The Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina honors nurses around the state for their commitment to excellence. The recipients are distinguished for their outstanding professional ability and contributions to improving health care services in their communities. This year, 25 ECU Health nurses were honored, including Elizabeth Arnold, Dustin Bass, Allison Castelloe, Randy Mintz, Kaili Nixon and Wendy Minton.
Elizabeth Arnold
Two years ago, Elizabeth Arnold, a clinical informaticist II, celebrated when her twin sister, Elaine, was one of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina. Now, Elizabeth is the one to be celebrated.
Elizabeth attended East Carolina University (ECU) and received her degree in nursing, a decision she made after watching her mother work as a lab technician in a doctor’s office. She came to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in 1995 as a nurse extern, and in 1996, she joined the OR team, specializing in cardiovascular thoracic surgery. She spent 26 years in the OR, including many years managing the OR team, before transitioning to her current role in Informatics. Having just celebrated her 30-year anniversary, Elizabeth said ECU Health has always been home for her nursing career.
“I know the system,” she said. “If someone needs help, even if I don’t know the answer, I know the resources to find the answer. It provides a lot of community and innovation.”
Elizabeth said she is honored to be recognized as a Great 100 Nurse.
“The award doesn’t make me the nurse I am, but it puts that stamp that says you’ve achieved something,” she said. “If there is an emergency at work, I go to work,” she added. “My whole career has been about what the patient needs. I am dedicated to our patients and serve to help as much as possible when there is a patient or unit in need. That’s very fulfilling.”
Dustin Bass
Dustin Bass, a first-generation college graduate, said his whole career has been about emergency medicine.
“I knew I wanted to help people,” he said. “I volunteered at a hospital as a teenager, and when I saw a nurse jump on a stretcher and start CPR on a patient, I remember thinking, ‘I want to save someone’s life.’ I got my diploma in 2011, my first job was in the emergency department (ED) and I never looked back.”
The Yale graduate now serves as the vice president of system emergency services at ECU Health, a transition that provides challenges and opportunities to help patients.
“I try to inspire and uplift our team to be the best they can be, so they can be the best for our patients,” he said. “I like to get my hands dirty and get the job done. It’s a large, academic medical system, but it still has a family feel to it. That’s not something you see in larger institutions. I appreciate that and can be myself.”
Receiving this recognition as a Great 100 Nurse is humbling, Dustin said. “Some of my mentors have been recognized, so when I was nominated, I was surprised. You don’t always think about what’s on your CV.”
The award is also a recognition for ECU Health, he said. “This highlights how great of a system this is. Just because we’re rural doesn’t mean we aren’t the best of the best. We have so many great providers and nurses who strive to do their best, and you can see that in the care we provide.”
Allison Castelloe
Allison Castelloe has been with ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital for 16 years, a journey that began in the ED, where she discovered a strong passion for emergency nursing. That passion laid a foundation for her professional growth, leading to her current role as a quality nurse specialist III. She holds an MSN in nursing leadership and managements, and she is actively involved in improving the care of patients with stroke, sepsis and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). “I find this work both challenging and rewarding,” she said.
Health care has been a big part of Allison’s life, and she found inspiration to pursue her career from a variety of sources. “Watching my mom find her fulfillment in nursing and seeing the meaningful connections she built while caring for others left a lasting impression on me,” she said. “Working in a rural community hospital where team members feel like family – and where some truly are family – has created an incredibly supportive and fulfilling work environment. Being a part of ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital has deepened my commitment to the nursing profession and affirmed that nursing is truly where I belong.”
ECU Health has been a great fit for Allison, in part because it’s allowed her to work locally and serve her community. “Rural health care comes with its challenges, but it is incredibly rewarding to build relationships with the people you care for and to improve their health over time,” she said. She’s honored to now be recognized for the work she’s doing every day.
“This is a significant milestone in my nursing career, one that I will cherish forever,” she said. “To be celebrated alongside some of the most dedicated and inspiring nurses in our state is uplifting and motivating.”
Yet, Allison is quick to share the credit for her success. “It’s not just because of years of hard work,” she said. “But also because of the incredible team members and leaders who have believed in me along the way. My family’s unwavering support – especially that of my husband – has also pushed me to keep striving. He never hesitated to step up when I needed him most.”
Randy Mintz
When Randy Mintz, a staff nurse III in ECU Health Beaufort Hospital’s ED, exited the military, he thought he would pursue a career in law enforcement. A nurse he worked with in New Mexico had different ideas, and she encouraged him to become a nurse.
Now pursuing his bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), Randy said one of the best things about being a nurse is the opportunity and variety. “There are a thousand different jobs you can do within this field,” he said. “You can find what works for your life.”
Randy worked at the Medical Center, but he’s enjoyed working at ECU Health Beaufort because of the people and the small-town feeling. He loves the work, and he doesn’t do it for the recognition – but winning this award has been a nice surprise.
“To me, it’s just doing what you’re supposed to do, but to our patients and their families, you’re doing something phenomenal,” he said. “After 20 years of doing this, this is hands down the best award I’ve gotten. It’s a pat on the back that knocks you down.”
Randy said so many other nurses are deserving, and the fact that ECU Health represents a quarter of the Great 100 Nurses this year is no accident. “We have fantastic nurses,” he said. “This shows we’re doing something right. You couldn’t ask for better folks.”
Kaili Nixon
Twenty-one years ago, Kaili Nixon, a manager of patient care services at the ECU Health Chowan and ECU Health Bertie EDs, joined ECU Health in the medical surgical unit. She transitioned to managing the ED in 2014, and she now thrives in her leadership role. “I am firm that I don’t forget where I came from,” she shared. “I try to put myself in the nurses’ shoes and run the ED as if a member of my family was coming here.”
Kaili was inspired to pursue nursing after watching her grandfather battle Alzheimer’s, and watching the care he received inspired her to help others. She also wanted to make an impact on her community – one of the reasons she chose ECU Health. “I moved to Edenton and wanted to work locally. The atmosphere here is like a family, and you feel like your contributions matter.”
That’s exactly what she’s doing, and she appreciates being recognized as a Great 100 Nurse. “There’s nothing cookie cutter about the challenges we face in health care on a daily basis, and you have to think differently to meet the needs of our patients, their families and our team members,” she said.
It’s a special thing that 25 of the Great 100 Nurses come from ECU Health, she said. “Our dynamic in nursing is changing. The system has put a lot of work into retaining our talent, and this is yet another way ECU Health shows appreciation for the nursing team.”
Wendolyn Minton
Wendy Minton, who recently celebrated her 30-year anniversary with ECU Health, has worked at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital with specialties in critical care and emergency services. She always wanted to help people, and nursing was the only career she ever wanted. “I started as a new graduate in the intensive care unit (ICU) and floated to the ED when the ICU census was low,” she said. “I found I enjoyed the fast pace of the ED and transferred there.”
In those next 20 years, Wendy has served as the unit educator, emergency management coordinator, stroke coordinator, assistant nurse manager and currently the patient care manager for the ED, central staffing and hospital supervisor/coordinator group.
While she joined ECU Health as a part of a three-year agreement upon completion of nursing school, Wendy said she came to love the hospital. “I couldn’t see myself working anywhere else. This is my home and my coworkers are family. It has been a priority to be the best example I could be for my three children in having a strong work ethic and to serve others. It shows them hard work pays off.”
She can think of no better way to celebrate her 30-year anniversary than by being named a Great 100 Nurse of North Carolina. “It’s an absolute honor and very humbling,” she said. “I am grateful that my dedication to my patients, their families, my team members and the organization has not gone unnoticed. That so many of us were recognized this year speaks volumes to what a great organization ECU Health is.”
The recipients will be honored at a statewide gala in October, to be held in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
Further Reading
ECU Health claims a quarter of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina
Twenty-five ECU Health nurses recognized among Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina
ECU Health Medical Center is welcoming its inaugural class of neurology resident physicians, marking the start of a new residency program aimed to advance neurological care and bring providers to eastern North Carolina. The neurology residency is a four-year program, with the first year focused on internal medicine and the remaining three years dedicated to neurology. According to Program Director Dr. Jay Ferrara, the residency is designed to provide comprehensive training across the full spectrum of neurological care.
Dr. Jay Ferrara
“There is a nationwide shortage of neurologists, and eastern North Carolina is no exception,” said Dr. Ferrara. “This program is a critical step in addressing that gap and ensuring that patients in our region have access to high-quality neurological care. We are incredibly excited to welcome this first class of residents to ECU Health.”
Dr. Ferrara also emphasized the broader impact of academic medicine on patient care.
“When patients come to an academic medical center like ECU Health Medical Center, they benefit from being in a learning environment,” Dr. Ferrara said. “Residents, faculty and team members are constantly engaged in education, research and collaboration. That culture of continuous learning ultimately improves outcomes for patients.”
Dr. Georgios Sioutas
In the inaugural class of neurology residents are Drs. Arash Hosseini, Sisi Chen and Georgios Sioutas.
Dr. Arash Hosseini
Dr. Hosseini, originally from Lumberton, North Carolina, completed his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended Campbell University for medical school before matching with his first-choice residency at ECU Health.
Inspired early on by his father, a psychiatrist, Hosseini developed a fascination for the brain and its unexplored complexities.
“Compared to other organ systems, the brain is still very much uncharted territory,” Dr. Hosseini said. “That mystery is what excites me. We’re going to see incredible breakthroughs over the next couple of decades, and I want to be part of that progress.”
The decision to join ECU Health’s new neurology residency program was a carefully considered one. Hosseini was drawn to ECU Health as an academic medical center and as the only Level I Trauma Center in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Hosseini couples matched with his fiancée, Dr. Kelli Devlin, who is starting her first year in ECU Health’s OBGYN residency program, and ECU Health offered both the ideal opportunity to grow their careers together in North Carolina. His long-term goal is to remain in the state, ideally serving rural communities like the one he grew up in.
“Lumberton is a place where health outcomes have historically been poor,” Dr. Hosseini said. “For me, being able to see that growing up was really important, and it emphasizes to me how important it is to be able to provide care to these communities. A lot of people in rural areas don’t have access to care or information and resources they need. To be able to provide that health care is super important and something that I know would go a long way in their lives.”
Dr. Sisi Chen
Joining Dr. Hosseini in the first-ever neurology residency class is Dr. Sisi Chen. Originally from China, Dr. Chen graduated from medical school there before moving to the United States in 2012. She gained valuable clinical and research experience at several institutions, including the University of Cincinnati and Mayo Clinic. Prior to matching at ECU Health, she completed a year-long clinical fellowship in neurocritical care at a hospital in New York.
“When I interviewed with the faculty, they were very enthusiastic in building a new program and had a really positive attitude,” said Dr. Chen. “Especially since we only have three residents for the first year, I’ll have the opportunity to really learn from the attending and have the opportunity to help really shape the program.”
Dr. Ferrara is excited to see the program develop and grow.
“This first class of residents is laying the groundwork for the future of our program and will drive positive change in neurological care across eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Ferrara. “As we grow, we are excited to train more future neurologists to help our region gain access to the care they need, close to home.”
ECU Health, in partnership with STEM East and NC East Alliance, welcomed K-12 educators from across eastern North Carolina to the third annual Health Sciences Industry in Schools experience, an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the ECU Health’s system of care designed to inspire the next generation of health care professionals.
This initiative aims to educate K-12 teachers in eastern North Carolina about the different health care careers available, from doctors and nurses to child life specialists and lab technicians to build a sustainable workforce pipeline to support the growing needs of the region.
By engaging teachers as ambassadors, the event equips them with firsthand knowledge about the wide range of opportunities in health care from clinical roles to critical support services so they can guide and help students learn about future careers.
“The core mission of STEM East is to empower our regional teachers as workforce developers,” said Dr. Ethan Lenker, director of Industry Engagement and Support, STEM East Network. “The most effective way to inform students about local career opportunities is to first equip our schools and educators with that same knowledge. By partnering with ECU Health and other industries, we ensure our teachers gain firsthand experience they can bring back to the classroom—making career exploration more practical, relevant, and connected to our region’s workforce needs.”
The goal is for educators to leave the training with real-world insights to bring back to their classrooms.
“We’re really highlighting health sciences industries for educators throughout the eastern part of North Carolina,” said Nancy Turner, workforce development consultant, ECU Health. “Our hope is to create a spark in students early on so that one day, they’ll be the ones providing care in our communities.”
This year’s featured experience centered on a simulated pediatric shark bite emergency. Educators toured the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital and ECU Health Medical Center, watching live-action demonstrations led by experienced medical teams. From tourniquet application to patient transport and emergency department protocols, teachers witnessed the real-time collaboration it takes to save a life. Participants also visited and heard from team members in respiratory, radiology, blood bank, surgery, pharmacy, rehab and PICU and dietitians.
“We’re not just showcasing health sciences careers,” Turner said. “We talk about our values and the important character qualities it takes to be a health care provider like confidence, empathy and compassion. These are qualities that can be nurtured in every classroom and in every grade.”
By giving educators a deeper understanding of the skills a health care career demands, ECU Health is helping grow meaningful careers right here at home from a young age. That investment in local talent is key to addressing the long-term workforce challenges facing rural areas.
“Even starting as early as kindergarten, teachers can shape students’ character and spark their curiosity,” said Turner. “It’s not only about content knowledge, but about who they are becoming as future professionals.”
Since its inception in March 2022, the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) initiative has worked to mitigate the effects of food insecurity, housing instability, interpersonal violence/toxic stress and lack of access to transportation.
Spanning multiple counties, including Pitt, Beaufort, Chowan, Edgecombe, Hertford, Martin, Halifax, Northampton and Bertie, the Access East HOP consists of a network of community-based organizations, called Human Service Organizations (HSOs), which provide essential services. By leveraging resources and expanding local economies, HOP ensures that critical support reaches those in need.
HSOs play a vital role in bridging the health care gap. By working alongside Medicaid, they offer non-medical services that directly impact health outcomes.
Programs target individuals with chronic conditions, addressing socioeconomic needs for all age groups. Access East acts as the HOP lead for eastern North Carolina, building the HSO network and coordinating insurance claims.
“Eligible Medicaid Managed Care enrollees receive these services to help manage non-medical factors that improve health outcomes,” said Tina Dixon, vice president of Healthy Opportunities at Access East. “For example, if someone does not have food security, they aren’t able to consistently eat healthy meals with fresh fruits and vegetables that play a large role in preventing conditions like diabetes and hypertension.”
One HSO, Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Bertie County serves about 1,200 families per month in Bertie County, ensuring anyone in need has access to food. Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Bertie County provides large-scale food distributions to residents in Bertie County, including delivering about 150 food boxes per week through the HOP program. Deborah Freeman, executive director of Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Bertie County, uses fresh produce from local farms, which not only generates steady revenue for local businesses like the farm but also provides employment opportunities, contributing to economic stability.
In 2022, Good Shepherd was among the first agencies to join the Access East HOP Program, a decision that has allowed them to hire eight new employees, many of whom are seniors, to help with food delivery, with additional staff packing food boxes and supporting operations through a senior employment program. These positions provide not only financial stability for older adults but also an opportunity for them to give back to their communities. Ninety percent of their drivers are over 70 years old, with additional staff packing food boxes and supporting operations through a senior employment program.
HOP has also helped fund their backpack program, an initiative that provides children with two breakfasts, two lunches, milk, juice, and fresh fruit to ensure children have access to nutritious food. They delivered 9,600 backpack meals to elementary and middle school students in Bertie County during the past school year. Reimbursements from HOP food boxes deliveries provided over $70,000 to fund the backpack program.
“There are so many babies who go to school hungry,” said Freeman. “Teachers know which children are struggling when they come back on Monday. We allow schools to identify those in need, provide a count, and we ensure that backpacks are delivered every Thursday.”
Freeman says her team has witnessed firsthand how HOP has transformed the lives of many people in her county.
“There are just so many stories that come back from my drivers,” said Freeman. “When they go to certain homes, they really get to know the families over months, even a year sometimes, because they keep getting recertified. At first, you have to face the reality of the conditions people are living in, but then you witness the transformation. We provide food, but then other HSOs step in to repair homes and offer more support. One of my drivers shared that, at the beginning, you could see the ground through one person’s house, but by the end of six months, the house had been repaired, food boxes were coming in, and HOP was really helping improve lives.”
While Good Shepherd Food Pantry’s work has helped address food insecurity at the local level, the broader impact of HOP extends beyond individual communities. By supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and providing essential services, HOP helps improve the health and well-being of recipients while adding to local economies.
“HOP not only offers these services to improve the lives of Medicaid patients, HOP also greatly benefits local economies,” said Dixon. “Local businesses are growing and flourishing because of the funds from HOP. It provides a steady income for these businesses, and they’re able to provide services for those in need and even expand their services outside of HOP recipients.”
Since its inception, Access East’s HOP has enrolled 12,190 clients and served 10,396 individuals, ensuring access to essential services. With a total of more than 220,000 contracted services provided, the initiative has had a significant impact on the community. The value of services delivered amounts to $44,454,724, with 223,283 invoices submitted for payment. Access East HOP’s invoicing specialists carefully review each invoice, ensuring accurate payments are made to the HSOs. These funds have been instrumental in supporting both local residents and the HSOs dedicated to serving them, improving access to critical resources.
ECU Health has long been dedicated to improving health care access and outcomes in eastern North Carolina, and its latest initiative aims to build a sustainable health care solution for Martin County. At a public hearing in front of a standing-room only crowd at the Martin County Board of Commissioners meeting on June 4, ECU Health CEO and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University Dean Dr. Michael Waldrum outlined the vision to re-establish essential health care services for Martin County and the surrounding communities.
ECU Health’s proposal would create the state’s first Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) in Martin County, initially located in the existing medical facility. The proposal outlines the organization’s commitment to advocating for a $70 million investment from the State of North Carolina to build a new Rural Care Center in Martin County that would serve as the future home of the REH with the potential to expand outpatient services including preventative care.
REH is a new Medicare designation designed to sustain essential health care services in communities that may otherwise be unable to support a traditional hospital. REHs offer emergency room care, observation services, and other outpatient health services. These services are limited to short-term care, with patients staying an average of less than 24 hours.
Importantly, because REHs cannot provide inpatient services except in very limited situations, ECU Health is also advocating for $150 million to expand inpatient capacity at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, a campus of ECU Health Medical Center. ECU Health Beaufort Hospital is a Hill-Burton Act hospital built in 1958, highlighting the importance of investing in modernizing the facility to support the regional system of care.
“Solving the rural health challenge means pursuing transformative solutions that create sustainable heath care access,” said Dr. Waldrum. “ECU Health’s expertise is rural health care, and our proposal reflects our unwavering commitment to our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. In my conversations with State leaders, it is clear there is a shared desire to support rural communities like Martin County. The State investments we’re seeking are critical to support the development of a regional system of care which is central to creating sustainability in and around Martin County.”
Like many rural regions, eastern North Carolina faces high rates of chronic illnesses and socioeconomic disparities. Martin County is one of North Carolina’s least healthy counties, according to a study by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. With high rates of obesity, smoking and premature deaths, the county’s health challenges underscore the need for local access to high-quality care.
Multiple Martin County residents provided public comments during the meeting with many thanking ECU Health and Martin County leaders for their commitment to supporting the community.
The Martin County Board of Commissioners will consider ECU Health’s proposal and public input before determining next steps.
Greenville, N.C. – Project SEARCH, an educational program offered at ECU Health Medical Center, is proud to announce six students recently graduated from the program: Keon Cox, Nasir Gardner, Kalasiah Forbes-Paige, Cameron McKenna, Daniel Sparrow and Johntevius Walker-Aytch. Project SEARCH is a one-year internship program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities during their last year of high school with the goal of providing real-world practical skills and increasing the chances of competitive employment.
“At ECU Health, we are proud to support Project SEARCH and help students gain essential career skills that empower them and prepare them for their future,” said Doris Hill, Project SEARCH coordinator at ECU Health. “This program not only equips students with hands-on experience but also strengthens our workforce and community. Witnessing their growth and success is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing them thrive in their careers.”
The Project SEARCH program at ECU Health Medical Center began in 2015 through partnerships with Pitt County Schools, RHA Health Services and Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. Students complete internships in various departments at the hospital, including the ECHO Lab, Gastrointestinal Lab, Central Services, hospital cafeterias, Hospitality, Shipping and Receiving and the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit.
This year’s students who participated in the program are enrolled at various Pitt County high schools including Farmville Central High School, Ayden Grifton High School, North Pitt High School and South Central High School.
“Project SEARCH empowers students with the skills and confidence they need to transition successfully into the workforce,” said Lyndsey Joyner, Project SEARCH instructor. “Watching them grow, gain independence and achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. I have no doubt that these graduates will make valuable contributions to their communities, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”
The employment rate for youth with disabilities is about 60 to 70 percent less than youth without disabilities, according to the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Project SEARCH has proven results with a 65 percent employment and 90 percent retention rate nationally. The Project SEARCH program began in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) and was developed as a means to meet entry-level employment needs at CCHMC, support their diversity initiative and partner with schools and community services agencies. Project SEARCH is now an international program with over 716 program sites in 48 states and 11 countries.
Windsor, N.C. – ECU Health Bertie Hospital was recently named, for the second time, one of the top 20 critical access hospitals (CAHs) for patient satisfaction in the country.
The top 20 CAHs, including ECU Health Bertie Hospital, earned the highest scores among CAHs as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health for patient perspective/satisfaction. The recognition was recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). An awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, Mo.
A Critical Access Hospital (CAH) is a classification assigned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to qualifying rural hospitals across the United States. These facilities play a crucial role in enhancing health care accessibility for rural communities by delivering essential medical services and receiving cost-based reimbursement for Medicare-covered treatments.
The top 20 CAHs have achieved success in overall performance based on a composite rating from eight measures of strength: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and finance. This group was selected from the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2025 top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this year.
The top 20 CAH best practice recipients have achieved success in one of two key areas of performance:
- Quality index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across rural-relevant process of care measures.
- Patient perspective index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across all 10 HCAHPS domains.
“ECU Health Bertie Hospital is proud of the efforts of the physicians and team members who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” says Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Bertie Hospital. “Our results as a top 20 critical access hospital for patient satisfaction means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future. This recognition highlights our deep commitment to serving our rural mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
“In a Critical Access Hospital, every patient touchpoint is an opportunity to make a profound impact,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer, ECU Health. “Excellent patient experience is not just a goal; it’s the manifestation of living our values and our commitment to safe, highly reliable, human-centered care, ensuring that every individual feels valued, heard, and feels that we have created a caring environment that helps them heal. The team at ECU Health Bertie Hospital consistently delivers on the ECU Health mission, vision and values in service to our patients and communities every single day.”
Chris Norman, PA-C and medical director of ECU Health’s Transfer Center, said he always knew he wanted to work in health care. “My family had a lot of health issues when I was growing up, and I thought I’d be a doctor,” he shared. “Then as an undergraduate, I was introduced to the physician assistant (PA) role. What really drew me in was the idea of doing what I wanted without being in school for so long, and the flexibility to swap specialties.”
After working elsewhere, Norman found his way to ECU Health through the recommendation of a colleague. “She made the switch from our former employer to ECU Health, and she recruited me with her talk about the growth she made as a provider, the team cohesiveness and the overall way PAs are treated,” he said. That professional support has kept Norman in eastern North Carolina for 20 years and has offered pathways to advance his profession, which now include Norman’s work with the NCAPA as president.
The North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA) aims to, “strengthen the PA profession in North Carolina through advocacy, education and support to improve healthcare for all patients.” Norman helped write that mission statement, something he’s proud of. “If PAs want to advance our profession and help our patients, we have to advocate for ourselves,” he said. “The NCAPA is the only organization solely dedicated to the advancement of the PA profession in North Carolina, and our mission statement resonates with my personal values. We all have one goal for our efforts; our ‘why’ is singular, and that’s my life’s work.”
While Norman learned about the NCAPA in school, he said he didn’t fully appreciate the organization’s significance early on. “If you’re interested in your profession and leadership, you should get involved,” he said. “Once I stepped in, I was all in.”
Initially, Norman got involved by joining work groups and subcommittees, but when he wanted to do more, a colleague suggested he run for a board seat. “This is my fourth year on the Board of Directors, and from there I’ve continued to become more involved, including advocacy in the state legislature and the Leadership and Advocacy Summit with the American Academy of PAs – that is a national conference and you go to Congress. This has been my third year of doing that.” Because of his service and hard work, Norman was then approached about running for president of the NCAPA, a three-year commitment; he is now in his second year of service in that role.
In March, Norman participated in the state Lobby Day, where he, along with many PAs from across the state, advocated for bills that remove obstacles for the PA profession in the state and improve access to care, especially for the rural areas in eastern North Carolina.
“I enjoy my work in Raleigh,” he said. “I get to talk to and advocate with the legislators to have an impact on our mission. And if we keep having these conversations, we will impact the profession.” It’s important that PAs get involved because, he said, “no one tells your story better than you, and no one else understands your needs and concerns.”
Getting bills passed and increasing PA participation in the process have been Norman’s major goals. “Last year we had over 150 PAs and PA students participate in Lobby Day,” he shared. “This year, we had more than 200. A lot of the students came from East Carolina University’s PA program.”
Making this type of difference wouldn’t be easy without the support of ECU Health. “I have a deep-seated drive to learn and tackle new challenges,” Norman said. “ECU Health provides opportunities and encourages my desire to learn and contribute in new ways. Paired with being laser-focused on our mission and values, I love getting up and coming in to work every day, knowing we’re all focusing on the same mission.”
Norman also wants other PAs to get involved. “We need someone to do the work,” he said. “Getting involved with the NCAPA shows a passion that your profession should be the best it can be. Use your own voice, because you are a part of the solution. If you’re a PA and interested in furthering your profession, your first step is to become a member.”
To learn more about the NCAPA, visit their site here.
Each day in hospitals, clinics and other clinical settings across ECU Health, nurses take on roles beyond the medical care they provide – they’re a support person, a patient advocate, offer a hand for food services and help keep rooms clean all while bringing high-quality, compassionate care to patients in eastern North Carolina.
On May 6, to mark the start of National Nurses Week, ECU Health nurses invited board members, executives and other leaders to take part in “Walk-a-Mile with Nursing” to offer the opportunity to shadow a nurse and experience all the different roles that nurses play each and every day at ECU Health hospitals.
“Many of us have experienced the hospital setting through the eyes of a patient or a loved one, but today we got a chance to experience it through the eyes of the people who make high-quality, compassionate care possible at ECU Health: our nurses,” said Chief Nursing Executive Dr. Trish Baise during the roundtable discussion immediately following the three-hour shadowing session at ECU Health Medical Center. “I hope this experience to walk alongside nurses across our hospitals provides an even deeper appreciation for the work they do and the incredible difference it makes in the lives of so many.”
Bob Greczyn, chair of the ECU Health Board of Directors, was one of the guests on the hospital floor during “Walk-a-Mile” and he shadowed nurses on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center.
He said taking part in the event gave him the best morning he’s had in a long time. He was most impressed with the way teams – doctors, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists and more – worked together to care for patients on the unit.
“I’ve heard about doing rounds on patients and how the teams work together, but I’ve never actually been able to see it happen. Now I know what happens, and I know they didn’t just do it for my benefit,” Greczyn said. “I want to thank all the nurses who choose to work here for what you do, because it’s really important.”
Walk-a-Mile with Nursing was also held at community hospitals across ECU Health, where participants captured a glimpse of the community-centered care that makes rural hospitals unique. There, they witnessed team members treating neighbors, family and friends – a testament to the power of hands-on nursing in rural communities.
Gary Stanley, ECU Health Chowan Hospital Development Council Board Member and Lead Chaplain for ECU Health Bertie and Chowan, reflected on his experience with the Walk-a-Mile with Nursing event.
“It was truly an incredible experience,” Stanley said. “Nurse Konner Mims exemplified attentiveness, compassion, and respect, fully embracing the ECU Health model of patient- and family-centered care. This experience was profoundly impactful—I am a different chaplain because of it.”
Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health chief executive officer and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, and Donette Herring, ECU Health’s chief information officer, both had the opportunity to return to their clinical roots prior to their leadership roles.
Dr. Waldrum shadowed Carolina Pena, staff nurse III, on the Medical Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. As an intensivist for many years, he said it was great experience to be back at his “home.” He was grateful for the opportunity to shadow Pena and see the heart of ECU Health nursing on display with care, compassion and excellence.
Herring visited the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the Medical Center. It was a fitting return for her as she said the intensive care unit was her last unit in a clinical role before she transitioned to leadership. She said she wasn’t sure what to expect for the day, but she was grateful to be welcomed in by the unit and have open, honest conversations with the team. She said her biggest takeaway from the day was the importance of taking time to listen to the experiences of nurses and understand their needs.
Pena said she felt this event was important to connect nurses with leadership and non-nursing team members to have their voices heard.
“This was so important to have, because as a nursing staff we go through a lot with patients, doctors, family members and everyone. We never really know if anyone is going to hear our concerns,” Pena said. “I know Dr. Waldrum has been an intensivist before, he knows what happens in our unit, but just having him there, hearing our concerns, seeing our patients, asking questions, it really gives us a sense that we’re being listened to and that we matter. I think that’s very important for our nurses.”
Overall, the event served as the perfect way to kick off National Nurses Week. Other events focused on celebrating nurses and their contributions to high-quality care unfolded throughout the week, and the Walk-a-Mile experience provided a first-hand understanding of just how powerful nurses are in a patient’s life.
“Today has far exceeded my expectations in terms of turnout and the genuine desire to connect, understand and walk a mile with nursing team members,” Baise said. “I’ve done this in previous roles, and there is more enthusiasm today than I’ve seen before, and I think it speaks to the authentic nature of everyone in this system. I’m so grateful for the nurses and units who hosted everyone today and sharing their work with everyone here.”
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For Melissa and Jimmy Worrell, their love story started with a horse. Melissa, a horse trainer and riding instructor at the time, met Jimmy when he brought his horse to the barn where she worked. That chance encounter led to marriage in 1988, a move from New Jersey to North Carolina and a life filled with love, adventure and raising their quadruplets.
But in recent years, their journey took an unexpected turn. Jimmy was diagnosed with kidney disease and placed on the transplant waiting list. For nearly eight years, he waited, knowing that each passing day brought him closer to dialysis—a life-sustaining but time-consuming treatment that filters waste from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so.
“Dialysis is a lifeline for many patients, but machines just cannot do the work of an organ that works automatically, 24/7,” said Dr. David Leeser, professor and chief of transplantation at ECU Health Medical Center. “We know that when a patient is transplanted, they gain a tremendous boost to their quality of life, and they will live longer as well. Transplantation is by far the best available renal replacement therapy available to patients with kidney failure.”
Throughout the process, doctors frequently asked if he had identified a potential donor. Jimmy never asked Melissa to consider donating, but she made the decision on her own.
“I knew I was O-negative, so I figured I’d at least get tested,” Melissa said. “I thought, well, I had to at least try.”
The couple was shocked to learn she was a perfect match.
Throughout the process, Melissa was supported by a donor advocate at ECU Health—someone who had been through the experience and could provide firsthand insight. She believes this kind of support is crucial for potential donors.
“When you’re thinking about doing this, it’s good to talk to someone who has been there,” Melissa said. “It’s reassuring to know that life goes on and that we’ll both live normal, healthy lives.”
Their transplant surgery was successfully completed Nov. 12, 2024. Melissa, now a recreational therapist and volunteer with Team River Runner in Wilmington, which provides veterans and active-duty military with healing opportunities on the water, specifically outrigger canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding and rowing, took time off to recover. Jimmy returned to work earlier than expected, eager to get back to normal life. More importantly, the transplant has given them back their active lifestyle.
“Before, if I asked him to go for a walk, he’d say, ‘I can’t do that,’” Melissa said. “Now, we can do things together again. It’s a big change.”
The couple enjoys boating along the Intracoastal Waterway, dining out, going for walks and simply spending time together. Beyond her personal experience, Melissa hopes to raise awareness about living kidney donation.
“It’s amazing how something so small can make such a big difference in someone’s life,” she said. “People are often surprised when they hear what I did, like I was risking my own health. But the doctors wouldn’t have allowed it if I wasn’t okay. I think if more people heard these stories, they might consider donating. I especially want to thank the friendly and caring transplant team at ECU Health, who provided great pre and post care.”
For the Worrells, this journey has deepened their bond and given them a renewed appreciation for the simple joys of life. Now, with Jimmy’s health improved, they’re looking forward to many more years of adventure together.