Kamryn Henderson hopes to provide belonging in medical spaces

Being injured or sick is often a very vulnerable moment for a patient. Those are the moments Kamryn Henderson sees herself being the best physician, one who can ensure patients are understood and never feel alone. She is preparing to become that version of a physician at the Brody School of Medicine.

“Medicine gives me the opportunity to provide not only healing but also hope, representation and belonging,” Henderson said. “If I can help just one person feel seen, respected and cared for in a vulnerable moment, I will have made a difference.”

Kamryn Henderson has completed her M1 year as a Brody Scholar at the Brody School of Medicine. (ECU Photo by Steven Mantilla)

Henderson believes that creating a caring space for patients can lead to more positive health care outcomes, especially those from marginalized backgrounds.

“During high-stress situations like medical emergencies, it can be deeply reassuring to interact with someone who shares or understands your identity,” she said. “I want to be a physician who offers that sense of comfort and who advocates for individuals who are too often forgotten or unheard in our health care system.”

Henderson, the daughter of Kelvin and Stephanie Henderson of Waxhaw, is one of three Brody Scholars in the 2028 medical school class. The prestigious scholarship, valued at approximately $118,000, provides each scholar four years of medical school tuition, living expenses and the opportunity to design a summer enrichment program that can include travel abroad. The award will also support community service projects the students may undertake while in medical school.

“Being a Brody Scholar is a privilege. It means being recognized for my commitment to service and leadership. To me, it means that the school believes that I have the ability to make a meaningful impact as a future physician,” Henderson said. “It motivates me to work harder to ensure that I am able to make that impact on the communities I will one day serve. I am extremely grateful for the Brody Foundation for the support.

Making People Better

As a former track athlete, Henderson is interested in sports medicine and is considering orthopedic surgery and physical medicine and rehabilitation as possible areas of practice. It is her hope to practice in the southeast and she has a strong preference for staying in North Carolina, wherever she can make the greatest impact serving an underserved community.

Henderson earned a Bachelor of Science in bioengineering and minored in global engineering leadership at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). She was a Division-I track and field athlete, competing in the hammer throw and shotput.

Before starting medical school, she worked as a researcher in Dr. Catherine Kuo’s lab at UMD’s Fischell Department of Bioengineering. Kuo is leading an effort to develop first-of-kind therapeutics to repair injured or weakened tendons.

“I studied how to improve tendon healing following injury. My focus was on the Achilles tendon and the craniofacial tendons,” Henderson said. “In the lab, we used both chicken embryos and mice to study developing tendon properties and adult tendon properties, respectively.”

She was drawn to the Brody School of Medicine’s mission and commitment to improving the health and well-being of underserved communities, which she feels align deeply with her personal goals and values.

“My passion for medicine was born out of a desire to provide comfort, care and familiarity to those who often feel unheard or overlooked in medical spaces,” she said. “Brody’s commitment to training physicians who serve their communities resonates with my own mission of being a compassionate and culturally competent healthcare provider.”

Having a strong personal “why” has been essential in helping Henderson navigate her first year in medical school. For anyone considering a career in medicine, she encourages them to stay rooted in their passion and purpose.

Strong Brody bonds

“The best part of being a first-year medical student has been seeing how the information I learn in class is directly applicable to patient care,” she said.

Henderson said being part of the Brody Scholar program has given her a close-knit community of peers across all class years — providing a valuable support system for advice, encouragement and mentorship. She said the program has provided unique opportunities such as a book discussion, community volunteering and an upcoming summer enrichment experience.

“The Brody School of Medicine truly feels like a family and I’m incredibly grateful for the support and joy they bring to this journey,” she said. “They’ve shown me that medical school can be fun when you’re surrounded by the right people.”