A recently released episode of PBS’s cutting-edge health program “Second Opinion” features an East Carolina University psychology professor.
Sam Sears, director of ECU’s doctoral program in health psychology, appears in the episode “Sudden Cardiac Arrest in Young Athletes.” Sears, an expert on implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) — devices that deliver a life-saving shock when a heart arrhythmia is detected — will discuss one young athlete’s case.
In the episode, star basketball player Mike Papale shares his story of survival after an incident of cardiac arrest. Mike and his mother, Joan, talk about living through the aftermath of sudden cardiac arrest and living with an ICD.
Sears explains the process of adjustment for patients as they learn to live with ICDs and the possibility of a life-saving shock, and highlight how Papale is maintaining his own quality of life with an ICD by coaching basketball even while he can no longer compete on the court.
“Living with an ICD is about becoming a survivor and not a victim,” Sears said. “While an ICD is there to prevent premature death, the patient has to learn how to trust that device and re-engage in life to trump fear.”
Sears is the 2013 winner of the O. Max Gardner Award, the top faculty award from the UNC system Board of Governors for contributions to mankind. He appears regularly on “Second Opinion” on episodes covering a variety of health topics. He is the foremost author and expert on ICDs and patient quality of life.
“Dr. Sears’s insight on the quality of life of cardiac and ICD patients has been imperative to the content of the six shows he has appeared on,” Karen Heller, producer of “Second Opinion,” said.
“Second Opinion” is WXXI’s fast-paced and provocative healthcare series focused on health literacy in an engaging, entertaining and accessible way. A patient story provides the backbone of each episode as Dr. Peter Salgo leads a panel of medical specialists through the twists and turns of one patient’s real-life medical mystery.
Student seeks help for underprivileged
ECU student Leon Johnson is helping to make children’s wish lists come true for Christmas.
Johnson created “Giving Grace: Make A Christmas,” which pairs ECU students with underprivileged children in Greenville to make sure the child gets at least one present on their Christmas wish list.
In its first year in 2014, Johnson’s group was able to help about 70 children. This year, he hopes to help at least 100 or more.
Johnson, a senior in public health studies, is teaming with ECU’s Student Government Association, Black Student Union, Greek organizations and others to help children from the Little Willie Center and Operation Sunshine.
The project is named Grace for Johnson’s grandmother, who died last year.
A Christmas party and gift exchange will be held on Dec. 8 in Mendenhall Student Center.
For more information or to participate, contact Johnson on Instagram at leon_asking or email johnsonle11@students.ecu.edu.
ECU to participate in Giving Tuesday
Supporters of ECU are asked to show that #PirateNationGives when the university participates in Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1.
All members of the East Carolina community — including students, parents, alumni, staff, faculty, and fans — are encouraged to donate online to ECU on this global day of charitable giving. Participants can show their support on social media using the hashtag #PirateNationGives.
Following the kickoff of holiday season spending on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday encourages people to give to non-profit organizations of their choice.
Those who wish to support ECU can give to any area of the university by visiting www.ecu.edu/piratenationgives.
“Donations of any amount will be accepted,” Jennifer Watson, director of annual giving, said. “Those who have never made a gift before should consider starting on this special day.”
Contributions will support scholarships, research, athletics, the arts, teaching resources, learning experiences for students, and much more.
This is the second year that ECU will participate in Giving Tuesday. Last year, ECU received 132 gifts totaling $67,248.
School of Art hosts exhibition and sale
ECU’s School of Art and Design Holiday Exhibition and Sale will take place Dec. 3-5 at the Wellington B. Gray Gallery in the Jenkins Fine Arts Center on the campus of ECU. All proceeds benefit the art guilds and students of the School of Art and Design.
All guilds in the School of Art and Design will participate with exceptional art by both graduate and undergraduate students. Gift items for sale include jewelry, scarves, textiles, ceramics, metal sculpture, photography, paintings, prints and much more. All items in the exhibition will be for sale.
The hours of the sale are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
The Wellington B. Gray Gallery is located at Fifth and Jarvis Streets. The Jenkins Fine Arts Center is handicapped accessible.
For more information, contact Tom Braswell, interim gallery director, at 328-1312.