by Evan Harris ’16

I am currently participating in a six week summer internship with the East Carolina Heart Institute under the supervision of Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood ’72, the founder and director of the Institute.  Aaron Gilani ’15 will work with Dr. Chitwood in July.  In this internship, I observe and shadow Dr. Chitwood and several other doctors who work under him or alongside him.  Whether it’s through clinics, labs, or OR cases, I am directly exposed to the everyday work of thoracic surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, and other physicians who deal with thoracic issues.  I witness open heart valve repair/replacement surgery, robot assisted minimally invasive valve repair/replacement surgery, and other thoracic surgeries.  This internship allows students to catch surgeons in action while asking questions regarding anatomy, physiology, or just the everyday struggles and rewards of being a physician.  I recommend that any student with an interest in pursuing a career in medicine should apply for this amazing opportunity.  Dr. Chitwood and his staff love to teach students, and Dr. Chitwood loves his alma mater, Hampden-Sydney College.

Alumni connections: Evan Harris ’16 with Dr. W. Randolph Chitwood ’72, founder and director of the East Carolina Heart Institute

The Da Vinci surgical system used in the labs at ECU robotics lab