Letters

Letter from the Chair

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased that you are considering ECU/ECU Health Internal Medicine for your post-graduate residency training. One of the most important and satisfying missions of our department and indeed our entire institution is the training of our residents. Our department offers a teaching program with a long tradition of developing physicians of the highest caliber. We are committed to excellence and, to this end, we have developed a quality program that features a superb clinical training environment, outstanding educators, and curricula that provides our trainees with the skills and knowledge base that ensure success in their chosen careers.

The department and trainees both agree that one of the most important aspects of the ECU/ECU Health IM program is our academic philosophy – to encourage the development of outstanding doctors by providing proper education in clinical medicine. The value our patients put on their physician’s skills, knowledge and compassion is immeasurable; thus we train you to practice as the kind of doctor that can be trusted.

The success of any training program starts with the faculty. Our Department is determined to have the finest clinicians and educators. The residents in the program benefit from working with our dedicated faculty that hold top leadership positions in many national organizations including the American College of Physicians, American College of Cardiology, & Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine. Although our resident education is highly endorsed, our strengths lie in the ability to integrate this world-class teaching from our faculty at ECU Physicians with a healthy work environment.

We endorse a categorical Internal Medicine program but also have combined training programs in Medicine/Emergency Medicine, Medicine/Pediatrics and Medicine/Psychiatry. Many of our graduates gravitate toward careers in primary care while others choose to pursue further training in subspecialty fellowship programs. Some follow the private practice route and others have ventured on with an academic career. We are proud of the fact that graduates of our program have been successful in pursuing their career goals in all of these areas.

I personally appreciate the privilege of recruiting potential residents and look forward to welcoming them to our ECU Internal Medicine family. We attract the finest residents from both osteopathic and allopathic schools of medicine. Training in our award-winning facilities and outpatient clinical sites is truly special. You will be working in a top cancer center, cardiovascular center, and specialty care facilities for veterans. Residents care for a wide variety of patients with a healthy mixture of conditions specific to internal medicine.

The healthcare industry is at a critical juncture that is ever-changing, thus we are constantly reviewing our program to improve the quality of our educational experience and to meet the personal needs of our trainees. The opportunity for our residents to develop friendships while working autonomously as part of a medical team is striking.  In addition, we are committed to staying on the cutting edge of medicine- providing our trainees with knowledge and skills in evidence based medicine, computer competency with the use of electronic information systems, and the most recent advances in medical science and ethics.

For all of these reasons, graduates of our program leave with the utmost confidence in their abilities and the memories of superb role models- tools that will serve them well throughout their careers. We look forward to seeing you here at ECU/ECU Health Medical Center.

Sincerely,

Paul Bolin, Jr., MD
Chairman of Department of Internal Medicine

Dear Prospective Resident,

Welcome to the Internal Medicine Residency Program at ECU! I am thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce you to our exceptional program, where I have had the privilege of growing both personally and professionally.

I can attest firsthand to the unparalleled experience and support offered here. Our program stands out not only for its commitment to academic excellence but also for its deep-rooted connection to the community we serve. Having grown up in North Carolina, my personal ties to this region are profound — my family not only lives here but also receives their medical care within our local system. This unique perspective drives my dedication to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to our community.

At ECU, we are committed to training residents who are passionate about caring for medically complex patients and eager to pioneer cutting-edge medical advancements in Eastern North Carolina. We seek team players who understand the value of collaboration and are eager to contribute to our vibrant medical community.

More than just a residency program, we are a family. This central belief fuels all the advances and great care we deliver. Our supportive environment fosters mentorship, camaraderie, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Together, we strive to make a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of our patients and community.

Joining our residency program means becoming part of this family — a community that values excellence, compassion, and teamwork. Whether you aspire to pursue a career in primary care, hospital medicine, subspecialty practice, or academic medicine, our program provides the robust training and support needed to achieve your goals.

Thank you for considering ECU for the next step in your medical career. I look forward to meeting you and discussing how our residency program can support your professional aspirations.

Warm regards,

Dr. Thomas Blair
Internal Medicine Residency Program Director
Hospital Medicine Faculty
East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine