Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to welcome its first class of ophthalmology residents on June 25, 2026, marking another significant milestone in the growth of its Graduate Medical Education programs since its inception 50 years ago. The new ophthalmology residency program will welcome three residents who are set to begin training later this month. The inaugural residency class will be Dr. Vamsee Vemulapalli, Dr. Omar Nusair and Dr. Joseph “Mitch” Clayton.
“ECU Health’s new ophthalmology residency program is an exciting step forward for the health system and the patients we serve,” said Dr. Ann Ostrovsky, chief of ophthalmology, ECU Health. “This program allows us to train skilled ophthalmologists while expanding access to high-quality eye care across eastern North Carolina. It represents a long-term investment in both medical education and the health of our communities, and we are proud to welcome our first residents. We look forward to the impact they will have.”
The ophthalmology department at ECU Health was established in 2023 under the leadership of Dr. Ostrovsky, who prioritized the development of a residency program as a key component of the department’s long-term vision. With support from ECU Health’s Graduate Medical Education leadership, the program quickly gained accreditation and successfully recruited its inaugural class. Interest in the program was strong, and more than 500 applicants competed for three available positions. ECU Health matched with Drs. Vemulapalli, Nusair and Clayton, all of whom bring additional clinical and research experience following dedicated research years.
The four-year residency program includes an initial postgraduate year focused on broad clinical training followed by three years of specialized ophthalmology education. Residents will gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions while working alongside experienced clinicians. In addition to training residents, the program is expected to enhance patient care across the region.
“This milestone reflects 50 years of growth and commitment within ECU Health’s Graduate Medical Education programs,” said Dr. Mary Catherine Brake Turner, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and ECU Health Medical Center. “Launching our first ophthalmology residency program expands training opportunities for future physicians and strengthens access to care for the communities we serve. We are proud to welcome these residents as we continue to grow programs that develop the next generation of physician leaders for eastern North Carolina.”
The program further strengthens educational opportunities for medical students. ECU Health will host students from the Brody School of Medicine and visiting institutions, offering clinical rotations and early exposure to ophthalmology. These experiences help build interest in the specialty and support the program’s future recruitment efforts.
Greenville, N.C. – The North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program’s Pediatric Program (NC-STeP-Peds) has been named the recipient of the 2026 Psychiatric Services Achievement Gold Award by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), one of the field’s highest national and international honors recognizing innovation and excellence in mental health care delivery.
The award was presented during the APA Annual Meeting held in May in San Francisco. Established in 1949, the award recognizes programs worldwide that demonstrate leadership in service delivery, quality improvement and meaningful engagement with patients, families and care teams.
NC-STeP-Peds, an initiative of East Carolina University’s Center for Telepsychiatry, was recognized for its innovative, technology-enabled approach to addressing pediatric mental health needs, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“Improving access to high-quality behavioral health care for children is one of the most urgent challenges facing our communities,” said Dr. Sy Saeed, executive director of NC-STeP and professor and chair emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “This recognition reflects the strength of our partnership and our commitment to reaching children where they are with timely, evidence-based care.”
Nationally, one in four to five children and adolescents are affected by a mental health disorder, yet fewer than half receive treatment. Access challenges are even more pronounced in North Carolina, where approximately 33% of residents live in rural areas and behavioral health providers are concentrated in urban centers. NC-STeP Pediatrics continues to work to address these significant mental health needs. NC-STeP-Peds serves children statewide, from Murphy to Manteo.
Launched in 2023, NC-STeP Pediatrics brings together clinicians from across the state to expand access through telepsychiatry, virtual reality, AI-supported knowledge management, and integrated, team-based care models. Using a population health approach, the program partners with pediatric practices across the state.
To date, the program has:
- Screened more than 47,000 children and adolescents for mental health symptoms.
- Supported more than 5,800 patients with follow-up evaluations by behavioral health managers.
- Connected more than 400 patients with child and adolescent psychiatrists.
- Delivered integrated care to more than 760 children and adolescents.
- Completed over 2,000 patients visits
“NC STeP Pediatrics demonstrates how academic medicine and health system collaboration can transform access to care, particularly for patients in rural communities,” said ECU Health CEO and Brody School of Medicine Dean Dr. Michael Waldrum. “By leveraging technology and innovation, we are reaching a greater number of children and families across North Carolina. This recognition is a testament to the mission-driven team members who continue to expand NC-STeP’s impact in the state.”
The program has emerged as a nationally recognized model for expanding access to pediatric behavioral health services in rural communities. Its collaborative co-management approach supports primary care providers and pediatricians while enhancing care coordination, improving patient experience and strengthening mental health outcomes.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center is proud to announce the expansion of its Graduate Medical Education (GME) rural residency tracks in Internal Medicine, General Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecology and Pediatrics, supported by funding from the University of North Carolina System. This expansion enables ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University to launch and grow rural training programs in high‑need specialties, strengthening the physician pipeline for communities across the region.
Eastern North Carolina faces some of the most significant provider shortages in the state, with many rural counties lacking adequate access to primary care, specialty care and essential surgical services. ECU Health’s expansion of rural residency programs directly targets these gaps by training physicians within the very communities that need them most.
The initiative responds to a persistent national imbalance: although 20 percent of Americans live in rural areas, only about 10 percent of physicians choose to practice there. By embedding medical training in rural settings, ECU Health aims to build a sustainable workforce pipeline and strengthen care access across the region.
“This expansion represents a transformational step forward for Graduate Medical Education at the Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health,” said Dr. Mary Catherine Brake Turner, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health Medical Center. “By embedding residency training within rural hospitals and clinics, we are strengthening the educational experience, preparing physicians to meet the needs of rural communities and building a sustainable pipeline of clinicians committed to serving rural areas.”
ECU Health’s newest rural residency tracks are modeled on the success of the ECU Health Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, launched in 2021. The Rural Family Medicine Program has already demonstrated strong early outcomes, with graduates choosing to remain in the communities where they trained, reinforcing the effectiveness of immersive rural training and providing a proven model for the new rural residency tracks.
Building on this foundation, ECU Health will launch the rural track for Internal Medicine in July 2026, followed by Surgery, Obstetrics-Gynecology and Pediatrics rural tracks in July 2027.
Internal Medicine
The Internal Medicine residency rural track will welcome its first rural track resident in July 2026. Residents will spend approximately 50 percent of their training in the rural setting as they rotate at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, ECU Health Chowan Hospital, ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital and ECU Health Duplin Hospital, gaining experience in inpatient medicine, emergency care, subspecialty clinics and community engagement activities.
General Surgery
The General Surgery residency rural track will begin training resident physicians once it welcomes its first cohort in July 2027, building upon the program’s long standing rural rotations. Resident physicians will complete foundational training at ECU Health Medical Center before rotating at ECU Health Community Hospitals and UNC Health Lenoir Hospital. These rotations will provide immersive experience in community hospital settings, increasing exposure to a range of surgical cases.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The Obstetrics-Gynecology residency rural track will begin training resident physicians once it welcomes its first cohort in July 2027. Resident physicians will spend approximately 30 percent of their training at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital. The rural track will provide resident physicians with ambulatory and inpatient Obstetrics-Gynecology experience while maintaining access to subspecialty training at ECU Health Medical Center.
Pediatrics
The new Pediatric residency rural track will start welcoming resident physicians in July 2027. Resident physicians will spend approximately 30 percent of their training in the rural setting. This track will build on ECU Health’s longstanding commitment to improving child health outcomes across the region and will leverage existing partnerships with our ECU Health Community hospitals and expand partnerships with rural clinics.
“Rural residency programs are one of the most effective ways to reduce longstanding health care disparities, build a strong local health care workforce and increase the likelihood that physicians will continue practicing in the region,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine. “Expanding our rural residency programs is a direct investment in meeting ECU Health’s mission to improve the health and well‑being of eastern North Carolina. We are grateful for the UNC System’s investment in our Graduate Medical Education programs and are excited to bring more physicians to the region.”
Greenville, N.C. – Dr. Carlos Marroquin, a physician at ECU Health Medical Center and adjunct professor in Surgical Immunology, Transplantation and Surgical Oncology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, performed the health system’s first procedure with the Edison® Histotripsy System, a groundbreaking, non invasive technology designed to treat liver tumors using focused ultrasound energy, on April 21, 2026. ECU Health is the first health system in North Carolina east of Winston-Salem to offer this innovative therapy, expanding treatment options for patients with primary and metastatic liver tumors.
“Our patients deserve access to the highest level of care without the burden of traveling long distances for advanced treatment options,” said Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center. “This technology reinforces our commitment to ensuring that world‑class, innovative care is available right here in eastern North Carolina. I am proud of the team that made this possible.“
The Edison System is the first non‑invasive, non‑thermal, non‑ionizing treatment option for destroying targeted liver tissue with a novel mechanism of action called histotripsy. It delivers sound waves that mechanically break down targeted tissue without incisions, needles, heat or radiation. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, offering a new option for patients who prefer a non-invasive approach or who may not be candidates for an invasive surgical approach for many other medical reasons yet have cancer in their liver. Since they would not tolerate an invasive procedure and the associated challenging recovery, histotripsy offers a viable option to treat their tumor. Histotripsy’s unique mechanism of action helps physicians precisely destroy liver tumors while preserving surrounding healthy tissue.
“We are proud to offer cutting-edge treatment options for patients facing liver cancer,” said Dr. Marroquin. “The Edison Histotripsy System enhances our ability to deliver personalized care by giving us a non invasive way to target tumors that may be difficult to remove surgically or to combine with other therapies. This technology represents an advancement in liver tumor care and reflects ECU Health’s commitment to bringing the most promising, patient-centered innovations to eastern North Carolina.”
In North Carolina, incidence and late-stage diagnosis rates of liver cancer are slightly higher than national averages, according to the National Cancer Society. These challenges are even more pronounced in rural and eastern parts of the state, where higher burdens of chronic liver disease and limited access to specialty care contribute to worse outcomes. In addition to primary liver tumors, many patients in the region also face liver metastases from other cancer conditions that similarly lack accessible, non invasive treatment options. Bringing a non-invasive, advanced treatment like histotripsy to ECU Health Medical Center directly addresses these disparities and expands access to lifesaving care for the region.
ECU Health team members that were part of the new procedure include: Carlos Marroquin, MD, Kelly Giordano, RN, Kierra Gainer, RN, Jessie Sbrocco, CST, Paula Boyd, CST, Connor Lawler, DO, Daniel Lavalley, MD, and Ryan Louer, MD.
A program at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University that prepares high achieving medical students to make a tangible impact on health care in eastern North Carolina and beyond will expand thanks to the generosity of the family that has championed medical education across the region for nearly 50 years. It coincides with the looming completion of the newly named Brody Center for Medical Education, which is expected to open in the 2027-28 academic year.
The family’s gift was announced in March by East Carolina University and ECU Health Foundation. The family’s name will now grace the upcoming Brody Center for Medical Education in honor of their generosity.
Over 10 percent of ECU Health’s 443 residents and fellows are graduates of the Brody School of Medicine. Recent data also shows about 40 Brody Scholars continue to practice medicine in eastern North Carolina. They are among the 90 scholars who practice across North Carolina.
“The Brody family’s gift is an investment in the future of health care in eastern North Carolina and the state as a whole,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health CEO and dean of the Brody School of Medicine. “The Brody School of Medicine produces more doctors that stay in the state than any other medical school in North Carolina, and the more students we can give the opportunity to pursue their passion for medicine the better.
“The Brody family understands the value that we bring to our state and local communities,” Waldrum continued. “They were so gracious to continue to support our students in their career development.”
The Brody Scholars Program completely covers academic costs for medical students, who are selected through an objective process coordinated by the Brody Scholars Steering Committee, who seek to award the scholarship to the ‘best of the best’ of the incoming class. The school’s commitment to the scholars totals approximately $133,000 annually, or about $500,000 a year per class to cover the financial cost of attendance.
Abby Ulffers is a third-year medical student and Brody Scholar who is eastern North Carolina to the core. Born at then-Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center, the Greenville native plans to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology. The Brody Scholars Program does more than alleviate the financial pressure of medical school, she said.
“I never thought the Brody Scholars Program was a possibility for me,” Ulffers said. “The financial relief in being able to attend medical school does a lot for me. However, it is more than a scholarship. We do professional development exercises and a book club where you are interacting with people who have such unique perspectives on life. I’ve made so many friends and gained mentors. It’s a great networking experience that shapes the way you behave in a clinical environment and how you engage with your peers, colleagues and professors.”
Dr. Mary Windham Lenfestey, a fellow Greenville native, was one of two students in the Brody Scholars Program’s 2012 class. She said the tight-knit community of scholars transcends academic years. That is something she wants to pass on, as she now splits her time between practicing general pediatrics in Greenville and teaching at the Brody School of Medicine, where she also serves as a house dean. The newly implemented house dean program is a learning community to provide students support in the course of their studies.
“As a community, the Brody School of Medicine is certainly growing but remains a close-knit place,” Lenfestey said. “As a student, I really felt like my mentors and professors cared about me as a person. I was incredibly fortunate to have that experience, and I think it impacted my desire to come back and be involved in the medical education side of things.
“Being from Greenville, I love eastern North Carolina so I’m excited that I can practice medicine here and help guide future generations of students. Everything from the endowment to the new Center for Medical Education is a fantastic opportunity to grow what we can offer our students and, in turn, our patients.”
The Brody Center for Medical Education will expand the Brody School of Medicine’s class size to 120 students. The facility consists of simulation spaces, outdoor gathering areas, and a new anatomy lab where students can develop their skills. The new $265 million facility is funded by the state of North Carolina.
Hyman Brody said that the $10 million donation continues his family’s decades-long legacy of supporting health care in eastern North Carolina. In the late 1960s and 1970s his father and uncles began to help then-ECU chancellor Leo Jenkins successfully advocate for a medical school at the university. The school opened in 1977 and was renamed for the Brody family in 1999.
Hyman Brody shared those thoughts in front of “Hands of Hope,” the sculpture that adorns the lobby of the Eastern North Carolina Heart Institute. Depicting a pair of hands holding a human heart, the statue was dedicated in 2010 to the memory of Hyman’s uncle, J.S. “Sammy” Brody.
“Uncle Sammy said we’re here to do good, but we’re also here to do good for others,” Hyman Brody said. “When we look at what these students achieve and what they can do, that’s what our gift reflects.”
Hyman Brody said he is excited to see the relationship between ECU Health, ECU and his family continue to grow in the future.
“I think ECU Health has done a great job integrating the hospital and the medical school,” Brody said. “At this point, I think the sky is the limit. There are challenges faced in all medical areas, but the leadership team understands and is working to address them. We are glad to be a small part of it.”
For more information about the Brody Center for Medical Education, click here.
Medical students at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University marked a decade of raising funds, awareness and hair for pediatric patients with cancer during the Pirates Vs. Cancer spring event at the ECU Health Sciences Campus Student Center on April 10.
Pirates Vs. Cancer is a student-driven initiative dedicated to supporting children and families facing cancer. The event is organized by a board of about 10 first-year medical students who coordinated events like hair donations, professional haircuts from local barbers and hairdressers, raffles, face-painting and family-friendly activities. Students, faculty and visitors enjoyed a bounce house and bracelet-making station donated by local businesses. The American Red Cross, National Bone Marrow Registry and Riley’s Army hosted tables with prizes, games and information for attendees.
Pirates Vs. Cancer was founded by Brody students in 2017 and has raised over $176,000 in the past 10 years for patients at the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. Ahead of the April 10 event, this year’s board had already raised more than $14,000 for the cause.
Sebastian Williams, president of Pirates Vs. Cancer, said the decade-long effort is on the verge of reaching a new fundraising benchmark.
“We’re really excited because we’re hoping that we hit $200,000 of money raised for Maynard Children’s Hospital from Pirates Vs. Cancer over the years,” said Williams. “We’re almost there.”
Williams helps coordinate fundraisers throughout the year and works with local partners to support the cause. He said the event also brings together students from across ECU’s health sciences programs.
“The dental, medical, nursing students all come out and just interact with each other, take a break from studying, and also have fun with the kids and doctors,” said Williams.
Alex Tiet, Pirates Vs. Cancer’s vice president, said the annual event allows students to educate people on and off campus about pediatric cancer. He said that mission is particularly important since ECU Health serves a largely rural 29-county region in eastern North Carolina.
“We are a historically underserved and underrepresented population, so it’s great to have these student life organizations start these conversations in eastern North Carolina,” Tiet said. “As one of the largest student life organizations on campus, it feels like our responsibility to advocate for people and patients who are navigating a life-changing diagnosis that comes with its own array of challenges. Lending a helping hand feels like the least we can do.”
Williams himself was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age six.
“It took a huge toll on my family because my family had no history of huge medical complications, and all of a sudden I find out one day that I have cancer,” Williams said.
He underwent three years of chemotherapy – a period he described as physically and emotionally taxing. That’s why events like Pirates Vs. Cancer matter, he said.
“We have the people who have come out to donate hair, and the hair that’s donated will be used to make wigs for the kids who are going through chemo,” Williams said. “As someone who had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, I also had to go through that process as a kid where I lost all my hair.”
Williams said he opted for hats during his own treatment, but he knows how meaningful wigs can be for children who want to feel “more like their normal selves” during an incredibly difficult time.
“Having these wigs made for them just helps alleviate the stress that they’re already going through,” Williams said.
Tiet was among the students who volunteered to donate his hair to the cause. Before he sat down in the barber’s chair, he and his fellow donors were more excited than one might expect to undergo a fairly dramatic, albeit short-lived transformation.
“Pediatric cancer awareness has been a passion of mine since I was an undergraduate student, so taking a little off the top feels like a very minor sacrifice to support these patients and their families,” Tiet said. “Some of these treatments take weeks, months or even years and are very taxing on patients.
“I have not had a buzzcut since maybe middle school, so it’s going to be a change of pace,” Tiet continued. “Feeling the breeze going through my scalp will be nice. Hopefully my hair can bring a sense of normalcy to these patients. They can use it better than I can.”
One hundred percent of the funds raised by Pirates vs. Cancer are donated to the ECU Health Foundation to benefit programs at Maynard Children’s Hospital. If you would like to donate to Pirates Vs. Cancer, please visit give.ecuhealthfoundation.org/campaign/2026-pirates-vs-cancer/c758778.
A poet said if you write a sonnet for someone, you love them. But if you write 40 sonnets for that person, you love writing sonnets.
Students at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University love their patients, putting it into poetry.
ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine co-hosted the seventh annual Legacy Teachers event at the Murphy Center in Greenville, honoring patients who have shaped medical students’ understanding of care, empathy and presence.
The event featured remarks from Brody School of Medicine leaders Dr. Amanda Higginson, associate dean for student affairs, and Dr. Jason Higginson, executive dean and chief health officer at ECU Health, along with ECU Health leaders Dr. Christina Bowen, chief well-being officer; Dr. Julie Oehlert, chief experience officer; and Brian Floyd, chief operating officer.
Both Dr. Amanda Higginson and Floyd reflected on formative patient experiences from their own training.
“I remember the first patient I ever examined at the end of my second year of medical school,” Dr. Amanda Higginson said. “That experience stayed with me every time I stepped into a room, reminding me why I became a doctor.”
Fourteen students honored 16 patients, and their families, as Legacy Teachers. Students shared written reflections, with several choosing poetry to capture their experience. The focus set not on diagnoses, but on people.
Marriam Azam nominated Lomia Acklin and described an immediate connection.
“Lomia was going through many challenges, but her strength and resilience, and her passion for her family is inspiring,” said Azam. “We connected. Her strength gave me strength.”
Acklin said her experience with Azam was so different than other experiences she’s had in medical offices.
“She would listen to me and ask me what she could do better for me,” said Acklin. “Marriam created a personal space where I felt comfortable. She listens and we work together. I would leave a meeting with her feeling hopeful. Like my doctor was part of the family and was going to help me get through this.”
As these stories were shared, the students and patients stood together. However, some students stood alone, dedicating the honor in loving memory of a patient that passed.
“There is a sacred relationship between student and patient,” said Dr. Oehlert. “We can learn so much from these relationships. How to listen with empathy, be open and be present.”
In many cases, it’s about being a friend.
That lesson was especially evident for Vedika Modi, who met Benjamin Clark while rotating at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital.
Benjamin and his parents, Amanda and Gary Clark, brought some fun and light to the Kids Immunosuppressed Specialty Unit (KISU) during the holidays with their family tradition of using mailboxes as an Advent calendar.
Modi connected quickly with Benjamin and his family. She’d wake up excited to get to work and see him.
“Gary and Amanda taught me how to show up as a family,” said Modi. “They were an example and inspiration for me not only as a doctor but as a person.”
“Vedika lifted the room up when she walked in,” said Amanda. “She was so eager and willing to learn, but what mattered was she talked to Ben like a person, on his level and connected with him on what he cared about.”
The Clark family had extra to celebrate as the day prior, Benjamin rang the bell at Maynard Children’s Hospital and is officially cancer free.
Michael Li, a Brody student and master of ceremonies, summed up the spirit of the program.
“One of the greatest gifts we receive as medical students is time with patients,” Li said. “The lessons we can’t learn in a textbook shape how we care for people and build trusting relationships.”
On March 28, the class of 2028 at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine gathered in a university ballroom surrounded by family, friends and physician leaders at the school to be “coated” and proceed to clinical rotations at ECU Health Medical Center.
It had been just eight days since the class of 2026 opened their sealed invitations to residency on Match Day but nearly three years since the last white coat ceremony. This year marks the first time the medical school has held the ceremony before the start of students’ third year, a momentous curricular transition from the preclinical to the clinical years of school, and it recognizes the accomplishment of completing the foundational science curriculum.
“In one week, the class of 2028 begins their clinical journey in the hospital and in clinics, and we celebrate the start of that journey today,” said Dr. Jason Higginson, executive dean of the school.
During the ceremony, students processed to the stage to be coated by a faculty member. They recited the physicians pledge for the first time. They also received words of wisdom from seasoned physicians that included Higginson and Dr. Christina Bowen, a family medicine doctor and Chief Well-being Officer at ECU Health.
A 2003 graduate of the Brody School, Bowen urged the class to consider the white coat a tangible symbol of the responsibility each future physician will have to patients.
“It represents trust,” she said. “Patients will trust you with their stories, with their fears, with some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. They will not remember most of what you will say; however, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Bowen gave the class three points of wisdom to carry with them as they continue their medical school journeys. She told them to stay connected to their “why,” the moment they knew they wanted to care for others through medicine.
“That moment will anchor you when everything else feels uncertain,” she said.
The second point she emphasized was that how one shows up is just as important as what one knows.
On March 28, the class of 2028 at ECU’s Brody School of Medicine gathered in a university ballroom surrounded by family, friends and physician leaders at the school to be “coated” and proceed to clinical rotations at ECU Health Medical Center.
It had been just eight days since the class of 2026 opened their sealed invitations to residency on Match Day but nearly three years since the last white coat ceremony. This year marks the first time the medical school has held the ceremony before the start of students’ third year, a momentous curricular transition from the preclinical to the clinical years of school, and it recognizes the accomplishment of completing the foundational science curriculum.
“In one week, the class of 2028 begins their clinical journey in the hospital and in clinics, and we celebrate the start of that journey today,” said Dr. Jason Higginson, executive dean of the school.
During the ceremony, students processed to the stage to be coated by a faculty member. They recited the physicians pledge for the first time. They also received words of wisdom from seasoned physicians that included Higginson and Dr. Christina Bowen, a family medicine doctor and Chief Well-being Officer at ECU Health.
A 2003 graduate of the Brody School, Bowen urged the class to consider the white coat a tangible symbol of the responsibility each future physician will have to patients.
“It represents trust,” she said. “Patients will trust you with their stories, with their fears, with some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. They will not remember most of what you will say; however, they will remember how you made them feel.”
Bowen gave the class three points of wisdom to carry with them as they continue their medical school journeys. She told them to stay connected to their “why,” the moment they knew they wanted to care for others through medicine.
“That moment will anchor you when everything else feels uncertain,” she said.
The second point she emphasized was that how one shows up is just as important as what one knows.
“Medicine will teach you how to diagnose, to treat, to intervene,” Bowen pointed out. “But healing happens in a relationship. In eye contact. In presence. In listening without rushing.”
The final point she shared was for the students to take care of themselves as intentionally as they care for others.
“The culture of medicine will sometimes ask you to push yourself past your limits and to give more than you have,” she said. “But sustainable excellence comes from alignment. From tending to your own well-being physically, emotionally and spiritually. This is not a luxury. It is essential to the kind of position and human you are meant to be.”
In closing, Bowen told the Class of 2028 that they were stepping not into a profession — but a calling.
“A calling to bring both science and humanity together in the care of others,” she said. “The most powerful thing you can bring to medicine is your authentic self. Wear this coat with humility. Wear it with courage. And wear it with a deep understanding that the work you are stepping into matters, not just because of what you will do, but because of who will be.”
The white coat ceremony marks the first time a student puts on the garment historically associated with the profession, but at this phase, they wear a short white coat that extends just past the waist. The full-length white coat is later.
“Students beginning their studies in medical school see their education and role as future physicians as aspiring to be worthy of the long white coat,” wrote Dr. Mark Hochberg in a history published in the American Medical Association’s Journal of Ethics.
“It’s a symbol of how far we’ve come,” said a rising third-year student, Ji In Han. “After a year and a half of hard learning and, you know, failing a couple times, and learning how to get back up, I think this is really significant.”
Han and fellow student Naimi Pothiwala, a 2022 graduate of ECU, were outside the ballroom after the ceremony along with U.S. Army Capt. David McGriff, associate professor of military science at ECU.
Both Han and Pothiwala singled out the Brody School of Medicine’s strong mission-driven focus to produce doctors for the state of North Carolina, especially its rural and underserved communities that comprise much of the east.
“I was very familiar as an undergraduate major here in public health with the region and its health disparities,” Pothiwala said. “I knew Brody was directly impacting the region — I wanted to contribute, too.”
“Oh, yeah, it absolutely mattered to me to come here,” said Han, “because I grew up without health insurance, so my whole purpose of entering medicine was to serve other underserved patients.”
The Brody School of Medicine offers students more direct patient care over the course of clinical rotations than many other schools and has developed a reputation among graduate medical education programs for students who are ready to treat patients on Day 1, Higginson said.
Today, more than 90% of medical schools in the nation hold a white coat ceremony. The first such event, held in 1994, was sponsored by the Arnold P. Gold Foundation, which also started the Gold Humanism Honor Society, a national honor society dedicated to honoring those students who exemplify humanism in medicine. This year’s ceremony was assisted by Gold Humanism Honor Society members from the classes of 2026 and 2027: Katy Flax, Morgan Maner, Madison Kendrick and Michael Kovasala.
U.S. News & World Report listed the Brody School of Medicine a Tier 1 institution in its 2025 Best Medical Schools rankings. This year, more than half of the school’s rising graduates matched into primary care specialties — and more than 40% are staying in North Carolina for that training.
This white coat ceremony also featured a public introduction of the medical school’s four new learning communities. The communities will offer a system of support for students throughout their careers. The procession of students to the stage Saturday, instead of strictly alphabetical, was arranged by community.
The learning communities include the Bertie Buccaneers, led by House Dean Dr. Mary Lenfestey; the Roanoke Raiders, led by House Dean Dr. Don Norris; the Pamlico Privateers, led by House Dean Dr. Jill Sutton and the Cape Fear Corsairs, led by House Dean Dr. Juliana Jaramillo.
The names of the communities were “thoughtfully chosen to reflect the culture of eastern North Carolina, East Carolina University and the Brody School of Medicine,” said Kema Gadson, an associate dean at the school.
“The houses will be more than communities. They are lifelong affiliations grounded in mentorship, service to eastern North Carolina and the foundation of physicians committed to improving the health care of others.”
Brody graduates enjoy on average 33% less student debt load at the time of graduation — a fact that frees them to choose front-line primary care, though other specialties and sub-specialties may be more remunerative.
The school’s top financial award was created to do just that. The Brody Scholars program provides full tuition, fees and enrichment opportunities for four years of medical education to students selected. This year, cousins Hyman Brody and David Brody pledged an additional $10 million to the program, a gift that prompted the university’s Board of Trustees to vote to name the university’s new seven-story, $265 million facility the Brody Center for Medical Education.
One such Brody Scholar participating in Saturday’s ceremony was Rebecca Cloninger.
“It is hard for people to understand what we go through as students if they’re not a student, but for family and friends to see us on this day, yes, this is a little bit ceremonial, but it really does mean we’re stepping into a new part of our lives,” Cloninger said.
Fourth-year medical students from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University learned where they will begin their career as medical residents during Match Day, March 20, and nine won’t have to look far to find their new home.
The Brody School of Medicine’s latest class continued the institution’s established track record of training future family medicine and primary care physicians. Of the 74-person class, 39 will enter a primary care residency. Nearly half matched at a North Carolina hospital and nine matched to ECU Health Medical Center.
“These students share a commitment to service that will change patients’ lives, and today we celebrate that commitment,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health CEO and dean of the Brody School of Medicine. “In their four years at the Brody School of Medicine they have learned how to heal, certainly, but also how to communicate and connect with people in the important landscape of rural health care. Their impact will be felt in communities across the nation, including right here in eastern North Carolina. I am exceptionally proud of them all and happy to welcome the nine continuing their journey here at ECU Health.”
Match Day was a full circle moment for Blaiz Rodman, a native of Kill Devil Hills who matched into physical medicine and rehabilitation at ECU Health. When Rodman was 16, he was in a car accident that broke a vertebra in his spine, which required fusion surgery to put titanium rods and screws in his back.
“That’s what made me really want to become a doctor and help people going through something traumatic like that in their life,” Rodman said. “It’s really why I chose rehabilitation as a specialty to go to.”
Rodman said he is healthy now and able to touch his toes, run, and play basketball. On Match Day he was excited to take his next step as an ECU Health resident.
“I love the people here. All of the people in the program are amazing,” Rodman said. “I get to stay close to my friends and my family so I’m really happy.”
Haris Shehzad also matched into physical medicine and rehabilitation at ECU Health. He agreed with Rodman that his experience working with current residents, faculty and team members have him excited to continue that relationship. As a first-generation college student, Shehzad said he wants to be a role model for others.
“I chose medicine because I really wanted to help my community,” Shehzad said. “I think that representation is very important because it provides people of different cultures a good image. Patients are more comfortable. I want to provide that comfort.”
Match Day continued a streak for Emily Tate, who matched into emergency medicine at ECU Health. A “triple Pirate,” Tate earned her undergraduate, graduate and now medical education at ECU and the Brody School of Medicine. She spent years teaching at ECU before she followed her calling into patient care.
“I have always wanted to go into medicine and I’m just so happy to be here at the end of this step in my journey,” Tate said. “Medicine is a combination of all of the things I like – education, patient care, and research are all very important to me. I’m very happy to do those things here in the place that I have trained up to this point.
“I’ve really loved it here and always feel very supported. I’m glad to work with the people who have helped me get to this point. I’m ready to shoot for the stars and be the best emergency medicine physician I can be.”
A fellow triple Pirate, Cooper Butts, was accepted into the Brody School of Medicine’s Early Assurance Scholars program when he decided to come to ECU for an undergraduate degree. Early Assurance Scholars uphold high academic standards and participate in group and enrichment activities in exchange for a guaranteed seat in their medical school classes. He said the investment made in him as an 18-year-old inspired him to want to serve eastern North Carolina.
“I felt like I need to give back to the community since they put their investment in me,” Butts said. “I’ve enjoyed my training here, so I wanted to stay – not only for the great training and experiences that I know I can get here and have gotten here, but just for the people and the patient population as well.”
Emily Gerlach is an eastern North Carolina native who was overjoyed to match into the obstetrics and gynecology program at ECU Health for residency. She said serving the community she calls home is an opportunity she looks forward to for years to come.
“I think ECU Health has an emphasis on rural health care and it cares for everyone east of I-95, basically,” said Gerlach “ECU Health Medical Center is a tertiary care center, academic medical center and I think that’s an amazing place to train with what I want to do – working in rural eastern North Carolina in the future.”
Pirates vs. Cancer, a student‑driven initiative dedicated to supporting children and families facing cancer, is set to host its annual spring fundraising event on April 10 at the ECU Health Sciences Campus. Led by medical, dental and allied health students, Pirates vs. Cancer brings together the entire health sciences community for a day of giving, celebration and solidarity with pediatric patients.
The spring event will feature hair donations, professional haircuts provided by a local barber, raffles, and a variety of family‑friendly activities. Students have also secured support from local businesses, including the donation of a bounce house and supplies for bracelet‑making and face painting so pediatric patients can join in the fun. The American Red Cross, National Bone Marrow Registry and Rylee’s Army will be in attendance, too.
“We really want this to be a fun, uplifting day where students, families and the community can come together for a meaningful cause,” said Sebastian Williams, president of the Pirates vs. Cancer leadership team and a first-year medical student (M1). “Our goal is to raise funds, raise awareness and show our pediatric patients that they have an entire Pirate Nation behind them.”
For Williams, fundraising for pediatric cancer patients is a full circle moment. At age six, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and spent three years undergoing chemotherapy. Now, more than a decade later, he is studying to be an oncologist and helping kids whose circumstances are all too familiar.
“I understand what these kids are going through,” Williams said. “It’s a huge, life-changing event. You have to go through chemo treatment for months, for years, and you can’t do the same things that other kids do. I had to quit all my sports. I had to quit other activities because my body just couldn’t handle it, my immune system was basically not functional.
“Doing an event like Pirates vs. Cancer is a rewarding experience for me. I can give these kids what I wish I had. This is the whole reason I want to become a physician and continue this endeavor to help children with cancer.”
One hundred percent of the funds raised by Pirates vs. Cancer is donated to ECU Health Foundation to benefit programs at the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. Some of those programs have included camps and other programs specifically designed to provide pediatric patients with childhood experiences.
Among the most tangible examples of the group’s efforts is on the Maynard Children’s Hospital’s second floor. In 2024, Pirates vs. Cancer funds were designated to renovate a playroom and fill it with toys, games, crafts and technology that help patients take their mind off procedures and just be kids.
“We were able to almost double the size of this playroom for these kids and add so many more interactive features,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs at the ECU Health Foundation. “It’s really a place of respite for them when they are facing treatment for months, weeks at a time.”
Pirates Vs. Cancer was founded by Brody School of Medicine students in 2017 and has raised over $176,000 in the past 10 years. Leadership and participants are composed of students, faculty and staff from the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Allied Health Sciences and the Undergraduate campus. Together, they raise funds that directly impact their community.
“It’s wonderful to see where the money physically impacts the kids’ experience at the hospital,” Williams said.
Pirates vs. Cancer continues to grow as a signature philanthropic effort on the Health Sciences Campus, uniting future health professionals around a shared commitment to compassion, service and advocacy for children battling cancer.
Local businesses have been invited to sponsor the event, with a March 20 deadline for inclusion on event T‑shirts and promotional materials. While sponsorships for the spring event are closing soon, community members are welcome to donate at any time, and businesses will have additional opportunities to support the larger Pirates vs. Cancer fall event later this year.
To donate, please visit: https://give.ecuhealthfoundation.org/campaign/2026-pirates-vs-cancer/c758778