Published
May 18, 2026
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Credits
Jodie Valade
Senior Writer, Working@Duke
This story is part of the celebration of the Working@Duke print publication’s first 20 years. Since its first issue in 2006, the publication has grown into a dynamic digital source for employee news, storytelling, video and social media. Through 2026, check for more stories.
The April/May 2020 issue of Working@Duke holds a special distinction in the magazine’s history; Rachel Meyer Gallagher appears on the cover of an issue shaped by an extraordinary moment.
“The Issue that Never Printed,” reads the Page 2 digital PDF headline on the Editor’s Note by Editor and Executive Director of Communications Leanora Minai. “This edition of Working@Duke was close to going to press when stay-at-home orders took effect in March, and many of us retreated to our homes, where we continue to work,” Minai wrote.
Gallagher, now the Managing Director for Theology, Medicine and Cultural Initiative for the Duke Divinity School, was one of a handful of people featured in the stories within the pages who received a physical version of the magazine through a limited print run of about 20 copies.
The April/May 2020 cover of Working@Duke was a digital-only magazine thanks to the pandemic.
Everyone else read about Gallagher and five other Duke staff and faculty members who shared their “Mental Fitness” stories in digital form, only.
Gallagher, who had been developing and implementing holistic wellness programs for clergy and congregations through the Divinity School in 2020, shared how her fitness regimen that included a boxing workout helped relieve her anxiety, something that remains a focus during Mental Health Awareness Month each May.
When Gallagher was featured in Working@Duke, what was happening in her life?
In 2020, Gallagher was experiencing anxiety that came from the end of a long-term relationship, buying her first home and overall high expectations. Gallagher, now 43, said when she experiences anxiety, it manifests in sleep and concentration issues.
“I have high expectations of myself in the workplace, and I want to be my best self,” she said. “So, making sure I’m doing what I need to do to manage those symptoms is important to me.”
Gallagher has learned that what tamps down her worries best is exercise, therapy, community and support. Sometimes it takes experimentation to find the combination that works.
“A lot of what I’ve learned in managing my anxiety over the years is that you have to be nimble and you have to give yourself grace,” Gallagher said. “You have to be willing to use whatever tools you can access at the time.”
Why was it important for Gallagher to share her story?
Mental health issues affect everyone, Gallagher said, and she was “proud to be a part” of helping to reduce the stigma of talking about mental well-being by speaking openly about her own struggles.
“For anybody that would be struggling, I just hope they would not feel shame in asking for help or recognizing that there’ll be seasons of life where maybe you need more support than others,” Gallagher said. ”And that to take the step to access support or just say to somebody you’re struggling, usually opens up really important doors that you can walk through – and things can be better.
What changed in her life since she was featured in Working@Duke?
Rachel Gallagher has gotten married, had two kids, bought a house and been promoted in the six years since she appeared on the cover of Working@Duke. Photo by Travis Stanley
Short answer: A lot.
About the time Gallagher was photographed for the cover of Working@Duke and eight weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic led to stay-at-home orders, she began dating Neil Gallagher.
“Pretty quickly, we realized we’d found our partner,” said Gallagher, whose name change from Rachel Meyer to Rachel Gallagher was one of many changes.
The two married in 2021, welcomed their first daughter, Maggie, and bought a house. In 2022, Gallagher was promoted to her current position at Duke, and their second daughter, Cecilia, was born in 2024.
Gallagher said she is no longer a frequent boxer in her “season of life with littles,” but she’s “hoping to bring a schedule of more movement back to my life.”
But she still makes her mental health a priority.
What has kept Gallagher at Duke?
Gallagher has been at Duke for more than 14 years and says there’s one big reason why.
“I have the best colleagues,” she said. “Our team – I just can’t say enough about how wonderful they are. I just feel like we really see and appreciate and support each other’s humanity.
“In the Divinity School, I do feel a sense of call to the work that we’re doing with our students. They give me hope for the future of health care, and alongside my co-workers, they’re a big part of why it’s such a joy to come to work.”
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