Dr. David Leeser is the chief of kidney and pancreas transplantation at ECU Health, and professor and chief of transplantation and surgical immunology at Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

Dr. David Leeser remembers bringing his report cards to visits with his doctor as a child. Since he was five years old, he knew he wanted to be a physician, to uphold community, service, and stewardship – values reinforced by his family and his faith. After getting accepted into medical school, Leeser decided to enlist in the United States Army to help those who needed care as a transplant surgeon in Iraq.

“If people are in harm’s way, they need great doctors to take care of them,” he said.

During his time in Baghdad, he helped many people recover from serious injuries, some of them in their early twenties. Although their lives were forever changed, their families were thankful to have their loved ones return home. These reunions left Leeser with a tremendous sense of accomplishment and a rewarding fulfillment of service.

Leeser is now the chief of kidney and pancreas transplantation at ECU Health. The health system’s emphasis on service to Eastern North Carolina initially drew him to Greenville.

“ECU Health is in an area that for decades was underserved, and they needed care…ECU Health’s mission is to provide care to Eastern North Carolina and Brody (School of Medicine) now provides more primary care physicians to Eastern North Carolina than any other medical school in the state,” he reflected.

From the Middle East to Eastern North Carolina, Leeser’s passion for service has guided him. His time served in the U.S. Army is something he’s grateful for and carries with him as he touches the lives of patients each day.