September 2025 Newsletter

A note from Dean Orlikoff

Season’s greetings, CAHS!

Indeed, we are fully engaged in a season of orientation, convocation, aspiration, and planning. As evidenced by the messages from the chancellor, provost, and others, we have entered a period of transition as ECU seeks to trim $25M from its permanent budget over the next three years. Aligning programs and institutional structures to make ECU more efficient, effective, and sustainable are necessary to address the issues that face not only Pirate Nation, but American higher education in general.

External and internal forces that threaten ECU’s ability to thrive, necessarily threaten our ever-important mission. As we know well, our programs are central to ECU’s transformational purpose and to meeting local and regional workforce needs. Consequently, we will continue to have a critical role as our institution repositions itself and adapts to future challenges. As Chancellor Rogers stated during his recent ECU University Day address, as we move forward, we will emphasize “placing the mission at the core of all efforts.” I firmly believe that there is a great opportunity to enhance our programs and their impact in this new call for proactive strategic action.

You will hear more about the changes that are coming to ECU. Be assured that it is my intent to engage as many stakeholders as possible to inform the decisions that will shape our future. For the moment, we won’t lose sight of the tremendous impact we have had in student success, service to the community, and healthcare transformation.  And, finally, I want to personally thank you so many of you for your continued dedication to advancing education, health, wellness, scholarship, and service.

During convocation we honored a few members of our faculty and staff for their outstanding dedication to the College, our students and our collective mission of service to the community.

– Dean’s Outstanding Staff Award: Kym Jefferson, Dean’s office

“Kym exemplifies professionalism, kindness, and dedication in every interaction. Her knowledge of IT support, coupled with her resourcefulness, makes her an invaluable asset to our team.”

– Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Teaching: Katelyn Rouse, Health Services and Information Management

” Professor Rouse exemplifies exceptional educational leadership, with innovative approaches and genuine care for student success that makes her an invaluable asset to ECU and the profession.”

– Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Research: Dr. John Willson, Physical Therapy

“Dr. John Willson is an excellent researcher who has made an impact on the field of physical therapy through an outstanding publication record while also being an admirable mentor.”

– Dean’s Award for Outstanding Performance in Service: Dr. Roman Pawlak, Nutrition

“Dr. Pawlak’s work with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to produce evidence-based guidance for vegetarian nutrition has profound implications for health professions but also general consumer behaviors.”

Kym Jefferson, Outstanding Staff 

Katelyn Rouse, Outstanding Performance in Teaching

Dr. John Wilson, Outstanding Performance in Research

Dr. Roman Pawlak, Outstanding Performance in Service

In January, Dr. Toyin Babatunde, an associate professor of nutrition science in East Carolina University’s College of Allied Health Sciences, will head to Banjul, the capital of The Gambia, to help address public health challenges in the West African nation.

Babatunde, a native of Nigeria, was selected as a recipient of a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award for the 2025-2026 academic year — the first such award in the college’s nearly six-decade history.

Read more on this amazing journey!

Physical Therapy Alumni!

On Friday, September 5, 2025, the Department of Physical Therapy proudly celebrated its annual Pinning Ceremony. Alumni returned to campus to pin our students and present them with PT toolkits, generously sponsored by our donors, and filled with essentials to support their success as they begin their first clinical rotations. It was a meaningful moment of connection between past and future Pirate PTs, honoring tradition while looking ahead to the bright future of our students.

Pictured above: Sarah Johnson (faculty and alumnus), Courtney Willoughby, Caroline Brown, Emma Blount, Heidi Nash, and Summer Kenny.

Check out some of the latest stories and publications from the CAHS. 

Stephenson JC, Tran TD, Graber TG. Effects of high-intensity interval training on physical and cognitive function in middle-aged male mice. Front. Aging. 2025; 6:1589730. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fragi.2025.1589730 PMID: 40894810  PMCID: PMC12391733

Rayala H-T, Stroud BJ, Sastre LR. Enhancing diabetes self-management and reducing stress through food skills education with medically under-insured individuals with type-2 diabetes. SAGE Open Medicine. 2025;13. doi:10.1177/20503121251346020

Donica, D. K., MIller, L. & Mumford, K. (2025). The relationship between sensory integration and handwriting skills: Underlying factors that impact handwriting, Journal of Occupational Therapy, Schools, & Early Intervention, https://doi.org/10.1080/19411243.2025.2542567

Degree(s): ECU – BS Nutrition and Dietetics, ECU – MS Nutrition and Dietetics, ECU – Dietetic Internship

Position within the CAHS: Clinical Assistant Professor and Dietetic Internship Director

What do you do at ECU? I teach the didactic foodservice and management courses within the Department of Nutrition Science. This includes overseeing the Quantity Foods Lab, which operates within the “No Quarter Café” throughout the academic year. The café serves a dual purpose: it provides hands-on learning experiences for future dietitians while offering nutritious and delicious meals to the Health Science Campus community.  Along with teaching, I have recently taken on the role as the Dietetic Internship Director for the Nutrition Science Department.  Through that role, I oversee the coordination and development of supervised practice experiences for our 17 dietetic interns through the year.

What do you do when you are not at work? When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my two toddlers, Wynne (3) and James (1).  I also enjoy boating, being on the water, exercising and exploring new restaurants.

Fun fact: I played softball growing up and was on the 2002 Pitt County Girls Softball League World Series Championship Team

What do you do at ECU? Administrative Support Associate for Physician Assistant Studies

How long have you been at ECU? 5 years?

What do you love about ECU? The strong sense of community and purpose. Everyone is genuinely committed to making a difference, especially in serving rural and undeserved communities. It’s rewarding to be part of a program like the PA Studies program, where I can support future healthcare providers and know that the work we do has a real impact.

What do you do outside of work? When I’m not at work, I’m usually spending time with my family, staying active outdoors, or enjoying live events. Whether it’s a concert, a local festival, or a sporting event, I love the energy and connection those experiences bring.

Favorite place to eat? This is tough…. I’m a foodie, so my favorite place to eat changes weekly, sometimes daily. If the food’s good and I didn’t have to cook it, I’m sold!

Student Spotlight – Sarah Locke- Occupational Therapy