Pathways to Medicine: Brody Scholars Share Their Journeys
UNC Pembroke is committed to raising awareness of its academic pathway programs, ensuring every student with dreams of becoming a physician learns about opportunities like the Early Assurance Agreement with ECU’s Brody School of Medicine.
Through campus tours, recruitment events, email campaigns, alumni connections and the Health Careers Access Program (HCAP), UNCP actively promotes this unique pathway designed to prepare and support future doctors committed to serving rural and underserved communities.
These efforts have already paid off for students like Leah Paul and Braydann Revels, both current Brody Scholars. Their stories demonstrate how UNCP opens doors and walks alongside students as they step through them.
Leah Paul: From Early College to Early Assurance
Paul, a senior biology major with a biomedical focus, first learned about the Early Assurance pathway in high school while shadowing Dr. Katie Lowry. “She told me about it just before the deadline, and I’m so glad she did,” Paul said. “It was perfect timing.”
For Paul, the program has been life-changing. “I always knew I wanted to attend UNCP for undergrad because I could focus on my studies. Knowing I had that guaranteed seat gave me more time to invest in research and my EMT work with Pembroke Rescue.”
During the Brody application process, Paul’s experience as an EMT — working high-pressure calls, including stabilizing an ATV accident victim with a spinal injury — stood out. “That’s what the dean at Brody told me — being an EMT under pressure showed I was capable.”
Her dream of becoming a pediatrician has evolved into a possible interest in trauma medicine, but her mission remains the same: to give back. “It’s an honor to represent my school and community. Robeson County has poor health statistics, especially in Native communities. I want to return and show that we can do whatever we want.”
Braydann Revels: Finding Purpose Close to Home
Revels, a junior biology major, first discovered the program through her research and advice from Connor Blake, a fellow Lumberton High School graduate and Brody Scholar. “When I got the phone call that I was selected, I started crying,” Revels said. “It’s like a weight off your shoulders. It’s one of the best things that has ever happened to me.”
Initially considering careers in law or veterinary medicine, Revels shifted to healthcare after researching Robeson County’s poor health statistics. “I always heard people say we need doctors who look like us — people they can relate to,” said Revels, a member of the Lumbee Tribe. “That stuck with me,” she said.
Her EMT certification, summer internship at Pembroke Primary Care and research presentations at national conferences have prepared her well. But she says it’s UNCP’s supportive environment that sets her apart. “At bigger universities, you don’t get the same personal connection with professors. At UNCP, your education is personalized. You’re not just a number.”
Like Paul, Revels plans to return home. “My goal is to work in primary care in an underserved, rural community. That’s exactly what Brody’s mission is. It feels like the perfect fit.”
Reaching Future Scholars
Both Paul and Revels credit mentors, faculty and UNCP’s Health Careers Access Program (HCAP) for guiding them through the competitive application and interview process.
One of the most notable changes to the program is its timeline: in the past, students were notified of their selection during their freshman year. Today, Brody candidates learn the outcome of the competitive process in their sophomore year — giving them more time to adjust to college life, strengthen their academic foundation and demonstrate their commitment to a career in medicine.
Programs like the Brody pathway are transformational — not only for the students, but for the communities they will one day serve.
UNCP continues to broaden its outreach efforts by highlighting pathway programs information at open houses, recruitment events, community fairs and through digital campaigns. Faculty and alumni also amplify awareness through personal stories and mentorship.
“We’re committed to ensuring every qualified student knows about these opportunities,” said Shreerekha Pillai, PhD, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Programs like the Brody pathway are transformational — not only for the students, but for the communities they will one day serve.”
