ECU Health team members, along with community partners, pose for a photo during Operation Medicine Drop, an event where the public can dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.

ECU Health, Safe Kids Pitt County, Pitt County Coalition on Substance Use (PCCSU) and Pitt County Sheriff’s Office teamed up to host Operation Medicine Drop, an event where the public can dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications. The event at ECU Health Wellness Center on Tuesday, March 19, collected over 200 pounds of medication to be incinerated.

“Operation Medicine Drop began with Safe Kids and this event a resource for us to protect our waterways because we do not want families to flush medications because it will go into our water systems,” said Ellen Walston, Injury Prevention Program coordinator at ECU Health. “It also was a way to keep children safe. Children are curious. They want to learn the world. They are curious climbers, they will pull a drawer out and step in it to be able to reach whatever they are looking for, so we really want to emphasize safe storage. Up, away and out of sight.”

Operation Medicine Drop serves to protect our children, our community and our waters. More than 67,000 children go to an emergency room for medicine poisoning each year, according to a study by Safe Kids Worldwide.

ECU Health team members, along with community partners, pose for a photo during Operation Medicine Drop, an event where the public can dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.
ECU Health team members, along with community partners, pose for a photo during Operation Medicine Drop, an event where the public can dispose of expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications.

Operation Medicine Drop offers the public a free and convenient option for disposing of their prescription and over-the-counter medications to protect their families and the environment. Since 2010, Operation Medicine Drop campaigns have successfully incinerated more than 266 million pills collected through permanent drop boxes and more than 4,000 events across North Carolina.

“Medication disposal events are a great way to keep the community safe,” said Lillie Malpass, executive director at PCCSU. “Safe storage and disposal keep these medications out of unintended hands of youth and children. We were really happy to partner with community organizations to provide resources for the community, including lockboxes for medications.”

According to Walston, most local sheriff’s offices and police departments and some fire departments maintain permanent medication drop boxes for those who missed the event.

Operation Medicine Drop is a partnership between Safe Kids North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of Justice, the Drug Enforcement Agency and the State Bureau of Investigation.

Community

Attendees listen to a presenter during a youth mental health conference for professionals across the state, hosted by ECU Health and NCDHHS.

ECU Health’s Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program (ECIPP), through funding by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS), hosted a youth mental health conference for professionals across the state. The event, “Light the Flame: Igniting Hope for North Carolina’s Youth” drew over 250 attendees from a variety of professions including teachers, coaches, school counselors and mental health professionals.

Some of the topics covered included supporting the mental health and well-being of yourself and others, clinical assessment and intervention, safe firearm storage to prevent suicide by firearms, substance use, social media in connection to youth mental health.

“In our youth, suicide stands as the second leading cause of death, with a staggering 31% increase in suicide attempts in 2021,” said Dr. Shannon Longshore, medical director, ECIPP, pediatric trauma surgeon, ECU Health. “There’s an urgency in all of us who work with kids to find solutions and take care of them. We have to focus on prevention rather than recovery and treatment, and conferences like these can help us begin to move the needle.”

Attendees listen to a presenter during a youth mental health conference for professionals across the state, hosted by ECU Health and NCDHHS.

While the event drew attendees from across the state, most came from right here in eastern North Carolina.

“This is a great opportunity to provide further education and a chance for professionals from across the state to network and share experiences,” said Breanna Culler prevention coordinator, ECIPP. “Having this event in Greenville allows us the opportunity to bring resources home.”

Multiple vendors attended the event to connect attendees with resources, including Youth Mental Health First Aid, Rural Opportunities Institute, 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, NC School Health Training Center, Resources for Resilience and more.

Behavioral Health | Community

Nolan Davis, who matched at ECU Health Medical Center, poses for a photo with his family during Match Day 2024.

On March 15, medical students across the country celebrated Match Day as they learned where they will spend their residency training as they continue in their physician journey. Locally, all 79 students in the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Class of 2024 matched, including 14 who will stay in eastern North Carolina to continue their training at ECU Health Medical Center.

Dr. Jason Higginson, chief health officer of ECU Health and executive dean at Brody, said the match statistics of this class reflect Brody’s commitment to leading the way in training primary care providers for the state, as more than half of the medical students matched in North Carolina and 43 of the 78 matched into primary care residencies.

“We have a 100% match rate, well above the national rate, which is also a testament to our faculty and staff,” Higginson said. “About 50% of our graduates are staying in North Carolina, which is our primary mission, and about 20% are staying locally. They are great kids. It’s one of our best classes ever.”

Nolan Davis, who matched at ECU Health Medical Center, poses for a photo with his family during Match Day 2024.
Nolan Davis, who matched at ECU Health Medical Center, poses for a photo with his family during Match Day 2024.

William Taylor matched with ECU Health’s Family Medicine Residency. Taylor is also an ECU alumnus in both undergraduate and soon-to-be medical school. He said growing up in a smaller town made him connect with the needs of eastern North Carolina.

“It has grown a lot now, but when I was growing up, Garner didn’t have as many resources as a big city like Raleigh, and I wanted to impact people in small communities like where I grew up,” said Taylor. “Greenville is my second home, and I want to learn to treat people in North Carolina and eastern North Carolina and make an impact on this area.”

Taylor is excited to continue in Greenville and complete his residency in family medicine and continue to build relationships with patients across the region.

“I want to do family medicine because it gets you closest to the patient where you can build those relationships and interactions over long periods of time and make a real impact on patients and their lives and their families,” said Taylor.

Growing up in eastern North Carolina made the Match Day moment of opening their envelopes even more exciting for a couple of ECU Health matches from Brody.

Nolan Davis is from Duplin County and has fond memories growing up in a small town being close to his family. His mother, Bernice, said Davis made a poster in the second grade that showed he wanted to attend Brody and become a doctor in eastern North Carolina. Davis is one step closer to that goal after matching with his number one choice, internal medicine – pediatrics at ECU Health.

“Eastern North Carolina is a wonderful region, and it’s underserved,” said Davis. “My family lives here, good people live here that all deserve high-quality health care, and Brody is good at getting us to do that. I have seen how hard it is to get a doctor in a small town, and I want to be part of the solution. I was born and raised in eastern North Carolina, and I plan to practice here after residency.”

Marsha Hairr is from Sampson County and matched to ECU Health’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency program.

She said her personal experience with physical therapy growing up drove her interest in that area of medicine and her upbringing makes it a joy to serve the region.

“I grew up in a very small town and rural area,” Hairr said. “Even though Greenville and ECU Health is a bit bigger than where I grew up, it still has a rural vibe. It feels like home and I feel so honored that I can continue my training here and meet the mission of fellow eastern North Carolinians.”

For Julia Horiates, who matched into ECU Health’s Emergency Medicine Residency program, the opportunity to continue serving eastern North Carolina in the fast-paced world of the Emergency Department was a dream come true.

She spent most of her childhood in eastern North Carolina and has worked and volunteered as an EMS in Pitt and Greene counties for about 10 years. As a 2017 graduate from ECU and an upcoming Brody graduate, Horiates is proud to be a “triple Pirate.”

Marsha Hairr, who matched to ECU Health’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency program, celebrates during Match Day 2024.
Marsha Hairr, center, who matched to ECU Health’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency program, celebrates during Match Day 2024.

“I’ve hit the trifecta now, undergrad, medical school and residency,” Horiates said. “Giving back to a rural community and being involved here still is so special to me. That’s one of the main reasons I wanted to stay. I’ve been able to see how much this community has grown and how much of an impact ECU and ECU Health have had on this community. Being able to be a part of this, and a physician in this community is so important to me.”

Keeping bright minds in eastern North Carolina has long been a priority for ECU Health CEO and Brody Dean Dr. Michael Waldrum. He said a Brody education uniquely prepares future physicians to provide high-quality rural health care, and the training they receive can have an immense impact across the rural region ECU Health serves.

Dr. Waldrum said he’s not surprised that so many Brody graduates find their calling in eastern North Carolina.

“I like to think that all physicians share a common passion for wanting to make a positive difference in the lives of the people they serve,” said Dr. Waldrum. “Brody students get to spend four years here in eastern North Carolina learning about medicine, connecting with our community and experiencing first-hand the immense impact they can have on rural populations. We’re proud to know that many of our Brody students go on to make a difference in communities across the country, but we’re especially proud when we get to see it happen right here in eastern North Carolina at ECU Health.”

Learn more about Match Day for the Class of 2024 here.

Community | Featured

Dr. Matthew Ledoux speaks to students during a Chat with a Doc event through Health Sciences Academy at ECU Health Medical Center.

Like many health care organizations across the nation, ECU Health is facing an immense challenge: solving the growing health care workforce shortage.

Through community partnerships, the health system is doing its part to grow its workforce, starting right here in eastern North Carolina.

On March 14 at ECU Health Medical Center, students from several local high schools participated in the Health Sciences Academy event “Chat with a Doc.” Nine physicians from various specialties within ECU Health spoke to the students about their responsibilities, the diverse opportunities in the health care field and the rewarding experiences that come from caring for the people of our communities.

Each physician gave a brief overview of their specialty, and students had the opportunity to ask questions along the way. Dr. Matthew Ledoux, Pediatrician in Chief at Maynard Children’s Hospital, shared his insights as a health care provider with the students.

Dr. Matthew Ledoux speaks to students during a Chat with a Doc event through Health Sciences Academy at ECU Health Medical Center.
Dr. Matthew Ledoux speaks to students during a Chat with a Doc event through Health Sciences Academy at ECU Health Medical Center.

“I was so excited to participate in ‘Chat with a Doc’. I loved talking about the amazing and incredibly diverse opportunities in medicine. I hope the students were just as excited to hear about the opportunity to spend the rest of their lives helping, supporting and healing members of our community. I can’t imagine doing anything other than practicing pediatrics here in eastern North Carolina.”

The students also had the unique opportunity to tour several areas of the hospital and learn first-hand how they all work together to offer high-quality care for patients. The tours included the echocardiography, electrophysiology and catheterization laboratories at the medical center. Students also got to experience the emergency department, a mock operating room and trauma bays.

Lisa Lassiter, workforce development director for ECU Health, was one of the tour leaders. She expressed her excitement about the potential opportunities that an event like this could bring. “Students are our future, and we want to expose them to as many areas and roles throughout health care as possible so they can make an informed decision on their future career path. We are thankful to the physicians and departments who have given their time to make this event possible and help educate our youth.”

Melanie Thompson, a junior at J.H. Rose High School, shared her takeaways from the “Chat with a Doc” event. “It was great to see the doctors so passionate about what they do in their specialties. It was really nice to see that even though they have a stressful job, they love what they do and are passionate about treating patients here.”

Caleb Spruill, a senior at Pitt County Schools Early College, added that it was exciting to connect with the doctors on a real and personal level. “Not only are they passionate about treating patients, but they’re also just normal people. I’ve always put them on this pedestal, but they are normal people, just like us, who went to medical school and worked hard to achieve their goals. That’s inspiring to see.”

Both Melanie and Caleb shared their gratitude for the opportunities they received from the Health Sciences Academy. Melanie mentioned that the Academy has exposed her to a whole new world of medicine that she was previously unaware of, and it helped her realize that anyone can pursue a career in health care as long as they put in hard work. Caleb emphasized that it’s an excellent way to figure out which career path to take. “It’s a great opportunity for people who aren’t sure if they want to go into medicine. Events like this are foundational for understanding what health care is and learning about all of the different careers in this field. Everyone thinks it’s just doctors and nurses, but there’s so many things you can do.”

The “Chat with a Doc” event is another representation of ECU Health’s commitment to growing health care talent locally. Through the Health Sciences Academy, ECU Health partners with public schools to provide eastern North Carolina’s youth with the education and resources to pursue exciting and fulfilling futures in health care. During high school, Health Sciences Academy students complete a minimum of six courses that expose them to potential health care careers and prepare students to pursue college-level health science programs upon graduation. They participate in job shadowing, mentoring, internships, medical research opportunities, career exploration and volunteering.

The Pitt County Health Sciences Academy offers high school students the opportunity to explore different careers in health care and receive real experiences in the health care setting.

The program is a partnership between Pitt County Schools, Pitt Community College, East Carolina University, the Brody School of Medicine, Colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Engineering and Nursing at East Carolina University, School of Dental Medicine at East Carolina University, the Eastern Area Health Education Center and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce.

Community | Featured

A local student with Pactolus Global School works on her stuffed animal during the Teddy Bear Hospital event.

Nurses and child life staff from ECU Health went to Pactolus Global School on Tuesday, March 19, to host the Teddy Bear Hospital event as part of Pitt County Health Sciences Academy. This fun, interactive event aims to familiarize elementary-aged children with health care workers in a friendly environment.

Elementary school students donned scrubs and personal protective equipment (PPE) to bring their favorite stuffed animals to the Teddy Bear Hospital. Students assumed the role of parents responsible for the toy’s care, starting with checking their stuffed animal into the waiting room to be triaged. ECU Health nurses then examined the stuffed animals and gave them a diagnosis. Nursing staff provided a treatment plan to help the stuffed animal get better. Through this interactive process, ECU Health nurses and child life team members engaged with the children, fostering valuable interaction and promoting health during workshop sessions.

According to Reed Potts, coordinator of Pitt County Health Sciences Academy, the event serves a number of purposes including to increase the awareness of health care, reduce anxiety around doctor’s visits and introduce students to different health care careers.

A local student with Pactolus Global School works on her stuffed animal during the Teddy Bear Hospital event.

“They’re having an absolute blast,” said Potts. “You never know, we may have a couple of nurses and doctors in here who wind up taking care of us one day.”

Nancy Turner, workforce development consultant, ECU Health, said students have really been engaged with the event and enjoyed the process.

“Students are learning all about health care process as if they are at a doctor’s office or even a hospital,” said Turner. “The students have been great. We’re talking to them after their rotations, and they’re excited to share how our nurses helped their stuffed animals ‘get better’ whether it be with a cast or a band-aid.”

While this may be the first exposure to health care careers for some students, it will not be the last. ECU Health team members, in partnership with Health Sciences Academy, participate in a number of career exploratory events with middle school and high school students including job shadowing, career fairs and “Chat with a Doc.”

“The most important thing is we are able to reach out to students of all ages,” said Turner. “We expose students to health care careers starting in elementary school and continue in middle school and high school letting them know that there a lot of different careers in health care. We’re letting students know there is a health care role for anybody and everybody.”

The Pitt County Health Sciences Academy is a partnership between ECU Health, Pitt County Schools, Pitt Community College, East Carolina University, the Brody School of Medicine, Colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Engineering and Nursing at East Carolina University, School of Dental Medicine at East Carolina University, the Eastern Area Health Education Center and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce.

Children's | Community | Featured

ECU Health Bertie, Chowan and Roanoke-Chowan hospitals President Brian Harvill speaks at a Medicaid expansion event in Windsor.

A standing-room-only crowd packed the Bertie County Community Meeting Space for a robust event on March 19, aimed at getting Medicaid-eligible community members in Bertie and Washington counties enrolled to receive the health insurance they need to live their healthiest lives.

With voices like Gov. Roy Cooper, NCDHHS Sec. Kody Kinsley and ECU Health Bertie, Chowan and Roanoke-Chowan hospitals President Brian Harvill and others providing insight and perspective into the importance of Medicaid expansion, the message was consistent and clear: Medicaid expansion benefits rural communities.

“I know rural North Carolina, and I know what a room full of people who are on a mission looks like,” Gov. Cooper said. “People in rural North Carolina are benefitting from Medicaid expansion and what you’re doing is making a difference.”

The event was hosted by Care4Carolina, a statewide community coalition-building organization that has worked toward shrinking the insurance coverage gap for more than 10 years.

ECU Health Bertie, Chowan and Roanoke-Chowan hospitals President Brian Harvill speaks at a Medicaid expansion event in Windsor.
ECU Health Bertie, Chowan and Roanoke-Chowan hospitals President Brian Harvill speaks at a Medicaid expansion event in Windsor.

With Medicaid expansion now a reality in North Carolina, Care4Carolina is partnering closely with community organizations in eastern North Carolina, including ECU Health, to help spread the word, provide resources and increase Medicaid enrollment, which helps community members get the comprehensive care they need to better manage their health and overall wellness.

Since Medicaid expansion launched Dec. 1, 2023, nearly 400,000 people have enrolled, providing them and their families affordable health care coverage. Access to coverage ensures patients can receive important medications, access to care and peace of mind needed to live vibrant lives. The impact of Medicaid expansion is even more profound in rural communities where 40% of North Carolina’s population lives. Those living in rural communities face disproportionate incidences of chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes and heart disease, which worsen if not treated. With coverage, these impacted individuals can better manage their conditions.

“Medicaid expansion, more often than not, is here to help rural North Carolina,” said Sec. Kinsley, noting that 70% of those who benefit from Medicaid expansion come from working families. “People in rural communities are 3-to-4 times more likely to be uninsured. Now, with Medicaid expansion, people aren’t just getting covered, they’re getting care.”

Medicaid expansion has long been a priority for ECU Health, which serves 1.4 million people throughout the 29 rural counties that comprise eastern North Carolina. As a mission-driven organization, it proudly serves all community members regardless of their ability to pay. Still, at a time when rural hospitals across the country are struggling to maintain services, ECU Health’s priority is ensuring access to health insurance and access to high-quality care that drives healthy outcomes. That is why ECU Health leaders like Harvill are committed to community partnerships that help drive the mission of improving the health and well-being of the region.

“Sustainability in rural communities is a constant discussion in our organization,” said Harvill. “When you think about Medicaid expansion, think about access to care, which leads to better overall community health in rural areas. When residents are healthier, they are more likely to participate actively in the workforce, contributing to the economic and social well-being of the community. Our work to help improve the communities we serve is rooted in partnerships. We are so thankful for the opportunity to add to the conversation alongside the important state leaders who helped Medicaid expansion a reality and the local leaders who are helping make sure it benefits those right here in our rural communities.”

Brian Harvill stands with Gov. Roy Cooper and his family during the Medicaid expansion event in Windsor.
Brian Harvill stands with Gov. Roy Cooper and his family during the Medicaid expansion event in Windsor.

Community | Featured

ECU Health COO Brian Floyd speaks at a Care4Carolina Medicaid expansion event at Pitt Community College.

ECU Health leaders joined Care4Carolina, a coalition of organizations across North Carolina working together with the goal of bringing affordable health care to North Carolinians, for a Medicaid expansion event March 18. Partners from Pitt County Community College, Pitt County Social Services, and local representatives and leaders teamed up to bring Medicaid registration resources to local community members.

Health care access and delivery in rural areas often differ significantly from their urban counterparts, and this reality is apparent in eastern North Carolina. Every year, approximately 140,000 individuals turn to ECU Health Medical Center for emergency department services alone. Historically, uninsured patients have sought primary care in emergency departments due to their inability to afford preventive care. Medicaid expansion holds promise in bridging the gap, connecting people in the East and beyond with essential preventive and primary care services, ensuring their well-being is prioritized before the need for high-acuity care.

ECU Health COO Brian Floyd speaks at a Care4Carolina Medicaid expansion event at Pitt Community College.

With 40 percent of Americans residing in rural areas, ECU Health plays a crucial role in providing care to some of the region’s most medically vulnerable individuals through its network of nine hospitals and 185 primary and specialty care clinics across eastern North Carolina.

Brian Floyd, chief operating officer of ECU Health, said partnerships are among the most important elements in delivering health care to the community.

“ECU Health has been a strong proponent of Medicaid expansion for six years,” Floyd said. “It is a necessary component to solve the complexities of rural health care delivery. Medicaid expansion allows us to have the resources to continue to invest in our communities and help us render high-quality care to those most in need. We finally have reached the point where historic access to Medicaid is available, and it becomes incumbent upon all of us to encourage everyone eligible to sign up to transform their lives. I want to thank the General Assembly for taking a bold step to move us forward in taking care of the people in our communities.”

Learn more about Brian Floyd and his role at ECU Health on his Thought Leadership page.

Community | Health News

Brian Floyd, COO at ECU Health, speaks to a group of lawmakers and health care leaders during an NCHA Meet and Greet event at Pitt Community College.

At ECU Health, we understand that partnerships and collaboration are at the heart of how we will solve the complex challenges facing rural health care. That is why ECU Health leaders joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers, health care professionals and leaders at the North Carolina Healthcare Association Meet and Greet event hosted at Pitt Community College Thursday, Feb. 29.

With a busy agenda covering topics that included the importance of building a strong workforce, improving access to care in rural communities and the battle to ensure insurance coverage for basic medical needs, ECU Health was honored to take part in the dialogue on behalf of the communities it proudly serves.

Brian Floyd, chief operating officer of ECU Health, said the opportunity for a health system to connect with the community it serves is crucial to meeting its mission.

Brian Floyd, COO at ECU Health, speaks to a group of lawmakers and health care leaders during an NCHA Meet and Greet event at Pitt Community College.

“Make no mistake, rural health care is difficult. But we are fortunate to have experts here at ECU Health helping us build the national model for sustainable regional health care,” Floyd said. “These forums provide us a great opportunity to share our expertise, engage other health professionals and partner with community leaders and businesses alike to help bridge gaps and ensure we can be successful in our mission to improve the health and well-being of the region. With teamwork, collaboration and partnership, we can help create healthier lives and communities in rural communities across North Carolina.”

Learn more about Brian Floyd and his role at ECU Health on his Thought Leadership page.

Community

Combined photo of, from left to right: Noor Baloch, Nolan Davis, Michael Denning, Charles Johnson, Hannah Rayala, Emmalee Todd, Ben Wise and Michael Wright. They will join students from other colleges and universities across the state in the North Carolina Medical Society Kanof Institute of Physician Leadership’s 2024 Future Clinician Leaders College (FCLC).

By ECU News Services

Eight students in the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University have been named to the North Carolina Medical Society Kanof Institute of Physician Leadership’s 2024 Future Clinician Leaders College (FCLC).

Noor Baloch, Nolan Davis, Michael Denning, Charles Johnson, Hannah Rayala, Emmalee Todd, Ben Wise and Michael Wright will join students from other colleges and universities across the state who are interested in leadership and professional growth.

“The FCLC program provides us with a unique, structured ability to engage with our future colleagues on community-level projects that address the varied landscape of health, health equity and health care,” Denning said. “Gaining intense leadership training alongside other health professions students will allow me both introspection and outward reflection on my future role, as well as mechanisms to ensuring our patients are excellently and compassionately cared for.”

Combined photo of, from left to right: Noor Baloch, Nolan Davis, Michael Denning, Charles Johnson, Hannah Rayala, Emmalee Todd, Ben Wise and Michael Wright. They will join students from other colleges and universities across the state in the North Carolina Medical Society Kanof Institute of Physician Leadership’s 2024 Future Clinician Leaders College (FCLC).
From left to right: Noor Baloch, Nolan Davis, Michael Denning, Charles Johnson, Hannah Rayala, Emmalee Todd, Ben Wise and Michael Wright will join students from other colleges and universities across the state in the North Carolina Medical Society Kanof Institute of Physician Leadership’s 2024 Future Clinician Leaders College (FCLC). (Photo contributed by ECU News Services)

Prospective students are referred and nominated to the program by faculty, mentors and others at their respective colleges. The 2024 class includes 27 students representing disciplines including medicine and pharmacy from ECU, UNC Chapel Hill and Duke, Campbell, Wake Forest, Western Carolina and Wingate universities in North Carolina, as well as St. Georges University in Grenada.

FCLC is a partnership with North Carolina Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) to provide opportunities of leadership in an interprofessional health care environment and networking across institutions. The one-year program is designed to enhance health care experience through advocacy, change-driving and individual leadership skills.

Baloch said she wants to be a leader when it comes to ensuring proper care for her patients.

“I felt that in order to be the best leader I could be, I needed additional training alongside other health care professionals to really understand my role as a physician in a health care team as well as establish how I can best serve my patients in that way,” she said. “Through this program, I am able to understand my own leadership style as well as my faults so that I can work on them and ensure I am self-aware regarding how I lead interactions with my patients.”

The program emphasizes leading in interprofessional health care environments and networking across institutions. The interactive learning format encourages participants to engage with their peers and program leaders, faculty and speakers. They also participate in a project that gives them exposure to some of the major health policy challenges relevant to North Carolina.

“This is an incredible opportunity for these eight students to work with other interprofessional students across the state to develop the skills necessary to be a leader in health care tomorrow,” said Dr. Amanda Higginson, Brody’s associate dean for student affairs. “We know our Brody graduates go on to do amazing things; this wonderful program will further develop these students to both improve the health and well-being of the region, but also to augment the already great training they receive here to prepare them to become physicians who will meet the health care needs of the state, both critical mission goals of the school.”

The students will have hands-on experience cultivating leadership skills including team-leading, communication and career development.

“The purpose is to build leadership that centers on self-awareness and fosters authenticity that allows each student to act in alignment with their core values as a leader, encourage and assess information from different perspectives, and balance transparency,” according to the program website. “With the individual core as a foundation for leadership development, this course prepares students for the leadership journey, allowing the individual to establish a strong sense of purpose and understanding of who they want to be as a leader.”

Todd said the nature of medicine as a “team sport” necessitates the ability to collaborate with other health care professionals at any given time.

“In order to do this, it’s important to understand your own teamwork preferences and leadership style and be able to refine them to better suit your purposes,” they said. “I believe my participation in FCLC is providing me the opportunity to do exactly that, which will hopefully lay the groundwork for not just my own success in residency and beyond, but the success of the health care teams of which I will be part.”

Todd said the unique experience to explore a current health-related policy issue in North Carolina is valuable because it gives students a chance to propose potential solutions.

“So much of what impacts our patients’ health are factors that we can’t necessarily do anything about within a half-hour annual physical — their housing situation; the ease of their transportation to work or school; the accessibility of nutritious food, clean water and green space where they live,” they said. “Working towards policy change is one way that physicians can make an impact on these broader societal factors, and it’s something that I would like to be involved in throughout my career. FCLC is equipping me with the experience and skillset I need to begin to pursue this goal.”

Read more from ECU News Services.

Awards | Community

Students discuss a career in health care with ECU Health nurses at a station on pediatric care during the Health Sciences Academy career fair.

Like many health care organizations across the nation, ECU Health is facing an immense challenge: solving the growing health care workforce shortage.

Through community partnerships, the health system is doing its part to grow its workforce, starting right here in eastern North Carolina.

More than 200 high school students from Pitt County, Duplin County and other surrounding communities spent the day learning about various rural health care career opportunities at ECU Health’s Health Sciences Academy career fair Tuesday, March 5.

The event featured 30 hospital departments and exhibitors from partners including Pitt Community College and Beaufort County Community College hosted interactive and creative booths to educate students on different health care careers.

Students discuss a career in health care with ECU Health nurses at a station on pediatric care during the Health Sciences Academy career fair.

“It is such a joy to host these students and to expose them to so many interesting and important health care career opportunities available to them right here in eastern North Carolina,” said Nancy Turner, workforce development program coordinator, ECU Health. “Our students are our future workforce at ECU Health and partnerships like this are essential to ensuring we can care for our region. There are so many exciting and fulfilling opportunities to make a difference right here in their community, and we hope that today served as inspiration for them as they make important decisions about their future.”

The career fair is another representation of ECU Health’s commitment to growing health care talent locally. Through the Health Sciences Academy, ECU Health partners with public schools to provide eastern North Carolina’s youth with the education and resources to pursue exciting and fulfilling futures in health care. During high school, Health Sciences Academy students complete a minimum of six courses that expose them to potential health care careers and prepare students to pursue college-level health science programs upon graduation. They participate in job shadowing, mentoring, internships, medical research opportunities, career exploration and volunteering.

The Pitt County Health Sciences Academy is a partnership between ECU Health, Pitt County Schools, Pitt Community College, East Carolina University, the Brody School of Medicine, Colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Engineering and Nursing at East Carolina University, School of Dental Medicine at East Carolina University, the Eastern Area Health Education Center and the Greenville-Pitt County Chamber of Commerce.

Resources

ECU Health Careers

Health Sciences Academy students play a game of Operation during their career fair on March 5, 2023.
A Health Sciences Academy student pets Clive, a therapy dog at ECU Health Medical Center, during the Academy's career fair on March 5, 2024.
A student watches an ECU Health team member show how to give oxygen to an infant during the Health Sciences Career Fair on March 5, 2024.
A student speaks with a Maynard Canine Crew handler, along with the crew's dog Sam, during the Health Sciences Academy career fair on March 5, 2024.

Community | Featured