Distinction Track Scholar Spotlight
Fall 2024 Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities Certificate Graduates
Eight Brody School of Medicine Service-Learning Distinction Track Scholars were among the fifth cohort of medical students to complete the Graduate Certificate in Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities. These scholars successfully completed graduate level coursework in African American Health, Global Public Health, Ethnic Health and Health Disparities and the Capstone Experience in Ethnic Health and Health Disparities. To complete the Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities (ERHD) Online Certificate, each Brody medical students also completed a Capstone Experience paper which captured what they learned from each course as well as how to apply this new knowledge to their medical expertise and career.
To learn more about the ERHD certificate program, please visit https://erhd.ecu.edu.
BSOM and ECU students give back!
SLDT scholar Noah Green, M3, partnered with Building Hope Community Life Center recently to create a two-day health fair for elementary students in the local Greenville community. Volunteers from the ECU School of Dental Medicine, Speech-Language Pathology graduate program, and undergraduate students helped make the event successful!
2024 Distinction Track and SSRP Orientation
The latest cohort of Distinction Track Scholars and Summer Scholars Research Program (SSRP) participants kicked off the summer’s activities on Monday, June 3rd at East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU for Summer Immersion Orientation. The full day of programming included an introduction to the Distinction Track Program and SSRP, leadership and IRB sessions, as well as engaging team-building activities organized by our friends at ECU Campus Rec & Wellness. The Distinction Track Class of 2027 scholars will be participating in sessions all summer within their specific tracks, while SSRP students will be assisting mentors on research projects chosen at the beginning of the year. This year, ten students from the ECU School of Dental Medicine are joining our BSOM students in SSRP. All students will proudly present the work completed this summer at the 27th Annual Medical Student Scholarship Forum, happening on Monday, July 29th at ECHI. We’re looking forward to a great summer! For more information, please visit our MSSF page.
2024 Distinction Day Celebration
The 7th Annual Distinction Day was recently held on April 11th at BSOM, celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2024 Distinction Track Scholars. This year we were joined by BSOM Distinction Track Alumni for a panel discussion of how their participation in the tracks has helped them during residency. Dr. Anna Laughman (LINC CO2019), Dr. Allison Connelly (MET CO2020), Dr. Jim Eubanks (RDT CO2018), and Dr. Matthew Drake (SLDT CO2020) shared their stories, advice, and how the track has made an impact on their medical respective careers. After the panel and scholar recognition portion of the event, attendees were able to view the poster presentations for the Class of 2024.
To the class of 2024, we are sad to see you go but know that you will all make amazing physicians and will continue to make us all very proud! Best of luck to you all on the next step of your journey in medicine! To see a comprehensive list of the day’s presentations and photos from the event, please visit the Distinction Day website.
3rd Annual Distinction Track Toy Drive Challenge
The 2023 holidays were a little brighter for local children and their families, thanks to the generosity and competitive spirit of our Distinction Track Scholars! The 3rd Annual Distinction Track Toy Drive Challenge took place this past October through December, with the ECU Pediatric Specialty Clinic being this year’s partner organization. Our Scholars were given the challenge to see which track could bring in the most new, unwrapped toys. This year the LINC track rose to victory, upsetting the Service-Learning track’s winning streak!
A combined total of 288 toys, diapers, children’s essential items, and books were brought in and delivered to the Peds Specialty Clinic just before the holiday break. We would like to thank everyone who participated for their kindness and holiday spirit! We’re excited to continue this holiday tradition with you all and are looking forward to next year’s toy drive challenge!
(photos l to r) LINC M2 Scholars posing with Toy Drive Trophy; Distinction Track Toy Drive Challenge Trophy; SLDT M3 Scholar, Micah Lee, helping Jenna and Jess (and our special elf, Jackson!) with toy delivery at the ECU Pediatric Specialty Clinic.
Service-Learning Scholars Give Back
The M2 SLDT Scholars recently worked together at the Greenville Ronald McDonald House, preparing meals for the families of children receiving local medical care. Preparing dinner helps support the Ronald McDonald mission and families during their health care journey!
Fall 2023 Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities Certificate Graduates
Six Brody School of Medicine Service-Learning Distinction Track Scholars were among the fourth cohort of medical students to complete the Graduate Certificate in Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities. These scholars successfully completed graduate level coursework in African American Health, Global Public Health, Ethnic Health and Health Disparities and the Capstone Experience in Ethnic Health and Health Disparities. To complete the Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities (ERHD) Online Certificate, each Brody medical students also completed a Capstone Experience paper which captured what they learned from each course as well as how to apply this new knowledge to their medical expertise and career.
To learn more about the ERHD certificate program, please visit https://erhd.ecu.edu.
Service-Learning Scholars leading the way to help other BSOM students to give back
Service-Learning Distinction Track scholars from the class of 2024 organized a service project benefiting patients of a local student-run free clinic, Pitt County Care Clinic. The students created a variety of kits to give to patients, including a menstrual product kit, diabetes care kit and a first-aid kit. Other medical students were able to take part in the project during orientation or at a class social event hosted by the Medical Student Council.
Distinction Track Scholars come out on top at the 2023 Unified Quality Improvement Symposium
The seventh annual Unified Quality Improvement Symposium was held on February 1st, 2023, at Eastern AHEC. The symposium showcased 30 projects related to quality improvement, patient safety, population health, and interprofessional practice from ECU and ECU Health. Distinction Track Scholars presented their impressive projects and were well rewarded, securing 5 out of the 6 awards given.
The symposium’s award for best podium presentation was awarded to Emily Downs, M4, LINC Scholar, for her presentation “Increasing Utilization of Mental Health Resources by Adolescents Screening Positive for Depression and Anxiety at the ECU Pediatric Diabetes Clinic.” Third place podium presentation was awarded to Nonye Onokalah, M4, LINC Scholar, for her presentation “Addressing Immunization Gaps: Improving Rates of Immunization Among Adolescents for Routine, Recommended Vaccines.”
First place in the poster category was awarded to Serena Mooney, M3, LINC Scholar, for her project “Improving Parental Knowledge of the Status of Medically Complex Neonates through Scheduled Conferences.” Second place was awarded to fourth-year medical student and LINC Scholar Atif Mahmood, for his work “Improving EMS Handoffs: Using the “IMIST-AMBO” Mnemonic to Provide Standardized Structure and Organization.” Third place was awarded to Taylor Stamey M2, Service-Learning Scholar, for her project “The use of Community Ambassadors Increases Covid-19 Vaccination Rates in West Greenville, NC.”
Amazing work from all of our Track scholars that participated! To see a comprehensive list of the day’s presentations and photos from the event please visit the QIS webpage.
2022 Distinction Track Toy Drive Challenge
The 2nd Annual Distinction Track Toy Drive was held this past holiday season, this year benefiting the ECU General Pediatrics Clinic. Distinction Track Scholars were invited to participate in the challenge to see which track could bring in the most new, unwrapped toys. The Service-Learning track was able to secure their second victory and keep the title of Challenge winners, bringing in the largest number of toys out of the four tracks.
This year we extended the invitation to participate in the Toy Drive to BSOM Alumni and ECU Chapter of the Circle K Club International, and had a wonderful response from both groups. We cannot thank you enough! With your combined generosity, a grand total of 178 toys, diapers, and children’s essentials were delivered to the ECU Peds Clinic just before the holiday break. We would like to thank everyone who participated for their kindness and holiday spirit! With your help, we were able to brighten the holidays for our local children and their families. We thank you all and look forward to next year’s toy drive challenge!
*We would also like to extend a special thank you to Ms. Krista Wilhelm, Director of Alumni Affairs at BSOM, and Dr. Jenn Crotty, Associate Pediatric Residency Director, Dept. of Pediatrics and SLDT Track Director, who were instrumental in the planning and execution of this year’s event. You are both super stars!
Distinction Track & SSRP M1 Interest Meeting
Distinction Track Leadership and current scholars were on hand to meet with potential Distinction Track and Summer Scholars Research Program applicants Wednesday, October 19th, during our 2022 Interest Meeting Ice Cream Social and Meet and Greet. BSOM M1 students were able to view a sampling of what our scholars are doing within their respective tracks and learn more about the opportunities available in joining a Distinction Track or participating in the SSRP program. There was a wonderful turnout and sweet treats were enjoyed by all. We’re eager to welcome the next cohort and excited for what the future has in store! If you are an M1 student interested in applying to either program, please click here for more information.
Distinction Track Scholars Exhibit Projects Nationally
We would like to highlight and congratulate a few of our Distinction Track scholars who have presented their work at national conferences recently. Research scholar, Simran Koura, M4, presented her project poster “Rate and predictors of spontaneous patent foramen ovale closure after identification on prenatal echocardiogram” at the 8th Annual Pediatric Medical Student Research Forum in Orlando, Florida. Brandon Garcia, M4 LINC scholar, presented his poster for “Quality Improvement: Improving Screening to Address Social Determinants of Health in a Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic” at the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine 2022 conference in Savannah, Georgia. Duy Huynh, M4 Research scholar, presented his project poster titled “Eye Movement and Body Positions’ Effects on Optic Nerve Sheath Measurements” in Chicago, Illinois at the American Academy of Ophthalmology 2022. And finally, M4 Research Scholar, Michael Moseley presented his project “COVID 19 Infection is Associated with Repeat Emergency Department Visits” at the American College of Emergency Physicians 2022 Research Forum in San Francisco, CA. Congratulations to all of you on all of your achievements!
2022 Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities New Graduates
Five Brody School of Medicine Service-Learning Distinction Track Scholars were among the third cohort of medical students to complete the Graduate Certificate in Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities. These scholars successfully completed graduate level coursework in African American Health, Global Public Health, Ethnic Health and Health Disparities and the Capstone Experience in Ethnic Health and Health Disparities.To complete the Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities (ERHD) Online Certificate, each Brody medical students also completed a Capstone Experience paper which captured what they learned from each course as well as how to apply this new knowledge to their medical expertise and career.
Kayla Mayes – “Longitudinal Workshops with Minority Youth in Eastern North Carolina”
Lauren Moore – “Exploring Dietary Habits During Pregnancy”
Anna Beth Robertson – “Making Healthcare More Accessible for the Local Homeless Population during the Covid-19 Pandemic and Beyond”
LaQuanda Fredericks – “Educational Handouts and Self-Reflection as an Approach to Weight Management: Weight Management Clinic”
Joshua Parke – “Access to Testing and Treatment for Hepatitis C in Eastern NC”
To learn more about the ERHD certificate program, visit https://erhd.ecu.edu.
Distinction Track Scholars contribute to success of the virtual Unified QI Symposium
The sixth annual Unified Quality Improvement Symposium was held virtually on February 2nd 2022. The symposium showcased 23 projects related to quality improvement, patient safety, population health, and interprofessional practice from ECU and Vidant Health. Distinction Track Scholars had a strong presence, being involved in over half of the projects exhibited. There were 11 LINC Scholars who presented on behalf of their project teams: podium presentations by Gary Allen, M3, and Atima Huria, M4; quick shot podium presentations by Emily Downs, M3, Tejal Naik, M4, Camille Bauer, M4, and Kevin Travia, M2; poster presentations by Anna Lisa Ciarrocca, M3, Kiane Douglas, M3, Anita Gandhi, M4, and Mark McAlister, M4; and works in progress poster presentation by Usman Saqib, M4.
The symposium’s award for outstanding podium presentation was a tie between Gary Allen, M3, LINC, for his presentation, “Increasing Reconciliation of Outside Clinical Information during Hospitalizations at Vidant Health Hospitals,” and Erin Pearson, RN, Vidant, for her presentation, “For the Love of the Line CLABSI Reduction Project.” The quick shot podium award went to Tejal Naik, M4, LINC, for her project, “Improving Self-Management of Healthy Weight Related Goals at the Pediatric Healthy Weight Clinic.” Kiane Douglas, M3, LINC, received the outstanding poster award for her presentation, “A QI Project to Decrease Suboptimal Patient Transfers from the NICU to the Special Care Nursery.”
Please visit https://medicine.ecu.edu/medicaleducation/reach-qi-symposium/ to view all of this year’s presentations.
Distinction Track QIS award winners: Kiane Douglas, LINC M3, Tejal Naik, LINC M4, and Gary Allen, LINC M3.
2021 Distinction Track Toy Drive Challenge
This past holiday season, all BSOM Distinction Track Scholars were invited to participate in the inaugural 2021 Distinction Track Toy Drive Challenge, benefiting the Maynard Children’s Hospital at Vidant. Each track was given the mission of bringing in new, unwrapped toys, with the track donating the most items being rewarded with holiday cheer and bragging rights for the next year.
The challenge, which ran from November 29th through December 17, was a huge success thanks to the generosity of all our tracks. Service-Learning was able to secure the challenge victory with 253 new toys donated. The grand total of toys brought in for the very deserving kids at the Children’s Hospital was a whopping 422!
We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all that donated. Without your generosity, we would not have been able to make the first toy drive such a big success. We look forward to trying to surpass that number for the next toy drive!
SLDT Scholar “Building Bridges” to help students succeed
SLDT Scholar Melenis Lopez knew that once she was on her path to becoming a physician, she could help other students achieve their goals, and the Building Bridges Mentorship Program was created. The program was established to help and empower pre-medical minority students by pairing them with medical-student-mentors that are invested in their success. The group meets virtually every month and holds workshops that include different themes, like recommendation letters and extracurricular activities.
“The Building Bridges program is my dream come true! One of my goals that has been aligned with my pursuit of becoming a physician is the idea of giving back. I knew that if I “made it”, I’d be morally obligated to help others that are in the same boat I was in–that is first-generation, minority, disadvantaged pre-medical students. Building Bridges was designed to empower, guide, and help these students not only gain acceptance into medical school but gain life-long mentors that will help them each step of the way.” – Melenis Lopez.
To read more about Melenis and the Building Bridges program, please visit the Academic Advising section of the Provost’s First Monday Update for October 2021.
LINC Scholar recognized in 2021 AMA HSS Student, Resident, and Fellow Impact Challenge 
In September, LINC Scholar Gary Allen’s longitudinal project was selected as an honorable mention in the 2021 American Medical Association (AMA) Health Systems Science Student, Resident, and Fellow Impact Challenge. The national competition highlights how trainees have applied health systems science, a disciplined devoted to the study and improvement of health care delivery, to impact patients in their local health system. For the past year, Gary has worked alongside faculty advisor Dr. Gregory Knapp as well as organizational representatives Jessica Setzer and Rose Jones to improve transitions of care to and from Vidant Health Hospitals. Admission and discharge from the hospital are high-risk periods for miscommunication of critical health information, like medication lists, which can lead to adverse outcomes for patients. Gary’s team has worked with leaders across the Vidant/ECU system to increase the reconciliation of patient data received through electronic health information exchanges, decreasing the likelihood of critical miscommunications. Over the last year, the percentage of complete reconciliation of local and outside clinical information during admissions at Vidant Health has skyrocketed from 26.5% in October 2020 to 76.2% in September 2021.
2021 Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities New Graduates
Eight Brody School of Medicine Service-Learning Distinction Track Scholars were among the second cohort of medical students to complete the Graduate Certificate in Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities. These scholars successfully completed graduate level coursework in African American Health, Global Public Health, Ethnic Health and Health Disparities and the Capstone Experience in Ethnic Health and Health Disparities. To learn more about the ERHD certificate program, visit https://erhd.ecu.edu.
ECU Brody RISE Summer Program
The Brody Rise summer session is a pre-college program from the office of Diversity Affairs, which aims to provide healthcare exposure to diverse students interested in a career in medicine. Divya Srinivas and Noor Baloch, scholars in the medical education and teaching distinction track, planned an informative and hands-on curriculum. This program taught students about the healthcare field, but also to learn about healthcare inequalities that exist in the United States. Pre-college students had the opportunity to learn in the Virtual Reality lab, discuss medical ethics, and see real-life organs. Other distinction track scholars from LINC, SSRP, Med-Ed, and Service-learning visited the students each day to explain their unique path to medicine, to show that there are medical students who have the same background as them. ”
Distinction Track Scholars present at the 7th Annual Medical Education Day
20 Distinction Track Scholars were involved as either primary presenters or contributing authors at the 7th Annual Medical Education Day on May 5th, 2021. Their works spanned both the podium and the quick shot poster presentation sessions, held virtually via Zoom, and some received awards for their work.
Hannah Conley, Service-Learning Scholar, placed 3rd in the quick shot poster presentation session, along with contributing Distinction Track Scholar authors Hannah Smith (Service-Learning), Camille Bauer (LINC) and Olivia Campbell (Medical Education and Teaching) for their work, “Promoting Reproductive Health Education in Pitt County (PREP): An Educational Program to Address High STI and Adolescent Pregnancy Rates”. The 2nd place quick shot poster presentation award went to the project “Comparison of Cricothyrotomy Educational Techniques: Self-Directed Learning versus In-Person Instruction” with LINC Scholar, Greyson Vann, acting as contributing author. Service-Learning Scholars, Ethenyeri Maganga and Rashieda Pugh, acted as contributing authors on the 1st place quick shot poster presentation award project, “Nutrition Matters: A Conscious Approach when Managing Patients with Mental Illness”.
In the podium session, Brady Buchanan, Medical Education and Teaching Scholar, took home the judge’s honorable mention award for Best Virtual Pivot with his project “Virtual Autopsy Experience: A COVID Era Adaptation of the Medical School Pathology Curriculum”. Contributing authors on that project included Kari Beasley (Medical Education and Teaching), Gary Allen, Atif Mahmood, Grant O’Brien (LINC), Breann Zeches, Karen Kennamer, and Sina Kazemzadeh (Research). To view a complete listing of the projects, please visit the Med Ed Day website.
Medical Education & Teaching Scholars Complete EHP Certificate Program
In 2017, the ECU College of Education Adult Education Program collaborated with the Brody School of Medicine on an innovative medical education track for future medical educators. Medical Education & Teaching Distinction Track Scholars complete courses in the ADED program, including Instructional Strategies, Educational Program Evaluation and Introduction to Education in the Healthcare Professions, and graduate with both a MD degree with Medical Education & Teaching Distinction and a Graduate Certificate in Education in Healthcare Professions.
The first class of seven Brody School of Medicine Medical Education & Teaching Distinction Track Scholars who completed all requirements, including a culminating portfolio, are Andrew Brown, Caitrin Curtis, Brenham Hughes, Jacob Jackowski, Scott McLaughlin, Andrew Piner and Shubham Upadhyay. We congratulate our Scholars on their success as graduates from the Medical Education & Teaching Distinction Track with a Graduate Certificate in Education in Healthcare Professions.
Dr. Steven W. Schmidt, Professor and Program Coordinator for the Adult Education Program, noted “We in the Adult Education Program are thrilled to be working with the Brody School of Medicine on this innovative program that prepares future medical educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective educators as well as effective practitioners.”
2018 Medical Education and Teaching Distinction Track
Andrew Brown
Caitrin Curtis
Brenham Hughes
Jacob Jackowski
Scott McLaughlin
Andrew Piner
Shubham Upadhyay
Service-Learning Scholars inducted as members of the Servire Society
On March 16, 2021, 7 Service-Learning Scholars and the Service-Learning Distinction Track Leader, Dr. Jennifer Crotty, were inducted into the Servire Society. These scholars have completed at least 50 hours of volunteer service between January 1 to December 31, 2020. They gave back to various organizations including GCSC, Access East, Building Hope, ekiM Syringe Exchange, Physiology Camp, and Project Alpha. The Service-Learning Scholars are Anna Beth Robertson, LaQuanda Fredericks, Kayla Mayes, Joshua Parke, Lauren Moore, Holly Pittard-Ingram, and Brittany Means-Lee. We congratulate them all on the recognition of their commitment to volunteer services throughout the community.
Distinction Track Scholars contribute to success of the virtual Unified QI Symposium
The fifth annual Unified Quality Improvement Symposium was held virtually on February 3rd, 2021. The symposium showcased 33 projects related to quality improvement, patient safety, population health, and interprofessional practice from ECU and Vidant Health. Of those 33 projects, 25 Distinction Track Scholars were involved in 20 projects. Of those 20 projects, 16 Distinction Track Scholars virtually presented on behalf of their project teams. These include 2 podium presentations, 2 quick shot podium presentations, 5 poster presentations, and 7 works in progress poster presentations. Presenting LINC Scholars include Arjun Patel, M4, Amber Gautam, M4, Julie Brown, M4, Grant O’Brien, M2, Kyle Luke, M4, Garrett Berk, M3, Greyson Vann, M4, Sanjana Prabhu, M4, Tyler Powell, M4, Atima Huria, M3, Camille Bauer, M3, and Veronica Lavelle, M3. Presenting Service-Learning Scholars include Holly Ingram, M3, Elizabeth Cochran, M4, and Hannah Conley, M4. The presenting Research Scholar was Zachary Pruitt, M4. To view all of the projects, please visit https://medicine.ecu.edu/medicaleducation/reach-qi-symposium/.
Distinction Track Scholars utilize Telemedicine during the COVID pandemic
Anna Beth Robertson and Grant O’Brien (ECU Photo by Cliff Hollis)
Anna Beth Robertson and Grant O’Brien are working on a project that utilizes Telemedicine to keep the Greenville Community Shelter Clinic running during the COVID-19 Pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, they piloted a Prescription Refill Program that allowed them to coordinate and deliver vital prescription refills to residents at the local homeless shelter. In September, they started hosting virtual clinics via Microsoft Teams that allow the entire team of medical students, physicians, pharmacy residents, and social workers to be involved in the care of the patient remotely.
Their team has hosted a total of 10 clinics so far seeing 23 patients and helping fill over 70 prescriptions. They plan to continue hosting virtual clinics until students are cleared to return to clinical spaces. They will present their project as part of Eastern AHEC’s Rural Health Symposium on February 25th where they will answer questions and give updates.
LINC Scholars win first place in first annual ECU HSLC Case Competition
Atif Mahmood
Mona Amin
On October 31st, LINC Scholars Mona Amin and Atif Mahmood won first place in the first annual ECU Health Sciences Leadership Council (HSLC) Case Competition. The goal of the competition was to encourage teams of interdisciplinary students to develop and present a proposed solution to address the rising rates of stroke and heart disease in Perquimans County, NC. Atif and Mona worked alongside faculty advisor Dr. Tim Reeder and teammates Grace Krell (B.S. Engineering), Arvind Rajan (B.S. Biochemistry), and Israel Mendez (P.A. Candidate) to develop their project, The Healthy Neighbor Initiative (HNI). HNI was centered around training, equipping, and incentivizing community partners (e.g. local businesses, churches, etc.) to conduct blood pressure screenings, while providing personalized health-coaching sessions to individuals who screen positive for high blood pressure. During their allotted 2 weeks, the team conducted interviews with citizens and leaders of Perquimans County, designed a program that was realistic, sustainable, and accessible to their targeted population, and formulated a detailed 3-year plan and budget which they presented to an inter-professional panel of judges. Having participated in this competition while working with such a diverse and talented team, Mona and Atif learned more about the health system and socioeconomic inequities that exist among their future patients in Eastern NC, as well as the personalized approach needed to solve them.
Service-Learning Scholars Coordinate food drive for the Vidant/ECU Medical Food Pantry
Project Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Crotty, Department of Pediatrics
Group Service Project Team Members
LaQuanda Fredericks, Kayla Mayes, Lauren Moore, Anna Robertson, and Joshua Parke
From November 9-20, five Brody Service-Learning Scholars coordinated a food drive for the Vidant/ECU Medical Food Pantry. Donations from various areas of the Health Sciences campus totaled 500 lbs of food. Special thanks to faculty, residents and staff in Family Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine-Pediatrics, Psychiatry and the ECU Physical Therapy students for their generous donations!
Service-Learning Distinction Track Blanket Service Project
Project Leader
Brittany Means
Project Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Crotty, Department of Pediatrics
Group Service Project Team Members
Ryan Accomazzo, Elizabeth Cochran, Hannah Conley, Sydney Hendricks, Hannah Smith, Jessica Tucci-Herron, Mansi Trivedi, Hannah Verrilli and Caroline Wainright
General Statement, Brittany Means
When planning for a group Service-Learning project, I knew just the population I wanted to target. Having worked with Child Life in a Children’s Hospital before Medical School, I know there are always plenty of ways to give back and plenty of items in need. Before determining what to give, I made a visit to Child Life of Vidant Hospital to determine what the need was. I was told that comfortable, kid-friendly blankets are usually a big hit with the kids and that they are always in need of more. We decided, as a group, that we’d make Handmade No-Sew Fleece blankets as our Service Project. While COVID-19 had initially put an end to our planning, we were determined to complete our efforts to give back.
I truly enjoyed crafting these handmade blankets for the patients at Vidant Children’s Hospital with the Service-Learning Distinction Track. Along with the blankets, we gathered words of encouragement and wrote get well soon messages to lift the children’s spirits. This project made me feel honored to be an SLDT member along with my fellow classmates who are devoted to serving the needs of others in our community. The Child Life specialists of Vidant Hospital identified a need and we did our best to supply it. Our hope is that these blankets will make a child feel more comfortable and remind them of home while in such an unfamiliar place.
“SLDT is devoted to serving the needs of others in our community. Child Life identified a need and we did our best to supply it. Hopefully our blankets will make a child feel more comfortable and be a reminder of home in such an unfamiliar place.”
– Brittany Means, @BMeansMed
“Getting together with my classmates to make blankets for the children’s hospital gives an opportunity to connect with others during this tough year, not only through making them but by doing something kind for others. I hope these send some warmth and love to the patients!”
– Jessie Tucci-Heron
“I enjoyed making these blankets! It was so refreshing to spend time working with our hands to make a gift that I know will comfort many sick babies and kids. I am currently working in the NICU and see these blankets used every day. It is a gift that truly makes a difference.”
– Mansi Trivedi
“Making blankets for the children’s hospital is a simple gesture to show our support for some of these vulnerable patients at Vidant Medical Center.”
– Ryan Accomazzo
“For me, this opportunity to make blankets for our pediatric patients was a shining spot in 2020. There truly is nothing like doing or saying something to make someone else’s world a little brighter.”
– Hannah Conley
Caroline Wainright
Distinction Track
Service-Learning
Mentor
Dr. Ryan Moore, Department of Pediatrics
Team Members
Jared Barkes, M2 MET Scholar
Katri Thiele, MS4
Project
“Reducing Anxiety Through Medical Play”
With the help of colleagues and community support, I was able to establish a Medical Play Resource at the Ronald McDonald House for my capstone project as a SLDT member. Medical Play helps to familiarize children and parents with common medical equipment seen during a hospital stay. Familiarity with the medical equipment and environment of the hospital will hopefully help to ease anxieties that parents and siblings experience when preparing to visit their child in the hospital. We created a photo flipbook for the families to use at their leisure, where each piece of equipment has been photographed and described. Families are able to use this resource independently or they can set up virtual sessions with medical student volunteers to walk them through this wonderful, new resource.
LINC Scholar contributes to the success of the virtual Medical Student Scholarship Forum
Dr. Kori Brewer, on behalf of the Distinction Track, presents Gary Allen with an Appreciation Award for his contributions to the MSSF.
One of the true joys I experienced this summer was assisting the leaders of the Distinction Tracks at the Brody School of Medicine host the first ever virtual Medical Student Scholarship Forum. Despite a worldwide pandemic, most of my classmates chose to spend the last free summer of their lives advancing the pursuit of knowledge with the guidance of our distinguished professors. Pivoting an in-person event to a virtual forum allowed a safe celebration of their work, and I am appreciative that the students and faculty trusted me to be their public voice. Additional credit should be given to the staff who helped me prepare materials and social media specialists who helped me hone the content as well as East Carolina University for creating a flexible social media environment where new ideas can flourish.
Service-Learning Scholars Complete ERHD Certificate Program
Four of the Brody School of Medicine Service-Learning Distinction Track Scholars completed and received a Graduate Certificate in Ethnic and Rural Health Disparities. Ellie Cochran, Hannah Smith, Hannah Conley and Caroline Wainright are the first to complete the ERHD Graduate Certificate Program as part of the Service-Learning Distinction Track. These scholars successfully completed coursework in African American Health, Global Public Health, Ethnic Health and Health Disparities, and the Capstone Experience in Ethnic Health and Health Disparities. Follow the link to learn more about the graduates and ERHD program https://erhd.ecu.edu/alumni.
Elizabeth Cochran
Hannah Conley
Hannah Smith
Caroline Wainright