Brody Class of 2009 graduates
GREENVILLE, N.C. — Dr. Paul Cunningham presided over his first convocation as dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Saturday, as 65 medical graduates entered the next phase of their careers.
“Like those who came before you, you will work hard,” Cunningham to the graduates gathered early in the morning at Wright Auditorium. “We look forward to hearing from you and celebrating your successes in years to come.”
Emily White receives her hood from Dr. Virginia Hardy and Randall Renegar. Photo by Cliff Hollis
Dr. Tom Irons, professor of pediatrics director of ECU’s Generalist Physician Program and associate vice chancellor for regional health services, was the featured speaker. He turned the lectern nearly 90 degrees so he could better see the graduates as he spoke to them and reminded them to be, in the words of the old restaurant paper placemat of prayers, “ever mindful of the needs of others.”
Irons, addressing a class of graduates for the third time in his 28 years on the ECU faculty, more than any other convocation speaker, brought up some issues facing medicine, such as malpractice concerns, quality and indigent care, and encouraged the graduates to stay true to the desire to help others.
He illustrated that with a story from his past, when he cleaned the dry, crusty mouth of a near-comatose boy while an Army doctor in Germany a quarter-century ago, then ran into the patient last year in an unexpected but joyful reunion.
“Whatever the problems, it’s still the best job in the world,” Irons said.
Graduate Ryan Murray thanked families and friends who have supported the medical students during their education and noted the number of graduates who have become engaged, married or had children while in medical school. Murray did all three.
Earlier in the week, the medical school held its annual recognition and awards event. Following are award recipients:
Brody Scholars: Brad Evans, Laurie Green, Emilie Pendley
N.C. Schweitzer Fellows: Marie Rowe, Paige Clark, Rachel Simpson, Shelby Kaplan, Brooke Chalk
Albert Schweitzer Lambarene Fellows: Marie Rowe, Nicolaus Glomb
Tiana Nicole Williams Memorial Award: Velvet Patterson
Society of Academic Emergency Medicine Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award: Shelby Kaplan
George Podgorny Award: Daren Beam
Frisell Research Award: Heath Jones<
NCAFP Blair Leadership Award: Kyle Geissler
Edgar T. Beddingfield Jr. M.D. Family Medicine Award: Katherine Bray Strickland
Excellence in Medical Humanities Award: Crysten Brinkley
Outstanding Contribution to Medical Humanities: Laurie Green, Katie Williams
Internal Medicine Best Student in Medicine Award: Jeremy Kilburn, Laura Nasrallah
Jacob Furth Student Research Award: Joshua Porter
Eugene D. Furth M.D. Award: Laura Nasrallah
Microbiology and Immunology Award: Clint McNabb
Ruth A. Carson Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Award: Crysten Brinkley, David McNabb, Laura Nasrallah
William E. Laupus Pediatric Award: Lindsay Roofe
Jon B. Tingelstad Pediatric Award: Nicolaus Glomb
Vivian N. Barnes Award: Katherine Bray Strickland
Phillip G. Nelson Award: Mandrill Taylor
AMWA Malene Irons Award: Velvet Patterson
James Mathis Award: Jonathan Scarff
Faculty Award: Laura Nasrallah
Class Appreciation Award: Kyle Geissler
Basic Science Course Award: Pharmacology
Clinical Science Course Award: Surgery
Alpha Omega Alpha members: Chrysten Brinkley, Chris Bullers, Brooke Chalk, Bryan Dunn, Ryan Holland, Shelby Kaplan, Jeremy Kilburn, Clint McNabb, Adnan Mustafa, Laura Nasrallah, Joshua Porter, Lindsay Roofe.
The following faculty members, residents and departments also received awards from the class: Drs. David Taylor, Claudia Goettler, Hubert Burden, M.J. Barchman, John Leonard, John Christie, Jim Coleman, Joshua Woelk and Harry Adams. Private physicians Rob Turner and Robert Shaw also received awards.