Three physicians – Drs. David Collier, James deVente and Ricky Watson – were recently named master educators by the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. All three are Brody alumni.
The school’s master educator program recognizes excellence in leadership and administration, teaching contribution or mentorship, innovation and curriculum development, evaluation and research, professional development in education and educational contributions by community physicians.
The winners were announced during a Brody faculty meeting on Feb. 16, during which each winner received a white coat featuring a master educator designation, a plaque and master educator pin.
Faculty members and students may nominate faculty members to receive the award, and a committee of faculty members and students decides on the recipients.
Since the program began in 2002, close to 80 Brody faculty members have received the master educator recognition. The awards can be given in the areas of educational leadership and administration, outstanding teaching or mentorship contribution, educational innovation and curriculum development, educational evaluation and research, professional development in education and outstanding educational contribution by a community physician.
“The bestowing of the Master Educator Award allows us to honor faculty who have a sustained record of excellence in education and are who are recognized by their peers and learners as exemplifying leadership in education,” said Allison Flowers, director of Brody’s Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development. “These master educators highlight how the Brody School of Medicine attracts and retains high-quality faculty who are driven by and demonstrate our mission.”
Dr. David Collier
Master Educator in Teaching and Mentorship
Dr. David Collier is a professor of pediatrics and health disparities and director of the Pediatric Healthy Weight Research and Treatment Center. He is associate director of the Integrative Health Sciences Facility Core in the NCSU Center for Human Health and the Environment.
Collier is a graduate of the Brody School of Medicine and completed his residency at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center. His research interests include the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.
Collier’s nominator highlighted his ability to share his knowledge in ways that benefit both his students and colleagues.
“David was a creative interprofessional educator before interprofessional education was a goal or mandate,” according to the nomination letter. “Dr. Collier is shown at his best — not in a classroom, not scripted — but in clinic teaching interprofessionally.”
Dr. James deVente
Master Educator in Education
Dr. James deVente is an associate professor in Brody’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is director of obstetrics at ECU Health Medical Center. At ECU since 2005, deVente graduated from the Brody School of Medicine in 2001 and completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology in Greenville as well.
deVente has also served as the medical director for women’s services at ECU Health Medical Center since 2007 and is a trailblazer for innovation in the profession.
“In keeping with Jim’s passionate and tireless work as an educator, he has capitalized on his role to improve our entire health system through an ongoing series of faculty development opportunities,” according to the letter of nomination written for deVente. “Every obstetrical provider in our hospital system, across our portion of the state, has met with Jim for safety drills, new equipment training, fetal heart rate monitoring classes, and systemwide implementation of safety and quality initiatives – many of which he also helped to develop.”
Dr. Ricky Watson
Master Educator in Teaching and Mentorship
Dr. Ricky Watson is a clinical assistant professor and assistant residency director in the Department of Family Medicine. He is a Brody graduate and completed his residency at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center. His areas of interest include women’s health, infectious diseases, travel and wilderness medicine and health care delivery systems.
Watson has earned a variety of teaching awards over the years including a Faculty Excellence Award for Excellence in Teaching and Compassion from family medicine residents. He has also received a teaching award from the American Academy of Family Physicians. He joined the ECU family medicine faculty in 2001.
“I know Ricky has delighted in helping other faculty, residents and students, new to our area, understand the needs of our patients,” reads his nominator’s letter. “He has been a steady source of education and inspiration for medical students and residents, fellows and junior faculty. He has been our go-to person for cultural competence and humility training for residents.”
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