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- Nov 28, 2004
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Who should go to ECU.... and why....
The people of eastern NC fought a long and difficult battle to get a medical school established in eastern NC. (Many of those opposed were from other schools and regions in NC.) Their mission was to provide primary care physicians to a 29 county region in eastern NC and to provide medical education to minority students.
ECUs mission is very much alive and well. They are producing over 70% primary care docs (UNC 2004 51%, Duke 30-plus percent). Also, a LOT stay in NC and eastern NC. Compare to the hemorrhage of students from the other 3 NC schools who leave to go to CA, MA, FL, NY etc.
Why do they succeed? It begins with the admissions committee seeking people who are dedicated to primary care, and who have super-strong ties to NC.
Why eastern NC? If you look at 2000 census data, you will find that eastern NC counties still have the highest poverty rates in NC. Pitt Co, where ECU is, has 20% living under the poverty line. Compare: Orange Co 14.1, Durham 13.4, Forsyth 11.1 Cabarrus 7.1 (lowest in state) When I moved here I was very biased towards my home region west of here. But the truth is, this part of the state has much higher poverty rates. I remember going to home visits in trailers without indoor plumbing, no heat and air, and with holes in the roof and floors. True third world poverty can be found right here at home.
Other eastern Cos: Halifax 23.9 Robeson 22.8%
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37147.html
This site also has education rates and stats like incomplete plumbing and lack of phones or electricity.
Poverty, lack of access to care, lack of education and poor health care are a way of life for so many people in eastern NC. It is not glamorous like Charlotte or trendy like Asheville. (Believe me, I love those places, too!) It is a sometimes harsh place, and so few NC-educated physicians wanted to come here in the past and the need was so great they fought to get the school.
No doubt, the school was needed. There is actually a book about this struggle, and reading it might help you gain perspective on the mission of the school. Ask the admissions folks or the ECU library if interested.
If you want to be a plastic surgeon in Florida, or a neurosurgeon in Boston, please don't take a precious seat in the class. We do have a couple each year who sneak in, but they are not the rule. Go to UNC or Duke or Wake... they would be a better fit, anyways.
The mission of ECU is pure and good, and the people here still need primary care docs who are willing to get in the trenches (it isn't pretty or lucrative) and fight for them HERE. If you "get it" and this is your passion, if you think you are up to the job, please join us!
The people of eastern NC fought a long and difficult battle to get a medical school established in eastern NC. (Many of those opposed were from other schools and regions in NC.) Their mission was to provide primary care physicians to a 29 county region in eastern NC and to provide medical education to minority students.
ECUs mission is very much alive and well. They are producing over 70% primary care docs (UNC 2004 51%, Duke 30-plus percent). Also, a LOT stay in NC and eastern NC. Compare to the hemorrhage of students from the other 3 NC schools who leave to go to CA, MA, FL, NY etc.
Why do they succeed? It begins with the admissions committee seeking people who are dedicated to primary care, and who have super-strong ties to NC.
Why eastern NC? If you look at 2000 census data, you will find that eastern NC counties still have the highest poverty rates in NC. Pitt Co, where ECU is, has 20% living under the poverty line. Compare: Orange Co 14.1, Durham 13.4, Forsyth 11.1 Cabarrus 7.1 (lowest in state) When I moved here I was very biased towards my home region west of here. But the truth is, this part of the state has much higher poverty rates. I remember going to home visits in trailers without indoor plumbing, no heat and air, and with holes in the roof and floors. True third world poverty can be found right here at home.
Other eastern Cos: Halifax 23.9 Robeson 22.8%
http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/37/37147.html
This site also has education rates and stats like incomplete plumbing and lack of phones or electricity.
Poverty, lack of access to care, lack of education and poor health care are a way of life for so many people in eastern NC. It is not glamorous like Charlotte or trendy like Asheville. (Believe me, I love those places, too!) It is a sometimes harsh place, and so few NC-educated physicians wanted to come here in the past and the need was so great they fought to get the school.
No doubt, the school was needed. There is actually a book about this struggle, and reading it might help you gain perspective on the mission of the school. Ask the admissions folks or the ECU library if interested.
If you want to be a plastic surgeon in Florida, or a neurosurgeon in Boston, please don't take a precious seat in the class. We do have a couple each year who sneak in, but they are not the rule. Go to UNC or Duke or Wake... they would be a better fit, anyways.
The mission of ECU is pure and good, and the people here still need primary care docs who are willing to get in the trenches (it isn't pretty or lucrative) and fight for them HERE. If you "get it" and this is your passion, if you think you are up to the job, please join us!
Just a thought.
