Samuel F. Sears, Jr., PhD

Professor and Chief, Division of Innovation and Research

Director, Cardiac Psychology

Associate Program Director, Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship

Professor, Department of Psychology

Mailing Address:
East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU
115 Heart Drive, Greenville, NC 27834

252-328-6118 (office)
252-328-6283 (fax)
252-744-4400 (clinical referrals)

Specialties

Patient Acceptance of Remote Monitoring of ICD Follow-up
Activity Assessment via Accelerometers in Cardiac Devices and Wearables
Psychological and Behavioral Factors in Atrial Fibrillation
Smartphone Use for ICD Patients
Measurement and Treatment of ICD Patient Shock Anxiety

BS, Psychology: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1990
MS, Clinical and Health Psychology: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1992
PhD, Clinical and Health Psychology: University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1995
Residency: University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 1994-1995

Nationally recognized expert in the psychological care and quality of life outcomes of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) patients.
Has published over 200 articles in medicine and psychology research literatures with well over 10, 000 citations.
In 2021, Expertscape.com named Dr. Sears one of the top 50 experts/prolific authors in the world on implantable defibrillators over the last 10 years amongst the 27,847 authors on the topic.
Provides clinical services to cardiac and ICD patients in a fully integrated cardiac clinic at the East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU.
Founded “ICD Coach” to produce mobile phone apps for cardiac and ICD patients and families.
Honored by the University of North Carolina system as the O. Max Gardner Award winner in 2013. This award is given to the faculty member deemed to have made “the greatest contribution to the welfare of the human race” and is considered the highest honor for a faculty member in the state.