The 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards winners include two ECU Health Medical Center volunteers, one ECU Health team member and the ECU Health Beaufort Hospital volunteer team.
Established in 1979, the award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. Individuals or groups from the public, nonprofit and private sectors may be nominated for the award.
Learn about the winners below!
ECU Health Beaufort Hospital Volunteers
The volunteers at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital were collectively recognized as NC Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winners this year. Jamie Tice, the supply chain manager at the hospital, recognized the volunteers in their summer volunteer newsletter.
“Each of you are such a blessing,” she wrote. “Your compassion, dedication and commitment to proudly serving the communities of eastern North Carolina is to be commended. Without your continued support, we could not live out our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
Mary Hall
Mary Hall is the senior services prevention coordinator at ECU Health, and she has worked for the health system for almost 25 years. “My role at the hospital is in older adult health,” she said. “I do a lot of promotion around prevention, including with our falls prevention coalition, and I emphasize the importance of social and active engagement. This aligns with my volunteer work, too.”
Hall represents ECU Health and Pitt County on several statewide, regional and local councils and taskforces to serve the senior population, and it was her work with the Pitt-Greenville Senior Games that earned her a nomination for and recognition as a North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winner.
“I started by volunteering at the spring Senior Games,” Hall said. “Then, I started helping out in the fall at the Senior Games state three-on-three basketball tournament held in Greenville.” Hall said she often serves as a scorekeeper or time clock keeper, but eventually she was named a volunteer coordinator for the event. “I oversee the other volunteers who come to the tournament. I make sure they know where to go and what they’re doing, because these games can be very chaotic.”
Hall said she was inspired to volunteer because it’s a way to promote what she preaches at work. “When you retire, you can’t just sit. You need to do something to keep the mind and body moving. Some of the seniors played sports in high school or college, and they have continued that through their lives, but there is also the silver arts piece, where people do ceramics, painting, poetry or carpentry. Everyone has an opportunity to participate in the Senior Games, even if they aren’t athletic.”
As importantly, participants get the chance to meet and make friends with other people their age. “It’s about the fellowship and the fun. That’s important as we age.” Hall also enjoys working with students and younger people. “Many volunteers are students, and it’s fun to see them realize that these older people have a lot of life to live.”
While she’s honored to have won the award, Hall said that’s not why she volunteers. “Volunteering is an obligation we as citizens have to give back to our communities,” she said. “Older adults are my community, and people can get a great sense of satisfaction when they give their time, expertise or even a shoulder to cry on. It builds a sense of purpose.”
Emmanuel Bryant
Emmanuel Bryant has volunteering in his blood. “My mom founded a nonprofit in Durham to prevent teenage drug and alcohol abuse, and she was a founding board member of the IDYL Charter School,” he said. “I grew up volunteering and I believe it’s important to give back to the community.” The Durham native also grew up knowing he wanted to work in health care, but his plans shifted from wanting to be a doctor to pursuing a career as a physician assistant (PA) after attending a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill medical school program for high school students.
“It was a nine-week program with different people sharing information about the various specialties and aspects of medicine,” he said. “During the program, someone talked about PAs. That got me interested.”
Bryant attended ECU to get his bachelor’s degree in public health with a pre-health concentration. He graduated in 2023, and he needed a certain number of volunteer hours to apply to PA school. “I did research with the Brody School of Medicine and worked in home health with children with autism,” he said. Then a friend of his suggested he look into volunteering at the ECU Health Medical Center. “I worked in patient transport and some in outpatient rehabilitation,” he said. “I had great mentors, including Emmett (Floyd) – he’s an awesome guy and he showed me a lot of things. It was an experience I think of fondly.”
During his time helping with rehabilitation, Bryant said he got to work alongside Shane Whitley, a PTA, and learn about therapeutic interventions. “I learned about breaking up scar tissue and stress tests. It was one of my favorite areas to work.” He also worked in the Cancer Center, where he saw many patients ring the bell to signify their last cancer treatment. “It was such an emotional experience, and the nurses there are elite in their skills.”
His experience as a volunteer has set the stage for success in his pursuit of being a PA. “It has helped me get comfortable with patients, so as a provider I can work with them. Everyone is different and all come from different backgrounds,” he said. “Exposure to these differences is the best way to combat discrimination, and it helps us know we’re all human.” The work also helped Bryant better understand how hospitals work and how to collaborate with different professionals and personalities. Best of all, Bryant said he felt blessed give back to a community that has given him. “I felt like it was my duty to give back,” he said. “Without ECU and Greenville, I wouldn’t be at PA school. I’m truly honored to win this award.”
Dr. Emmett Floyd
A native of Virginia, Dr. Emmett Floyd moved to North Carolina to attend Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, North Carolina. After graduation, he was a teacher and a coach until he was drafted into the army in 1967. Upon the completion of his service, he returned to work as an educator and coach until he decided to pursue his master’s degree in educational leadership at East Carolina University (ECU). “[After graduation], I was a principal for four years, then a school superintendent for 15 years, after which I joined the faculty at ECU in the College of Education,” he said. Although he “retired” in 1998, he still worked for the College until 2010, when he became the executive director of the ECU Pirate Club. “After four years doing that, I finally retired for good at age 69,” he said. “From then on, I did volunteer work.”
That volunteer work included serving as vice chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce, which he has done for 10 years. A chat with a fellow ECU colleague – and a previous NC Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winner – Frank Crawley, inspired him to look into volunteer work at the ECU Health Medical Center. “There’s a few of us who all know each other from ECU, and they were all working the Tuesday morning shift. So, I joined that group in 2020,” he said.
Dr. Floyd works as a patient escort, helping patients get to where they need to go. “I pick them up and take them to endoscopy or GI or up to their hospital rooms. And there’s not a day I don’t get a thank you from them. Those thank yous are the salary,” he said.
Dr. Floyd also likes the camaraderie of working with his fellow volunteers. “We have a lot of students who come in during the summers, and they sit and listen to old men talk about things, and then we get them to share about themselves. I look forward to it every week.”
While he was surprised to learn he won the volunteer award, Dr. Floyd is appreciative and humble. “It’s not about me,” he said. “I’m just one who represents the 300 or more members of our team.” He also said he is happy to be able to give back to the community. “We’ve lived in Greenville for 35 years, and we’ve benefitted from our time here,” he said. “I feel like you should give back, and volunteer work is one way to do that.” Those who volunteer for ECU Health, he said, find their own way to use their skill sets to help others. “I met a woman who rocks babies in the NICU,” he said. “What a great thing for her to do. That’s her gift and how she gives back. No matter what your skill set, there is something you can do to help.”
All winners were recognized at their local county commissioners’ meetings this past summer. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all of the volunteers and team members who serve eastern North Carolina at ECU Health. To learn more about the NC Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service, to nominate a volunteer or to see the full list of the 2024 winners, visit this site.
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The ECU Health Foundation recently recognized four team members at ECU Health Medical Center with 2024 Brody Awards, on behalf of the Brody families of Kinston and Greenville.
The Brody Awards, established in 1988, are given to team members who demonstrate unparalleled care, compassion, professionalism and commitment in all they do. The awards honor a registered nurse, an allied health professional, a clinical support team member and an Intensive Care Unit nurse.
The 2024 honorees are: Pam Hall, triage telephone nurse in Medical Oncology; Melinda Edwards, trauma registry supervisor; Kaitlin Lehrke, staff nurse II on the Surgical Intensive Care Unit; and Stacey Greenway, former director of Cardiovascular Disease Management.
Outstanding Nurse of the Year: Pam Hall
Pam Hall started her career as a nurse 42 years ago and joined then-Pitt County Memorial Hospital in 1991. She spent time on a number of units – pediatric intensive care, admissions testing, recovery and pre-operative – as well as the ECU Health SurgiCenter and ECU Health Pain Management before moving to her current role.
Today, as a triage telephone nurse, she connects with patients with cancer who call in for concerns or symptoms they are experiencing.
“Any of the patients that come to the hematology, oncology, surgical oncology clinics, they’re all given our phone numbers to call if they have any kind of problems, concerns, or if they’re having symptoms from chemotherapy, post-operative complications, anything like that, they call us,” Hall said. “Our calls are answered by nurses, and so we try our best to handle things for the nurses in the clinic so they can focus on the patients in clinic and anything that my co-worker and I can do to get an issue addressed or taken care of, we do.”
Whether it’s reaching out to the symptom management team, helping get patients to scheduling for an appointment or answering a quick question for a patient, Hall said she’s grateful to be someone patients and team members can count on when help is needed.
Hall said she enjoyed the interview process involved in the selection of Brody Award winners as it gave her an opportunity to reflect on the work she’s done.
“I’m just so very thankful to the Brody family that they thought I was worthy of this award. The team of people that interviewed me for this asked such thought-provoking questions and then I’m just humbled that they felt like I deserve this award,” Hall said. “I’m a telephone triage nurse and I told them in the interview, ‘I don’t do hands-on patient care anymore, so I really don’t feel like I am deserving of this award.’ I’m trying to look not too far in the distant future of when I retire and this was my transition. It’s been a struggle because I love hands-on patient care so the fact that they chose me was very humbling.”
Clinical Support Staff of the Year: Melinda Edwards
Melinda Edwards started working with trauma registry at then-Pitt County Memorial Hospital through a student job at East Carolina University in 1995 and joined the team full time 26 years ago.
Edwards said it’s been a joy to work in trauma registry over the years, thanks to a strong team and knowing her work makes a difference.
“The team is phenomenal, and I really do like the people I work with. They really have the best interest of the patient at heart. We’re not bedside, but you’ve got to have the data to be able to support any initiative,” Edwards said. “In addition to being a really great group from the surgeons and nurses to my team, it’s knowing that I am making an impact directly on patient care and for the injured patients of eastern North Carolina who come through our doors.”
As a Wayne County native, she said serving the region she has called home all her life is especially meaningful and she’s proud to help patients and families experiencing trauma.
While Edwards said she was humbled by the recognition as a Brody Award winner, she was excited to take the opportunity to highlight the important work her team does each day. The trauma registry team compiles data of all trauma events that require a hospital visit and helps the system make informed decisions on care pathways, prevention, improvements and more. While most would just associate trauma with direct patient care teams, she said the work behind the scenes is vitally important as well.
“There’s a whole other group of team members involved, and that’s trauma registry – they’re the engine to the car,” Edwards said. “I tell my team every opportunity I get, ‘What they do is incredibly important because we can’t move forward without data, we can’t do the research without data. The leadership team recognizes that, it’s about everybody in that division that’s helping move this system forward.”
ICU Nurse of the Year: Kaitlin Lehrke
Kaitlin Lehrke is a staff nurse on the SICU at ECU Health Medical Center and joined the team as a new graduate nurse from East Carolina University’s College of Nursing in June of 2020. She said it was an interesting experience to start her career as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the team in trauma has helped her develop as a nurse.
Lehrke said the team is like a family to her, something that started when she first visited the SICU unit as a nursing student during her rotations.
“I remember walking in as a student absolutely terrified but I felt very welcomed by everyone that I met,” she said. “I felt welcomed in a way that was more than just, ‘We want you to be successful because we need you here.’ I felt welcomed because people genuinely wanted me to be successful. Everyone I came into contact with, my manager, coworkers, educators, there was no option but to be successful. I felt that everyone went out of their way to make sure, even as a student, I had the resources to be successful.”
While interviews for Brody Awards are meant to be in person, Lehrke had a virtual interview in October as she was heading to western North Carolina to assist with relief following Hurricane Helene. Originally the plan for her group was to do search and rescue but the area she visited needed more help with getting houses ready to be rebuilt.
“The church we partnered with had us at a house where the foundation had completely failed, so we were trying to get stuff out,” Lehrke said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. It felt like a movie of just like this town had just been ransacked, people were emptying out their houses, there were piles and piles of people’s livelihoods and family heirlooms on the side of the road, waiting to be picked up. It was tough to see.”
Lehrke said she returned to western North Carolina during Pitt County Schools’ spring break to continue supporting rebuilding and recovery efforts.
Allied Health Professional of the Year: Stacey Greenway
Over the years, Stacey Greenway has nominated others for Brody Awards but never considered that she may be nominated or selected for an award herself. She said the team she works alongside of and the progress of patients seen in cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation has guided her work over the years.
“It was very exciting to learn I’d been selected, but it was more humbling than anything else. There are so many people in this health system that dedicate themselves to their work and to their patient care,” Greenway said. “It’s such an honor to be highlighted and I’m just proud of the work we get to do. We all work really hard, but it’s also fun to know you’re supporting patients in your community.”
During the interview process, Greenway said she was grateful for the opportunity to reflect on her time with ECU Health and the team she has supported along the way. Though she has since moved to a new role within the system, she received the award as director of cardiovascular disease management.
Over the last year, she said, cardiac rehab at ECU Health has made great strides to support patients and expand services offered in the region. She said her team examined how they can best educate patients in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and how they can best help patients understand the rehabilitation process.
“That project was great and the whole team worked together to make that happen,” Greenway said. “Then we worked together with our partners in ECU Health Physicians to be able to open intensive cardiac rehab in Roanoke Rapids which has been unserved, not underserved, for quite some time in cardiac rehabilitation. It’s nice to be able to have that service there as a part of the trajectory of patient care.”
Congratulations to the 2024 Brody Award winners!
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The 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards winners include two ECU Health Medical Center volunteers, one ECU Health team member and the ECU Health Beaufort Hospital volunteer team. Established in 1979, the award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. Individuals or groups from the public, nonprofit and private sectors may be nominated for this award.
Mary Hall
Mary Hall is the senior services prevention coordinator at ECU Health, and she has worked for the health system for almost 25 years. “My role at the hospital is in older adult health,” she said. “I do a lot of promotion around prevention, including with our falls prevention coalition, and I emphasize the importance of social and active engagement. This aligns with my volunteer work, too.”
Hall represents ECU Health and Pitt County on several statewide, regional and local councils and taskforces to serve the senior population, and it was her work with the Pitt-Greenville Senior Games that earned her a nomination for and recognition as a North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winner.
“I started by volunteering at the spring Senior Games,” Hall said. “Then, I started helping out in the fall at the Senior Games state three-on-three basketball tournament held in Greenville.” Hall said she often serves as a scorekeeper or time clock keeper, but eventually she was named a volunteer coordinator for the event. “I oversee the other volunteers who come to the tournament. I make sure they know where to go and what they’re doing, because these games can be very chaotic.”
Hall said she was inspired to volunteer because it’s a way to promote what she preaches at work. “When you retire, you can’t just sit. You need to do something to keep the mind and body moving. Some of the seniors played sports in high school or college, and they have continued that through their lives, but there is also the silver arts piece, where people do ceramics, painting, poetry or carpentry. Everyone has an opportunity to participate in the Senior Games, even if they aren’t athletic.” As importantly, participants get the chance to meet and make friends with other people their age. “It’s about the fellowship and the fun. That’s important as we age.” Hall also enjoys working with students and younger people. “Many volunteers are students, and it’s fun to see them realize that these older people have a lot of life to live.”
While she’s honored to have won the award, Hall said that’s not why she volunteers. “Volunteering is an obligation we as citizens have to give back to our communities,” she said. “Older adults are my community, and people can get a great sense of satisfaction when they give their time, expertise or even a shoulder to cry on. It builds a sense of purpose.”
Resources
ECU Health recently hosted the Provider Patient Choice Awards at a luncheon honoring more than 200 ECU Health providers.
The Provider Patient Choice Awards recognize ECU Health providers who rank in the top 10% in the nation in the Watson Human Caring[1] question for “Creating a caring environment that helped me heal.”
Attendees, both in-person and virtual, heard from ECU Health leadership as they thanked the winners for their work and discussed how compassionate care impacts patients, families and the health system. ECU Health CEO and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Dr. Michael Waldrum said there is no greater honor than being recognized by the patients and community members a provider serves.
“We teach medical students and nurses about all of the technicalities and the hard work that it takes to take care of other humans,” Dr. Waldrum said. “However, one of the most important elements of excellence in providing health care is connecting with other people and caring. We know the data is very clear, it’s been shown many times that the better connection you have with that patient, the better they do. They’ll take their medications, they’ll follow your advice and their outcomes are better.”
He also noted that with expanding technologies and societal changes, the connection aspect in health care is needed now as much as ever and acknowledged a shift toward even more compassionate care in recent years. He expressed deep gratitude for the care teams making caring environments for patient and their families a priority.
Dr. Jason Foltz, chief medical officer with ECU Health Physicians, shared that the morning of the event, he had multiple visits with patients who did not have medical needs, but just needed someone to talk to about anxieties around medications or upcoming procedures. He said these interactions with patients and families are just as important, if not more important, than the medical care he provides.
“These are our patients and what they need is what you all provide them, which is a listening ear and the fact that you choose to care,” Dr. Foltz said. “At the heart of all this, everything we do—we’re just people serving people. That’s what today is about, to recognize and highlight that amazing spirit you bring and what really makes ECU Health, ECU Health.”
Dr. James Powell, a Patient Choice Award recipient, agreed with Dr. Foltz about the heart of a provider’s work. He said his team makes all the difference by starting each visit with a warm smile and a helping hand for patients.
He said he was excited to share the award with his team and recognize them for going above and beyond and developing positive patient relationships, which he uses for the foundation of each visit.
“We’ve been truly blessed, because we have a wonderful head nurse who has really created a good vibe among the staff as they go through day-to-day work. I’m sure a lot of you feel the same way about your staff,” Dr. Powell said. “When patients are calling, they’re calling because they need something. The something that they get is an answer to that question but a lot of times, it’s also just something that helps to calm them down and to make them feel good about things. I think that we’d really be remiss on a day like today if we didn’t think about the staff with whom we work, who really allow us to do what we do every day.”
ECU Health Chief Experience Officer Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert served as Master of Ceremonies for the event and encouraged providers to take their award boxes – filled with a plaque, stickers, star pins and more – and share them with their teams who support them every day.
She said during the event that the awards are truly special because they come from the patients these providers serve.
“The patients really showed us that you create a caring environment,” Dr. Oehlert said. “As much as you love them, they love you right back. We just want to thank you all for everything you do every day and recognize that the patients think you are amazing.”
About ECU Health Patient Choice Awards
Established in 2023, Patient Choice Awards recognize and honor ECU Health team members and providers for their dedication, effort and support to eastern North Carolina and the patients and families ECU Health serves. Winning teams and providers are chosen based upon commentary and feedback collected from patient surveys. Recognition events are held throughout the system in the fall and winter to showcase the people and teams who go above and beyond in support of our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.
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Teams across ECU Health recognized by patients with Patient Choice Awards
[1] Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring is a foundation of patient care and focuses on the importance of the interpersonal relationship between a caregiver and care receiver. The theory states that this relationship helps not only the person receiving care, but the caregiver as well.
Dr. Jonathan Hamilton, chief of urology at ECU Health, was recognized with the Patriot Award, an honor presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) that underscores Dr. Hamilton’s exceptional support for military personnel and their families.
This award reflects the vital role Dr. Hamilton has played in fostering a supportive environment for team members who serve in the National Guard and Reserve, as well as their loved ones. The award highlights efforts such as granting time off prior to and after deployment, accommodating flexible work arrangements, providing leaves of absence as needed and assistance to military families.
“I am truly honored to receive this award,” said Dr. Hamilton. “As someone deeply patriotic, with both of my grandfathers having served in World War II, I’ve always believed that service takes many forms.
While my path has been different, I feel it’s my duty to support those who serve our country. Dr. Hugh Mallory Reeves is not only a great friend and colleague, but also a true patriot who has made tremendous sacrifices for this nation. It’s a privilege to support him as he fulfills his duty to our country.”
Dr. Hugh Mallory Reeves, a urologist at ECU Health who also serves as a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves, nominated Dr. Hamilton for the Patriot Award in recognition of direct and meaningful support. Dr. Reeves, one of only a few urologists serving in the Army Reserves, has balanced his dual careers since 2003 with significant support from Dr. Hamilton and ECU Health.
“ECU Health supports veterans and appreciates their service,” said Dr. Reeves. “If it weren’t for an entity like this and people like Dr. Hamilton, we wouldn’t be able to be here with long careers as physicians and military service.”
Retired Navy Cmdr. Ken Oppenheim, a representative from the ESGR, alongside Dr. Reeves, formally presented the award to Dr. Hamilton, providing an opportunity to celebrate his impactful contributions and recognize the ways he has supported service members and their families.
“ECU Health has always been a strong advocate for serving veterans and supporting our military,” said Dr. Jason Foltz, chief medical officer at ECU Health Physicians. “Dr. Hamilton’s commitment to accommodating physicians currently serving in the military is integral to who we are.”
Anthony Bartholomew, vice president of operations for ECU Health Physicians, echoed these sentiments.
“Dr. Hamilton is a remarkable leader who supports all of his team members – military and non-military – in every way possible,” said Bartholomew. “It’s an honor and a privilege to have someone so dedicated to eastern North Carolina and our patients as part of our team.”
Dr. Hamilton’s nomination was reviewed and approved by the ESGR state committee. The North Carolina ESGR is a Department of Defense office led and operated by volunteers who aim to foster supportive work environments for members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Robert J. Greczyn, Jr., chair, ECU Health Board of Directors, recently received the 2024 Trustees Award for Distinction from the East Carolina University Board of Trustees in honor of his extraordinary leadership and service. This prestigious award recognizes individuals who embody excellence, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to advancing ECU’s mission of student success, public service, and regional transformation.
“I am deeply honored to receive the 2024 Trustees Award for Distinction,” said Greczyn. “East Carolina University and ECU Health have been central to my journey of service, and I am grateful to have played a part in advancing the collective mission to improve lives across our region.”
The Trustees Award for Distinction is reserved for leaders who inspire, influence and motivate others toward achieving shared goals. Honorees demonstrate a profound dedication to ECU’s strategic vision through championing partnerships, fostering philanthropy, and promoting public service—all while exemplifying strong character and professionalism.
Greczyn’s devotion to ECU runs deep. As a former member and chair of the ECU Board of Trustees from 2003 to 2011, Greczyn has continuously worked to elevate the university. Currently, he serves as chair of the ECU Health Board of Directors, where his extensive health care experience has been pivotal in integrating the health system with the Brody School of Medicine.
“Bob’s passion for serving the underserved and addressing complex health care challenges has been a guiding light for ECU Health,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, chief executive officer of ECU Health and dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “Through his leadership, the organization has stayed true to its mission-driven focus on improving the health and well-being across eastern North Carolina.”
Greczyn has been a prominent leader in North Carolina’s health care landscape for over three decades. Professionally, he served as the president and CEO of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina from 2000 to 2010.
He also served as president and CEO of Healthsource Health Plans Inc. Greczyn also established a Rural Health Center in Anson County. His expertise running both not-for-profit and for-profit entities is supported by a leadership style that emphasizes enterprise risk, compliance, ethics and governance standards.
“As a member of our board, Bob has always advocated for patients, their families, team members, students, educators and especially those in underserved communities who struggle to gain access high-quality care,” said Dr. Waldrum. “His focus has always been on how we can make the greatest impact for our region. I am grateful to have the privilege to serve alongside so many mission-driven individuals like Bob who dedicate themselves to advancing this beautiful part of our state.”
Greczyn’s influence extends far beyond professional achievements; his commitment to serving underserved communities, championing collaboration, and driving positive change underscores his dedication to the mission of ECU. Greczyn’s recognition through the Trustees Award for Distinction is a testament to his enduring impact on ECU, ECU Health and the communities we serve.
Greenville, N.C. – Trish Baise, ECU Health chief nursing executive, was recently honored as one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2024 Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) to know. Since stepping into the role in 2022, Baise has cultivated a dynamic nursing environment that drives innovations to enhance patient care quality and elevate patient experiences across eastern North Carolina.
“This recognition by Becker’s reflects the collective efforts of the incredible nurses across ECU Health, all of whom are dedicated to creating an environment where nurses and patients alike can thrive,” said Baise. “Together, we are driving innovative approaches in rural health care, committed to excellence in all we do and enhancing patient care across eastern North Carolina. I am honored that ECU Health has been recognized for this commitment.”
Tasked with addressing nurse staffing shortages, managing budgets and fostering growth opportunities for emerging nurses, the nursing leaders recognized by Becker’s play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing.
Beyond leading nursing departments, CNOs drive innovative initiatives that uphold high patient care standards. Their roles demand a unique blend of clinical expertise and executive leadership. This list honors CNOs for their commitment to optimizing health care.
Baise has led efforts to establish a supportive environment where both nurses and patients can thrive. Under her leadership, ECU Health has achieved its third Magnet recognition, underscoring a commitment to nursing excellence. The Advancing Nursing Practice and Excellence (APEX) initiative has been foundational to this strategy, focusing on innovation, research and collaborative efforts to advance nursing in rural health care. Through partnerships with East Carolina University and local colleges, ECU Health also invests in the future of nursing, offering residency programs to equip new nurses with essential skills. This vision represents ECU Health’s dedication to defining a new standard for patient care and nursing excellence in eastern North Carolina.
“As the region’s largest health care provider and educator, ECU Health has a unique role in shaping community health, and Trish understands that our mission’s success depends on attracting the best providers, nurses and care teams to our health system,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “Trish’s dedication to service and our mission aligns with ECU Health’s work to build the model for rural academic health care. ECU Health is proud to lead the way in defining the future of nursing in our region.”
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There were plenty of smiles and handshakes at the Teachers of Quality Academy (TQA) 7.0 Recognition Ceremony on Sept. 30, as 37 graduates from the most recent TQA cohort celebrated successful completion of the program alongside ECU Health and Brody School of Medicine leaders.
TQA is a professional development program for health care leaders designed to fundamentally change care delivery through a curriculum focused on building knowledge and skills in Health Systems Science which comprehensively explores how health care is delivered. Participants engage in advanced learning in quality improvement, patient safety and team leadership, develop improvement projects to apply these skills across the health system, teach others in their environment about these concepts and evaluate the outcomes of improvement interventions. Leading by example, TQA participants promote a culture of quality and safety across the enterprise.
This year’s program graduates came from multiple areas of expertise and locations, including ECU Health Physicians, ECU Health Medical Center, ECU Health North Hospital, ECU Health Chowan Hospital and Contentnea Health. Additionally, the cohort includes participants from ECU Health’s Rural Family Medicine Residency Program, ECU Health’s Administrative Fellowship Program and the MedServ Fellowship Program.
“As an academic health care organization, it’s incredibly gratifying to see educational programming like TQA woven into ECU Health and Brody’s culture of quality improvement,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health CEO and dean of Brody. “You can see and feel the pride that people take in improving quality, and that has real tangible impacts on patients who can experience better health and wellness as a result. This cohort and these graduates are an example of our quality improvement culture which TQA has helped build.”
According to Dr. Jennifer Sutter, TQA physician director, the diverse, multidisciplinary class represented the ultimate goal of the program: to further knowledge and instill principles that help health care professionals across eastern North Carolina improve quality on behalf of the patients they serve.
“It is exciting for us as program leaders recognize and celebrate these dedicated health care professionals for successfully completing TQA,” Sutter said. “Those of us involved in the program have been fortunate to witness incredible growth from our 7.0 cohort. We could not be more proud of what they’ve accomplished and how they will use their knowledge and skills to help further high-quality care in their individual clinical setting through out eastern North Carolina.”
The seventh iteration of the program was comprised of 12 half-day sessions alternating concepts of leadership development and new competencies of Health Systems Science, including patient safety, quality improvement, systems thinking, population health and team-based care. Each learning session also emphasized wellness topics enabling participants to engage in supplemental activities to further enhance the experience of life while at work. The year-long program culminated in each participant completing a comprehensive quality improvement project in their area of focus.
“As part of TQA, I had the honor of partnering with leaders from our community hospitals—North, Chowan, and the Medical Center—all of whom shared a commitment to serving our community,” said ECU Health administrative fellow Madison Stevens, a member of the 7.0 cohort. “The sessions empowered us to explore and refine our leadership philosophies, building a strong foundation rooted in quality improvement, professional growth, and innovation. The program has equipped me with the tools to become an effective and open-minded leader. In our project, my team focused on post-event debriefing in the emergency department, prioritizing the well-being of our team members alongside clinical learning to help teams navigate high-stress situations and improve patient care outcomes. We look forward to sharing our results and broadening our focus on quality improvement to provide exceptional patient care.”
The TQA curriculum is also designed around experiences that span the continuum of care in multiple areas of clinical focus which enables participants to be better prepared to meet real-world challenges. This intentional design, according to ECU Health Chief Quality Officer and Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Niti Armistead, enables TQA graduates to immediately help drive quality improvements in the clinical environment.
“TQA is so important because it creates a community of interdisciplinary professionals committed to improving quality both here at ECU Health and beyond,” Dr. Armistead said. “Quality is a critical component of our quintuple aim and the work being done by TQA program leaders and participants directly ties to our ability to improve the health and well-being of the region. Through TQA, participants learn by doing and acquire collaborative problem resolution skills to drive continuous improvement.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® Certification for brain tumor care, recognizing the program’s ongoing dedication to delivering safe, high-quality patient care. According to The Joint Commission, the Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that recognizes health care organizations that provide comprehensive care for patients with brain tumors.
“This recognition from The Joint Commission is a testament to the incredible neuro-oncological expertise, technology and research available here at ECU Health Medical Center,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “It is immensely humbling to witness the incredible efforts that take place within the walls of the hospital every single day to further our understanding of brain tumors and brain tumor treatment. We could not be more proud of every team member who helped receive this prestigious certification.”
ECU Health Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review in July. During the visit, the Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including compliances with consensus-based national standards, effective integration of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care, and organization of approach to performance measurement and performance improvement, including data collection and analysis. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Brain tumor care certification recognizes health care organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend ECU Health Medical Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
ECU Health Medical Center boasts a comprehensive neuro-oncological care program, led by a board-certified neuro-oncologist. The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® Certification for brain tumor care highlights the collaboration between interdisciplinary teams in oncology and neurosciences who are committed to advancing the treatment of brain tumors through research, numerous clinical trials, patient care, education and prevention.
“Obtaining this certification highlights our team’s unwavering dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional care for our patients with brain tumors,” said Dr. Jasmin Jo, director, neuro-oncology program, ECU Health. “Our primary objective is to ensure we deliver high-quality care consistently throughout every stage of the patient journey, from initial presentation and diagnosis to treatment, and follow-up care, as well as comprehensive education for both patients and their families. I could not be more proud of the entire brain tumor team for their remarkable dedication and hard work in achieving this certification. We remain steadfast in our pursuit of continuous improvement in the treatment and care of our patients.”
In addition to its clinical and academic expertise, ECU Health Medical Center offers an array of comprehensive brain tumor interventions, supported by state-of-the-art technology like GammaTile and Gamma Knife treatment, as well as innovative clinical trials that improve brain tumor knowledge, treatments and outcomes. This blend of cutting-edge technology and academic collaboration enhances the precision and effectiveness of care, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients.
“Patients diagnosed with brain tumors deserve access to high-quality physicians, technology and treatment options close to home,” said Dr. Stuart Lee, executive director, ECU Health Neurosciences. “I am proud of the team behind this important certification because they are truly living our values as a mission-driven organization. With comprehensive brain tumor services available in the region, we are proud to do our part to improve the health and well-being of those we proudly serve.”
For more information about ECU Health’s neurological care services, please visit ECUHealth.org/Neuro or The Joint Commission website.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center has been nationally recognized as a national leader in patient experience for the second consecutive year, according PEP Health’s 2025 rankings. PEP Health evaluated more than 35 million online reviews from patients and their families in 2024, offering a real-time look at patient experiences across health care providers nationwide.
ECU Health Medical Center’s recognition was highlighted by top-5 national rankings in several categories including overall patient experience, communication & involvement and emotional support.
“At ECU Health, creating caring experiences for our patients and team members is at the core of our mission,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer at ECU Health. “Our definition of excellence is shaped by feedback from our patients and fostered by the compassion and dedication of our team. Being recognized nationally for our excellence in communication and emotional support is a rewarding acknowledgment of the safe, healing environments we strive to create. We are committed to continually listening and evolving to meet the needs of those we are honored to serve.”
PEP Health’s 2025 Rankings focus on hospitals with at least 750 staffed beds and at least 250 patient experience comments left online between Sept. 1, 2023, and Sept. 1, 2024. These comments, sourced from patients and their families on social media and review platforms, were analyzed against seven internationally recognized domains of patient-centered care: fast access, effective treatment, emotional support, communication & involvement, attention to physical and environmental needs, continuity of care, and billing and administration.
According to PEP Health, research has shown that enhancing patient experience is not only associated with improved care outcomes, but also strengthens financial performance, safety and health equity. Positive patient experiences directly impact CMS Star Ratings, which are closely tied to reimbursement rates and play a critical role in driving new patients and increasing patient retention. ECU Health’s commitment to delivering exceptional care in eastern North Carolina ensures that the most vulnerable populations in receive the support and attention they need.
“This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our team members who bring compassion and empathy to every patient interaction,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “Caring for patients during some of life’s most challenging moments is more than a job – it’s a calling. I am incredibly proud of the heart and commitment our team demonstrates every day. Earning this national recognition for patient experience reflects their hard work and the trust our patients place in us, and we will continue to prioritize compassionate, patient-centered care in all we do.”