In September, the Healthier Lives at School and Beyond program, an initiative led by the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and ECU Health, hosted an event at Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School in Duplin County to help keep 51 students in school by providing health assessments for students.
In North Carolina, students without a health assessment or immunization record on file 30 days after the start of the school year are suspended from school which can disrupt the learning experience.
In previous years, the Healthier Lives at School and Beyond team also visited schools in Jones County and Clinton City Schools in Sampson County to ensure students are up to date on their care and can remain in the classroom.
Dr. Kristina Simeonsson, professor of pediatrics and public health at Brody, said these events are crucial for rural areas like Duplin, Jones and Sampson counties who do not have the same access to primary care as larger counties.
“These are often children who are new to the area, new to the state and possibly new to the country, who haven’t had a chance to establish with a health care provider but desperately need these health assessments done,” Dr. Simeonsson said. “We do these events in September in partnership with the county or city schools along with the county health department to get as many kids seen as possible so that they won’t miss school.”
Healthier Lives at School and Beyond was originally designed as a school-based telehealth program that provides quality nutrition education and counseling, behavioral health, and acute minor medical care services. It officially launched in 2018 to deliver interdisciplinary services virtually to rural school children, staff and faculty during the school day. Whether in school or at home, all appointments take place over a safe and secure online network which allows patients to stay at school or home and parents to stay at work or home.
But in 2020, when many community members had not seen a primary care provider due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team received a request from Duplin County schools to catch students up on health assessments. The following year, the team realized the need was larger than they anticipated and the program eventually spread to other areas of eastern North Carolina.
“We thought that was a unique situation for COVID and wanted to do everything we could to support our school partners,” Dr. Simeonsson said. “We’ve seen this program grow because there are just so many kids that need the service. Every year we’ve tried to tweak and get a little more efficient, we’ve had medical students, residents and nurses come back if they’ve done this before to help out. Every year we’re getting a little more efficient.”
During the visit to Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School in September, Dr. Simeonsson said the team chartered a retrofitted motorcoach from ECU Transit to provide further screenings.
Six physician residents from ECU Health and three medical students from Brody were on hand to help for the Rose Hill-Magnolia Elementary School event. Among the residents were Dr. Maria Canas, a first-year resident, and Dr. Cady Hansen, a third-year resident.
Dr. Hansen said from a training perspective, the experience is invaluable.
“I think exposure and getting out in the community is so important,” Dr. Hansen said. “We’re connecting with the community and we’re treating patients, but it’s more than that.
This allows us to get a much different perspective into the levels of medicine needed in different areas and what people have access to and trying to ensure that we provide the best level of care across populations.”
Dr. Canas, who is from Colombia, was able to connect directly with Spanish-speaking students and families while providing care at the school. She said being a resource for Spanish-speakers made the day special for her.
“I love that. I really appreciate this opportunity,” Dr. Canas said. “It’s really nice because sometimes I get comments like, ‘I’ve never seen a provider speaking Spanish.’ It’s just nice because they can feel a little bit more comfortable speaking to me because it’s the same language and it’s not easy when you don’t have that.”
Sue Ellen Cottle, lead school nurse for Duplin County Schools, said the day was a success and each year she looks forward to the team coming together to do this important work. To date, 354 health assessments have been completed which have enabled 354 students to remain in school.
“We are very fortunate in Duplin County to have the partnership with Brody and ECU Health because otherwise these students would be out of school as of tomorrow morning,” she said. “We’ll do everything from pre-K through 12th grade today, physicals, immunizations, whatever they need to stay in school. We’ll see 51 students today and we’re just thrilled to partner with the team on this.”
Through programs like Healthier Lives at School and Beyond, Brody and ECU Health are living their missions in important and unique ways. The program is exposing Brody medical students and resident physicians to unique care environments and is working to increase the supply of primary care physicians serving the state ultimately to improve the health and well-being of the region. For ECU Health physicians and team members connected to the work, it directly drives forward the mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.
Working together with local partners makes the East a stronger, healthier community and helps ECU Health and Brody meet community members where they are to deliver high-quality, compassionate care.
Amy Campbell, PhD, RN, CPHQ, LSSBB, quality nurse specialist III, represented ECU Health on Sept. 25 at a side event held in parallel to the 79th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York City. The meeting, titled “2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis for Attaining Sustainable Development Goals,” was convened as a collaborative effort of the Global Sepsis Alliance (GSA), Medical Women’s International Association, Sepsis Stiftung and UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health.
The meeting was the first-ever global strategy spearheaded by the GSA, with collaboration from 70 partner and member organizations from Regional Sepsis Alliances across Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Caribbean, eastern Mediterranean, Europe, Latin America and North America. The meeting’s objectives were:
- To present the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis as the first multi-year global strategy to alleviate the significant human, societal, economic and health care burden of Sepsis.
- To reach consensus on the urgent need for reinvigorating the Sepsis responses at global, regional and national levels for the attainment of 2030 SDGs including the aspirations for Universal Health Care, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health, AMR, Pandemic PPR, Gender Equality, Peace and Partnerships for Development.
- To discuss the critical role of health care workers, especially the medical women, representing over 70% of the health workforce globally, in the promotion and implementation of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sepsis.
- To call for establishment of a High-Level Political Platform for Sepsis to lead integration of this global health threat into the mainstream of health and development dialogue and architecture, including G7 and G20 Summits, World Health Assemblies, UN General Assemblies, and World Economic Forums.
Dr. Campbell was personally invited to attend and speak by Dr. Mariam Jashi, MD, MPH, MPA and the CEO of the Global Sepsis Alliance, and Michael Wong, founder and executive director of the physician-patient alliance for health and safety. This invitation came as a follow-up to the 2024 World Sepsis Congress held this past April, during which Campbell served on the Scientific Committee. “I saw the invite and initially blew it off,” Dr. Campbell laughed. “I wasn’t sure it was real.” But after reassurance the invitation was legitimate, and with the encouragement of her team and Michael Wong, Dr. Campbell decided to go to New York. “I had a training session scheduled at work, but my colleagues covered for me,” she said. “I’m so thankful to my team and leaders who made it so I could attend.”
Once she arrived at the New York University campus, where the parallel session was held, Dr. Campbell said she met many leaders from across the world. “I met Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, the president of the Medical Women’s International Association (MWIA), Thomas Heymann, the president and CEO of the Sepsis Alliance and the Honorable Dr. Ricardo Baptista Leite, a member of the Portugese Parliament. People were speaking all these different languages and here I was from eastern North Carolina.”
The meeting focused on early detection of sepsis and how to treat patients with sepsis, no matter where they live. “As one of the speakers, I had the opportunity to emphasize the urgency of early detection, the critical need for continued research and the importance of securing funding so that everyone, regardless of their geographic location, can receive the same standard of care and chance for survival,” Dr. Campbell said. The speakers also discussed what they anticipated to be the next big problem with sepsis: antibiotic resistance.
Dr. Campbell said it was a great opportunity to represent the work she and ECU Health are doing to address the global problem of sepsis. “The attendees were impressed with the work we’re doing. ECU Health is a big deal; we have incredible people and talent, and we deserve a seat at the table,” she said. And next year, she has a seat waiting for her. “I’ve been invited back to speak next year, and I’ll work more with the GSA,” she shared. “We all have a lot to learn and do. Sepsis transcends borders, affecting individuals of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, the most vulnerable populations – children, the elderly and those in low-resource settings – are disproportionately impacted. Sepsis doesn’t wait, and neither can we.”
As recovery efforts continue following Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact in western North Carolina, team members from the east continue to do their part in support of those impacted.
The local efforts, led by the Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (EHPC) at ECU Health, include boots-on-the-ground contributions that started immediately after the storm hit the state and continue today in various capacities.
Chris Cieszko, Disaster Services Specialist with EHPC, was among the first group of team members to travel to western North Carolina in the Medical Ambulance Bus the day after Helene hit the western part of the state. Along with other members of EHPC, Cieszko said they helped with the immediate response which included logistical support during the staging period such as changing batteries, loading trailers and “a little bit of everything” to help manage supplies.
Using the medical bus, the team partnered with Lumberton Rescue Squad and assisted with the local EMS response from Linville-Central Rescue Squad to help evacuate 23 patients from a damaged assisted living facility in Grandfather Mountain to a safer location away from the impacted area.
“It was obviously a difficult situation given the conditions and circumstances,” Cieszko said. “No one wants to leave the comfort of their own living space. We were able to talk to them, take care of them and ultimately get them to a safe location. The entire response was a true testament to the teamwork between EHPC, Linville-Central Rescue Squad and of course our sister agencies in the North Carolina Healthcare Preparedness.”
The EHPC team also helped with technology and communication needs in the immediate aftermath of the storm, which is a vital asset to disaster response. Matthew McMahon, disaster services specialist with EHPC, helped connect a Starlink to the medical bus ensuring it had internet, and programmed helicopters to provide connectivity with ground support.
Recovery efforts have not stopped since Helene’s arrival, and neither has EHPC. Chris Starbuck, Healthcare Preparedness Coordinator with EHPC has been stationed in Raleigh at the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Emergency Operations Center. His role includes supporting health care staffing needs at all several operational sites managed by the state.
These needs, along with EHPC support, represent the importance readiness to respond to disasters immediately, while also being prepared to provide long-term help as recovery efforts continue.
“A huge outpouring of medical personnel from all over NC have volunteered to assist with the response efforts in the west,” Starbuck said. “Many are wondering ‘when’ they are going to get a chance to help. We can be ready for when the call comes. Have plans for your family, kids, and pets along with working with your employer so they can plan schedules.”
In March of 2021, Jalen Hill, MLT (ASCP)CM, joined ECU Health Beaufort Hospital as a cook in the Food and Nutrition Services department. “I wanted to go to culinary school,” he said. “But once I was at the hospital, I found out about a whole other world of opportunities.”
Those opportunities began with one conversation with Human Resources (HR). “Someone in HR heard me talk about wanting to do something different,” Jalen shared. “I wanted to be more involved and out in the field, doing patient care. I was considering going into radiology, and I thought I could train in phlebotomy and then transfer into a radiology program; but then the person in HR talked to me about the medical laboratory technician (MLT) role, which I had never even heard about. She was the one who set me up with the lab to do some job shadowing, and that was the spark.”
From there, Jalen entered the medical laboratory technician program at Beaufort County Community College in August of 2021, and at the same time, he also trained as a phlebotomist. In July 2023 he completed his phlebotomy training, and in May of 2024 he graduated with an associate degree in medical laboratory technology. That following June he began working at the hospital as an MLT.
Now Jalen truly enjoys his work and the chance to meet different people every day. “You are talking to people and hearing their stories every day. I’m drawing blood to help doctors, and I’m in the lab running tests to help get a diagnosis. That means a lot,” he said. He also values his co-workers, without whom he might not have found his true calling. “In this job, I’ve gained friendships and I’ve learned a lot. Andrea Latham and Sherry Langely were the ones who encouraged me to train as a phlebotomist and let me shadow in the lab. When I was in school, I still worked in the cafeteria, and they’d come by and ask how classes were going. They offered to help if I had any questions. I appreciated them checking up on me.”
The Washington, North Carolina native is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science at Winston-Salem State University, and he is already considering his future education and career options. “I’ve researched forensic science, but I’ve also looked into a master’s in business administration or a master’s in public health, where I could be an epidemiologist or toxicologist. It feels good to have these opportunities ahead of me,” he said.
To anyone considering making a career shift to health care, Jalen said go for it. “It’s a great decision. You have a direct influence on people’s lives every day. Every time you clock in, you are doing something that’s meaningful to someone, whether it’s a simple blood draw or talking to a nurse about lab test results. It’s a rewarding career.”
It’s not just in October, which serves as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, that you can find the ECU Health Cancer Care Outreach team making connections in the community.
Jennifer Lewis, outreach coordinator for cancer care at ECU Health Medical Center, said she spends much of her time reaching out to community partners, talking to groups in Pitt County and beyond, and connecting with ECU Health patients and families. However, she said, the most rewarding part of her job is the monthly free breast clinic she helps run.
The clinic, for women in Pitt County age 40 and older who are low income and do not have health insurance, provides screening mammograms while sharing other resources available for health care in the area with those participating in the screening.
Lewis said she is grateful to help with the program and is proud of the impact it has on Pitt County.
“Patients don’t see a bill because of donations to the Cancer Center and the ECU Health Foundation, and that’s just an amazing thing we get to offer,” Lewis said. “We start with a breast exam by a provider to check for obvious abnormalities. Then they have their 3D mammogram, so they get state of the art imaging just like anyone else would get and they don’t get lesser quality. If they have an area that is of suspicion, we can do a diagnostic mammogram and if the radiologist looks at those images and feels like there’s some more concern about something, next would be an ultrasound of that area of suspicion. The program that we have here pays for all that.”
She shared that while ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and Outer Banks Health currently have their own programs outside of Greenville and Pitt County, other hospitals across ECU Health’s system are working toward establishing the program as well.
Lewis said the partnerships and volunteerism associated with the program make it truly special. She and her team work closely with the Pitt County Health Department to help patients who need further care through the Breast and Cervical Cancer Control Program (BCCCP).
“We can’t do this without our partners, that’s for sure,” Lewis said. “We have such a great working relationship with the Pitt County Health Department and the mammography technicians, Patient Access Services, Language Access, Volunteer Services, radiology and ultrasound, and then our nurse residents who help out all work together so well. After patients are seen during the free clinic day, we have Access East on hand, too, to share information and resources about other services they can get access to. It’s such great teamwork all around that makes these events successful.”
The program sees so many patients throughout the year that they’ve recently added an extra clinic day twice a year, once in February and once in October, to help meet the needs of the community.
While Lewis is frequently in the community talking to groups and spreading awareness, October is especially important. She said she’ll spend much of the month meeting with community groups and in churches discussing risk factors, signs and symptoms and why screenings are important.
“This month is an intentional time set aside to speak about risk factors, family history, and signs and symptoms, because that’s the one time of the year that you can sit back and think, ‘OK, am I having any of these symptoms?’ Or ‘What is my family history? Because last year I didn’t have any, but this year my mother or sister has been diagnosed with it.’ It really creates that intention for people to have that moment sometime during the month,” Lewis said. “Whether it’s an ad on Facebook or hearing someone like me speak, it’s important to have that moment of reflection, remind yourself to get a mammogram and just put that in the forefront of women’s minds.”
She said if there’s one thing she could remind the community, it’s that anyone can be diagnosed with breast cancer. She noted that there are many myths, including that because someone is without family history, is otherwise healthy or is a male, that they cannot develop breast cancer. This is why she said it’s critical for everyone to be aware of signs and symptoms and receive screenings as recommended.
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It was a packed house at ECU Health’s Monroe Conference Center on Oct. 1, as ECU Health and Pitt County Department of Social Services (DSS) welcomed dozens of community-based health partners for a conference designed to help tackle a complex challenge: reducing unnecessary emergency department utilization to ensure enhanced access for those needing emergency care.
It is no secret that overcrowding in emergency departments is a challenge facing hospitals across the country. ECU Health Medical Center, the only Level I Trauma Center in ECU Health’s 29 county service area, is no exception. The medical center serves a largely underserved rural region where access to care is difficult for many. That includes primary care, behavioral health care and other services best rendered in outpatient settings. Combined with a disproportionate number of uninsured community members, this lack of access to care means patients often times end up at hospital emergency departments.
Dr. Leigh Patterson, chief of services for emergency medicine at ECU Health Medical Center and chair of emergency medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, said ECU Health’s nine hospitals will see nearly 250,000 visits to the emergency department this year, with more than half of those occurring at the medical center. She said conversations with key community health leaders, like the one hosted by ECU Health and Pitt County DSS, can help ensure community members are aware of, and have access to, non-emergent health care resources outside the emergency department setting.
“When I look at what happens inside the emergency department, I see the opportunity for us to help fill the care gaps that exist outside of it,” Dr. Patterson told the group, noting that she sees about 225 adult patients per day in the medical center ED, about 40% of whom could be more appropriately served in an outpatient setting. “When it comes to addressing this problem, it will take all of us as a health care community to make meaningful change. That’s why I’m heartened that so many of you have joined us today to work together toward solutions that make an impact in our community.”
The conference represented true regional community collaboration. Health care partners present at the conference included ECU Health, DSS Directors from across eastern North Carolina, Juvenile Justice, Trillium Health Services, Public School leaders, NC DHHS, payors and other eastern North Carolina hospitals and key stakeholders.
“The ECU Health/Pitt County DSS ED conference was an excellent example of cross system collaboration,” said conference co-sponsor Sharon Rochelle, director, Pitt County DSS. “This was a day to build mutually beneficial partnerships that have common goals to better serve the children and adults of the community.”
The conversation focused on both adult and pediatric/adolescent patient populations and heavily examined the challenges that behavioral health patients face accessing care. Despite the new inpatient behavioral health hospital slated to open in Greenville in 2025, those in attendance agreed that the issue needed immediate attention which involves creating increased interconnectedness among those providing care both in the community and in the hospital setting.
“We are grateful for all agencies involved in this important and challenging work,” said Jacob Parrish, vice president of capacity and throughput at ECU Health. “We know that the complex challenges we face cannot be solved at emergency departments alone. We are fortunate to have so many committed partners who share our vision for continuous improvement through strong relationships and close collaboration. Together, we can ensure the highest quality of care for communities across the East.”
The recent meeting was the first day of the two-day conference, largely centered around examining the issues through open and honest conversations. Those in attendance will reconvene later in the month for the second meeting to develop an action plan with concrete steps and strategies for improving access to care and reducing unnecessary ED utilization in eastern North Carolina.
“This is a complex set of issues, but I am confident we have the right people in our community committed to finding the solutions,” said Brian Floyd, ECU Health chief operating officer. “While these challenges are not exclusive to our health system or region, I know that together we can help support our emergency departments and improve the experience for those needing access to high-quality emergency care which is rendered at our hospitals every single day.”
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ECU Health Rehabilitation will host its 13th annual Run, Walk and Roll to Independence event on Saturday, Nov. 9, bringing together former patients, their families and community members of all physical abilities. Participants can choose between a 5K or 1K course, with proceeds supporting vital rehabilitation programs. This year’s event carries special significance for Brittany Parker, who is returning not just as a participant but as a symbol of resilience after her own journey through rehabilitation.
In August 2023, Parker was navigating her first week back at work after maternity leave when she began experiencing unusual symptoms. What started as a mild tingling sensation in her fingers and toes on Monday gradually escalated. By the end of the week, Parker felt increasingly weak and fatigued, and by Friday, she could no longer lift her three-month-old baby.
Initially attributing her symptoms to exhaustion or perhaps low iron, Parker realized something was seriously wrong when she struggled to stand and walk. After falling at home, she and her family made the decision to go to the emergency room.
At the hospital, doctors quickly identified the underlying cause of her symptoms: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), a rare but serious autoimmune disorder in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the peripheral nerves. The condition can lead to muscle weakness, paralysis, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.
“By the time I reached the hospital, I could no longer lift my arms or legs,” Parker said.
At ECU Health Medical Center, she was diagnosed early, and treatment began right away, which helped stop the progression of the disease.
While her physical symptoms improved, Parker faced a new challenge: learning how to do everything again. After two weeks in the hospital, she was transferred to ECU Health’s rehabilitation center, where she began the long road to recovery.
“I had to relearn how to walk and even how to swallow,” said Parker.
The rehabilitation process was difficult, but Parker found strength in her care team.
“Everyone I worked with was amazing, from physical therapists to speech therapists. Melissa, my physical therapist, was so positive and encouraging. She celebrated every small victory with me, which made me want to push harder,” Parker said.
For four weeks, Parker worked tirelessly in rehab, gradually regaining the strength to walk, eat and move on her own again. Her recovery exceeded expectations, and she was able to return home earlier than anticipated.
“Being back home with my kids motivated me to recover even faster,” she said.
While doctors initially estimated her recovery could take up to a year, Parker was walking independently just three months after her diagnosis. She credits her faith, family support and the dedication of her care team for helping her through such a challenging time.
“I was so thankful to have a strong support system around me because not everyone is as fortunate,” she said. “I had such a great experience in rehab, and I want to show my support and tell everyone how amazing they are.”
Now, she’ll be able to do just that at the Run, Walk and Roll event where she will have a chance to connect with other rehab patients and share her perspectives.
“Brittany’s journey from being unable to walk to participating in the Run, Walk and Roll event is a powerful testament to her resilience and the exceptional care she received at ECU Health,” said Kasey Shue, recreational therapist, ECU Health Rehabilitation, and organizer of the Run, Walk and Roll event.
Through her participation, she hopes to inspire others and raise awareness about the importance of rehabilitation services. To learn more about the event and sign up, please visit: https://www.bikesignup.com/Race/NC/Greenville/RunWalkRoll.
Eastern North Carolinians know all too well the devastation that accompanies major hurricanes. When Hurricane Helene hit our neighbors to the west, ECU Health and Eastern Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (EHPC) team members did not hesitate to answer the call. Since Friday, these specialized team members have been providing ongoing support to hospitals and health care facilities as they work to ensure patients can be safely cared for in the fallout of the catastrophic storm.
“Our folks are great. As soon as this happened, our disaster preparedness group started putting together what we have, how can we help and how we can get there,” said ECU Health Chief Operating Officer Brian Floyd. “One of the things I love about ECU Health is we are filled with people who just care. I could not be more proud of the collective response from our team members, including those who went as part of our organizational response, and those who are helping donate to recovery efforts.”
Across western North Carolina, more than 20 hospitals were impacted by the storm and thousands of people left devastated. Some are without water and power and others are in various phases of assessment and stabilizing operations. Beyond facility issues, hazards rendered the roads dangerous and, in some cases, unable to be used at all.
Through our EHPC, ECU Health is closely aligned with NC Emergency Management for daily coordination of hospital and patient care needs. In one example, the team directly supported the evacuation of 23 residents in a care facility and help relocated the individuals to a safer location using the Medical Ambulance Bus.
Stephanie Seals, disaster services specialist with EHPC, was among the first group of team members to deploy to western North Carolina. Within 24 hours, the team “pre-deployed” to the area carrying supplies, the ambulance bus and experts to help. The ECU Health team was among the first to arrive in the region in the early hours after the storm moved through.
Shortly after she arrived on-site in western North Carolina, Seals was tasked with an important job by the state: directing the Statewide Patient Coordination Team support cell. This support cell – which is vitally important given the outages impacting connectivity at hospitals and health care facilities – brings all transfer centers together to help expedite critical care transports out of the western part of the state and to safer locations.
Many transfers from impacted hospitals to new locations have required assistance from the Statewide Patient Coordination Team support cell. This process involves assessing patient needs, working to find capacity at a new facility and helping to arrange critical care transport.
“It’s hard to overstate the importance of this work, especially during a disaster that impacts critical communication services that care teams and patients rely on,” said Seals. “It takes tremendous coordination to ensure we can get patients safely transferred to a facility that has availability to care for them. In some cases, we’re receiving phone calls from people huddled in the corner of the hospitals because that’s the only place they can get service for a few moments. From there, we take that information to help arrange the necessary transport services.”
Should patients need to be transferred as far east as ECU Health, the system stands ready to serve patients and families from western North Carolina. In the meantime, as recovery efforts continue, ECU Health and EHPC are continuing to do their part to support those impacted by the devastation of the storm in whatever way they can.
“ECU Health is deeply involved and fully aware of what’s going on and is staying connected in the work, and we need to remember this is not a short-term turnaround,” said Floyd. “This issue is going to take a long time for them to get to some form of stability. But we’re here to help and committed to doing what we can to support those impacted.”
When Dr. Tate Holbrook, a pediatric hematologist, founded the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program at East Carolina University in 1979, he was inspired by the need for basic health care services specifically designed to meet the unique needs of sickle cell patients.
Now, 45 years later, the program stands proudly as a leader in North Carolina at providing state-of-the-art medical care for those living with sickle cell disease, and its founder credits the annual Tate Holbrook Annual Sickle Cell Disease Update conference as a key component of that success.
“ECU has a reputation as being a hands-on, compassionate and people-centered organization,” said Dr. Holbrook, who the conference was named after following his retirement in 2022. “The care at ECU Health Medical Center is exceptional and it’s because of the people who really care. This conference is a big cooperative effort that brings like-minded people together such as researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and others who are helping create advancements in treatment for sickle cell patients.”
The Tate Holbrook Annual Sickle Cell Disease Update is hosted by East Carolina University’s Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program and the Department of Pediatrics Hematology/Oncology, in collaboration with Eastern AHEC. The goal of the conference is to bring together medical professionals and patients to bridge the gap of communication and to improve treatment for patients with sickle cell disease.
To meet this goal, professionals with knowledge and recognition in the sickle cell community discuss the latest advances in treatment of sickle cell disease, cutting edge research, established and new medications and therapies, as well as psychosocial interventions. Conference organizers aim to encourage further discussion between providers and patients to create an environment focused on patient needs.
The most recent conference was hosted at Eastern AHEC on Sept. 6 and brought together medical professionals with 25 patients and six community-based vendors together to learn in a collaborative environment and provide resources to those living with sickle cell disease.
“I’ve come to this conference every year since 2009 when I retired and moved down here,” said Stephanie King, 70, who lives with sickle cell disease. “I think people with the disease should come to these types of events because there’s so much to learn about sickle cell. I go places and I speak about my experience and I have young people that come up to me and say ‘Oh my gosh, you can live this long with sickle cell disease?’ and I always say ‘Yes!’ With medical enhancements and the resources available, we can make it to 70 and beyond.”
Patients like King are at the heart of the conference. The concept of collaborative comprehensive care helps provide state of the art medical care for patients, including education of families and health care providers, psychosocial support to patients, families and community groups, and access to new and innovative therapies. It also emphasizes a close working relationship with other agencies involved in the care of individuals with hemoglobinopathies, including medical centers, community-based sickle cell programs, and the NC Sickle Cell Syndrome Program.
The collaborative approach is what drives progress forward for those living with sickle cell disease, according to Dr. Beng Fuh, current program director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Program at ECU.
“One of the most important parts of this conference is that it brings patients with sickle cell together with medical providers,” said Dr. Fuh. “We get to facilitate that exchange between patients and providers to learn how we can improve things and how we can get better. Sickle cell functions best when we take that collaborative approach. When we can hear from each other, we make our providers better and we improve understanding of the disease for patients. When we’re here together we gain a greater appreciation for the fact that we’re all on the same team.”
The Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina honors the nursing profession by recognizing nurses around the state for their commitment to excellence. The recipients are distinguished for their outstanding professional ability as well as their contributions to improving health care services in their communities. This year, 19 ECU Health nurses were recognized as honorees, including Dennis Campbell, II, Myra Thomson, Alex Gilbert, Gina Coldwell and Lou Ann Proctor.
Dennis Campbell, II
Although he is now the president of ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and the interim president at ECU Health North Hospital, Dennis Campbell, II began his career in 2004 as a nurse in the medical/surgical intensive care unit. Over time, he spent his early career in the emergency department, the burn center and the telemetry floor, and he was a staff nurse educator and a clinical educator for local nursing schools in his home state of Indiana.
However, a job opportunity brought him to eastern North Carolina, and he’s since navigated his way into quality leadership, corporate compliance, behavioral health and nursing leadership.
Dennis said finding his path to nursing was a winding road. “I was looking for something I could do that would provide a secure job,” he shared. “I shadowed a nurse in the local community as well as a respiratory therapist. What attracted me to nursing was how polished that nurse was. She was neatly dressed in white scrubs and a hat. The way she presented herself to her patients made me say, ‘I can do that.’” What kept Dennis coming back day after day was the difference he was making every day. “It’s the connection with people at the most vulnerable times of their lives,” he said. “I get to make the ordinary extraordinary, and if there’s something I can do to put a smile on your face, that also fills my cup.” That hasn’t changed since Dennis found his way into leadership roles. “It’s a platform that impacts healthcare and people in a larger way.”
Still, Dennis was surprised that “little old me” was nominated for and selected as a Great 100 Nurse. “It says a lot about what my colleagues think about me, and I’m grateful,” he said. “And it’s good for all Great 100 nurses, because it’s often the case that we are the unsung heroes. It means people are taking notice and want to recognize those who give their heart and soul.” Dennis said the honor is also a legacy for his family. “They don’t get to go to work with me every day and see what I do, and my work is hard to quantify. To have that recognition is impactful to my family.”
Myra Thomson
Myra Thomson, a nurse manager in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and the Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy program at ECU Health Medical Center, decided to be a nurse because her mother was a nurse. “It was all I knew; I was raised in a medical profession home. It fit me and my personality,” Myra said.
The East Carolina University graduate began her career with ECU Health right after graduation. During her clinical rotation on the medical intermediate unit, she had the opportunity to shadow in the MICU. This confirmed Myra’s conviction to work with the critically ill patient population. “I love that there’s a complexity, with more than one thing to treat,” Myra said. She also enjoys the MICU team. “It’s the place to be,” she said. “I love my team at work and outside of work. They call me if they need something, and I check in on them. They’re my people.”
Myra said it was amazing to find out she was named a Great 100 Nurse. “It’s an honor for me that the people I work with think enough of me to say what they did about me. It shows they’re exactly why I do what I do.” It’s also special that so many ECU Health nurses are recognized this year. “The nurses here work very hard across the system, and they deserve to be recognized. It makes you proud to work at ECU Health,” Myra said.
Alex Gilbert
Alex Gilbert, a staff nurse III in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), calls himself a “second generation nurse,” because both of his parents were also nurses. “Mom works in the ECU Health Cancer Center,” Alex said. “Dad was a flight nurse with EastCare. That’s how my parents met.”
Alex used to watch his father on the helipad and wait for him to get off work, which sparked his own interest in a health care profession. That spark was reignited when his grandmother got sick during his senior year of high school. “That renewed my interest and showed me I could care for people. I knew I had a calling.”
After graduating from East Carolina University with his BSN, Alex split his time between the SICU and the ECU Health EastCare Transport Team as a flight RN. He also serves as an EMT-B in the community. Alex said he was surprised when he discovered he was a Great 100 Nurse honoree. “I can think of so many others who deserve this award,” he said. “We don’t do the job for recognition; we do what we do to care for people.” Alex did cite his passion for his work as a key factor in his success, as well as the support from his family and his co-workers. “It’s not just a nine to five job; it’s someone’s life. It’s an honor and a pleasure to care for someone. But I can’t take all the credit. My faith, my family and my co-workers all play a part. I’d put my team up against any in the country, and I wouldn’t be getting this award if not for them. I’m just a piece of the puzzle.”
ECU Health’s representation in the Great 100 Nurses is a testament to the care our nurses provide, and the education and support ECU Health provides its nurses, Alex said. “We’re the biggest level one trauma center East of I-95,” he said. “Our patients are the sickest of the sick, and our nurses are on the top of their game.”
Gina Coldwell
A Newport News, Virginia, native, Gina Coldwell knew she had an interest in nursing early-on, but she couldn’t go to school while caring for her four small children. “I was a stay-at-home mom for 15 years,” she said. “But then I got divorced and was working two minimum-wage jobs and I wanted to do something I enjoyed.” That’s when Gina went back to school and received her associate degree in nursing from Edgecombe Community College in 2019. “I started working at ECU Health that following summer,” Gina said. She began on the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit, but she also continued her education to complete her BSN from East Carolina University in 2021, followed by enrolling in a master’s program at Carson Newman University, with plans to graduate in 2025.
Gina said she didn’t know what specialty she wanted after initially graduating from nursing school. For her, the team on 3 North drew her to the neuroscience unit. It was a challenging first year, but Gina said she has grown to love the challenge. “It’s hard to not take the work home with me,” she said. “But it’s so fascinating. You get such a diverse group of people, from someone who fell and broke their back to someone who had a stroke. It’s not an easy fix, but you have the benefit of seeing the fruits of your labor and how your patients improve. It’s so rewarding and fulfilling.”
That passion is one reason Gina was nominated for and recognized as a Great 100 Nurse. “I was shocked when I found out,” Gina said. “I was proud because I still consider myself a baby nurse. And we have amazing nurses at ECU Health. We’re a Level I Trauma hospital, and everything we deal with is big. You must have your heart in it, and you must have good leadership that recognizes that heart.” Gina also works with new graduates and new hires. “I love to teach and train,” she said. “And if I don’t know something, I ask someone who does. We’ll find out the answer together.”
Lou Ann Proctor
Lou Ann Proctor, a staff nurse IV in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), calls herself a legacy Great 100 Nurse. “My mother, Janice Proctor, was in the first group selected to be a Great 100 Nurse in 1989, the year I graduated from nursing school at ECU,” Lou Ann said. “My Aunt Lucy Weaver and Aunt Becky Lewis were also chosen in 1994 and 1993. Sadly, I just lost my mother last year, and she would have loved this.”
It was her mother’s work that inspired Lou Ann to become a nurse in the first place. “My father was a farmer, so when I turned 15, I wanted to get out of the tobacco fields and I went to work with my mother at Edgecombe General Hospital in Tarboro. I got to work beside her and see how amazing she was at her job,” she said.
Lou Ann has continued that legacy by being nominated as a Great 100 Nurse several times before being an honoree this year, although she remains humble about the work she does every day. “I’ve been a bedside nurse for 35 years and have been involved in Nurse Congress, Quality/EBP Council and my unit council, but there are so many nurses I would nominate for this award. That recognition is overdue and well deserved for them.” When she found out she has won the award this year, the moment was bittersweet. “My co-workers nominated me this time and I was both thrilled and heartbroken to be selected,” she said. “It would have meant so much if my mother was still here. But my Aunt Lucy and family plan to attend the Gala with me and that will make it special.”
The recipients will be honored at a statewide gala in September, to be held in Concord.