High school students from Health Sciences Academy in Duplin and Pitt counties recently had the opportunity to explore the medical field firsthand at the “Chat With a Doc” event. ECU Health physicians from various specialties engaged in candid conversations about their careers, educational paths and the realities of medical careers.
Students heard from specialties including pediatric, pathology, emergency medicine, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, palliative care, trauma and internal medicine. The event not only highlighted the different specialties within medicine but also underscored the commitment and dedication required to pursue a career in health care. From years of education and training to the challenges of balancing patient care with personal life, the physicians provided an honest and engaging perspective for students considering the field.
Dr. Yaolin Zhou, a pathologist at ECU Health, spoke to students about the importance of having a passion for taking care of patients when going into the medical field.
“Whatever you do within health care, you want to do what’s right for your patients, for the community, and make a difference and make your little corner of the world a better place,” said Dr. Zhou.
Dr. Zhou also described the critical role of pathology in diagnosing diseases, including cancer.
“Pathologists are trained physicians who specialize in diagnosing diseases,” Dr. Zhou said. “I examine samples from the human body to determine what’s going on.”
Dr. Nicole Toney, an emergency medicine physician, provided students with a glimpse into her field, emphasizing the fast-paced and unpredictable nature of emergency care.
“Emergency medicine is exciting because you never know what’s coming next,” Dr. Toney said. “You might see someone having a heart attack, a trauma patient, or something entirely unexpected. It’s all about problem-solving and acting quickly.”
Students in attendance found the event inspiring and informative. Kennedy Jones, a student from Duplin County, came to explore different medical career paths.
“I used to have a big interest in obstetrics, then that changed to pediatrics,” Jones said. “Hearing from a pediatrician today and learning about how they take care of the whole family when a kid gets sick was really interesting and gave me more insight into what’s ahead and helped me think more about my future.”
With the demand for health care professionals on the rise, events like “Chat With a Doc” play a crucial role in inspiring the next generation of medical professionals and helping students navigate career paths in medicine.