Greenville, N.C. – Eighteen nurses across five ECU Health hospitals have been named part of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina by the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Board of Directors. These recipients were honored for their outstanding professional ability and contributions to improving health care services in their communities.
“Over 4,000 ECU Health nurses are committed to the well-being of patients in communities across eastern North Carolina every day,” said Dr. Trish Baise, chief nursing executive, ECU Health. “We are delighted to see that commitment recognized by the Great 100. These 18 honorees, and our entire nursing team, are shining examples of how compassion and skill blend together to provide people high-quality medical care close to home.”
Since 1989, The North Carolina Great 100, Inc. has recognized and honored nurses around the state for their commitment to excellence and to promote a positive image of the nursing profession. Each year, the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Board of Directors asks patients, health care workers, friends and family members to nominate an outstanding nurse practicing in North Carolina. Thousands of nominations are reviewed, and 100 nurses are selected and honored at a statewide gala.
The ECU Health nurses chosen this year are:
Erica Askew
Erica Askew, MSN, RN, is a staff nurse IV on the Medical-Surgical Unit at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, where she also serves as a unit educator, charge nurse, clinical coach and vascular access nurse. An adjunct clinical instructor at Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Askew has dedicated 21 years to ECU Health and has gained experience across multiple areas of hospital care. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Roanoke-Chowan Community College, a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Askew is an active member of the North Carolina Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association.
Sherri Respess Crouch
Sherri Respess Crouch, RN, is a staff nurse in Ambulatory Surgery and Endoscopy at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, where she has served patients and families for 30 years. She began her nursing career in 1993 in labor and delivery while also working in home health, developing a passion for wound care. Throughout her career, Crouch has served as a nursing supervisor and medical-surgical nurse before transitioning to her current role in Ambulatory Surgery and Endoscopy.
With more than three decades of nursing experience, Crouch is known for her commitment to clinical excellence, teamwork and compassionate patient care. She serves as chair of her unit’s Unit-Based Council and as a unit safety coach. In 2021, she received a DAISY Award and was named ECU Health Beaufort’s Exemplary Nurse in 2026.
Allison Eure
Allison Eure, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, is the labor and delivery and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nurse manager at ECU Health Chowan Hospital. She has served at ECU Health Chowan for 18 years, providing leadership to care teams and support to patients and families.
Eure earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University and a Master of Science in Nursing in executive nursing administration, with a subspecialty in education, from the University of South Alabama. She also holds specialty certification in inpatient obstetric nursing. Known for her commitment to patient-centered care and nursing excellence, Eure plays a key role in advancing maternal and clinical care services at ECU Health Chowan.
Heather Fox
Heather Fox, BSN, RN, OCN, is a staff nurse IV in the Outpatient Infusion Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has dedicated her 21-year nursing career to oncology care and has served at ECU Health Medical Center for 17 years, including the past 15 years in outpatient infusion.
Before joining the Outpatient Infusion Unit, Fox worked as an infusion and clinic nurse at the Leo Jenkins Cancer Center and as a nurse on the inpatient medical oncology unit at then Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 2004 and is oncology certified. Throughout her career, Fox has remained committed to delivering compassionate, specialized care to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Kelly Garner
Kelly Garner, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse IV in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at ECU Health Medical Center. She has been a registered nurse for 30 years, including the past 20 years at ECU Health caring for newborns and their families in the NICU.
Garner earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and holds an Ostomy Care Associate certificate. She serves as a neonatal resuscitation instructor and clinical coach and is actively involved in several committees. She is co-chair of the Ostomy G-Tube Committee and serves on the Clinical Coach Committee and Neonatal Development Committee.
Ali Grimes
Ali Grimes, BSN, RN, CPN, is director of Pediatric Services at the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. During her nine years with ECU Health, she has remained dedicated to pediatric nursing, beginning her career on the pediatric unit and advancing into leadership roles focused on improving care for children and families.
Grimes earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is a Certified Pediatric Nurse. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing in Health Systems Leadership at East Carolina University. Passionate about advancing patient outcomes, supporting multidisciplinary teams and enhancing the care experience, Grimes is committed to strengthening pediatric services across eastern North Carolina.
Celina Hawkins
Celina Hawkins, BSN, RN, is the education coordinator at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, where she has worked for 14 years. She began her nursing career in the hospital’s Surgical Unit before transitioning into her current role in nursing education after earning her bachelor’s degree.
Hawkins earned an associate degree in nursing from Edgecombe Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina Wesleyan University. Throughout her 14-year career with ECU Health, she has been dedicated to supporting professional development, clinical excellence and lifelong learning among nursing staff. Hawkins is also an active member of the Eastern North Carolina Nurse Honor Guard, helping honor and recognize nurses for their service and contributions to the profession.
Leighann Henley
Leighann Henley, MSN, RN, is the assistant nurse manager of the Infusion Center at ECU Health Medical Center. She has dedicated 35 years to ECU Health, including the past 24 years caring for oncology patients and supporting cancer care services.
Henley earned an associate degree in nursing from Johnston Community College and both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University. Throughout her career, she has been committed to providing high-quality care to patients with cancer while supporting nursing excellence and team development. Henley is an active member of the North Carolina Oncology Management Society and the Oncology Nursing Society.
Christiana “Nicole” Hinson
Christiana “Nicole” Hinson, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, is a staff nurse II in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center, where she has served for five years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 2021 and holds Critical Care Registered Nurse certification with a Cardiac Surgery certification credential.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Hinson serves as a unit educator, charge nurse and preceptor. She is an active member of East Carolina University’s Pirate Nurse Alumni Council and ECU Health Medical Center’s Coordinating Council, and she chairs the Medical Center’s Nursing Environment Council. Committed to advancing critical care nursing and professional development, Hinson is currently pursuing her certified registered nurse anesthetist degree at the East Carolina University College of Nursing as part of the Class of 2029.
Rebecca Jenkins
Rebecca Jenkins, BSN, RN, is an intensive care unit nurse at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, where she has served for four years. In addition to her clinical role, she supports hospital operations through the Nursing Office and Nursing Education.
Jenkins began her nursing career in 2022 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2026. She is dedicated to advancing quality patient care and serves as a patient safety coach, wound care associate and member of the sepsis team. Passionate about collaboration, professional growth and evidence-based practice, Jenkins is committed to improving patient outcomes and fostering excellence in nursing care across the organization.
Melissa “Missy” Johnson
Melissa “Missy” Johnson, RN, is a staff nurse III in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has dedicated 41 years of service to ECU Health, including 28 years as a registered nurse caring for newborns and their families.
Johnson earned an associate degree in nursing from Lenoir Community College. She is co-chair of the Clinical Coach Committee and has served as a preceptor for 26 years, helping guide and mentor the next generation of nurses.
She also serves as co-chair of the Central Line Committee and is a breastfeeding educator.
Cierra Linton
Cierra Linton, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse II in the Emergency Department at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, where she has worked for the past two years. Before becoming a nurse, she served as an EMT for five years, building a strong foundation in emergency care.
Linton earned an associate degree in nursing from Beaufort County Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University. She continues to pursue professional development and has completed Trauma Nursing Core Course Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course and Ultrasound-guided IV Placement certifications. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Linton serves as a charge nurse and preceptor and is actively involved in her department’s Unit-Based Council and STEMI Committee.
Toni Merritt
Toni Merritt, RN, is an operating room nurse at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, where she has served for 35 years in a variety of clinical roles. She earned her associate degree in nursing from Roanoke-Chowan Community College in 1991.
Merritt began her career in medical-surgical nursing and has also worked in hospice care and a local physician practice owned by the hospital that later became a federally qualified health center. She has spent the past 13 years in the operating room and has held multiple certifications throughout her career.
Merritt serves as a safety officer, charge nurse and circulating nurse. She has cross-trained in several areas, including the Ambulatory Medical Unit, hospital supervision and perioperative services, where she serves as a peri-op 101 facilitator for new hires. She is also a Patient and Family Advisory Council partner.
Stacey Sloan
Stacey Sloan, BSN, RN, CGRN, is an assistant nurse manager for Endoscopy Services at ECU Health Medical Center, where she has worked for 28 years. She began her nursing career as a new graduate on the 3 East Hospitalist Unit before advancing to the Cardiac Intermediate Unit and later joining Endoscopy Services. Throughout her career, Sloan has served as a clinical coach, charge nurse, endoscopy clinical coordinator and assistant nurse manager. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is certified in gastroenterology nursing.
Sloan is active in her regional professional society and serves as a board member-at-large for the Greater North Carolina Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.
Christine Smith
Christine Smith, MSN, RN, OCN, is nurse manager of the Medical Oncology Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has been a nurse for more than 34 years, including 29 years at ECU Health Medical Center. Smith earned a Master of Science in Nursing in administration from Western Carolina University. Throughout her career, Smith has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to nursing excellence. She is the recipient of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award and the St. Martin of Tours Award and was a finalist for the 2024 Brody Awards Most Outstanding Nurse of the Year.
Smith serves as membership coordinator for the Eastern North Carolina Nurse Honor Guard and helps lead Santa’s HOPE, a holiday program that lets oncology patients select gifts for their loved ones. She has presented and published quality improvement work nationally through the Oncology Nursing Society.
Nada Tannoury
Nada Tannoury, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, RN, is a family nurse practitioner and registered nurse with more than 22 years of nursing experience. She currently serves as a peripherally inserted central catheter line nurse and same-day surgery nurse at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital and will begin practicing as a family nurse practitioner at Roanoke-Chowan Community Health Center in Ahoskie.
Tannoury earned her registered nursing diploma in Lebanon in 2004, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 2020 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner, from East Carolina University in May 2026. She is passionate about evidence-based practice, patient safety and improving health care outcomes for patients in rural eastern North Carolina.
Brooke Thompson
Brooke Thompson, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse III in the Neurosciences Intermediate Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She began her career at ECU Health as a travel nurse in 2017 and transitioned to a staff role in 2024.
Thompson has nine years of nursing experience, including the past two years as a core staff member at ECU Health Medical Center.
Thompson is a member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and dedicated to providing high-quality care for patients with complex neurological conditions.
Jose Vazquez
Jose Vazquez, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse III in the Neurosciences Intermediate Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. Originally from Purísima del Rincón, Guanajuato, Mexico, he has more than seven years of nursing experience at ECU Health. In addition to his clinical role, Vazquez serves as a charge nurse, preceptor and quality leader.
Vazquez earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University. Through compassionate neuroscience care, patient safety initiatives and mentorship, he works to improve outcomes for patients and families while promoting healthier communities across eastern North Carolina and strengthening rural health care.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health has been recognized with a 2025 Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) Supply Chains of Distinction Award, highlighting the health system’s commitment to investing in people and technology to contribute to long-term savings and more efficient supply chain management. ECU Health was named among the top 25 large organizations, a distinction which reflects transaction volume and not hospital size.
The Supply Chains of Distinction Award honors top-performing GHX Exchange-connected health care providers who demonstrate industry-leading supply chain performance through exceptional execution of GHX’s fully automated “Perfect Order” performance metrics. ECU Health averages 20,000 automated transactions per month that required no human intervention from purchase to payment from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.
“This recognition reflects ECU Health’s ongoing commitment to excellence in an increasingly complex and visible area of health care,” said Brian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer of ECU Health. “Our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina depends on our ability to procure the supplies care teams need to deliver exceptional care. Our supply chain management team strengthens the health system through contracting, purchasing and delivering essential goods and equipment that support patients, team members and visitors daily. I am proud of the dedicated professionals who help lead this important work.”
ECU Health clinicians, nurses and various internal analytics, data, contract and logistics teams work to ensure best spending practices and to benefit patients and team members. The health system exceeds its supply savings goals in part by investing in jobs and technology that improve long-term fiscal sustainability.
“Over the past three and a half years, ECU Health’s team has invested in people, tools and processes to develop and refine its innovative supply chain system,” said Andrew Montgomery, vice president of supply chain management for ECU Health. “Those investments have transformed our team’s operations to support ECU Health’s mission to deliver exceptional patient care. We are proud of our progress and continued efforts to achieve our goal — delivering the right products at the right cost for our team members and patients.”
Greenville, N.C. – The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has awarded all nine ECU Health hospitals Get With The Guidelines® achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
“For the fourth consecutive year, every ECU Health hospital has earned national recognition for delivering evidence-based care for some of the most serious and prevalent health conditions affecting eastern North Carolina,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “Achievements like this require an extraordinary level of commitment from physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists and support teams across our system who work every day to ensure patients receive the right care at the right time.
This recognition reflects the strength of our health system and our dedication to bringing nationally recognized care to the rural communities we serve.”
Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 4 leading causes of death in the United States, respectively, according to the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Report. Studies show patients can experience better outcomes when care teams consistently follow evidence-based treatment guidelines. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke, adding up to nearly 795,000 new or recurrent cases each year. Tragically, stroke claims about 140,000 lives annually. Eastern North Carolina bears an even heavier burden, with stroke mortality rates exceeding national averages. The region also grapples with disproportionately high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of targeted prevention and timely intervention.
“People in eastern North Carolina face some of the highest rates of stroke, heart disease and diabetes in the state, making access to high-quality care critically important,” said Dr. Niti Armistead, chief quality officer and chief clinical officer, ECU Health. “The Get With The Guidelines program helps ensure that patients receive care grounded in the latest scientific evidence, and these awards demonstrate our teams’ unwavering commitment to that standard. Whether a patient arrives at one of our community hospitals or our academic medical center, they can be confident they are receiving care built on proven practices that improve outcomes, reduce complications and support healthier lives.”
Evidence shows that patients fare significantly better when health care providers follow established treatment protocols, such as those outlined in the Get With The Guidelines program. Consistent adherence to these evidence-based practices leads to improved recovery outcomes and can help reduce the devastating impact of stroke and heart disease.
“These awards reflect ECU Health’s commitment to caring for people in their community who need cardiovascular care,” said Karen E. Joynt Maddox, M.D., MPH, chair of the American Heart Association Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, ECU Health can help advance our shared vision of better patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for patients, families and health care systems.”
ECU Health recognitions include:
ECU Health Beaufort Hospital – A Campus of ECU Health Medical Center
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes™ Honor Roll and Stroke Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Bronze Adult
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Bertie Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Chowan Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Duplin Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and Stroke Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
ECU Health Medical Center
- Target: Survival – Adult
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Newly Born Silver
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Neonate/Infant Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Pediatric Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Adult Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Plus, Advanced Therapy and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
ECU Health North Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
Outer Banks Health Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
The North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards honor the true spirit of volunteerism in individuals and groups in the public, nonprofit and private sectors who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. This year, Charmaine Reeder, on behalf of the ECU Health’s work with Pitt County Meals on Wheels, Traquavis Harris, Sara Gray Tingen and Angelina Brittle and were honored as award winners.
Traquavis Harris
Harris, program coordinator in pastoral care programs, began his career with ECU Health in 2022 as a scheduler in perioperative administration when his mother, also an ECU Health team member, encouraged him to apply.
“I wanted to grow and move around to different departments without having to leave an organization, and ECU Health offers the opportunity to learn about different professions and specialties,” he said. “You don’t have to be a nurse or doctor to work in health care.”
After a year in the operating room, he saw an opportunity for his current role and he leaped at the chance.
“I was a VolunTEEN in 2017 and did patient escorts, central transport, cancer center registration and work in the emergency department,” he said. “This was a chance to circle back to where I once was and give back to my community.”
That strong background in service has helped Harris grow in his role. He has since amassed an impressive portfolio of degrees and certifications, including a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, a master’s degree in technology management with a concentration in Six Sigma, and numerous certifications in Java, Data Reporting and Analytics, project management and agile methodologies.
When he learned he won the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, Harris said he was too stunned to speak.
“It was a verification that the work I’m doing doesn’t go unnoticed. You don’t volunteer expecting to receive anything, but I was excited,” he said.
He also credited the support he received from colleagues, such as fellow award-winner Angelina Brittle, and his current leader, Ashley Ware, as influential in his work.
“As I was entering the role, Angelina was leaving, but she taught me everything I needed to know to be successful in this sector,” he said. “And Ashley allows individuals on her team to be authentic to themselves and their work, putting us first to get knowledge about what we want to learn and mold us into flexible leaders. Working with Ashley has been transformational.”
Harris said volunteering is important – not only for what it gives to others, but for what it teaches you about yourself.
“It’s a chance to learn about yourself and put yourself out there,” he said. “Giving back does something to you; you have a purpose.”
“I’m a Greenville native, and I’ve always had a deep connection to this community. I’ve never wanted to leave because I truly believe in the people who make this place special. Having the opportunity to serve my hometown through ECU Health has been incredibly meaningful.”
That sentiment is probably why Sara wanted to work at ECU Health from the beginning.
She began her career at the Wellness Center in 2018, where she opened the gym daily at 4 a.m. When COVID shut the doors, Sara wasn’t sure what the future held, but in 2022, she reapplied to the newly re-opened Wellness Center as a member accounts specialist. Graduation from ECU with a bachelor’s degree in health services management set her sights higher and she found her current role as coordinator of volunteer services at the Medical Center in 2024. Now, she’s pursuing her Master of Business Administration at ECU.
“Working in Volunteer Services has truly been one of the greatest blessings in my career,” Sara shared. “Every day, I work alongside individuals who selflessly give their time and talents to support our patients, families, and team members. Last year, our more than 400 volunteers supported 80 different Medical Center departments, contributing to the exceptional care we provide throughout our organization.”
Sara’s passion for connecting with people and hearing their stories has made Volunteer Services the perfect fit. Whether she is supporting adult volunteers, mentoring students, or creating new opportunities for service, she finds purpose in helping others discover the impact they can make.
“Working with our VolunTEENS has been one of the most rewarding parts of my role,” Sara said. “I love seeing students come in with curiosity and a desire to learn, then watching them grow in confidence throughout their experience. Being able to provide them with opportunities to explore health care, discover their passions, and take the next steps toward their future careers is such a privilege.”
Sara had no idea she was nominated for the Governor’s Volunteer Award, but later she discovered Traquavis Harris was the one who nominated her.
“He got to see me working every day and I’m grateful he recognized the dedication and passion I bring to this role,” she said. “I don’t do what I do for recognition, but I believe in the power of service and the difference people can make when they choose to invest in others.”
“The world cannot operate without people coming together for a common goal,” she added. “Be thankful for your blessings and give back as a thank you. The world is such a better place when people help one another. We’re all human, no matter what makes us different, and we all need help sometimes.”
Angela Still, MSN, executive director of Women’s Services at ECU Health Medical Center, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Award of Excellence in Leadership from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).
Presented at AWHONN’s national convention in May, the award recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing care for women, infants and families. Still was nominated by a colleague, and the award selection committee unanimously chose her for the honor.
“I was completely surprised and humbled,” Still said. “It’s such an incredible honor, and it really reflects the work of our teams and what they accomplish every day.”
Advancing care across eastern North Carolina
The AWHONN Award of Excellence in Leadership recognizes nurses who have made significant contributions to clinical practice, patient outcomes and the nursing profession.
As executive director of Women’s Services, Still has led efforts to standardize care, expand interdisciplinary education and strengthen access to high-quality care across ECU Health’s 29-county region. A key part of that work is the perinatal outreach program, which provides education, simulation training and clinical support to hospitals throughout eastern North Carolina.
“Our goal was never to make every hospital look like the Medical Center,” Still said. “It was to learn from each other and ensure a consistent level of care across the region.”
At the Medical Center, Still also oversees teams caring for increasingly high-risk maternal patients while helping meet growing demand for obstetric services.
Building teams and strengthening the workforce
In addition to advancing clinical practice, Still is passionate about supporting and developing the nursing workforce, both at the Medical Center and at the community hospitals where recruitment and retention can be challenging.
One example is the regional OB nurse cohort, which brings together new nurses from community hospitals for shared education, mentorship and peer support. The program helps reduce isolation, strengthen clinical skills and reinforce a systemwide approach to care.
“Health care is a team effort,” Still said. “When we support our nurses, remove barriers and invest in their growth, it makes a real difference in how teams function and the care they deliver.”
A career rooted in purpose
Still celebrated 40 years with ECU Health in June.
While attending college, she joined then Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center, as an extern on the gynecology unit and went on to serve in clinical, education and leadership roles. She has also contributed to statewide initiatives and served on numerous advisory and academic boards, including the ECU College of Nursing Hall of Fame Board.
“This is home,” Still said. “I chose to come back to eastern North Carolina because I’m passionate about improving the health and well-being of mothers and newborns here.”
Leading with purpose and compassion
Still credits much of her success to the teams and mentors who have shaped her career. Today, she focuses on mentoring future nurse leaders and creating an environment where team members feel supported and empowered.
“We have an opportunity every day to care for people during some of the most important moments of their lives,” she said. “It’s an honor and a privilege, and we should never take that for granted.”
The North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards honor the true spirit of volunteerism in individuals and groups in the public, nonprofit and private sectors who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. This year, Charmaine Reeder, on behalf of the ECU Health’s work with Pitt County Meals on Wheels, Traquavis Harris, Sara Gray Tingen and Angelina Brittle and were honored as award winners.
ECU Health’s Community Health team has worked with the Pitt County Meals on Wheels program for four years, something that began with now vice president of Community Health KaSheta Jackson. What began with a Wednesday/Friday route evolved to opening volunteer opportunities to all ECU Health team members.
Reeder, a Community Health engagement coordinator I, said as a Greenville native, she grew up seeing health care disparities. Now, she said she has the resources and knowledge to do something about it.
“Community Health can connect people to the information they need. We can educate them about chronic health conditions and advocate for them,” she said. “Some people are fearful of doctors or hospitals, but we can help them prioritize their health.”
Her work with Meals on Wheels, she said, has been one way to connect not only with fellow volunteers, but those very community members she hopes to help.
“Our volunteers come from all walks of life. They carve out time from their day to do something, and they show up rain or shine. And the people we visit – they look forward to it. Sometimes we’re the only people they see, and they enjoy the company,” she said. “It gives us a chance to ask them about how they’re doing and connect them with resources. It establishes a consistency in support and connects us to a population we might not otherwise see.”
Reeder said she didn’t know anything about the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award until she looked it up, and then she realized how prestigious it is.
“I was honored to accept on behalf of ECU Health,” she said. “We are making an impact on a population sometimes overlooked.”
The Community Health team is also using the Meals on Wheels program as a platform to pursue other ways to connect community members with the health care services they need.
“We’re working with the ECU Health to provide telehealth services to qualifying individuals on our Wednesday and Friday routes.”
Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities at ECU Health.
The Bennett Award for Outstanding Rehab Members is given annually to two ECU Health rehabilitation therapists who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in his or her field.
In 2025, Amy Becker, audiologist IV at ECU Health Medical Center, and Rhonda Beal, physical therapist IV at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, were recognized as the award winners. Winners are nominated by their peers and selected by a committee.
Amy Becker
A Virginia Beach, Virginia native, Becker said she didn’t have an “aha” moment when it came to being an audiologist.
“I started as an elementary education major, but I switched to speech therapy,” Becker said. “I didn’t know anything about audiology, but I kept an open mind and discovered that was a better fit for me.”
Audiology studies hearing and balance disorders and focuses on the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with those diagnoses.
“Someone suggested I look into ECU Health, and the exact job I was looking for just happened to be posted,” she said.
That was 11 years ago, and Becker said she enjoys her work and her team.
“I like the variety of patients we see and the options for treatment. The technology we use is always evolving and I’m learning all the time,” she said. “I love my coworkers and the collaboration with other professionals. The work I do requires a team approach, and we are helpful to each other. Our team is small but mighty.”
Becker said she also enjoys helping patients from across eastern North Carolina, many of whom come from rural communities outside of Greenville.
“I see patients who drive from the Outer Banks, Duplin County and even from the Virginia state line to see us,” she shared. “We are the largest pediatric audiology clinic—and the only place that accepts pediatric Medicaid for hearing aids and provides cochlear implants—east of I-95.”
Becker didn’t know she’d been nominated for the Bennett Award and was surprised to learn she’d won, but the award’s reputation was well known.
“I didn’t know Wanda Bennett, but I know she was highly regarded and respected in rehabilitation,” she said. “No one goes into this work for the recognition, but it was validating to be nominated by my peers. I was honored.”
Rhonda Beal
Beal has been a physical therapist for 36 years, more than eight of which have been with ECU Health. The Tennessee native has worked in a variety of settings, including outpatient therapy, rehabilitation, acute care and long-term care, and now she serves as a pelvic floor therapist at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital.
“I like taking care of people,” she said. “When our pelvic floor therapist left, they offered me the role. I had no previous knowledge of pelvic floor rehabilitation, but I was up for the challenge. I feel like I provide something my patients have needed for a long time, and I learn something new every day.”
Beal said she also loves her team and the collaboration among different disciplines, and she’s appreciative to her leadership for supporting her journey into a new area of expertise.
“I was given the opportunity to move into pelvic health and receive continuing education. The team’s support has made it so I can do my work efficiently and well, and because of that, my caseload has grown,” she said.
Like Becker, Beal didn’t know she had been nominated for the Bennett Award until her husband, daughter and grandkids suddenly appeared during a staff meeting.
“Ironically, I’d considered skipping the meeting because I was leaving the next day for vacation and I had a lot of work to do,” Beal recalled. “But then my name was on the screen that I’d won the award. I was shocked.”
Her gratitude for being recognized—especially since she was nominated by a colleague and former student—has inspired Beal to consider who she wants to nominate for 2026.
“Sometimes we get busy doing other things, but it’s awesome to recognize workers in rehab,” she said. “I feel undeserving; there are so many others who deserve this award more than me.”
Greenville, N.C. – The 2026 ECU Health Board Quality Leadership Award winners were recognized at the ECU Health Board of Directors meeting held on Tuesday, June 23. These winning teams exemplify ECU Health’s system-wide commitment to achieving zero harm, delivering exceptional experiences and advancing patient outcomes through high-quality, compassionate care.
“These projects exemplify the talent and passion that team members have for addressing complex health care challenges in our rural region,” said Dr. Andy Tewari, chair, ECU Health Board of Directors. “The wide range of teams recognized today shows the scope of their commitment to innovation and serving our patients in eastern North Carolina.”
Projects demonstrating excellence reflected two or more of the following traits:
- Sustained Quality and Safety Improvement: Quantifiable improvement in an organizational priority that advances the goal of zero harm and demonstrates reliability over time.
- Compassion in Action for Safety: Demonstrated teamwork and commitment to protecting patients and team members from harm through consistent application of safety behaviors, communication and a fair and just culture.
- Innovation and Continuous Learning: Implementation of innovative, evidence-based solutions that enhance clinical quality, safety and operational reliability.
- Reduce Variations in Quality Outcomes: Meaningful work that identifies and reduces barriers and promotes quality and safety for all populations served.
Four teams earned awards this year, chosen from a competitive pool of nominations and thoughtfully reviewed by the selection committee.
The winning teams are as follows:
A team from ECU Health Medical Center submitted “Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) Review of Restricted Antimicrobial Use and Compliance.” The project improved ECU Health Medical Center’s electronic health record and antimicrobial stewardship program workflows. It yielded $270,000 in cost savings and reduced unnecessary antimicrobial use, supported safer patient care and helped fight antimicrobial resistance.
The project leaders were Nicole Nicolsen, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, ASP/Infectious Diseases (ID) pharmacist manager, and Melissa George, PharmD, BCIDP, ADP/ID pharmacist. Team members were David Laurent, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, ASP/ID pharmacist, Emily Perez, PharmD, ASP/ID pharmacist, and Allison Field, PharmD, VCID, AAHIVP, ASP/ID pharmacist.
A team from ECU Health North submitted their project “Two-Year Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) Free Initiative: Driving Interdisciplinary Excellence Through Daily Nurse Quality Huddles and Rounding.” Efforts from the project led to zero hospital-acquired CLABSI cases.
The Project Leaders were Aparesh Balla, MPH, QS III, Maryland Hicks, BSN, RN, WCC, QNS II, and Chelsey Shearin, BSN, RN, IP II. The team members were Dr. Jude Ojie, hospitalist medical director, Dr. Rudo Gwanzura, chief of staff, Wanda Neathery, manager of patient care services, Jennifer Pilgreen, manager of patient care services, Karen Liles, RN, vascular access team, and Ann Strickland, RN, vascular access team.
A team from ECU Health Physicians submitted “Improving Hypertension Control in Ambulatory Care.” The project used a data-driven approach to improve blood pressure test accuracy, repeat measurement and home monitoring documentation by standardizing how blood pressure tests are conducted.
Project leaders were Crystal Ashley, RN, BSN, and Dr. Samuel Moskowitz. Team members were Marsha Becker, RN MSN, Dr. Dean Miner, Jessica Walker, MSHIIM, BSPH, Jason Monroe, MBA, Wendy VanLandingham, RN, BSN, Jennifer Jones, RN, and Drillious Gay, RN, MSN.
A team from ECU Health Ambulatory Quality Services submitted “Improving Outcomes: A Patient-Centered Approach to Hypertension Management.” The project used a community-funded initiative in July 2025, to improve home monitoring for blood pressure with blood pressure cuffs, patient education and integrated patient-entered readings through MyChart.
The project leader was Gail Scheller, RN, AMB-BC, AE-C, Ambulatory Quality Nurse Specialist. Team members were Barbara Adams, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Avon, Stephanie Huband, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Kitty Hawk, Cynthia O’Neal, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Manteo, Sean Dunigan, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Nags Head East and Kristen Daniels, manager, Outer Banks Health Internal Medicine – Nags Head.
“These teams worked with purpose to build the tools, dataflow and support that empower our care teams to do their best work for patients in service to ECU Health’s mission and enterprise goal of clinical excellence,” said Dr. Niti Armistead, Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Quality Officer, ECU Health. “Their efforts remind us that quality improvement is one of the most powerful ways to bring meaning and joy into the work of caring for patients.”
It might come as a surprise to her high school self, but Anne Chadwick has spent 44 years treating, tending to, and connecting with patients in eastern North Carolina. Now, her passion and commitment have been honored with ECU Health’s first ever DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chadwick, an ECU Health staff nurse with 2 North at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, was recognized with the award in front of more than 500 of her peers on May 20, during the 2026 ECU Health Nursing Summit. The honor intends to spotlight a nurse with 25 or more years of experience who has demonstrated a lasting legacy of compassionate care, mentorship, advocacy, lifelong learning and transformational leadership.
For Chadwick, what began as a simple decision developed into something much, much deeper.
“When I was in high school, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do,” Chadwick said. “I had some good friends say they were going into nursing so I said, ‘OK. I’ll do nursing.’ When I started working, I fell in love with it. 44 years later, I still love it.
“I have not one regret going into this field.”
In addition to her clinical time, Chadwick is an adjunct instructor at Pitt Community College where she teaches the next generation of nurses. She values being able to make a difference in her career.
“I hope that what I bring to nursing I can give to my students and fellow nurses,” Chadwick said. “When patients and family members thank you for taking care of them or their families, that’s what touches you. It makes you want to be the best nurse you can be.”
The 13th annual ECU Health Nursing Summit is a two-day event that brought together more than 400 nurses from across the system. Each year, the summit offers an opportunity for nurses to connect, reflect on the future of the profession and celebrate their impact. Participants engaged in breakout sessions focused on research, innovation, leadership development, well-being and technology. The summit also featured educational sessions, keynote speakers, networking opportunities and vendors showcasing the latest in health care innovations, allowing nurses to explore cutting-edge technology designed to enhance patient care.
“When nurses come together to share experiences, challenge traditional thinking and learn from one another, incredible things happen,” said Trish Baise, chief nursing executive at ECU Health. “This summit reflects our commitment to creating a culture where nurses are engaged, empowered and equipped to lead transformation. The future of health care will be shaped by nurses, and I am excited to see the innovation and leadership emerging across our system.”
Tara Stroud, chief nursing officer, ECU Health Medical Center, said the annual summit is also a celebration.
“We are so proud of our ECU Health nurses and the care that they deliver,” Stroud said. “It’s so important to be able to give back to them and ensure they can grow professionally to be the best nurses they can be. Our nurses do remarkable things every day, so this is an opportunity for us to really celebrate that amazing work.”
A number of deserving candidates were nominated for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. That list was painstakingly narrowed down to five finalists: Barbara “Dee” Abrams, care manager at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital; Andrea Jeppson, licensed practical nurse at ECU Health Duplin Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit; Lou Ann Proctor, staff nurse at ECU Health Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; Dr. Sharona Johnson, executive director of Advanced Clinical Practice at ECU Health; and Chadwick. All five represented more than 200 years of nursing expertise.
Over 42 years, Abrams has made an impact on the Edgecombe County community through her work with patients and colleagues. She said ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital has always felt like home.
“There’s nothing else that I’d rather do,” Abrams said. “I think what has kept me in the field is just doing my best and working as a family to help others.”
Jeppson will soon mark 40 years in nursing. In that time, she said nursing has changed, but caring for people has not. Jeppson initially felt called to the career after she saved a neighbor from choking on food.
“She came out waving a dish cloth, she was choking on a piece of steak,” Jeppson recalled. “I just ran across the yard and did the Heimlich maneuver, and we managed to get the steak out. I thought, maybe I want to be a nurse.”
Proctor has been a nurse for over 38 years. Her mother, two aunts and a great aunt were also nurses. They taught her the value of compassion, something she takes into her role working with patients and her fellow team members.
“You’re not in this alone,” Proctor said. “You go into a room by yourself to check vitals or administer medications, but if that alarm goes off there are three people at your door. People come running when there’s a need.”
Johnson said that as a youth, she could tell nurses cared about people. That resonated with her on the way to her 39-year career in the field.
“I think we owe it to our patients to know part of their story, because that is what defines their life,” Johnson said. “We’re a shared humanity and we need to realize that.”
Stroud said all of the nominees were worthy of the Lifetime Achievement Award, finalist or not. She said Chadwick personifies the qualities that exemplify what it means to be an exceptional nurse, and that her commitment to the profession and her patients deserved recognition.
“Anne shows heartfelt compassion, exceptional clinical skills and a commitment to growing the future of nursing,” Stroud said. “She spends so much time teaching other nurses and students how to succeed in the field.”
Chadwick also thanked her team who she said do a phenomenal job taking care of patients. She said anyone considering a career in nursing should just do it.
“This is a great career,” Chadwick said. “You have to show compassion and care for your patients. It is about people.”