Kent Ryan Dickerson

Hometown: Jamesville, NC

Career interests: General Surgery. Additional interest in applied principles of medical education in surgical practice.

Hobbies: Enthusiastic rock climber, pendulum painter, and axe thrower. Avid basketball player and hiking enthusiast with a mild daredevil streak. Passionate about woodworking, having crafted most of my home’s furniture and decor.

Undergraduate Education: UNC Chapel Hill, B.S. in Biology with a minor in Chemistry

Enrichment Experiences

Medical Education and Teaching Distinction Track Scholar

The Medical Education and Teaching Distinction track has aided in my understanding of curriculum development and instructional methodology as it pertains to medical education. As a component of this track, I have engaged in specialized coursework and instruction focused on addressing the educational needs of adult and professional learners. This has included the evaluation of course design, development of a individual teaching philosophy, and enhancement of teamwork skills. I have received instruction in education research through graduate courses, which will culminate in a graduate certificate in adult education and an instructional portfolio. The Distinction Track framework has enabled me to organize my teaching activities as research projects, present my findings, and contribute to the advancement of medical education, expanding my understanding of the role of education in the medical field. One of the many roles that clinicians undertake in medical practice is that of an educator, and I am excited for the continued development of the skills required to be effective in this foundational role.

Student Collaborative Resources for Understanding and Brody Success (SCRUBS) -Founder and President

SCRUBS is a student-driven initiative that aims to develop resources for current and future cohorts that will pass through BSOM. This organization continues to grow and become a staple of the Brody student body, exemplifying a unique collaborative community, and assisting students in their pre-clinical training. This initiative has assisted in the progression of numerous students and has expanded to interprofessional domains, including CRNA, DPT, and PA programs. Ensuring equal access to resources, encouraging research, teaching, and mentorship among all students are pillars of our program. Focused on quality improvement, the result has been noted increases in scores and decreases in student stress, with integration into curriculum materials. I look forward to leaving a legacy of collaborative growth and improvement on student learning at BSOM through the continuation of this program.

Health Science Leadership Council (HSLC)

The Health Sciences Leadership Council (HSLC) facilitates interprofessional student engagement through leadership development, community collaboration, and the sharing of knowledge and wisdom within and beyond the borders of ECU. Assisted in planning and implementing annual Interprofessional Case Competitions, which require self-constructed teams consisting of MD, PA, DMD, and RN students to work together to solve innovative challenges facing healthcare in Eastern North Carolina, and contributed to the yearly Transition to Interprofessional Practice Event which exposes learners to the multitude of roles prevalent in medical practice and how to navigate this landscape with a focus on teamwork and interprofessional support.

Master Educator Award Committee

I have been invited to serve on the Master Educator Award Committee based on recommendations from faculty. In this role, I will be responsible for reviewing nominees’ CVs and nomination letters, selecting candidates, and evaluating candidates’ learner, colleague, and chair support letters, as well as their Philosophy of Education and evaluations. The Master Educator Award recognizes outstanding educators in categories such as Educational Leadership & Administration, Outstanding Teaching or Mentorship Contribution, Educational Innovation & Curriculum Development, Educational Evaluation & Research, and Professional Development in Education. This role provides me with the opportunity to engage with esteemed educators and contribute to the recognition of excellence in medical education.

Peer Advisor

Selected by the Office of Student Success and Wellness at BSOM to serve as a facilitated contact for lowerclassmen, I am able to provide guidance on study strategies, work-life balance, career advancement, connection to extracurricular activities, and assistance with curricular hardships. I hope to offer students a trusted peer resource not provided by faculty, enhancing their overall educational experience and well-being.

Teaching Assistant – Gross Anatomy for CRNA and DPT Students

I have had the opportunity to instruct cadaveric anatomy to DPT and CRNA students during my time at BSOM. In this role I have conducted cadaveric prosections, provided daily student tutoring, and delivered content lectures. In addition, I have developed multiple choice questions based on clinical vignettes, created study materials, conducted after-hour review sessions, and developed and graded formative and summative assessments. Performed statistical analysis of question quality, distribution of topics, and assessment principles. Recognized as a valuable team member, I have been invited to return for guest lectures in future cohorts due to feedback from students and faculty.

Curriculum Developmental Task Force

Collaborated as part of a student task force, meeting regularly with course directors from Microbiology, Pathology, Ethics, Genetics, and Pharmacology to discuss organ system-based integration curriculum. Provided feedback and suggestions on topic sequencing, course content, content delivery, assessment, and administration, contributing to the improvement of the medical education curriculum.

Neuroscience Lab Development Task Force

Assisted the course director by providing targeted feedback for lab redesign. I was honored to have the opportunity to contribute significantly to the final lab manual, organizational scheme, and testing principles. I have developed resources incorporated into the course by the course director, directly impacting the structure of the lab.

Upcoming Plans

I am thrilled to be entering my fourth year of medical school, where I will have the opportunity to apply the principles learned in both didactic and clinical settings to patient care in my chosen field of surgery. I am excited to continue learning from clinician faculty to enhance my patient care skills. Additionally, I am ecstatic to assist in the development of the M1-M3 cohorts through educational sessions and mentorship, fostering the growth of my peers as future physicians.

Jamesville native receives ECU’s most prestigious scholarship (PDF)

Honors & Awards

Servire Society, East Carolina University

Recognized for exceptional commitment to community service and volunteerism.

Student Excellence Award in Pathology

Presented by Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for superior scholarship in Pathology.

Pathology Curriculum Development Award

Presented by the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for dedication to the development of pathology curriculum at Brody SOM for improvement in future years.

Huffman Award, 2022

Presented to the first-year student who has demonstrated the highest level of academic achievement.

M1 Class Appreciation Award, 2022

Awarded to the classmate voted most helpful in promoting personal and professional growth of the cohort.