Greenville Reporter

Leaders from East Carolina University, Brody School of Medicine, ECU Health, and other North Carolina representatives gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Center for Medical Education Building on Brody's campus. The event marks a significant development in healthcare for eastern North Carolina and rural communities statewide.

The new 195,000-square-foot building is expected to be completed by 2027. It will allow an increase in incoming class sizes at Brody from fewer than 100 students this fall to over 120 by that year.

Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and dean of Brody, stated, "With this building, the state of North Carolina is affirming that rural medical education and health care matters." He emphasized the importance of addressing the crisis in rural healthcare across America and creating a model for improvement.

Dr. Jason Higginson, chief health officer at ECU Health and executive dean of Brody, highlighted community support during the event attended by nearly 200 people. "This is one of the biggest investments in eastern North Carolina," he said.

ECU Chancellor Philip Rogers, University of North Carolina System President Peter Hans, and fourth-year student Shantell McLaggan also spoke at the ceremony. Dr. McLaggan expressed excitement about future students experiencing a family atmosphere within a new facility equipped with top-tier tools.

Dr. Michael Lang, chair of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health at Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health, shared his pride as a Brody graduate born in eastern North Carolina. He believes this investment will enhance physician training for rural areas.

The new building represents a commitment to improving health outcomes in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Waldrum remarked on its significance: "These beautiful rural communities...are dependent on us to come up with the model for rural health care."