Nine students from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University will begin their medical residencies at ECU Health Medical Center, following Match Day on March 20. The announcement was made on Mar. 24 and highlights the continued partnership between the university and ECU Health in developing new physicians.
This development is significant as it strengthens efforts to address health care needs in eastern North Carolina, especially in rural areas. Of the graduating class of 74, nearly half matched with hospitals in North Carolina, and a total of 39 will enter primary care residencies.
“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.”
Among those matching were Blaiz Rodman and Haris Shehzad, both entering physical medicine and rehabilitation at ECU Health. Rodman shared his personal motivation: “That’s what made me really want to become a doctor and help people going through something traumatic like that in their life,” he said about his own experience recovering from a serious car accident as a teenager.
Shehzad highlighted his desire for representation within medicine: “I chose medicine because I really wanted to help my community,” he 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.”
Emily Tate matched into emergency medicine at ECU Health after completing her undergraduate, graduate, and medical education at East Carolina University: “Medicine is a combination of all of the things I like – education, patient care, and research are all very important to me,” Tate said.
Cooper Butts cited community investment as an inspiration for staying local: “I felt like I need to give back to the community since they put their investment in me,” Butts said.
Emily Gerlach expressed enthusiasm about joining obstetrics and gynecology: “I think ECU Health has an emphasis on rural health care and it cares for everyone east of I-95,” she said.
ECU Health serves over 1.4 million people across 29 counties through its network consisting of two academic medical center campuses, eight community hospitals, numerous clinics including specialty services as well as home health programs according to its official website. The organization operates with more than 1,100 providers across over 185 clinics located throughout eastern North Carolina according to its official website.
As part of its mission statement from its official website, ECU Health aims “to enhance health and well-being” through patient-focused care alongside community outreach programs—including rehabilitation services—serving as a model for rural wellness initiatives throughout eastern North Carolina.
