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.”
Kenansville, NC – ECU Health Duplin Hospital is proud to announce a team of nurses on the medical surgical floor was recently honored with the DAISY Team Award for their care of a patient in 2024. The DAISY award celebrates nurses who go above and beyond in their practice – making a lasting impact through kindness, skill and dedication.
“I am incredibly proud of this team’s dedication to compassionate care for this patient and our rural community,” said Jeff Dial, president. “Their commitment reflects our promise that patients in eastern North Carolina can receive exceptional care close to home. ECU Health Duplin nurses embody the very best of the profession, and I’m happy to see their hard work recognized with a DAISY Award.”
According to the nomination, the isolation of a hospital room and the inability to engage in daily life as they pleased weighed heavily on the patient.
As days turned into weeks, the team recognized this discomfort and was determined to make the most of what would become a four-month stay at the hospital. They played card games with the patient, gave them a special nickname and brought thoughtful gifts.
“The nursing team on the medical surgical floor cared deeply about the patient’s well-being – both physically and mentally,” said Rebecca Miller, director of Patient Care Services at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, who nominated the team alongside Christina Miller, vice president of Nursing Strategic Operations and Christi Champion, former nurse manager. “We saw their acts of kindness towards the patient each day, which serve as a testament to the resilience and empathy that define our health care community. This DAISY Award reflects the meaningful impact they make on patients and families across our region.”
Washington, NC – ECU Health Beaufort Hospital is proud to recognize Leslie Alston, RCP, RRT, as the 2025 Pulmonary Health and Illness of the Lung (PHIL) Award recipient for ECU Health regional hospitals. The PHIL Award, established by the FACES Foundation in honor of Philip C. Lamka who passed away from Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), honors respiratory therapists who demonstrate exceptional compassion and patient-centered care.
“Leslie represents everything the PHIL Award stands for,” said Dr. Dennis Campbell II, DHA, RN, FACHE, president of ECU Health Beaufort Hospital. “Her compassion and professionalism make a lasting difference for patients, families and our care teams. Leslie is widely respected by patients, families and colleagues for her clinical expertise, calm leadership and ability to provide comfort and guidance during life’s most critical moments.”
Alston, who has been a respiratory therapist for 28 years – 20 of those spent at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital – is equally respected by nursing leadership and educators. New graduate nurses and code teams rely on her expertise during training and emergency situations. Known as a natural coach, she provides guidance in a supportive and encouraging way while maintaining a strong focus on patient care. She also assists with nursing and CNA skills fairs and represents respiratory therapy at local middle and high schools, emphasizing safe, high-quality, person-centered care.
“I am truly humbled by this recognition, but the greatest reward comes from caring for my patients. Every day, they remind me why I am passionate about being a respiratory therapist. It is an honor and a privilege to support them, and their gratitude and trust are the motivation that keeps me dedicated to this profession,” said Alston
Alston’s impact is reflected in the many calls and handwritten notes from patients and families following discharge. These messages consistently highlight Alston’s personalized care and the genuine concern she shows for each patient. Families often share how Alston took time to listen, explain and provide comfort during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Physicians throughout the hospital also recognize her excellence and frequently request her by name to care for their patients. Medical and physician assistant students regularly shadow her to gain a better understanding of respiratory therapy.
FACES Foundation recognizes two PHIL Award recipients each year — one from ECU Health Medical Center and one representing ECU Health regional hospitals. Alston was named the regional recipient.
The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) recently announced their 2025 40 Under 40: Rising Leaders in Medical Transport award winners, and ECU Health’s Dr. Ashley Lutrick and Jessica Rispoli are on that list. The national award recognizes young professionals who make a meaningful impact across multiple disciplines of the medical transport industry and demonstrate leadership, innovation or contributions within their role or expertise.
Dr. Ashley Lutrick
In addition to serving as EastCare’s associate medical director, Dr. Lutrick is also a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. She got interested in medicine after her father was diagnosed with cancer.
“My family were immigrants from Laos in the 70s,” she shared. “My father’s cancer was caused by Hepatitis B, which was transmitted at birth. The fact that he was diagnosed with something a vaccine could have prevented started my interest in medicine.”
Dr. Lutrick began her career in medicine with a focus on global health, but when COVID threw a wrench in those plans, she pivoted to emergency medical services.
“A lot of what I enjoyed about global medicine is also present in emergency medical services,” she said. “Specifically, transport was a big draw for me. A lot of our region is geographically challenged, and we focus on how we get patients the care they need in the most efficient way?”
This new interest led Dr. Lutrick to the EMS fellowship and ultimately to EastCare where she’s worked with air and ground interfacility transport for two and a half years.
“It’s been a fantastic fit and it’s crazy to think of how much has occurred in these two and a half years,” Dr. Lutrick said.
During that time, Dr. Lutrick said she has focused on quality assurance and improvement, policy and protocol development, clinical oversight and education. She led and advocated for the restructuring and implementation of EastCare’s quality assurance and improvement process, and she wrote EastCare’s first policy that was adopted system-wide on patient transfer of care, which focuses on improving communication and safety outcomes during transitions of care between teams and services.
This is the inaugural year for the 40 Under 40 award, and Dr. Lutrick said she was humbled to be among the first cohort of winners.
“Those nominations come from leaders or peers who recognize those who go above and beyond in leadership roles,” Lutrick said. “It’s easy to forget the impact you’re making and it’s good to be recognized.”
She also highlighted the value of an award like this for up-and-coming professionals in the field.
“Air medical transport is a young field and there are pioneers who have paved the way for us,” she said. “This award recognizes the younger generation who are trailblazing the next steps in air medical transport care.”
Dr. Lutrick was recently accepted as a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medicine Physicians (EMS), from the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), for which she will be recognized this January.
“I do a lot of education, and I enjoy teaching, but I also like the variability with my roles,” she said. “Flying with EastCare is different from working with medical students, residents or fellows, all of which continue to challenge me.”
Jessica Rispoli
A Pennsylvania native, Jessica Rispoli is a nurse practitioner (NP) at ECU Health Bertie Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Working in critical care transport wasn’t originally in her plans. As a high school student, she considered physical therapy or athletic training because of her background in sports, but it was her school nurse who encouraged her to consider nursing. At first, however, nursing school didn’t seem like the right fit.
“Then in my junior and senior years of college, I had an internship with a Level I Trauma Center. I fell in love with the ED. When PennSTAR, the local air medical transport service, stopped by the hospital, I saw the aircraft and I was immediately hooked. That steered my education and training to critical care transport. Had I not met the PennSTAR flight crew, that spark might not have been ignited.”
After moving to North Carolina in 2016, she flew with EastCare full time for eight years before transitioning to the ED, but she still flies as needed with the EastCare team.
Jessica didn’t know she’d been nominated for the 40 Under 40 award until she received notification she’d won.
“I have a lot of emotions about it,” she said. “Mostly for all the people who have helped me build as a person and a nurse. It’s honestly humbling because the others who were selected are amazing.”
She said this award’s existence brings light to the industry.
“I don’t want this award to be just about me; I want it to be about our profession, the system and the awesome people I’ve worked with. People outside this field need to know the value of critical care and air medical transport. This award helps emphasize the impact of the services we provide.”
Jessica said she also enjoys serving the rural communities of eastern North Carolina.
“Our patients need advocates. One of the reasons I love flying with EastCare is we do what we can to stabilize patients from small communities and facilities and be their advocate. Sometimes it’s just about being there and holding their hand, to be with them and show you care.”
In the meantime, Jessica just wrapped up her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and plans to go back to school in 2026 for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP program at ECU.
“I have a lot of working years left and I’m excited to see where it goes,” she said. “I’ll present at conferences, educate those new to the industry, keep working in the ED and keep flying.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to announce it has earned system-wide accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACS CoC), marking a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to delivering world-class cancer care across eastern North Carolina. ACS CoC accreditation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards designed to improve survival and quality of life for patients with cancer.
“As a rural academic health system serving eastern North Carolina, ECU Health recognizes the importance of bringing high-quality cancer care close to home for the 1.4 million people we serve,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “We are proud of the leadership team, physicians and team members whose dedication made this achievement possible. Their collective efforts underscore ECU Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
ECU Health Cancer Care delivers standardized, high-quality services across all System hospitals and clinics. ECU Health Cancer Care Network includes ECU Health Medical Center, ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Each location aligned on shared goals, projects and outreach initiatives, including cancer screenings to improve community health and well-being. Patients benefit from standardized care protocols across the system, multidisciplinary participation in cancer conferences, a collaborative cancer registry that enhances data-driven care and access to highly trained specialists in Greenville working seamlessly with care teams across the region.
“This system accreditation means patients across our region can expect the same high standards of cancer care no matter where they seek treatment,” said Dr. Emmanuel Zervos, executive director of cancer services at ECU Health, and professor at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “It ensures that advanced treatments, multidisciplinary expertise and supportive resources are consistently available close to home. Most importantly, it gives patients and families confidence that their care is coordinated, compassionate and designed to achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Accredited programs must undergo comprehensive evaluation and review to ensure patients receive a full continuum of cancer care services, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and supportive resources. This accomplishment reflects the strong collaboration across the ECU Health system. The initiative was led by physicians and leaders across the health system to establish a state-of-the-art care model that unites specialists and resources across the region.
Greenville, NC – ECU Health is proud to announce it has been named a 2025 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner in consumer experience by Press Ganey, the global leader in health care experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in consumer experience.
“This recognition from Press Ganey is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to listening to our patients and constantly improving based on their insights,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer at ECU Health. “Being honored for excellence in consumer experience reflects the strength of the ECU Health brand in eastern North Carolina and affirms the trust our communities place in us. I am so proud of the compassion and dedication of our team members who deliver high-quality care to those who call eastern North Carolina home.”
The Press Ganey Human Experience Awards honor health care organizations that consistently lead in patient experience, employee and physician engagement, clinical quality and safety. As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award® ECU Health is in the top one percent of health care providers in consumer experience in the last year.
“As a mission-driven rural health care system, ECU Health is uniquely positioned to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to communities that often face barriers to access,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer at ECU Health. “This recognition from Press Ganey reflects the extraordinary commitment of our team members who work tirelessly to create meaningful patient experiences while advancing health equity across eastern North Carolina. It is a powerful testament to our work to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
Press Ganey reviews third-party ratings on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, WebMD, Sharecare and Vitals, and reviews the health care organization’s responsiveness to patient reviews addressing concerns. The 2025 awards are based on performance from Jan. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025.
“ECU Health is showing what it truly means to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “Their deep commitment to both patients and caregivers is creating a culture where empathy drives action—and where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s a privilege to stand beside them on this journey.”
Greenville, NC — ECU Health Medical Center is proud to announce its designation as a Gold Level Center of Excellence in Life Support by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). This honor recognizes health care centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based practices, quality measures, staff training and outstanding patient care in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
“We are honored to receive this recognition from ELSO, a testament to the skill and commitment of our ECMO and critical care teams,” said Heidi Carrow, ECMO Coordinator at ECU Health. “Our teams work tirelessly to deliver the highest standard of care, and this achievement reflects that dedication. Looking ahead, ECU Health Medical Center has established a dedicated adult ECMO team, enabling specialists to focus exclusively on this advanced therapy and further enhance the quality of care we provide.”
ECU Health provides ECMO therapy for infants, children and adults experiencing acute failure of the cardio-respiratory system. ECMO is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients and allows time for the patient’s lungs or heart to heal over a period of time by using a heart-lung machine to oxygenate the blood outside the body. Since launching its ECMO program in 2015, ECU Health has treated more than 50 to 60 patients annually across neonatal, pediatric and adult populations.
This marks ECU Health’s first Gold Level recognition, following previous Silver Level awards in 2016 and 2023. The Gold Level designation reflects the continued advancement and excellence of ECU Health’s ECMO program and critical care teams. The award is valid for a three-year period from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.
“Achieving Gold Level recognition from ELSO is a testament to the skill and dedication of our teams at ECU Health,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “This award underscores our commitment to advancing critical care and ensuring patients across eastern North Carolina have access to the most advanced life support therapies available close to home. We are proud of the progress our ECMO program has made and remain focused on continuing to elevate the quality of care for every patient we serve.”
Greenville, NC —The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons, has again granted accredited status to ECU Health Medical Center, which lasts through 2028. Accreditation by NAPBC is granted to programs proven to provide the best possible care to patients with breast cancer.
“ECU Health is committed to delivering comprehensive, high-quality care for every breast cancer patient,” said Dr. Karinn Chambers, breast surgical oncologist at ECU Health and associate program director in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “This national designation affirms our patients can trust their care meets the highest standards and reflects the latest advances in treatment, research and multidisciplinary collaboration. Most importantly, it ensures that patients are supported through every stage of their journey – from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, recovery and survivorship.”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The even higher prevalence of cancers in eastern North Carolina highlights the importance of having an accredited cancer care center in the region. Access to preventative screenings and early detection allows for less invasive treatments, a greater variety of options and a greater potential to prevent the spread of breast cancer. Patients receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center have access to information on clinical trials and new treatment options, genetic counseling, and patient-centered services including psychosocial support, rehabilitation services and survivorship care.
“ECU Health Medical Center serves a vast rural region where chronic diseases, including cancer, are especially prevalent,” said Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center. “As a rural academic medical center, ECU Health Medical Center – with the expertise of the Brody School of Medicine – offers patients access to groundbreaking research and clinical trials while also attracting and training top-tier cancer care providers. Delivering standardized, high-quality care close to home for the 1.4 million people we serve is integral to our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
To achieve NAPBC accreditation, a breast center demonstrates compliance with the NAPBC standards that address a center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement for patients. Breast centers seeking NAPBC accreditation undergo a site visit every three years.
To learn more about breast cancer screenings and treatment options near you, please visit ECUHealth.org/breast-cancer.
The Salus Luminare award honors team members who “shine the light on safety,” and it is a part of ECU Health’s mission to create safe working environments, both physically and psychologically. This year, Tim Barnes, clinical manager of ECU Health Medical Center’s Radiation Oncology, Kenneth Gregory, nurse practitioner at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital and Sheena Bunch, staff nurse III with Radiology at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, were recognized during the Nov. 18 ECU Health and ECU Health Medical Center Quality Improvement Committee of the Board meeting as award recipients.
Sheena Bunch
In her highly specialized role of performing vascular access procedures throughout ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, Sheena Bunch supports multiple departments and providers while keeping safety front of mind.
“I’m one of the few nurses in the system trained to insert internal jugular central venous lines, which has allowed me to play a big part in improving line care and patient safety,” Bunch said.
Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are serious and can lead to critical complications, including septic shock or death.
“Early in my career,” Bunch shared, “I saw how easily small oversights could lead to complications for patients and that made an impression on me. I’ve personally experienced loss and hardship that remind me how fragile life can be and how every decision matters.”
To help avoid these complications, Bunch began auditing all charts of patients with central lines to make sure the correct maintenance and care orders were entered. When she noticed some inconsistencies, she took the initiative to create a central line maintenance and care order set for nurses to follow.
“This helped standardize care, improve communication and reduce the risk of central line-associated infections. I’m passionate about creating systems and processes that prevent harm before it happens,” she said. “It’s not just about following policy; it’s about protecting someone’s loved one and giving every patient the safest chance at recovery.”
Bunch said she strives to lead by example to promote safe practices.
“I share the ‘why’ behind everything we do and explain how something like an updated order set or quick double-check can make a real difference in patient outcomes,” she said. “I also make a point to celebrate when someone speaks up or catches something that prevents a potential issue. When people feel empowered instead of criticized, they are more invested in safety.”
Winning the Salus Luminare award was an honor, Bunch said, because it recognizes the heart of nursing.
“So much of the work we do in safety goes unseen. It’s about the details and the quiet improvements that prevent harm. This award tells me that the effort to build safer systems truly matters and ECU Health values nurses to take the initiative to make those changes.”
“It’s been rewarding to see how this change has made things safer for our patients and easier for our team members caring for them,” Bunch went on. “I’m proud to work for an organization that values patient safety and empowers nurses to take initiative. I’ve been fortunate to be a part of a team that supports innovation and trusts nurses to make meaningful changes.”
Kenneth Gregory
While pursuing his doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) at East Carolina University (ECU), Kenneth Gregory used an ongoing problem he observed at work as the foundation of his doctoral project.
“I observed patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with opioid overdose or withdrawal and realized we didn’t have a mechanism to facilitate a safe transition for continued outpatient treatment,” he shared.
Gregory’s DNP project required he focus on a gap in health care, based on what literature says providers should do versus what was actually happening.
“I wanted to help an overlooked population and make a positive change. There is a huge opioid problem in this state,” Gregory said. “The hope was we could decompress the ED and save a life or two.”
To solve this problem, Gregory established a process that provided these patients with access to outpatient care.
“We now have a direct path from the ED in Tarboro to Freedom Hill Community Health Center where there’s an outpatient opioid care facility,” Gregory said. “Freedom Hill is close by and uses a sliding scale for costs, making it more accessible.”
To implement this new process, Gregory said it required a lot of communication with the ED team, including staff meetings with education on the new process to ensure everyone was on board. Once they caught on, Gregory said it was gratifying to see the team follow through on the process.
“Nurses would come and say, ‘Hey I have this patient who might benefit from this.’ They were taking notice of how they could help, when previously there was uncertainty on how to help these patients,” Gregory said. “You could feel the groundswell of empowerment when the nurses had a way to do something for this patient population.”
Gregory said that thinking through these kinds of quality and safety concerns is just one part of being a health care provider.
“Safety improves the quality of care we provide. I was in the army for six years, and there was this fundamental thought: always try to improve your situation,” Gregory said. “That’s how I think about my work here, and safety is a part of that.”
While Gregory said it’s a great legacy to have found a way to support an underserved population, he attributes the program’s success to his team.
“We don’t work in silos and as a provider, you have to wrap your arms around everyone who works with you,” Gregory said.
Tim Barnes
Being a registered technologist in Radiation Therapy was not Tim Barnes’ first career.
“I started off in law enforcement in Wilson,” Tim shared. “I was a homicide detective for seven years and a patrol officer three years before that.”
However, Tim said a lot of his work in law enforcement informs the work he does today.
“It’s a big jump, but there is a lot of overlap,” he said. “They both revolve around doing things safely and paying attention to details. Radiation therapy is high risk and requires a great deal of care.”
One of those details was an observation Tim made about weekend emergency radiation treatments.
“We have a rotational on-call schedule for emergency weekend treatments, and there was just one therapist on call for a weekend,” he said. “During weekdays, however, the normal process involves at least two therapists for each treatment because there are a lot of steps.”
With such complexity, Tim wondered – why weren’t they using two therapists on weekends?
“This didn’t make sense to me, and when I became the lead therapist, I made a policy change stipulating that weekend emergency treatments required two on-call therapists, as well as a physicist.”
Tim also implemented the Good Catch program, a near-miss safety reporting system.
“I wrote an article for the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) magazine about incident reports,” he said. “I attended a presentation by Larry Marks, the Radiation Oncology chair at The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. They were developing a proactive reporting system known as the ‘Good Catch’ system, designed to learn from near misses and share how incidents were prevented. I wanted to implement a program like that here at our hospital.”
This innovation in safety reporting encourages team members to talk about what they do to prevent safety incidents from happening on a daily basis. Tim met with his team to explain the new reporting system but he said it took three years to get the team fully entrenched.
“I had to show them it was a way to make the department safer, not a tattletale system,” he said. “It took communication, and not just one day. Every month I met with the team to go through every single Good Catch, so they knew each one was being seen and discussed. Once it caught on and our department and the doctors were engaged, it became the culture of our department.”
Now, the program is system-wide, but Tim doesn’t want to stop there.
“I want to spread this beyond the system, so I’ve shared this at the National Commission on Quality Reporting (NCOG) in Charlotte for quality and safety improvement for radiation oncology clinics. With similar programs at other clinics, we can learn from each other.”
Tim said he’s humbled to win the Salus Luminare award.
“I didn’t go into this for me,” he said. “I did it because I saw a way we could treat patients safer. But I didn’t do it alone. I was at the forefront of the idea and introduced it to the department, but it took the team to get on board to make it happen. I share this award with them.”
A culture of safety and excellence
While three team members were named winners of the Salus Luminare aware, 56 team members were nominated, demonstrating ECU Health’s ongoing prioritization, implementation and recognition of safe patient practices.