The first thought was shock,” he recalls. “There are so many people from Alden who’ve gone on to do amazing things — even from my own class. So I felt shock, surprise, humility, excitement, and incredible thankfulness.” He added that returning to see the evolution of his alma mater, including the now-famous blue field, was an experience filled with pride and nostalgia.
Reflecting on his path, Corey shared heartfelt advice for current Alden students: “Keep an open mind. When I left high school, I was a film major planning to move to Hollywood. Now, I’m a scientist — and couldn’t be farther from the arts. Your priorities and opportunities will change. Who you are in high school isn’t who you’ll always be.”
He encourages students to embrace life’s unpredictability, both professionally and personally. “It’s only four years,” he reminds them. “You have decades ahead of you to meet new people, explore new places, and grow in ways you can’t imagine right now. Keep an open mind — because change can lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.”
From the Alden football field to the research labs of Duke University, Dr. Corey Simon’s journey is a powerful reminder of how curiosity, perseverance, and gratitude can transform lives. His story stands as an inspiration to the next generation of Alden graduates — proof that no dream is too far, and no beginning too small.
