Greenville Reporter

High school students from the Health Sciences Academy in Duplin and Pitt counties recently participated in the "Chat With a Doc" event, gaining firsthand insight into the medical field. Physicians from ECU Health shared their experiences and knowledge across various specialties, offering students a realistic view of medical careers.

The event featured discussions on specialties such as pediatrics, pathology, emergency medicine, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, palliative care, trauma, and internal medicine. It emphasized the dedication required to pursue a career in healthcare. Physicians discussed their educational journeys and the challenges of balancing patient care with personal life.

Dr. Yaolin Zhou, a pathologist at ECU Health, highlighted the importance of passion in healthcare: “Whatever you do within health care, you want to do what’s right for your patients, for the community, and make a difference and make your little corner of the world a better place,” Dr. Zhou said. He also explained pathology's critical role in diagnosing diseases like cancer: “Pathologists are trained physicians who specialize in diagnosing diseases,” he said. “I examine samples from the human body to determine what’s going on.”

Dr. Nicole Toney, an emergency medicine physician, described her field's fast-paced nature: “Emergency medicine is exciting because you never know what’s coming next,” she stated. “You might see someone having a heart attack, a trauma patient, or something entirely unexpected. It’s all about problem-solving and acting quickly.”

Students found the event both inspiring and informative. Kennedy Jones from Duplin County attended to explore different medical paths: “I used to have a big interest in obstetrics; then that changed to pediatrics,” Jones remarked. “Hearing from a pediatrician today...was really interesting and gave me more insight into what’s ahead.”

With growing demand for healthcare professionals, events like "Chat With a Doc" are crucial for inspiring future medical professionals and aiding students in navigating their career paths.