Greenville, N.C. – Listeners across eastern North Carolina tuned in to make an incredible impact during the 28th annual “Music for Miracles” radiothon, raising $113,734 in support of the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center, which serves pediatric patients across a 29-county region. Since its inception in 1998, the radiothon has now raised over $4 million, directly enhancing the hospital’s programs and services.
“Year after year, I am deeply moved by the remarkable generosity of this community,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs for the ECU Health Foundation. “Their unwavering commitment to enhancing health care for children in eastern North Carolina is nothing short of inspiring. I also want to express my gratitude to the families who share their heartfelt stories with us. These children are true miracles, and it is a privilege to shine a spotlight on the exceptional care they have received at Maynard Children’s Hospital.”
This year’s radiothon aired on all Inner Banks Media radio stations, including 107.9, Talk 96.3 and 103.7, Oldies 94.1 and 102.7, and 94.3 The Game. All funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospital events like the radiothon are allocated entirely to supporting programs and services at Maynard Children’s Hospital. These contributions help procure life-saving medical equipment, enhance educational opportunities for patients and staff, provide comforting resources for children and develop new, state-of-the-art facilities.
“I am so proud of another successful radiothon,” said Henry Hinton, president, Inner Banks Media. “I am amazed every year of the generosity of our listeners and to surpass $4 million over the years is really something we can all be proud of. There is no greater feeling of pride than helping to raise funds for this great hospital that cares for our children in eastern North Carolina. It is a great privilege for us to use our radio stations in this way.”
For those who missed the radiothon but would still like to contribute, donations can be made at www.GiveToCMN.com.
In the culmination of years of hard work, studying and time spent in the clinical setting, fourth-year medical students from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University – and across the country – learned where they would spend their residency training on Match Day, March 21.
The Brody School of Medicine is a national leader in developing family medicine and primary care physicians, and this year 47 percent of the class is taking up residency in primary care fields. Fourteen students – more than 20 percent of the 68 students who matched – opened their letters to learn they’d stay in eastern North Carolina for residency with ECU Health.
Match Day was an especially exciting day for Sarah Waddell, who was also celebrating her birthday. Waddell matched into family medicine at ECU Health Medical Center.
The soon-to-be Dr. Waddell is eastern North Carolina through and through as an Elizabeth City native and graduate of Barton College in Wilson. She said ECU Health was her top choice, and she’s grateful for the opportunity to work toward ECU Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.
“There’s just so many emotions, happy and excited for this new adventure, and getting to stay here and serve eastern North Carolina has always been a dream of mine,” Waddell said. “Mostly, I’m really looking forward to taking care of the people who need it and making connections with my future patients. I’m a lifelong learner, so I’m really looking forward to what else is out there for me to learn and explore during residency.”
Waddell has the added bonus of matching at ECU Health Medical Center alongside one of her best friends from medical school, Micah Lee.
Lee is another eastern North Carolinian from Mount Olive. She said choosing the Brody School of Medicine was easy for her as the medical school has strong connections to the community and seeing that extend to ECU Health during her training made staying in Greenville her No. 1 choice. On Match Day, she landed exactly where she’d hoped – in pediatrics at ECU Health.
“I grew up in eastern North Carolina, and I really care about the community here. I didn’t want to leave for residency. This is where I got to match, and I’m really excited about that; I’ll get to stay connected with the community and organizations I love to work with,” she said. “I love pediatrics because I’m passionate about being able to influence the next generation. There are so many healthy choices that you can encourage young people to make and seeing them grow from birth all the way up until adulthood is really special.”
Jamie Lemons, who also matched with pediatrics at ECU Health for residency, and Lee both said the pediatrics team was welcoming and encouraging during their time in medical school and during rotations, making it an exciting first choice for both.
Lemons is from western North Carolina and said she’s glad to be staying in state for her residency while serving in a rural area like the place she grew up. Her journey in many ways represents what the Brody School of Medicine sets out to do: train bright students from across North Carolina and prepare them to serve in communities across the state, particularly in rural areas.
“It’s the other side of the state, but it’s pretty similar between western and eastern North Carolina,” she said. “I think ECU Health focuses a lot on the rural environments and some underserved areas, which is really similar to western North Carolina, so I think that all applies really well for me.”
Dr. Michael Waldrum, chief executive officer at ECU Health and dean of the Brody School of Medicine, said he is proud of the class that came to medical school in the face of uncertainty, excelled and is now set to take the next step in their physician journey.
“These students understand what it means to answer the call of becoming a physician. They chose a career in medicine at a time when a historic pandemic made health care a particularly difficult and sometimes dangerous profession,” Dr. Waldrum said. “Their desire to run toward the challenge speaks volumes about why they’ve chosen this path, and it highlights the qualities that will make them incredible, compassionate physicians.”
Further Reading
The 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards winners include two ECU Health Medical Center volunteers, one ECU Health team member and the ECU Health Beaufort Hospital volunteer team. Established in 1979, the award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. Individuals or groups from the public, nonprofit and private sectors may be nominated for this award.
Mary Hall
Mary Hall is the senior services prevention coordinator at ECU Health, and she has worked for the health system for almost 25 years. “My role at the hospital is in older adult health,” she said. “I do a lot of promotion around prevention, including with our falls prevention coalition, and I emphasize the importance of social and active engagement. This aligns with my volunteer work, too.”
Hall represents ECU Health and Pitt County on several statewide, regional and local councils and taskforces to serve the senior population, and it was her work with the Pitt-Greenville Senior Games that earned her a nomination for and recognition as a North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winner.
“I started by volunteering at the spring Senior Games,” Hall said. “Then, I started helping out in the fall at the Senior Games state three-on-three basketball tournament held in Greenville.” Hall said she often serves as a scorekeeper or time clock keeper, but eventually she was named a volunteer coordinator for the event. “I oversee the other volunteers who come to the tournament. I make sure they know where to go and what they’re doing, because these games can be very chaotic.”
Hall said she was inspired to volunteer because it’s a way to promote what she preaches at work. “When you retire, you can’t just sit. You need to do something to keep the mind and body moving. Some of the seniors played sports in high school or college, and they have continued that through their lives, but there is also the silver arts piece, where people do ceramics, painting, poetry or carpentry. Everyone has an opportunity to participate in the Senior Games, even if they aren’t athletic.” As importantly, participants get the chance to meet and make friends with other people their age. “It’s about the fellowship and the fun. That’s important as we age.” Hall also enjoys working with students and younger people. “Many volunteers are students, and it’s fun to see them realize that these older people have a lot of life to live.”
While she’s honored to have won the award, Hall said that’s not why she volunteers. “Volunteering is an obligation we as citizens have to give back to our communities,” she said. “Older adults are my community, and people can get a great sense of satisfaction when they give their time, expertise or even a shoulder to cry on. It builds a sense of purpose.”
Resources
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.
Michael Firtha, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon at ECU Health, didn’t set out to be a doctor after high school. “I wanted to be a firefighter,” he said. As a child, Firtha had two uncles who were firefighters. “One was the district chief, and one was captain of the fire department in our hometown,” he shared. “I looked up to them as heroes. It’s an admirable career, and you really get to help people.” After high school, Firtha secured a scholarship to be a paramedic, a stepping stone to eventually becoming a firefighter like his uncles before him. After his exposure to the medical field, however, the Cleveland, Ohio, native decided to change his trajectory and pursue medical school.
After graduating from high school, Firtha completed his emergency medical technician (EMT) training while working in his local hospital’s cafeteria unloading boxes. This job, he said, gave him a strong work ethic. At the same time, Firtha also worked part-time as a firefighter at his local fire department. He then changed roles and served as a nursing assistant on the orthopedic trauma floor of the same hospital – a job he continued while in paramedic school. After that, he spent some time working in the emergency department as a paramedic. “Using my paramedic certification, I was hired as a full-time suture technician, where I was trained to perform laceration repair, splint application and work in the trauma bay,” he said.
That medical experience is what inspired him to become a doctor – and it taught him that every role in health care is valuable. “It was good to see the different sides of health care. Each role taught me different lessons that I use in my current position. Much like the human body, each role has a function that is uniquely and equally important that must work together as one unit to function and thrive,” he said. “I think getting that different exposure and seeing different perspectives makes you grateful for the whole process and the care that’s provided to patients.”
Once he decided to go to medical school, Firtha applied to many colleges, but he landed at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. “Campbell is in rural North Carolina, so I was surrounded by a community similar to what’s here in Greenville,” he said. The experience was formative. “It felt like home – it’s a community that really bonds together.” He graduated from Campbell University as a doctor of osteopathic medicine, followed by a residency at the Cleveland Clinic and a fellowship at UC Davis Children’s Hospital/Shriners Northern California.
He landed on pediatric orthopedics because, he said, “taking care of children is one of the most important things anyone can do. My mom was a kindergarten teacher for more than 30 years, and I remember growing up and watching the impact she was having on future generations. I think this had a huge effect on me.” He also cited his experience in the emergency department, especially his work with children, as an influential one. “I immediately knew that my calling was to help kids in need,” he said. The rewards are plentiful, and Firtha said its gratifying to improve a child’s life. “You see an x-ray beforehand, and you can see the problem. Then you get to fix it.”
Firtha is glad he joined ECU Health, in part because the great team he works with. “Our pediatric orthopedic surgery group is young and focused on patient care. When we all focus on that one goal, we can really come together and accomplish more than as a single person,” he said. “I am so thankful for the opportunity to serve the children of eastern North Carolina here at ECU Health,” he continued.
“Providing excellent patient care to children with orthopedic injuries often requires a lot of resources and special implants and technology. ECU Health has been so supportive and allowed me to do whatever is necessary to provide the highest quality of care.”
Beyond that, however, he was drawn back to eastern North Carolina because of his great experience at Campbell and the similar community feel at ECU Health. “It felt like home, and eastern North Carolina is an ideal place to raise a family,” he shared. “My wife, our two little girls and I are incredibly happy in this community. It’s a place where you really feel like you’re impacting the community and making people better, and it is truly an amazing place to live.”
To those considering a career shift to health care, Firtha encourages them to go for it. “Health care is a field where you can feel good about the work you’re doing,” he said. “You help people and can be a hero in their eyes. You get to wake up every morning with a passion and a purpose for what you’re doing.”
The 2024 North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards winners include two ECU Health Medical Center volunteers, one ECU Health team member and the ECU Health Beaufort Hospital volunteer team. Established in 1979, the award honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals and groups who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. Individuals or groups from the public, nonprofit and private sectors may be nominated for this award.
Emmanuel Bryant
Emmanuel Bryant has volunteering in his blood. “My mom founded a nonprofit in Durham to prevent teenage drug and alcohol abuse, and she was a founding board member of the IDYL Charter School,” he said. “I grew up volunteering and I believe it’s important to give back to the community.” The Durham native also grew up knowing he wanted to work in health care, but his plans shifted from wanting to be a doctor to pursuing a career as a physician assistant (PA) after attending a University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill medical school program for high school students.
“It was a nine-week program with different people sharing information about the various specialties and aspects of medicine,” he said. “During the program, someone talked about PAs. That got me interested.”
Bryant attended ECU to get his bachelor’s degree in public health with a pre-health concentration. He graduated in 2023, and he needed a certain number of volunteer hours to apply to PA school. “I did research with the Brody School of Medicine and worked in home health with children with autism,” he said. Then a friend of his suggested he look into volunteering at the ECU Health Medical Center. “I worked in patient transport and some in outpatient rehabilitation,” he said. “I had great mentors, including Emmett (Floyd) – he’s an awesome guy and he showed me a lot of things. It was an experience I think of fondly.”
During his time helping with rehabilitation, Bryant said he got to work alongside Shane Whitley, a PTA, and learn about therapeutic interventions. “I learned about breaking up scar tissue and stress tests. It was one of my favorite areas to work.” He also worked in the Cancer Center, where he saw many patients ring the bell to signify their last cancer treatment. “It was such an emotional experience, and the nurses there are elite in their skills.”
His experience as a volunteer has set the stage for success in his pursuit of being a PA. “It has helped me get comfortable with patients, so as a provider I can work with them. Everyone is different and all come from different backgrounds,” he said. “Exposure to these differences is the best way to combat discrimination, and it helps us know we’re all human.” The work also helped Bryant better understand how hospitals work and how to collaborate with different professionals and personalities. Best of all, Bryant said he felt blessed give back to a community that has given him. “I felt like it was my duty to give back,” he said. “Without ECU and Greenville, I wouldn’t be at PA school. I’m truly honored to win this award.”
Dr. Emmett Floyd
A native of Virginia, Dr. Emmett Floyd moved to North Carolina to attend Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, North Carolina. After graduation, he was a teacher and a coach until he was drafted into the army in 1967. Upon the completion of his service, he returned to work as an educator and coach until he decided to pursue his master’s degree in educational leadership at East Carolina University (ECU). “[After graduation], I was a principal for four years, then a school superintendent for 15 years, after which I joined the faculty at ECU in the College of Education,” he said. Although he “retired” in 1998, he still worked for the College until 2010, when he became the executive director of the ECU Pirate Club. “After four years doing that, I finally retired for good at age 69,” he said. “From then on, I did volunteer work.”
That volunteer work included serving as vice chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce, which he has done for 10 years. A chat with a fellow ECU colleague – and a previous NC Governor’s Volunteer Service Award winner – Frank Crawley, inspired him to look into volunteer work at the ECU Health Medical Center. “There’s a few of us who all know each other from ECU, and they were all working the Tuesday morning shift. So, I joined that group in 2020,” he said.
Dr. Floyd works as a patient escort, helping patients get to where they need to go. “I pick them up and take them to endoscopy or GI or up to their hospital rooms. And there’s not a day I don’t get a thank you from them. Those thank yous are the salary,” he said.
Dr. Floyd also likes the camaraderie of working with his fellow volunteers. “We have a lot of students who come in during the summers, and they sit and listen to old men talk about things, and then we get them to share about themselves. I look forward to it every week.”
While he was surprised to learn he won the volunteer award, Dr. Floyd is appreciative and humble. “It’s not about me,” he said. “I’m just one who represents the 300 or more members of our team.” He also said he is happy to be able to give back to the community. “We’ve lived in Greenville for 35 years, and we’ve benefitted from our time here,” he said. “I feel like you should give back, and volunteer work is one way to do that.” Those who volunteer for ECU Health, he said, find their own way to use their skill sets to help others. “I met a woman who rocks babies in the NICU,” he said. “What a great thing for her to do. That’s her gift and how she gives back. No matter what your skill set, there is something you can do to help.”
All winners were recognized at their local county commissioners’ meetings this past summer. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all of the volunteers and team members who serve eastern North Carolina at ECU Health. To learn more about the NC Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service, to nominate a volunteer or to see the full list of the 2024 winners, visit this site.
Resources
ECU Health is advancing pediatric surgical care in eastern North Carolina by introducing robotic-assisted surgery, a cutting-edge approach that enhances precision, improves outcomes and expands minimally invasive options for children in the region.
Dr. Courtney Harris, a pediatric surgeon at ECU Health, recently performed the health system’s first pediatric robotic-assisted cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal).
“Robotic surgery is still relatively new in pediatric care, and it offers significant advantages for both surgeons and patients,” said Dr. Harris. “The enhanced range of motion, improved precision and advanced imaging technology allow for a more refined approach, leading to better outcomes.”
Robotic-assisted procedures enhance precision with robotic arms that offer wrist-like movement. This technology provides greater dexterity, similar to open surgery, while preserving the benefits of a minimally invasive approach.
With extensive experience in robotic procedures, Dr. Harris has collaborated closely with Dr. Shannon Longshore, the division chief of pediatric surgery and medical director of the pediatric trauma program at ECU Health Medical Center, and the surgical team to bring this technique to ECU Health.
“Bringing this technology to ECU Health means we can offer our youngest patients the latest advancements in surgical care right here in eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Longshore. “We’re excited about the possibilities this opens up for pediatric surgery and are committed to expanding access to these innovative procedures.”
Robotic-assisted surgery builds on the strengths of traditional laparoscopic techniques, offering enhanced precision and efficiency, with some procedures completed more quickly. The technology reduces physical strain on surgeons, supporting long-term physician wellness. Both techniques offer similar incision sizes and recovery times.
“The introduction of pediatric robotic surgery at ECU Health marks a significant step forward in expanding minimally invasive surgical options for children,” said Tara Stroud, vice president of Women’s and Children’s Services, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. “ECU Health continues to drive innovation in pediatric surgical care, ensuring that children in the region have access to the highest quality treatments available.”
Marvin Mullen has always enjoyed an active lifestyle. From his 25 years of work as a forensic scientist, to his regular rounds of golf in eastern North Carolina and his love of sporting events, Mullen has never been interested in slowing down, even in retirement.
That all changed when he was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in 2024 which is a common condition affecting 3 million men each year, BPH is a condition where the prostate gland enlarges over time causing urinary flow disruptions. While the causes of BPH are not clear, the condition typically affects older men and is known to get worse over time.
For the first time, Mullen, 81, had to confront the reality of not doing the things he loved most because the disease simply got in the way.
“My whole lifestyle changed,” Mullen said. “I didn’t go to events because I didn’t know how far I would be away from a bathroom. I had to keep Depends in my vehicle. I was waking up so frequently at night because I had to use the bathroom so often. I felt like I couldn’t even visit my daughters in Baltimore because every 50 miles or so I would have to pull off the highway to find a bathroom.”
Desperate for answers, Mullen started doing research on the condition seeking for solutions that would help him get back to the things he loved most. He wanted to avoid traditional surgical options if possible. He visited his local urologist who referred him to a specialist to explore his options. That’s how he got in touch with Dr. Karl Chiang, chief of Interventional Radiology at ECU Health and professor at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
After a consultation with Dr. Chiang, Mullen found out he was an ideal candidate for prostate artery embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive procedure where x-rays and other advanced imaging technologies help doctors see inside the body so they can treat the condition without surgery using tiny catheters.
“This procedure is a game changer,” said Dr. Chiang, who started performing the procedure in 2024 and is currently the only interventional radiologist in the region who offers PAE. “Urologists now have an alternative if patients don’t qualify for surgery or patients are fearful of the possible sexual dysfunction side effects of surgery. PAE is well-tolerated, preformed like an outpatient surgery and we’ve been pleased with the clinical results without complications so far.”
Things changed again when Dr. Chiang performed the PAE procedure on Mullen in June of 2024 – this time for the better. Mullen was home the same day and the results were almost immediate.
“After a couple of days, it was hardly an issue anymore,” said Mullen. “By the time a month had gone by, there was significant change. When I went to see Dr. Chiang for my three month check up I was surprised at how much of a difference it all was. I was pleased that we were well on our way to significant change.”
Mullen is proud to say he’s back to doing what he loves. His golf game is back on track, he’s able to travel to see his daughters and he can attend the events he loves alongside his wife without worrying about the closest bathroom.
“There’s no question that I would do this all over again, and I would recommend that anybody who fits this category should at least consider the PAE procedure,” said Mullen. “Everything went smoothly and I give credit to Dr. Chiang and his team.”
For Dr. Chiang, he hopes to see others share in Mullen’s success with PAE. The BPH condition is common and others may be living with the same difficulties that Mullen experienced. While not everyone will qualify for PAE, Dr. Chiang said the procedure and other offerings available at ECU Health can help men dealing with BPH get back to the things they love, too.
“If you’re struggling with BPH, my advice is simple: call your urologist,” Dr. Chiang said. “I’m thrilled we now have this procedure at ECU Health and we’re truly committed to providing high-quality cutting-edge interventional radiology offerings to people across eastern North Carolina.”
ECU Health’s Pediatric Asthma Program, which started in 1995, aims to reduce emergency department (ED) and inpatient admissions for children with asthma, decrease school absenteeism and increase the quality of life for asthmatic children in eastern North Carolina. One of the key ways it accomplishes these goals is through partnerships with eastern North Carolina public schools.
The program serves 29 counties in eastern North Carolina, many of which include rural areas. Contracts with schools are established so that members of the program’s team can perform asthma tests, communicate with parents, connect with primary care physicians and help ensure kids have access to and are compliant with their medications.
Bailey Edwards, RRT, a respiratory care manager with the program, works with students from elementary age to high school. She’s worked with DF Walker Elementary School in Edenton, North Carolina for seven years, but recently the school hired a new school nurse.
Typically, Edwards works with the kids one at a time, but since school began in August, she has been trying out a different approach. “The nurse started grouping the kids with asthma together for our sessions,” she said. “They’re all in the same grade and even in the same class. They all know each other. Treating them together created a community for the kids, where they see they’re not alone with their challenges.”
During a session, Edwards listens to the child’s lung sounds and performs an assessment, including a fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test, which determines how much lung inflammation is present and how well inhaled steroids suppress that inflammation. She also makes sure the kids have their medications at school, that the meds aren’t expired and they are using their spacer devices correctly. She always gets the kids to demonstrate their inhaler technique, too. “They’re kids,” she reminded. “They want to take their two puffs and go out and play, but we want to be sure they’re using the proper technique to get the correct amount of medication.”
An added bonus to the group sessions is that the kids help each other learn more about asthma and their treatments. “Kids can hear from their parents and the nurse and from me,” Edwards said. “But when they hear information from their friends, they tend to remember it. During our sessions, the kids are excited to show what they know. They are learning how to take care of themselves.”
Parents also have the consistency of getting the same information from multiple sources. “They hear from me and the nurse, and from their kids,” Edwards shared. “This is another piece of the puzzle with asthma because it changes from day to day. You can look great on a Tuesday and then be in the ED on Friday with a flare.” When parents are better informed about their child’s disease process and how to recognize the signs and symptoms of a flare, they know how to handle it.
As a result, Edwards said the kids at DF Walker Elementary have flourished. “During the fall these kids were sick with the flu and strep and their FeNO tests weren’t good, but they kept working at it and trucking along, and now they’re testing normally and are so proud of themselves,” she said.
The statistics bear this out; in the past fiscal year, the program has seen increases in both school nurse referrals and PCP referrals, a 17.7% increase in school visits and a 21% increase in hours spent in clinic visits. “We are working hard to increase community numbers in order to decrease the number of kids in the hospital,” Sue Anne Pilgreen, manager for the Pediatric Asthma and Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention programs, said.
“School nurses are one of our strongest partners and patient advocates,” Pilgreen continued. “Especially in our rural counties where transportation and other social determinants of health can be a barrier. This partnership cuts down on the barriers and offers a win-win solution for everyone.”
ECU Health hosts third ED conference session to improve community crisis response and emergency care
ECU Health and the Pitt County Department of Social Services (DSS) hosted session three of the community-based Emergency Department conference, yielding more collaboration and progress toward improving access and preventing unnecessary ED visits across eastern North Carolina.
The third and final session, hosted Feb. 4, brought back together a multidisciplinary group of community partners to discuss multi-system collaborations and crisis response focused on five key priorities as identified from the previous two working sessions. The priorities are aligned with the North Carolina Department of Health Human Services goal of increasing access to crisis services across the state.
The five key priorities include:
- Increasing access to care across eastern North Carolina
- Building community-based crisis services capacity
- Workforce/system training and community education: grow workforce knowledge and kills
- Strengthen the eastern North Carlina crisis system
- Accountability and outcomes
“We’ve made tremendous progress in our goal of enhancing collaboration to reduce the significant over utilization of the emergency department where patients will often end up stuck with no timely plans for discharge, said Jacob Parrish, vice president of capacity and throughput for ECU Health. “I am thankful to the health faith and community-based organizations that spent three days alongside us, identifying important care needs in our region and designing solutions that will benefit us all. Moreover, I am tremendously grateful for our partnership with Sharon Rochelle, Director Pitt County DSS, who has provided the essential perspective of the DSS role and support in this process.”
Crisis response is a key function of emergency departments in general, but especially so for the emergency department at ECU Heath Medical Center which is home to the only Level I Adult and Pediatric Trauma Centers in eastern North Carolina. Still, crisis response happens beyond the walls of the hospital, which emphasizes the importance of community collaboration to ensure the hospital can best serve the community in the event of a crisis.
The third session, similar to the first two, was well-attended and included community partners from across eastern North Carolina including Juvenile Justice, Trillium Health Services, Public School leaders, NC DHHS, payors, faith leaders, DSS agencies and other eastern North Carolina hospitals and key stakeholders. The key stakeholders refined the recommendations and tactics to achieve the priorities listed above, including assigning specific responsibilities to drive forward the five priority areas. Regular progress checkpoints and collaborative meetings will continue to ensure alignment with state and community goals, reinforcing a sustainable crisis response system for eastern North Carolina.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Feb 19, 2025 – PEP Health, the AI-powered patient experience platform trusted by leading health systems, today announced a strategic partnership with ECU Health, a mission-driven rural academic health system known for its excellence in patient experience and commitment to rural health and wellness. This collaboration provides ECU Health with real-time, AI-driven patient and community insights, allowing for a more inclusive, proactive, and data-informed approach to improving the patient experience through the wisdom of unsolicited patient feedback.
“Creating caring experiences for our patients and team members is central to our mission and values,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, Chief Experience Officer at ECU Health. “PEP Health’s technology offers a new and comprehensive way to deeply listen to patients as well as potential consumers and puts us in a better position to make more informed experience decisions. This partnership supports our ongoing commitment to deliver safe, highly reliable human-centered care to the communities we serve.”
Transformative Technology for Rural Health Excellence
Today’s healthcare consumers expect transparency, responsiveness, and personalized experiences—and PEP Health meets this challenge by using AI, data science, and healthcare-specific natural language processing (NLP) to continuously analyze millions of patient interactions across online sources, including social media, review platforms, and patient forums. ECU Health will implement PEP Health’s proprietary AI analysis of unsolicited feedback from over eight million digital sources.
“Patient experience is the foundation of healthcare excellence,” said Dr. Mark Lomax, CEO of PEP Health. “ECU Health’s commitment to understanding patient and community insights sets a standard for human-centered care. With our technology, they can focus on what patients’ value most and continuously adapt to meet those expectations.”
Why This Matters for Healthcare Providers
The stakes for patient experience have never been higher. Patient sentiment directly influences HCAHPS scores, CMS Star Ratings, and financial performance. Traditional surveys offer limited, delayed, and often incomplete insights, capturing feedback from only a small percentage of patients. Meanwhile, millions of people—including patients, family members, caregivers, and future healthcare consumers—are already sharing their experiences online.
These unfiltered perspectives provide a wealth of actionable insights that hospitals and health systems can leverage to improve care quality, enhance trust, and drive better outcomes—if they have the right tools to capture and analyze them.
“Forward-thinking health systems like ECU Health recognize that these insights from unsolicited feedback are key to unlocking better outcomes, improved loyalty, and inspiring long-term patient trust. Our technology provides more visibility into actual patient sentiment—helping healthcare leaders take meaningful action before issues impact care quality or financial performance,” continued Dr. Lomax.