ECU Health Medical Center PD Q&A with Dr. Bradby
ECU Health Medical Center PD Q&A with Dr. Bradby
Babayode Bakare, MS 3
Morehouse School of Medicine
EMRA MSC Southern Coordinator
- Can you give us a brief overview of your program? (3-year vs. 4-year, community vs county vs academic, what does training look like from intern year and the years following, any fellowships offered, etc.)
Our Emergency Medicine residency is a three-year program based in eastern North Carolina
at ECU Health Medical Center, affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina
University. Training takes place in a high-volume emergency department, handling
approximately 120,000 patient visits per year. As a Level 1 trauma center and a regional
referral center for stroke, cardiac and cancer care, residents gain exposure to a diverse and high acuity patient population.
We offer a five-year combined EM/IM program and a six-year EM/IM Critical Care program,
providing opportunities for dual training and specialization. Fellowship opportunities include
an Emergency Medical Services fellowship with over 8 nationally renowned EMS faculty and
opportunities for ground, air, and critical care transport opportunities. Residents work closely
with various hospital departments, fostering supportive and collaborative learning
environment.
2.. What sets your program apart from others?
Our program offers the best of both worlds—big-city medicine in a little city. As the quaternary care center for 29 counties and 2.1 million people, we provide high-acuity, cutting-edge care without the hustle and congestion of a major metropolitan area. With an active trauma service and a trauma surgery fellowship, residents gain exposure to diverse, high-impact cases from penetrating trauma to blunt trauma. We have access to advanced medical resources, including a state-of-the-art simulation center and a fully integrated medical school, allowing hands-on learning and collaboration with medical students and residents from other specialties. While Greenville may be a small city, it has a growing community of young professionals due to the university presence. The area offers an affordable cost of living while still providing the same high-quality medicine found in major cities.
- What is something students may not know about your program?
Many students may not realize that our hospital is much larger and more advanced than they might expect for a city of this size. ECU Health Medical Center is a major, high-volume facility that operates as an academic institution while maintaining the feel of a county-based hospital. Though we are affiliated with ECU, we are not a traditional academic hospital, allowing for a unique balance of hands-on experience and top-notch medical training without a lot of the challenges of larger academic institutions. This combination provides residents with exposure to complex, high-acuity cases in a more accessible and supportive environment than many large urban programs.
- How do you feel about the change to pass/fail Step 1 grading?
The change to pass/fail USMLE Step 1/COMLEX Level 1 grading has been in effect for a while and has not impacted our selection process significantly. Our program never had a STEP 1/Level 1 cut off score, so the shift primarily impacted students rather than institutions. For students who may have struggled academically in their pre-clinical years, the change can be a challenge as they now rely more heavily on their USMLE Step 2/COMLEX Level 2 score to stand out. Having a Step 2/Level 2 score early in the fall is important to ensure considerations during the first round of interviews. We do require a passing score on USMLE or COMLEX Level 2 prior to rank lists being submitted to ensure that you can be credentialled by the hospital to start in July.
- What kind of opportunities for research exist at your program? (Feel free to comment on additional opportunities for resident education
Scholarly activity is integrated into our program, as all residents are required to complete an academic project to graduate. Our department has a Division of Research along with newly appointed Director of Resident Research, who is actively working to enhance scholarly activity for our residents. There are multiple opportunities to conduct and engage in research, such as joining a faculty member to assist with existing projects or learn how to spearhead their own independent project or study. We aim to ensure that our residents get involved with something their interests align with and offer broad scholarly activity. Our definition of scholarly activity is broad and includes quality improvement work, newsletter articles, blog posts, and presentations at national meetings, in addition to journal publications and case reports. For those interested in data driven research, we have databases available for big data projects and there are also research opportunities in pediatric, EMS, toxicology and other subspecialty areas.
- What are the benefits and challenges of completing an EM residency in Greenville, NC?
Benefits: Greenville offers the resources of a large medical center without the headaches of a major metropolitan area. Traffic is minimal, with most commutes only taking a few extra minutes. Our large EM department includes 63 faculty members, ensuring a wide range of mentorship opportunities to fit different learning styles and career goals. The patient population is diverse and high acuity, with a 22% admission rate, meaning residents gain extensive experience managing critically ill patients. As the only Level 1 trauma center in the region, we serve a large catchment area, often caring for patients who would otherwise have to travel long distances for care. Emergency Medicine here truly takes all comers, providing exposure to people from all walks of life and fostering strong connections between the hospital and the community.
Challenges: One of the main challenges of training in Greenville is its relative isolation from major travel hubs. The closest international airport is about 80 minutes away, and the local airport primarily connects through Charlotte. Additionally, practicing in a smaller city means you will inevitably care for people you know—friends, colleagues, and even their families. Unlike in a larger city, where anonymity is more common, here, the tight-knit community makes patient interactions more personal. While this can be a challenge for some, it also reinforces a deep sense of connection and purpose, as the impact of your work is directly felt within the community.
- What are some qualities that your program looks for in applicants?
Our program aims to accept students who are hardworking, dedicated and committed to patients. We want our residents to be able to meet patients where they are, communicate with them effectively, and build genuine connections with both patients and colleagues. In addition, we want our residents to be flexible with how they approach patients since some of our patients prefer to do shared decision making and need help guiding them while others require more authoritative guidance. Essentially, we aim to find residents who connect with the patients, staff and connect with the community and who are resilient and eager to grow as both a physician and a member of the community.
- Can you describe any attributes and qualities that make applicants stand out?
Applicants with experience in customer service type jobs tend to stand out. These positions require strong communication skills and the ability to work with others. Working in these types of roles demonstrates key qualities such as empathy, resilience and teamwork which are valuable in any professional setting. Even if the position was before medical school, it is still important as it reflects your job experience.
It is crucial to be authentic in your application. We want the authentic version of you, highlight your hard work and include your hobbies, interests, and goals. Be sure to write about things you can discuss confidently in your interview. Your application should reflect who you are as a person.
In addition, do well on Emergency Medicine rotations. Demonstrate dedication to the specialty and your genuine interest in pursuing it. Lastly, be open about and address any shortcomings and then show us how you have grown. We want to see you as who you are and not your greatest shortcoming.
