Education
Training the next generation of surgeons and surgical scientists
Meet the Vice Chair for Education
P.J. Schenarts, MD, FACS, recently joined the faculty of the Department of Surgery as Professor, Chief of Trauma & Surgical Critical Care, and Vice-Chairman for Education. A native of Connecticut, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from Fordham University and received his medical degree from the University of Connecticut. There he also completed a post-sophomore fellowship in anatomic pathology where he was elected into medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. Dr. Schenarts completed his general surgery residency at Maine Medical Center, during which he also completed a two-year NIH trauma research fellowship at the University of Texas Medical Branch. After residency, he completed a trauma & surgical critical care fellowship at Vanderbilt University and then served as co-medical director of Vanderbilt Life Flight. He was recruited to East Carolina University, School of Medicine and stayed for 11 years. While at East Carolina, Dr. Schenarts served as Director of the General Surgery Residency, Assistant Dean for Clinical Academic Affairs and Director of the Surgery Clerkship.
Dr. Schenarts is a nationally known surgical educator and has won numerous teaching awards, including the University Board of Governors Award as one of the best teachers within the entire UNC system of 17 colleges and universities. He also received the National Outstanding Teacher Award from the Association for Surgical Education. Similarly, his research interests are focused on surgical education and leadership. Of note, his wife Kim Schenarts, Ph.D., is also a nationally known surgical educator.
In addition to his academic and clinical pursuits, Dr. Schenarts is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army Medical Corp and has served four deployments in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. He has served as Commander of Forward Surgical Teams and Chief of Surgery at Combat Support Hospitals. He has been awarded the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal for his actions in Afghanistan.
When not working, he enjoys gardening, cooking and playing football with his son, Spencer.
Paul J. Schenarts, MD, FACS
"If one looks up the word teacher in a thesaurus the following synonyms are listed: advisor, guide, mentor, master and even slave driver. However, it is the word coach that fully embodies my personal philosophy of education."
"If one looks up the word teacher in a thesaurus the following synonyms are listed: advisor, guide, mentor, master and even slave driver. However, it is the word coach that fully embodies my personal philosophy of education."
