“I’ve had cancer more than five times, and I’m still standing,” Maleiyah Perez said. “My job now is to tell people about my journey and help them believe they can do it too.”
When Perez was 17, her mother noticed a lump on her thigh. They went to the doctor immediately, and the nurse confirmed there was a mass.
“Things went fast from there,” she said. “They said they were admitting me that very day, and I had a biopsy the next week.”
The biopsy showed the mass was alveolar soft parts sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that originates in soft tissue such as muscle, fat or nerves. Only about 80 cases are diagnosed per year in the United States.
Holding on to hope
“Before they could remove the tumor, I needed 38 rounds of radiation to shrink it down from the size of a softball,” she said. The surgery left her missing parts of her muscle in that leg.
Almost one year later, Perez prepared to celebrate a year of being cancer-free. A friend’s aunt needed a kidney transplant, and Perez decided to get tested to see if she could be a donor, but the test came back with an unexpected result: her cancer had returned.
“The doctor took us in a room and showed me an x-ray. I had 10-12 nodules in both lungs.”
Perez underwent treatment again, this time a robotic, non-invasive radiation therapy called CyberKnife coupled with oral chemotherapy.
“It was pretty intense, but those treatments together had success, and I was cleared of that cancer.”
Two years later, however, the cancer returned in her lungs. Two years after that, she went back to the doctor with a persistent headache and her doctors discovered a small spot on her brain.
Perez underwent a Gamma Knife treatment, which is a non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery instrument that doesn’t require an incision. Two months after that surgery, she needed it again for two more spots on her brain, and recently, cancer was discovered in her pelvis.
“Through all of this, I never felt any fear,” Perez shared. “I have faith I’m going to make it through, and I have people who support me, including the great team at the cancer center. Dr. Musharraf Navaid, my doctor through much of this journey, said I was very lucky and that people with this type of cancer have a 20-40% chance of surviving five years because it’s often discovered too late. I’m grateful I advocated for myself and have doctors checking on me every month.”
“Maleiyah’s ability to endure the shock of her diagnosis, major surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy shows her strength,” Dr. Navaid said. “Hers is a story of resilience, courage and hope, and she hasn’t let this disease define her.”
After two pelvic fractures, a hip replacement and pelvis reconstruction in November 2025, Perez is working on healing both physically and mentally.
Not going through it alone
“I’ve had a lot of challenges because I’m not as independent as I’d like to be,” she said. “I can’t walk or help my kids, and a lot of cancer patients feel like no one understands. I expressed my feelings to my oncology nurse navigator, Katie Elliott. She listened to me and sat with me, and she gave me information on how to find a therapist to talk to. Both she and Dr. Navaid’s nurse, Charman Baker, go above and beyond. I’m very grateful for that team and everyone at the cancer center because they helped me out of a dark place.”
“I’ve known Maleiyah for a while now,” Elliott said. “It’s been an honor to walk alongside her. We want people to know they’re not going through their journey alone. We have various resources, but sometimes the hardest part is asking for help. We serve many rural communities, and we’ll help patients get access to the care and resources they need.”
“Her smile is infectious, and even on a bad day, you’re going to see that smile,” said Baker, a nurse in the medical oncology clinic. “She hasn’t allowed this experience to deflate her goals, and she’s an inspiration to us.”
Perez said the care she received—from Dr. Navaid’s compassion to the nurses’ efforts to follow up regularly, and the support she received from her mother, who passed away from cancer, and her husband, Jason—helped her through the experience.
“My husband and I had been together only three months when I was first diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “The nurse said, ‘Wow, your boyfriend really cares about you because he asked me what he could do to help.’ Since then, he’s been there for me and our family, and he’s shown he’ll be there through sickness and health. And my mother was my number one cheerleader from the beginning; she was with me for every treatment.”
Perez is 29 now, and her focus is on recovery.
“I won’t say I’m in ‘remission,’ because to me that means the cancer is completely gone. Dr. Navaid wants me to heal more before we do anything else, but for now, I’m in a place where I don’t need treatment,” she said. “My end goal is to be completely healed and live a long life. I know that will happen someday soon. Having a positive mindset will get you further in life.”
National recognition and promising new treatment options highlight a significant moment for pancreatic cancer care at ECU Health. The health system was recently designated a National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence for Pancreatic Cancer, an achievement that coincides with the arrival of Rasonque (daraxonrasib), a newly FDA-approved targeted therapy for the disease.
The Center of Excellence designation recognizes ECU Health’s comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to pancreatic cancer care and its commitment to providing patients with access to specialized expertise, coordinated treatment and supportive services.
“Being recognized as a National Pancreas Foundation Center of Excellence validates the exceptional work of our multidisciplinary teams and our commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care,” said Phyllis DeAntonio, executive director of the Cancer Service Line at ECU Health. “This designation reflects the expertise of our physicians, nurses, advanced practice providers, pharmacists and support teams who work together every day to deliver the highest quality care. As we continue expanding access to innovative therapies and advanced treatment options, our goal remains ensuring patients throughout eastern North Carolina can receive nationally recognized pancreatic cancer care close to home.”
The National Pancreas Foundation awards Center of Excellence designations following a rigorous evaluation process that assesses an organization’s ability to provide coordinated, high-quality care through specialties including medical oncology, gastroenterology, pancreatic surgery, interventional radiology, pain management and supportive services.
For patients facing a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, access to this level of coordinated care is particularly important, as it remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat with historically limited treatment options and poor outcomes. This year, the American Cancer Society has documented about 2,000 new cases of pancreatic cancer. Of those, 1,840 patients have died from the disease.
New treatment option offers hope
Dr. Mahvish Muzaffar, associate professor of Hematology and Oncology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and physician at ECU Health Cancer Center, said a groundbreaking new treatment could offer the beginnings of a solution. Rasonque, a new oral targeted therapy, is designed to inhibit RAS, a protein that drives tumor growth in more than 90 percent of pancreatic cancers.
The medication was recently approved by the FDA and has given ECU Health physicians a moment to celebrate their ongoing battle against pancreatic cancer.
“As an oncologist who cares for patients with pancreatic cancer, the FDA approval of Rasonque is one of the most exciting moments I have seen in my career,” said Dr. Muzaffar. “It makes me emotional because I immediately think about the many patients and families who have walked this difficult journey with courage, often with far too few effective treatment options.”
In clinical trials, the therapy demonstrated significant improvements in overall survival and reduced the risk of death by 60 percent compared to standard chemotherapy.
“Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest cancers we treat,” Dr. Muzaffar said. “For decades, progress has been slow, which is why this advance is so significant.”
Patients interested in the new treatment are encouraged to speak with their oncology care team to determine whether it may be appropriate for their specific diagnosis and treatment plan.
The arrival of the new therapy strengthens treatment options for patients at ECU Health and, along with the Center of Excellence designation, highlights the organization’s role in advancing cancer research and education.
A local connection
Among the researchers involved in developing evidence supporting the drug was Dr. Aparna Hegde, a 2018 graduate of the ECU Health Medical Center Hematology and Oncology Fellowship Program.
“It is especially gratifying to see that one of our own graduates, Dr. Hegde, played a role in bringing this therapy to patients,” Dr. Muzaffar said. “Her contributions reflect the impact that ECU-trained physicians are making nationally in cancer research and drug development.”
While pancreatic cancer remains a complex disease and no single treatment is right for every patient, physicians believe the combination of nationally recognized expertise and access to innovative therapies positions ECU Health to continue improving outcomes for patients throughout the region.
“For the first time in a long time, I genuinely feel we are entering a new chapter in pancreatic cancer care,” Dr. Muzaffar said. “While there is still much work ahead, this approval gives our patients something incredibly important: hope.”
Dr. Lorrie Basnight grew up in Chapel Hill, and after seven years working as an exercise physiologist, she went back to school to become a doctor. She found a passion for pediatrics unexpectedly, and since 1995, she’s loved working with children and their families.
“Children can be delightful and challenging,” she said. “I thought I was a compassionate physician; I was happy to talk with families and let them feel their feelings. But after my diagnosis, I realized what the other side feels like.”
In 2025, Dr. Basnight was diagnosed with breast cancer, a total shock because she considered herself to be in good health.
“I was going to the gym and doing all the things you should do. I have no genetic background or family history of breast cancer. The year before my diagnosis, I did a 100-mile hike in Spain, and in the spring of 2025, I did a 200-mile bike ride in Belgium and the Netherlands,” she said. “Two weeks after I got back from that trip, I got my diagnosis.”
Immediately following her diagnosis, Dr. Basnight said she struggled with fear and anxiety.
“Not 15 minutes after I left the doctor’s office I started thinking I needed to make my funeral plans,” she said. “That’s where my head went. Getting that under control has been a process.”
A path forward
The first step was creating a plan, which Dr. Basnight said was accomplished with her doctor, Dr. Mahvish Muzaffar.
“I had an intense regimen of 16 doses of chemo, followed by surgery,” Dr. Basnight said. “Dr. Muzaffar and the team did a great job of controlling my side effects, and before surgery, my MRI showed no signs of cancer.”
That didn’t mean she was out of the woods quite yet; her post-surgical pathology report showed residual cancer cells. She required additional treatment, which she is still receiving, including 20 rounds of radiation and targeted drugs and hormone blockers. Through it all, however, Dr. Basnight said her doctor and the cancer center team took care of her and put her mind at ease.
During her treatments, she contracted COVID twice and suffered a heart arrythmia as a side effect from one of her medications, which required her to be admitted to the hospital, but Dr. Basnight said she felt supported the entire time.
“It’s weird to have this serious illness and say I’ve had such a great experience,” she said. “When I first met Dr. Muzaffar, she talked with me and my daughter and then asked to speak with me alone. Then she gave me a big hug and said, ‘I know this is scary, but you’re going to be okay.’”
Over the last year, Dr. Basnight said Dr. Muzaffar has reminded her that her medications are working very well and if she did have a recurrence, there are new cancer drugs and treatments coming out all the time.
“She told me that people like me with stage three cancer have lived many years, so she pulled me get out of that ditch of thinking this is the end of my life,” she said. “It’s just the start of a different part of my life.”
Dr. Basnight said it’s also been helpful to use all the resources available to her through the cancer center, including speaking with a therapist to get her anxiety under control.
“When I was first diagnosed, I’d wake up in the middle of the night panicking. My therapist, Dr. Rachelle Evans, has given me many exercises to help with my anxiety, like thought interrupting exercises,” she said. “When I start worrying about something, I say or think, ‘Not helpful,’ and that stops the spiral. I really feel like I’ve become a new person who’s moved into a state of acceptance.”
More than a patient
From her doctor and her therapist to pharmacists and front desk staff to her nurse navigator, Dr. Basnight said the Cancer Center provides an exceptional level of care.
“They talk to you and treat you like you’re more than an MRN number,” she said. “They talk to my family and include them in the conversation. They get you through check-in quickly, they know you and ask about your life and sort out appointments easily. I had a friend who received cancer care from another facility and she came to a few appointments with me at ECU Health. She told me later, ‘I’m sure I got excellent medical care where I went, but my oncologist never acknowledged how scary this is for me.’ My friend ended up switching to ECU Health to get her radiation and she had a great experience.”
For now, Dr. Basnight is continuing her cancer treatment and making plans for future biking and travel. She’s back in the gym and says anyone with cancer should figure out how to still do the things they love.
“One of the things Dr. Evans helped me do was define what’s important to me: relationships,” she said. “Last year, my four siblings and I rented a house in Manteo and had the best time. It was the first time in a long time we’d all been together for a whole week, and it’s special to be with the ones you love. Next spring, we plan a boat and biking trip, and I’m looking forward to that.”
Greenville, N.C. — ECU Health Medical Center recently surpassed 100 GammaTile® procedures for patients with brain tumors, marking a significant milestone in advancing access to innovative cancer care across eastern North Carolina. The achievement places ECU Health among a limited number of centers nationwide with this level of experience using GammaTile®, an FDA-approved, surgically targeted radiation therapy designed to improve outcomes for patients with operable brain tumors.
“Reaching 100 GammaTile® procedures is a significant achievement that reflects ECU Health’s commitment to advancing brain tumor care for patients across eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Stuart Lee, chief of the division of Neurosurgery at ECU Health and medical director of The Gamma Knife Center at ECU Health Medical Center.
“For many of our patients, GammaTile® offers the advantage of receiving surgery and radiation treatment during a single hospitalization, helping reduce barriers to care and ensuring they can access advanced treatment closer to home. There are few centers in the country with this level of experience, and it reflects the expertise of our multidisciplinary team and our commitment to advancing the standard of care for patients with brain tumors.”
With the American Cancer Society estimating more than 24,000 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord diagnosed in 2026 across the United States, the need for timely access to advanced treatment options continues to grow.
ECU Health began offering GammaTile® therapy in 2019 and has steadily expanded its use, particularly for patients with metastatic brain tumors requiring surgery. The treatment involves placing small, bioabsorbable collagen tiles embedded with radiation sources directly into the tumor cavity at the time of surgery, allowing for immediate, localized radiation therapy. Unlike traditional approaches, which often require patients to return weeks after surgery for radiation treatment, GammaTile® delivers therapy at the time of tumor removal, eliminating delays and reducing the risk of missed or postponed follow-up care.
“For patients across eastern North Carolina, this milestone means greater access to advanced cancer treatment close to home,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “By bringing these cutting-edge treatments to our region, we can provide the specialized care patients need without requiring them to travel far from their homes and support systems. This achievement reflects ECU Health’s ongoing commitment to innovation and reinforces our role as a regional leader in delivering specialized care.”
In early 2026, ECU Health earned GammaTile® Center of Excellence Program designation from GT Medical Technologies, recognizing the organization’s clinical expertise, patient education and commitment to improving outcomes for patients with operable brain tumors.
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.”
Raleigh (April 21, 2026) – The American Cancer Society (ACS) has awarded ECU Health Cancer Care its annual Health System Partner of the Year Award for 2025, a national honor presented in recognition of an incredible partnership and astounding achievements in improving the lives of cancer patients and their families.
“We are grateful for ECU Health’s partnership and our shared goals to reduce barriers to cancer care, promote early detection and prevention, and improve the quality of life for people facing cancer and their caregivers,” said Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at the American Cancer Society. “Through their support of the American Cancer Society McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge in Greenville, health equity initiatives and statewide advocacy policies, ECU Health has helped more people have a fair opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer — and we’re honored to recognize them.”
The Health System Partner of the Year Award recognizes a health system partner that provides exemplary patient care in alignment with the American Cancer Society’s mission. ECU Health Cancer Care has proven to be a collaborative and dynamic partner whose financial support and volunteer leadership has made a significant impact on ACS mission programs, health priorities and revenue goals. ECU Health’s contributions to the American Cancer Society McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge, and engagement with ACS roundtables, VOICES of Black Women study and advocacy efforts across eastern North Carolina exemplify the comprehensive partnership ACS strives to build.
“We are deeply honored to receive this national recognition from the American Cancer Society, a partner whose mission aligns so closely with our own commitment to advancing cancer care across eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Emmanuel Zervos, executive director of cancer services at ECU Health, and professor at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “In a region as vast and rural as ours – where cancer incidence and mortality are among the highest in the state – our partnership with ACS is essential to breaking down barriers, expanding access to care and ensuring patients and families receive the support they deserve. This award reflects the dedication of our team members, and we look forward to continuing this meaningful partnership to improve outcomes for every person we serve.”
ECU Health has been a longtime supporter and partner of the American Cancer Society, providing financial and hands-on support for the Hope Lodge. The McConnell-Raab Hope Lodge, one of 31 ACS Hope Lodge communities nationwide and the only one in North Carolina, provides free lodging for cancer patients and their caregivers while traveling for treatment. ECU Health leadership and staff regularly volunteer at the lodge, serving meals, assisting at the front desk and supporting facility needs. They are also longtime supporters of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life event, which brings the community together to raise funds, support survivors and honor loved ones affected by cancer.
“Over the past 13 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside the remarkable professionals at ECU Health, whose compassion, expertise and unwavering dedication shine through in every interaction,” said Robbie Tilley, associate director, cancer center partnerships, for ACS. “Their enduring partnership with the American Cancer Society reflects a deep and genuine commitment to improving the lives of cancer patients, supporting families, and strengthening communities across eastern North Carolina.”
Along with UF Health in Gainesville, Fla., ECU Health is one of just two health care systems nationally to receive this award.
Greenville, NC – Dr. Warqaa Akram, colorectal surgeon with ECU Health Cancer Care, became the first surgeon in North Carolina to perform colorectal procedures using the da Vinci Single Port (SP) robotic platform. Dr. Akram completed the state’s first two single port colorectal surgeries on March 16, 2026, at ECU Health Medical Center.
The da Vinci SP system allows surgeons to perform complex colorectal procedures through a single small incision — which may be hidden in the belly button or along the waistline — rather than multiple incisions required in traditional minimally invasive surgery. Because the incision also serves as the extraction site, patients experience a single incision operation.
Dr. Warqaa Akram
“This platform opens a new chapter in colorectal surgery, allowing us to offer patients advanced, minimally invasive care through a single small incision,” said Dr. Akram. “With improved visualization and greater precision, we can preserve healthy tissue and offer a less invasive option – tailored to each patient – for both cancerous and non cancerous conditions. Integrating this technology into ECU Health’s surgical oncology program further enhances our ability to deliver advanced, high quality surgical care close to home for the communities we serve.”
The da Vinci SP system provides enhanced visualization and access to angles previously difficult to reach. This allows surgeons to address polyps and tumors higher in the rectum that were difficult to treat in the past. ECU Health will use the SP platform for a wide range of colorectal procedures, including colon and rectal cancer resections, partial and total colectomies, surgery for inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis surgery, rectal prolapse repair ostomy reversals and minimally invasive resections for select benign or early rectal tumors.
“Being able to offer this technology means patients in eastern North Carolina can receive advanced colorectal care close to home,” said Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center. “We are proud to be the first institution in the state to perform this single‑port robotic colorectal surgery, expanding access to innovative, minimally invasive treatment options. This milestone reflects our commitment to ensuring patients in our region don’t have to travel long distances to receive the highest level of care.”
ECU Health team members that were part of the new procedure include: Warqaa Akram, MD, FACS, Jennifer Bryant, RN, Paula Boyd, surgical technologist, and Smith Accius, surgical first assist.
Medical students at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University marked a decade of raising funds, awareness and hair for pediatric patients with cancer during the Pirates Vs. Cancer spring event at the ECU Health Sciences Campus Student Center on April 10.
Pirates Vs. Cancer is a student-driven initiative dedicated to supporting children and families facing cancer. The event is organized by a board of about 10 first-year medical students who coordinated events like hair donations, professional haircuts from local barbers and hairdressers, raffles, face-painting and family-friendly activities. Students, faculty and visitors enjoyed a bounce house and bracelet-making station donated by local businesses. The American Red Cross, National Bone Marrow Registry and Riley’s Army hosted tables with prizes, games and information for attendees.
Pirates Vs. Cancer was founded by Brody students in 2017 and has raised over $176,000 in the past 10 years for patients at the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. Ahead of the April 10 event, this year’s board had already raised more than $14,000 for the cause.
Sebastian Williams, president of Pirates Vs. Cancer, said the decade-long effort is on the verge of reaching a new fundraising benchmark.
“We’re really excited because we’re hoping that we hit $200,000 of money raised for Maynard Children’s Hospital from Pirates Vs. Cancer over the years,” said Williams. “We’re almost there.”
Williams helps coordinate fundraisers throughout the year and works with local partners to support the cause. He said the event also brings together students from across ECU’s health sciences programs.
“The dental, medical, nursing students all come out and just interact with each other, take a break from studying, and also have fun with the kids and doctors,” said Williams.
Alex Tiet, Pirates Vs. Cancer’s vice president, said the annual event allows students to educate people on and off campus about pediatric cancer. He said that mission is particularly important since ECU Health serves a largely rural 29-county region in eastern North Carolina.
“We are a historically underserved and underrepresented population, so it’s great to have these student life organizations start these conversations in eastern North Carolina,” Tiet said. “As one of the largest student life organizations on campus, it feels like our responsibility to advocate for people and patients who are navigating a life-changing diagnosis that comes with its own array of challenges. Lending a helping hand feels like the least we can do.”
Williams himself was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age six.
“It took a huge toll on my family because my family had no history of huge medical complications, and all of a sudden I find out one day that I have cancer,” Williams said.
He underwent three years of chemotherapy – a period he described as physically and emotionally taxing. That’s why events like Pirates Vs. Cancer matter, he said.
“We have the people who have come out to donate hair, and the hair that’s donated will be used to make wigs for the kids who are going through chemo,” Williams said. “As someone who had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, I also had to go through that process as a kid where I lost all my hair.”
Williams said he opted for hats during his own treatment, but he knows how meaningful wigs can be for children who want to feel “more like their normal selves” during an incredibly difficult time.
“Having these wigs made for them just helps alleviate the stress that they’re already going through,” Williams said.
Tiet was among the students who volunteered to donate his hair to the cause. Before he sat down in the barber’s chair, he and his fellow donors were more excited than one might expect to undergo a fairly dramatic, albeit short-lived transformation.
“Pediatric cancer awareness has been a passion of mine since I was an undergraduate student, so taking a little off the top feels like a very minor sacrifice to support these patients and their families,” Tiet said. “Some of these treatments take weeks, months or even years and are very taxing on patients.
“I have not had a buzzcut since maybe middle school, so it’s going to be a change of pace,” Tiet continued. “Feeling the breeze going through my scalp will be nice. Hopefully my hair can bring a sense of normalcy to these patients. They can use it better than I can.”
One hundred percent of the funds raised by Pirates vs. Cancer are donated to the ECU Health Foundation to benefit programs at Maynard Children’s Hospital. If you would like to donate to Pirates Vs. Cancer, please visit give.ecuhealthfoundation.org/campaign/2026-pirates-vs-cancer/c758778.
To be a health care provider is to answer a calling. For some, the journey to health care is a straight line; for others, the road is winding. This series features stories from ECU Health team members who took the winding road, but found the destination to be worth the effort.
Tim Barnes, the clinical manager for radiation oncology, has spent 17 years with ECU Health, but a career in health care wasn’t his original plan.
“I grew up wanting to work in law enforcement,” Barnes said. “My four-year degree is in criminal justice and in 1996, I started my career at the Wilson Police Department. I worked there until 2006 and served in various roles from patrol officer to the SWAT team to homicide.”
Somewhere along the way, however, Tim felt called to do something different.
“Medicine and law enforcement are both fields you have to feel led to do,” he said. “As a child and through high school and college, I had a strong desire to be in law enforcement. But somewhere along the line, and maybe it was because I was getting older or was married and had a family, there was a point I felt a calling to the medical field.”
Having a close friend diagnosed with head and neck cancer planted the seed for working in health care.
“When my friend passed away, that directed my focus on cancer care specifically. So, I started researching different jobs and opportunities where I could transition from law enforcement into the medical field,” Barnes said.
That’s how Barnes ended up in radiation therapy.
“I drove over to Pitt Community College and looked into their Radiation Therapy Technology program and met the program director at the time, Elaine Spencer,” she said. “She explained the process of going back to school and I just followed her advice – which is how I ended up here.”
Barnes joined ECU Health in 2009 as a radiation therapist, when radiation oncology was a part of the Brody School of Medicine.
“I worked there until the radiation oncology department moved into the new cancer tower, and I’ve been there ever since,” he said.
Barnes said that although law enforcement and medicine don’t seem connected, there’s a lot he applies from his experience as a police officer to his current role.
“It’s obviously a very different job, but my attention to detail, my focus on safety and the importance of working as a team – I learned those skills from my time with the police,” he said. “It’s very high risk in law enforcement, and you learn to depend on each other and function as a team. That carries over into the medical field and how departments and teams coordinate to take care of patients.”
That collaboration and support is very important to Barnes.
“I have always felt like I belong here,” he said. “We have an awesome team. To do what we do, you must feel led here, and the people on my team are here because they care. It’s not just a job; our people are doing more than just a technical service. They believe in what we do and really want to care for our patients.”
That’s only one reason why Barnes said he would gladly advise anyone to pursue a career in health care.
“There are so many options and opportunities, so you can go out and research to see what fits your lifestyle and interests,” he said. “I chose radiation therapy, but that’s just one specialized area. There are those who treat patients directly, but there are other options, too. Nothing works if you don’t have leadership and administrative support. Nothing stays clean without the environmental support staff. If someone isn’t sure what’s right for them, I’d highly suggest they look into health care.”
Barnes said a lot of people are surprised when they hear he was a police officer, but for him, the transition to health care makes sense.
“People hear I worked in homicide and say that’s such a big jump to treating patients,” he said. “It is definitely different, but I’m still doing a job where I serve and help people, and really, that’s what matters at the end of the day.”
Greenville, NC — ECU Health has been designated a GammaTile® Center of Excellence Program (COE) by GT Medical Technologies, recognizing the health system’s exceptional expertise and leadership in advancing brain tumor care. The designation honors institutions that demonstrate outstanding clinical skill, patient education and commitment to improving outcomes for patients with operable brain tumors.
“We are proud that ECU Health is leading the way in brain cancer care with GammaTile®, a vision we set in motion back in 2019,” said Dr. Stuart Lee, chief, division of neurosurgery, ECU Health and medical director of The Gamma Knife Center, ECU Health Medical Center. “GammaTile® allows us to deliver radiation therapy safely and effectively during surgery, offering new hope and better outcomes while preserving healthy brain function. It is a privilege to provide this level of care to the people of our region.”
ECU Health began offering GammaTile® therapy in November 2019 and has since completed more than 85 implantations, becoming one of the first centers east of the Mississippi River to adopt this innovative treatment. GammaTile® is an FDA-cleared, bioabsorbable collagen implant embedded with radiation seeds. Placed directly where the brain tumor was removed at the time of tumor removal, GammaTile® delivers immediate, localized radiation when cancer cells are at their lowest levels. This approach eliminates the traditional delay between surgery and radiation therapy, maximizing effectiveness against remaining cancer cells while minimizing exposure to healthy brain tissue. This way, radiation starts working immediately, right at the spot where cancer cells are most likely to come back.
“ECU Health is honored to be designated a GammaTile® Center of Excellence, a recognition that reflects our team’s unwavering dedication to innovation and collaboration,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “This achievement ensures that patients across eastern North Carolina can access the most advanced, high‑quality treatment options without leaving their community. We remain committed to bringing cutting‑edge care close to home, where it matters most.”
Multiple ECU Health team members were recognized with Center of Excellent Achievement, including:
- Neurosurgeons: Aaron E. Bond, MD; Richard Dalyai, MD; Jennifer L. Griswold, MD; Regis G. Hoppenot, MD; Hilal A. Kanaan, MD; K. Stuart Lee, MD; Lenwood P. Smith, Jr., MD
- Radiation Oncologists: Andrew W. Ju, MD; M. Sean Peach, MD
- Medical Physicists: Christopher Bentley, DABR; Sean Cavenaugh, MS, DABR; Blane Jernigan; David Rushing, MSPH
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist: Heather Grillo