Student: Ebone Evans

Ebone Evans of Durham is a third-year student in the Brody School of Medicine.

She completed her undergraduate degree from Winston-Salem State University, majoring in biology. During her time there, she wanted to minor in neuroscience, a minor the school did not offer. She was able to get a scholarship to Wake Forest University and earned a neuroscience minor, while still attending WSSU.

While also on a full academic scholarship to WSSU, she ran track, concentrating on relay and hurdles.

Medical school was always Evans’ goal — she just had to find the right one.

“I felt like I was accepted and I was with my people when I came to East Carolina,” she said.

Evans said that Brody’s mission statement aligns with her values and the goals she wants to achieve in the field of medicine.

The school established a three-fold mission in 1974:

• To increase the supply of primary care physicians to serve the state.
• To improve the health status of citizens in eastern North Carolina.
• To enhance the access of minority and disadvantaged students to a medical education.

“I feel like East Carolina has always been headed in a direction to put forth their vision and make it a reality,” she said. “That’s why I chose to come to this school.”

Now in her third year, she’s caring for patients, putting into practice what she had learned in textbooks. She says this is a very detail-oriented job and it’s important to know her patients.

Evans is currently conducting research with Dr. Kori Brewer, focusing on spinal cord injuries and opioid addictions.

When she graduates, she would like to become an otolaryngologist, diagnosing problems with the ears, nose and throat. While practicing medicine, she still wants to play an integral role in teaching.

“I don’t plan for my life to only be used practicing medicine,” she said. “I plan for my life to be about practicing medicine, educating future physicians, being a part of my community and serving its needs.”

What advice do you have for other students?: Ensure that your life goals encompass more than just your education/career. As a young student, the tunnel vision we create to reach our “dream careers” can cut off other important areas in our lives. My life goes beyond being a competent, caring physician. My life goals extend to understanding and appreciating the difference between various cultures by traveling, embedding myself in the community I live in to learn about its needs, and communicating daily with my loved ones to maintain ta strong support system for myself and others.

What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year?: Librarians are happy and willing to assist you in searching for journal articles. I found this beneficial because many students, including myself, navigate journal article search engines inefficiently.

STATISTICS

College: Brody School of Medicine

Major: Doctorate of Medicine

Age: 25

Classification/Year: Third year

Hometown: Durham

Hobbies/interests: Bicycling, gardening, online shopping, comic book preservation with my dad, and reading e-books on Wattpad

Clubs and Organizations: Student National Medical Association, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society

FAVORITES

Favorite hangout: My apartment, especially if friends need to study or unwind, my apartment is always open.

Favorite place on campus: Health Sciences Student Health Center

Favorite place to eat: RJ’s in Greenville and The Cheesecake Factory

Favorite class: Neuroscience

Professor who influenced you the most: Ninth-grade biology Cuban professor

Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy

Favorite band/musician: Jhené Aiko

Favorite movie: Avatar

Favorite website: Google flights, searching for my next vacation.

MOTIVATIONS

Dream job: One that includes medicine, medical education and community service

The one thing you cannot live without: A comfortable pair of scrubs.

Role model: My parents, Chris and Lisa Evans.