UNCW Pre-Health Professions
Advising Program
Being a successful applicant to professional schools of health is no longer just about the numbers. Admissions committees are looking beyond your high GPA and excellent admission test scores for tangible evidence that you also have the insight, empathy, compassion and commitment that it takes to be a competent health care student and practitioner.
The best way to demonstrate these characteristics is by being engaged in volunteer, community service and leadership activities throughout your undergraduate years. The insights you gain from active involvement in both on and off campus endeavors will help you develop into a unique, multi-faceted individual…exactly what professional schools of health are looking for. Together with clinical shadowing, these experiences will provide you with vibrant material to serve as the foundation for letters of reference, personal statements and admissions interviews.
Now is the time to get started! Join a campus organization (or start one!) and take a leadership role. Become active in the Student Government Association and run for office. Volunteer at a Wilmington soup kitchen. Spend a weekend working on a Habitat for Humanity house. Cut firewood for local families as part of a Saturday Seahawk Surge. Plan and organize an on-campus blood drive sponsored by the American Red Cross. Participate in a Service Break Initiative trip and make a difference beyond Wilmington. The possibilities are endless. Check out the following CommunityConnect links. This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good beginning.
Opportunities for Volunteer, Community Service & Leadership
Successful Shadowing
Allopathic Medicine (MDs)
Osteopathic Medicine (DOs)
Dentistry
Pharmacy
Veterinary Medicine
On-Campus
UNCW Student Organizations
UNCW Campus Activities and Involvement Center (CAIC)
UNCW Student Government Association (SGA)
UNCW Center for Leadership Education and Service (CLES)
(Check the CLES Community Service Directory for current volunteer and
community service openings at local non-profit organizations)
UNCW Center for Leadership Education and Service (CLES)
(Check the CLES Community Service Directory for current volunteer and community
service openings at local non-profit organizations)
American Red Cross - Cape Fear Chapter
Alzheimer's Association - Eastern North Carolina Chapter
Amigos Internacional
Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
Cape Fear Volunteer Center
Cape Fear Literacy Council
Communities in Schools of Cape Fear
Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington, NC
DREAMS Center for Arts Education
Full Belly Project
Good Shepherd Center
Mission of Mercy (MOM) (UNCW Pre-Dental Student Organization participates)
Smart Start - NC Partnership for Children
New Hanover Regional Medical Center Volunteer Services
The Carousel Center
Tileston Outreach Health Clinic
WHAT - Wilmington Health Access for Teens
Wilmington Family YMCA
List of Wilmington Social Services
(Some entries on this list duplicate those above; some organizations listed do not have
web sites but can be contacted by phone)
Hands on Wilmington
Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCareCenter
Shadowing Opportunities
Successful Shadowing: A Brief Overview
Shadowing a practitioner in your chosen health field is an important component in your journey toward successful application to a professional school of health. Spending time observing a health professional is one of the best ways to gain insight into what it will be like to work in that capacity. Shadowing will also help you to quickly discover if healthcare is not a good fit.
When you apply for admission to a professional school of health, you will ultimately have to answer the question, "Why do you want to be a (doctor, pharmacist, dentist, etc.)? ", either in your personal statement or during your interview. Shadowing is an excellent means for developing a focused and highly personal response to this critical question. The ability to draw from and articulately share stories from your shadowing experiences will make you a much more uniquely qualified and competitive candidate. Admissions committees will expect that you have had these experiences and will inquire about them specifically.
In general, it is a good idea to shadow in a health field that you are interested in. If you are not sure, set up short (i.e. one day) experiences in a variety of fields. Once you have a clearer direction, look for more in-depth shadowing opportunities that offer the chance to spend more time (i.e. several days to several weeks) with one practitioner in the health field you plan to pursue. These experiences are often good sources for powerful letters of recommendation. All of your shadowing experiences should be carefully documented in your Pre-Health Professions e-Portfolio .
Shadowing can take place while you are at home for the summer or semester breaks. Wilmington is also a rich source for shadowing opportunities. To assist you in arranging shadowing experiences in the greater Wilmington community, you may want to contact the practitioners from the following lists. Many are graduates of North Carolina professional schools of health and may be particularly open to hosting you.
When setting up a shadowing experience, choose a practitioner and call or e-mail them directly. State that you are a pre-professional health student at UNCW and that you are seeking the opportunity to observe their practice. Be specific about the times and dates you prefer and the type of shadowing experience you are seeking (e.g. one day, long-term, etc). Include your telephone and e-mail contact information. Health care professionals are extremely busy people. You are asking them to do you a favor. Make your request well ahead of the time so the practitioner has ample lead time to work out the details. Depending on the health care setting, you may be required to attend a training session or fill out paperwork prior to starting your shadowing.
Show up for your shadowing experience professionally dressed and groomed. Conservative business attire should be worn by both men and women. No shorts, jeans, flip-flops or open-toed shoes. If you have any doubts about the dress code, ask.
During the shadowing experience you should stand back and observe. Try to stay out of the way. Don't expect that you will have any actual patient contact. Exactly what you will be allowed to do is up to the discretion of each practitioner. Ask questions between patients or at the end of the day. It is not appropriate to ask questions while a patient is present unless the health care professional specifically states that this is allowed. Take advantage of any time you have alone with the practitioner to ask both patient specific and general questions.
At the end of the shadowing experience don't forget to ask if the practitioner would be willing to write you a letter of recommendation. If they agree, request that the letter be written a soon as possible. The shadowing experience will be fresh in their mind and will likely be stronger than if written several months or even years later. Send a thank you note immediately following your shadowing session (within 24 hours) and include a reminder about the letter of recommendation. Follow-up with another reminder note if you have not received the letter in a reasonable amount of time (1-2 weeks). When you receive the letter, don't forget to add it to your Pre-Health Professions e-Portfolio. Detailed documentation of the shadowing experience should have already been written and filed in your e-Portfolio.
Selected Shadowing Opportunities - Wilmington Area
Allopathic Medicine (M.D.)
The following are allopathic physicians (M.D.s) currently practicing in the greater Wilmington community. All are graduates of North Carolina schools of medicine. If you are planning to apply to one of the NC schools, be sure to mention this when you contact any of that school's graduates to request a shadowing experience. Sharing this information may help to smooth your way.
Duke Graduates
ABRAHAM, Victor (Urology)
910-362-8765
ADAMS, Sarah (Pediatrics)
910-763-2476
CAUGHEY, Dale (Internal Medicine)
910-799-4220
DUNN, Thaddeus (Pulmonary)
910-343-3345
MC MILLAN, William Jr. (Gastroenterology)
10-343-0161
SMITH, William Thomas (Cardiac)
910-762-3433
SULLIVAN, Michael (Dermatology)
910-254-3544
WALTON, Abe II (Cardiovascular)
910-772-7282
WILFONG, Robert (Neurosurgery)
910-425-3500
WORTMAN, James (Hematology/Internal Medicine)
910-251-0811
UNC Chapel Hill Graduates
ALMOND, Charles (Family Practice)910-343-9991
BETTENDORF, Anna (Preventive Medicine)
910-251-6755
BLUE, Tony (Internal Medicine)
910-254-4670
BOTROS, Sharif (General Surgery)
910-762-0234
BROUGHTON, Justin (Otolaryngology)
910-332-1040
BUTLER, Martin (Internal Medicine)
910-361-4749
CARTER, Michael (Orthopaedic Surgery)
910-793-1043
CARTER, Deborah (Family Practice)
910-343-9991
CARTER, Mary (Pediatrics)
910-763-2476
CAVENESS, Michael (Internal Medicine)
910-270-9839
COLLINS, Sara (OB/GYN)
910-343-1031
COLLINS-HILL, Margaret (Nephrology)
910-343-8057
COSGROVE, Billie (Dermatology)
910-254-3544
COSGROVE, Christopher (Internal Medicine)
910-332-0701
CROWDER, Mary (Pediatrics)
910-270-3673
DRAKE, Gregory (Urology)
910-341-3389
FOREHAND, Mary (Pediatrics)
910-763-2476
GERBE, Ronald (General Surgery)
910-967-5599
HARPER, James (Internal Medicine)
910-815-3420
HARRIS, Clyde (Internal Medicine)
910-792-9997
HERION, John (Nephrology)
910-343-9800
HICKS, Charles (Pediatrics)
910-762-2651
HOCKER, Shawn (Orthopaedic Surgery)
910-763-2361
HUNDLEY, James (Orthopaedic Surgery)
910-332-0623
HUTCHINS, Robert (Internal Medicine)
910-343-8191
KARRAS, Dean (Anesthesiology)
910-792-1144
KASSENS, William (Gastroenterology)
910-343-0493
KING, William (Gastroenterology)
910-362-1011
KING, Doris (Pediatrics)
910-763-2476
LEONARD, Andre (Internal Medicine)
910-332-0701
MASON, David (OB/GYN)
910-763-9833
MC KINLEY, Christopher (Pathology)
910-362-9511
MC MURRY, Warren (General Surgery)
910-343-0811
MC MURRY, John (General Surgery)
910-762-8754
MORGAN, Herman (Pediatrics)
910-763-2072
MORRIS, Kenny (Radiology)
910-762-3882
NICHOLS, Robert (Urology)
910-763-6251
OLATIDOYE, Barbatunde (Pathology)
910-343-7074
OLATIDOYE, Constance (Psychiatry)
910-350-1330
PARKER, Michael (Head and Neck Surgery)
910-787-1374
PAYNE, Joseph (General Surgery)
910-341-3343
PENG, Yen-Lin (Pediatrics)
910-686-2099
POLLOCK, Hoke Dickinson (Otolaryngology)
910-392-5634
POLLOCK, Hoke Ward (Pediatrics)
910-392-5634
POWELL, John (Gynecologic Oncology)
910-342-3000
PRICE, James (OB/GYN)
910-520-3389
REID, Thomas (Internal Medicine)
910-343-0145
RHODES, Herman (OB/GYN)
910-763- 9833
ROBERSON, William (OB/GYN)
910-791-5556
ROBINSON, James (Anesthesiology)
910-452-0816
SANDERS, John (Infectious Diseaese)
910-763-4511
SHUFORD, William (Gastroenterology)
910-763-5182
SMITH, William (Cardiovascular Disease)
910-762-2433
SUTTON, William (Orthopaedic Surgery)
910-763-7344
TAYLOR, Sherri (Internal Medicine)
910-792-9997
TEMPLE, Rufus (OB/GYN)
910-252-2262
WARD, Michael (Emergency Medicine)
910-452-1400
WEBSTER, Brian (Internal Medicine)
910-341-3336
WHITESIDES, Edward (Urology)
910-763-6251
WRIGHT, Lydia (OB/GYN)
910-343-0161
YATES, Jennifer (Family Practice)
910-332-3610
ZEMAN, Peter (Urology)
910-763-6251
Wake Forest Graduates
ADAMS, J. Wellington (Family Medicine)
910-452-1400
ALLEN, William (Internal/Pulmonary Medicine)
910-343-3345
ALMQUIST, R. Durwood (Nephrology)
910-343-9800
ARB, Birgit (Hematology, Oncology)
910-343-0047
BEAN, Virgil (Anesthesiology)
910-442-1100
BLACK, John (Diagnostic Radiology)
910-762-3882
BREWBAKER, Stephen (OB/GYN)
910-251-0062
BRIDGER, Dewey (Family Medicine)
910-343-9991
BROADBENT, Bryan (Family Medicine)
910-686-2525
BUCHANAN, William (Internal Medicine)
910-762-2433
CHASE, Timothy (OB/GYN)
910-763-9833
CURRIN, James (Family Medicine)
910-276-1340
DAYBELL, Dena (Infectious Diseases)
910-341-3300
DEMAS, Ronald (Neurology)
910-256-6222
EAKINS, Darrin (Orthopaedic Surgery)
910-763-2977
EAKINS, J. William (Internal Medicine)
910-343-9991
ESKANDER, Essam (Family Medicine)
910-654-3143
FOREHAND, Mary (Pediatrics)
910-763-2476
FORRESTER, James (Cardiology)
910-762-2433
HODGSON, John (Internal Medicine)
910-642-0331
KNOTT, Larry (Cardiothoracic/Vascular Surgery)
910-343-0811
KOFF, William (Psychiatry)
910-791-5719
LOFGREN, Laif (OB/GYN)
910-343-0161
MARKS, Howard (Thoracic Surgery)
910-251-3766
MARR, Albert (Orthopaedics)
910-763-7244
MC CABE, James (Nephrology)
910-343-9800
MC CUSKEY, (Radiology)
910-791-2648
MEYER, Peter (Internal Medicine)
910-452-8150
MOORE, Robert (Nephrology)
910-343-9800
MUSSELWHITE, Neill (Family Medicine)
910-792-1144
PAPAGIKOS, Michael (Radiation Oncology)
910-251-1839
PRIDGEN, James (Internal Medicine)
910-251-7715
RHYNE, Janelle (Internal Medicine)
910-341-3300
STARLING, Paul (Anesthesiology)
910-343-7000
WALL, Benjamin (Physical Medicine/ Rehabilitation)
910-794-8892
WECKEL, Bryan (Family Medicine)
910-343-7000, ext. 1122
WHITE, Kenneth (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
910-343-0119
YOUNG, Stephen (Internal Medicine)
910-343-0161
Osteopathic Medicine (M.D.)
Listed below are Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) practicing in the greater Wilmington community. Included with each is the school from which they graduated and a link to that school. If you are planning to apply to any of the schools represented, you may want to look for a shadowing experience with a D.O. who graduated from that school. Currently there are no schools of osteopathic medicine located in North Carolina. Ten U.S. schools of osteopathic medicine (out of 25) are represented in this list.
ALDER-MICHAELSON, Peter, (Osteopathic Manipulation, PhD)
910-616-8907
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
BEATY, Stephen (Family Practice)
330-322-9761
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
CRANE, Jonathan (Dermatology)
1104 Medical Center Drive
910-251-9944
New York College of Osteopathic Medicine
DOSS, Roderick (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
2131 S. 17th Street
910-762-9093
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine
DOWNS, Heather
910-772-9202
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
HUGHES, Kern Michael, Jr. (Critical Care Medicine)
2131 South 17th Street
910-762-9091
University of Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
LARE, Sandra (Psychiatry)
910-417-4773
University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey - School of Osteopathic Medicine
LOOMIS, Ghandhari (Family Practice)
2423 Delaney Road
910-763-5522
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
MARTIN, Lois Beard (Dermatology)
7110 Wrightsville Ave, STE B9
910-509-4116
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine
SUCHECKI, Slade (Family Practice)
910-233-1565
Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine
TESTORI, Douglas (Oncology)
1520 Physicians Drive
910-343-0447
Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, Still University of Health Sciences
WALKER, Barbara (Family Practice)
2423 Delaney Road
910-763-5522
Western University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Dentists (D.M.D.)
The following dentists (D.M.D.s) are currently practicing in the greater Wilmington community. All are graduates of the UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry. If you are planning to apply to UNC Chapel Hill, be sure to mention this when you contact any of the D.M.D.s on this list to request a shadowing experience. Sharing this information may help to smooth your way.
ARNE, Bruce
1510 Medical Center Drive
910-762-4011
ARNE, Damon
1604 Physicians Drive, Suite 102
910-762-1118
damonarne@bellsout.net
AUSTIN, Mark
2131 S. 17th Street
910-343-2542
BAGLEY, Stephanie
1337-B Military Cutoff Road
910-256-9292
BARNES, James
8108-A Market Street
910-686-0034
BARNES, Janel
8108-A Market Street
910-686-0034
BIGGERSTAFF, Charles Richardson
1133 Medical Center Drive
910-762-5067
BIGGERSTAFF, Charles Ross
1133 Medical Center Drive
910-762-5067
c.biggerstaff@worldnet.att.net
BLAKE, H. Christopher
1802-A New Hanover Medical Park Drive
910-762-8245
BLAND, Donald
206 Dock Street
910-285-2518
BOZART, Albert
6132 Carolina Beach Road, Suite 6
910-393-9101
BURGESS, Herbert
1777 16th Street
910-762-1402
BUSH, Brent
1717 Shipyard Blvd.
910-313-1511
BUSH, Karen
1717 Shipyard Blvd.
910-313-1511
CAPARELLI, Kimberly
910 S. College Road
910-392-2920
kcaparelli@bellsouth.net
CARTER, Holly
4316 Henderson Drive
910-395-1585
hollyjcarter@bellsouth.net
CHERRY, Charles
1122 Medical Center Drive
910-762-2618
DE GROOTE, Douglas
2250 Shipyard Blvd.
910-452-1700
DIMROCK, Julia
3505 Converse Drive, Suite 175
910-794-2266
EDGERTON, Steve
1426 Commonwealth Drive, Suite A
910-256-9203
FISHER, David
1426 Commonwealth Drive
910-256-9230
fisher@edgertonandficher.com
FRAZELLE, G. Berry
310 North Front Street
910-762-0958
GARRETT, Gregory
2215 Delaney Avenue
910-763-3679
GAUSE, Roger
415 N. Seventh Street
910-762-5961
rogergause@yahoo.com
GIERIE, William
1650 Military Cutoff Road
910-256-8590
info@gobraces.net
GOLDWASSER, Michael
2131 S. 17th Street
910-343-2642
GRAHAM, Debra
3151 S. 17th Street
910-558-6711
debra.graham@wulm.ppdi.com
HASSON, Michael
1221 Floral Parkway, Suite 101
910-793-0440
beachsurge@aol.com
HEAD, Thomas
1307 Medical Center Drive
910-762-2809
JAMISON, Joseph
1409 Medical Center Drive
910-763-2185
JEWELL, E. Smith
218 Pine Grove Road
910-791-2401
smif@jewelldentistry.com
JEWELL, Wilson
218 Pine Grove Road
910-791-2401
KEITH, H. Leonidas
1932 S. 16th Street
910-763-8129
KING. Mary
7643 Market Street
910-686-9802
KUZMA, Michael
3505 Converse Drive, Suite 100
910-392-6060
doc@drkuzma.com
LEE, Carter
1301 Physicians Drive
910-762-0958
MACRIS, Spiro
1616 Doctor's Circle
910-763-8282
MANN, Keith
2250 Shipyard Blvd., Suite 9B
910-397-9277
MARSHALL, Mary
7643 Market Street
910-682-9802
mmarshall@marshalldental.com
MELLIS, Robert
208 Acer Court
910-686-6181
MORRIS, Kenny
2252 Yaupon Drive
910-762-0786
MORRIS, Victoria
2252 Yaupon Drive
910-762-0786
OVERTON, James
2601 Shandy Lane
910-350-0413
PARKHURST, Jorey
5503 Oleander Drive
910-392-1905
PHILLIPS, S. Warren
2606 New Village Way
910-392-5773
PICKLESIMER, John
4713 College Acres Drive
910-799-2238
PLASKY, Leslie
4713 College Acres Drive
910-799-2238
REAMER, Richard
1603 Doctor's Circle
910-762-0355
RICHARDSON, Gregory
2606 Iron Gate Drive
910-452-7988
ROBINSON, Ronald
2250 Shipyard Blvd. Suite 9B
910-452-1980
ROMULUS, John
39th and Park Avenue
910-799-9699
ROSEMAN, Irvin
1301 Medical Center Drive
910-762-1000
alroseman@endo.net
SALLING. William
2002 Eastwood Road
910-256-9040
SCHIFFEL, Robert
4312 Henderson Drive
910-395-1585
dr543@bellsouth.net
SETZLER, Ralph
1515 Medical Center Drive
910-763-0923
SHEPPARD, George
1307 Medical Center Drive
910-762-2809
sheppard@ec.rr.com
SKINNER, D. Scott
3804 ½ Park Avenue
910-452-3369
prostdoc@aol.com
SMALTZ. Stacy
1624 Princess Street
910-251-8174
SMITH, Clayton
910-763-5235
smithiiidds@bellsouth.net
STANLEY, A. Ryan
6200 Oleander Drive
910-350-0441
STIKE, John
1437 Military Cutoff Road, Suite 201
910-239-5838
TATE, E. Bryan
2002 Eastwood Road, Suite 105
btate@ec.rr.com
TYSON, Chester
2606 Iron Gate Drive, Suite 200
910-791-7380
stysondds@bizec.rr.com
WALKER, Clayton
4405 Junction Park Drive
910-350-6944
drclaytonwalker@bellsouth.net
WALLACE, Stephen
2525 Delany Avenue
910-343-0444
WEINBERG, Adam
3505 Converse Drive
910-794-2266
WETHERILL, Richard
1209 Floral Parkway, Suite A
910-792-1985
WHITE, John
1221 Medical Center Drive
910-763-5416
Shadowing Opportunities
The following are pharmacists who have graduated from N.C schools of pharmacy and are currently practicing in the Wilmington area. If you are planning to apply to one of the schools of pharmacy represented here, you may want to mention this when you make contact to set up a shadowing experience.
Askew, Jennifer (UNC Chapel Hill)
Manager, Outpatient Pharmacy Services
New Hanover Health Network
910-815-5147
Autry, Dale (Campbell University)
CVS Pharmacy
910-458-9162
Cosby, Susan (Campbell University)
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
910-791-1777
Veterinarians (D.M.V.)
The following veterinarians (D.V.M.s) are currently practicing in the greater Wilmington community. All are graduates of the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine. If you are planning to apply to NC State, be sure to mention this when you contact any of the D.V.M.s on this list to request a shadowing experience. Sharing this information may help to smooth your way.
NC State University Graduates
ANDERSON Jennifer Browning
HIGHSMITH ANIMAL HOSPITAL
4605 WRIGHTSVILLE AVE 28403
910-779-5587
BATTS Nathan Christopher
NEEDHAM ANIMAL HOSPITAL INC
1531 41ST ST 28403
910-799-2970
COBLE Chris Ray
6118 LYDDEN RD 28409
910-796-1989
DRUMMOND Amanda Ruth
6000 DORSETT PL 28403
(910-798-8353)
HARRIS Ronald Ray
PORTERS NECK VETERINARY HOSPITAL
8129 MARKET ST 28411
910-686-6297
HARRIS Sharon R
PORTERS NECK VETERINARY HOSPITAL
8129 MARKET ST 28411
910-686-6297
HOHENWARTER Claire
216 GREGORY RD 28405
910-397-9433
MANUEL Karen L
6328 WRIGHTSVILLE AVE A 1 28403
910-256-9918
PEAT Colleen Yara
489 MCQUILLAN DR 28412
910-392-1029
REAGAN Virginia Hollingsworth
1603 AIRLIE FOREST DR 28403
REDFEARN Christy Michele
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH PET HOSPITAL
6324 OLEANDER DR 28403
(910-397-7770)
SCARBOROUGH Deborah Ruth
AZALEA COAST ANIMAL CARE
6205 MARKET ST 28405
(910-791-3112)
SIMMONS Rebecca
PORTERS NECK VETERINARY HOSPITAL
8129 MARKET ST 28411
910-686-6297
SNOOK Kaari I
516 S FIFTH ST 2801
SYKES John Dawson
6000 FERN CT 28403
910-392-9289
WARD F Jefferson III
WILMINGTON ANIMAL HEALTHCARE
6801 GORDON RD 28411
910-791-7101
WARD Stacy Rogers
WILMINGTON ANIMAL HEALTHCARE
6801 GORDON RD 28411
910-791-7101
WINTER Stephenie Beth
COLLEGE ROAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL
4140 S COLLEGE RD 28403
The list above contains multiple names associated with the following animal hospitals or larger practices. If you are interested in a shadowing experience in this type of setting, you may want to contact the entity directly.
- AZALEA COAST ANIMAL CARE
- COLLEGE ROAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL
- HIGHSMITH ANIMAL HOSPITAL
- NEEDHAM ANIMAL HOSPITAL, INC
- PORTERS NECK VETERINARY HOSPITAL
- WILMINGTON ANIMAL HEALTHCARE
- WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH PET HOSPITAL
