In 1953, he moved to Duke University, where he became the Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, before eventually becoming Associate Provost and Dean of Medical Education in 1974. He served in that position until 1982. From 1971 to 1972, Busse served as the President of the American Psychiatric Association. From 1987 to 1994, Busse served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. He received many awards, including the Malford W. Thewlis award for gerontology and the William C. Menninger Award.
