Brody alumna, student posters highlight Medical Education Day

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University hosted its 11th annual Medical Education Day May 1, highlighted by a keynote address by alumna Dr. Christina Peroutka.

Held in the Brody Auditorium, Medical Education Day recognizes scholarship and innovation in medical education and offers an opportunity to join a community of educators, leaders, scholars and learners to promote exciting changes in medical education. Podium, student and faculty posters, and Shark Tank presentations allowed participants to learn more about ongoing educational activities at the Brody School of Medicine. The event is sponsored by Brody’s Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development (OFALD).

Medical students from all four classes gave presentations this year, as well as faculty and staff from clinical and foundational sciences departments. Multiple staff and faculty, including department chairs, support the event by serving on the planning committee and as judges in all three categories.

“Researchers in these various roles often work together from the design stage through data collection, analysis and preparation for delivery,” said Allison Flowers, director of OFALD.  “These projects have a direct positive impact on processes and practices at Brody, including curriculum improvement, clinical care and simulation education.”

Dr. Christina Peroutka gives the keynote address during Medical Education Day at the Brody School of Medicine. (ECU Photo by Rhett Butler)

Flowers said Medical Education Day also offers a unique look at research ideas being considered for future study at Brody.

Peroutka kicked off the day with her keynote address, “Follow the Green Lights: How Focusing on Positive Experiences can Shape your Career and Lead to Big Opportunities.” Peroutka is a board-certified physician at the University of Virginia in pediatrics, clinical, general and medical biochemical genetics who specializes in helping infants, children and adults with genetic conditions. She has a particular interest and expertise in inborn errors of metabolism and newborn screening.

Peroutka completed residency training in pediatrics and genetics at the Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and a fellowship in medical biochemical genetics at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland.

Peroutka outlined important lessons she learned throughout her time at Brody, during her residency and as she embarked on her career, including taking advantage of mentors and opportunities to continue learning throughout one’s career.

She also told the crowd that positivity — including hope — is a necessary part of being an effective and excellent physician.

“It’s very important to be honest (with patients) about your capabilities for current medical care,” she said, “but it’s hope that allows us to push medicine forward.”

The winners of 2025 Medical Education Day awards include:

“Getting an opportunity to be able to create projects that help my own education while being a student here is so valuable,” Geneau said. “I think it’s incredible to be able to implement and actually be a part of your own learning while a student and help continue to impact the education of students who come to Brody after me.”

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