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.”
As a child, Jennifer Giordano, Cancer Center outreach coordinator, was deeply impressed with nurses.
“I always wanted to be a nurse,” she said. “When I went to the doctor, the nurses were warm and kind, but also steady and wise. I wanted to be that person when I grew up.”
Giordano has indeed been that person during her nearly 30 years as a nurse and 34 years with ECU Health. The Beaufort County native switched from the bedside to community outreach a decade ago, and the change was a good fit.
“It’s great to be on the front end of disease and cancer care and help navigate our patients towards cancer screenings,” she said. “We make a difference, because early detection is key.”
Expanding early detection
In her role, Giordano has been a part of many initiatives that provide education and resources for individuals at risk for cancer.
“We do pop-ups for PSA blood tests for prostate cancer, and last year we screened 22 high-risk individuals,” she shared. “We distribute kits to test for colorectal cancer, perform skin cancer screenings, and run a breast clinic for uninsured patients. It’s a great gig.”
Giordano also works closely with the Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI), a North Carolina organization that connects lung cancer patients and their loved ones with the medical and research community, fuels research, furthers education and supports access to cancer care.
Giordano leads monthly, low-dose CT lung cancer scan clinics for under and uninsured patients, and she also serves on the LCI’s Early Detection Advisory Committee, where she is a champion for the Screening Saves Lives program.
For her work with the LCI, she was recently recognized as the 2025 Dr. Jennifer Garst Healthcare Professional of the Year. The award honors a health care professional who goes above and beyond in providing supportive, patient-centered care, which the LCI said Jennifer “exemplifies . . . in every aspect of her work.”
Why the work matters
Winning the award was humbling and surprising, Giordano said, but it was also deeply personal.
“My dad was a single father, and he started smoking when he was 12,” she explained. “He’s a gifted artist and a talented musician – he’s so much more than a smoker. In 2016, he called me and said something was wrong. We made an appointment with his primary care physician, and they discovered a tumor in the right upper lobe of his lung.”
Giordano’s father underwent chemotherapy and radiation due to the location of his tumor. During that process, his physicians discovered a significant aortic valve stenosis that, once his cancer treatment was complete, required a transcatheter aortic valve replacement. At 79, he’s now doing well, but seeing her father go through cancer treatment gave Jennifer a different perspective.
“Smokers are often blamed for their outcomes, and you can hear it in patients’ voices that they are shaming themselves,” she said. “My dad did that too. He waited a long time to be seen by a doctor, and we all know cancer is easier to treat if it’s caught early. I want our patients to know there’s more to them than being a smoker, and that we’re not here to shame them.”
That’s why Giordano dedicated her award to her father, and why she continues to serve patients with compassion – although she is reluctant to stand in the spotlight.
“When I talk to patients and welcome them, I try to put them at ease and love on them. I want to be that nurse who is smart and gentle, who makes you feel like family but also that we’re going to take care of you,” she said. “Being an outreach coordinator is something I get to do.”
Greenville, NC – The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) recently awarded ECU Health Medical Center Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU) a silver-level Beacon Award for Excellence for 2025. This national honor recognizes units that demonstrate exceptional patient care, outstanding outcomes and a commitment to creating and sustaining healthy work environments.
“Earning the Beacon Award for Excellence is a powerful reflection of the dedication our Surgical Intensive Care Unit nursing team brings to patients every single day,” said Trish Baise, chief nursing executive, ECU Health. “This recognition affirms ECU Health’s commitment to evidence based practice, teamwork and a healthy work environment that allows exceptional care to thrive. I am incredibly proud of this team and the standard of excellence they continue to set for our organization and for eastern North Carolina.”
The ECU Health Medical Center SICU is a 24-bed unit that provides support for nearly 900 critically ill surgical and trauma patients per year and is a crucial part of ECU Health Medical Center as a Level I Trauma Center. The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes unit caregivers who successfully improve unit outcomes and align practices with AACN’s six Healthy Work Environment Standards. These include the overall health of the work environment, better nurse staffing and retention, less morale distress and lower rates of workplace violence. Units that earn this annual award meet specific criteria established by AACN that represent the characteristics and components of the unit environment that nurses can influence to achieve nursing excellence.
“This achievement reflects the extraordinary skill, compassion and resilience our SICU nurses bring to the bedside every day,” said Tara Stroud, chief nursing officer, ECU Health Medical Center. “The Beacon Award underscores ECU Health nurses’ unwavering commitment to delivering safe, evidence-based care in an environment where teamwork and professional growth truly thrive. Their focus on continuous improvement directly elevates the experience and outcomes of the patients we serve.”
Beacon-awarded units distinguish themselves by excelling in various areas demonstrated in their application. Through participation in the Beacon Award program, units can compare and reflect on their performance compared to global applicants. According to AACN, all awardees demonstrate dynamic and outstanding performance in the areas of patient outcomes, nursing workforce and work environment.
“The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in outstanding units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes,” said AACN President Rebekah Marsh, BSN, RN, CCRN. “Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care.”