ECU College of Allied Health Sciences

This afternoon we celebrated our doctor of audiology students who are transitioning from their time here on the Health Sciences campus to the next phase of their education in clinical settings across the state and beyond. By donning their white coats, they have assumed new roles in their journeys to being the healthcare professionals our communities need.

Remember your words, Pirates, and don’t forget to study for that quiz. School’s not over quite yet.

💜💛🏴‍☠️🩺

East Carolina University ECU Communication Sciences and Disorders

An interprofessional learning and service project has ECU Communication Sciences and Disorders and ECU Occupational Therapy students bringing hope for Parkinson’s patients and their caregivers, that they will be able to better communicate through writing and speech.

“He used to sign all the birthday cards,” Terry Leatherwood, the wife of a Parkinson’s patient, said. “He wrote his daughter a letter a couple weeks ago, and if it hadn’t been for this class, he wouldn’t have done that.”

Hillsboro native and Occupational Therapy student Kaylee Herbst, said the opportunity was a wonderful learning experience, and the program was an opportunity for everyone involved.

“The fact that they could vent and share, and have people beside them that were going through a similar experience was a benefit,” Herbst said.

Allied health students transform Parkinson’s care A new ECU program unites allied health students with Parkinson’s patients, helping them reclaim their voices, handwriting and confidence.

Our doctor of audiology graduating class of 2028 will celebrate the end of their didactic learning and embarking on the clinical aspects of their education with a White Coat ceremony June 5 at the East Carolina Heart Institute.

We’d be glad to have you join us to mark this significant milestone in their career progression.

ECU Communication Sciences and Disorders

Our very own Katelyn Rouse has been elected as the 2026-27 president of the North Carolina Healthcare Information Management Association.

Rouse is a 2014 graduate of our Health Services Management program, and a 2016 grad of the Master of Science in Health Informatics and Information Management program.

The other Pirates involved in NCHMA leadership include:

🏴‍☠️ Madison Rouse, nominating committee co-chair
🏴‍☠️ Ashleigh Walker, current president
🏴‍☠️ Amber Johnson, financial officer
🏴‍☠️ Ashley Clinefelter, communication chair
🏴‍☠️ Natalie George, past president

ECU Department of Health Services & Information Management

It’s National Biomechanics Day at ECU!

Today we had the pleasure of hosting advanced placement sciences students from J. H. Rose High School to show them the advanced technology in the movement lab at the Health Sciences Building that our ECU Physical Therapy students, faculty and staff use for experiments and education.

National Biomechanics Day was founded by East Carolina University’s own Dr. Paul DeVita in 2016 to expose high school age scholars to opportunities in biomechanical sciences and has expanded to campuses across the globe.

Thanks to the students and their faculty mentors for spending some time with us.

Our newest cohort of ECU Physical Therapy students are on campus for their first day of PT school. What a great bunch of new Pirates!

Help us welcome them to Pirate Nation.

💜💛

Congratulations to Drs. Elijah Asagbra and Susie Haris for recently being recognized as Treasured Pirates!

Asagbra was recognized for his servant leadership: advancing research in rural health disparities, creating new transfer pathways with Pitt Community College and supporting students in conference presentations, publications and award-winning work

Harris was also honored for her servant leadership: building formal transfer agreements with area community colleges, creating seamless academic pathways and expanding access to health information careers across the region.