Alisa Eanes ’08, ’15 (MD) wanted her career to serve a need. “There are so few rural physicians and very few rural OB-GYNS,” she said. “Marion felt like a place where I could pursue my passion but also provide a big service to North Carolinians.”
A program at UNC-Chapel Hill played a pivotal role in Eanes’ life, transforming her stress about finances into an opportunity to engage in campus life. Switching from UNC Wilmington to UNC-Chapel Hill, Eanes discovered the Carolina Covenant, a game-changer for outstanding low-income students. Grants, scholarships and work-study paved the way for her success, allowing her to focus on her studies and explore her newfound interest in medicine. Little did she know that this journey would lead her to a fulfilling career in medicine.
Her work-study in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at UNC Hospitals was the turning point. Mentored by the late Charlie van der Horst, an esteemed professor and HIV researcher, she found her calling. “He helped me navigate the MCAT, the pre-requisites, the volunteering — all the important steps that are hard to figure out without inside knowledge.”
Graduating with majors in women’s studies and psychology and a minor in chemistry, Eanes ventured into medical school at Carolina. Her OB-GYN rotations solidified her passion for advocating for women in rural health care.
“I felt like I could be an advocate for women in a space that is deeply personal and private,” she said. “I was very interested in rural health care and access in North Carolina.”
Today, Eanes works with two other OB-GYNs and three midwives at Mission Hospital McDowell, delivering more than 300 babies a year. In a tight-knit community, she’s proud to provide excellent care within her rural practice.
“The Carolina Covenant made such a big difference in my life,” she said. “I want to give that back.”
Written by Angela Harwood
Photos by Jen Hughey
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