The Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) recently announced their 2025 40 Under 40: Rising Leaders in Medical Transport award winners, and ECU Health’s Dr. Ashley Lutrick and Jessica Rispoli are on that list. The national award recognizes young professionals who make a meaningful impact across multiple disciplines of the medical transport industry and demonstrate leadership, innovation or contributions within their role or expertise.
Dr. Ashley Lutrick
In addition to serving as EastCare’s associate medical director, Dr. Lutrick is also a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. She got interested in medicine after her father was diagnosed with cancer.
“My family were immigrants from Laos in the 70s,” she shared. “My father’s cancer was caused by Hepatitis B, which was transmitted at birth. The fact that he was diagnosed with something a vaccine could have prevented started my interest in medicine.”
Dr. Lutrick began her career in medicine with a focus on global health, but when COVID threw a wrench in those plans, she pivoted to emergency medical services.
“A lot of what I enjoyed about global medicine is also present in emergency medical services,” she said. “Specifically, transport was a big draw for me. A lot of our region is geographically challenged, and we focus on how we get patients the care they need in the most efficient way?”
This new interest led Dr. Lutrick to the EMS fellowship and ultimately to EastCare where she’s worked with air and ground interfacility transport for two and a half years.
“It’s been a fantastic fit and it’s crazy to think of how much has occurred in these two and a half years,” Dr. Lutrick said.
During that time, Dr. Lutrick said she has focused on quality assurance and improvement, policy and protocol development, clinical oversight and education. She led and advocated for the restructuring and implementation of EastCare’s quality assurance and improvement process, and she wrote EastCare’s first policy that was adopted system-wide on patient transfer of care, which focuses on improving communication and safety outcomes during transitions of care between teams and services.
This is the inaugural year for the 40 Under 40 award, and Dr. Lutrick said she was humbled to be among the first cohort of winners.
“Those nominations come from leaders or peers who recognize those who go above and beyond in leadership roles,” Lutrick said. “It’s easy to forget the impact you’re making and it’s good to be recognized.”
She also highlighted the value of an award like this for up-and-coming professionals in the field.
“Air medical transport is a young field and there are pioneers who have paved the way for us,” she said. “This award recognizes the younger generation who are trailblazing the next steps in air medical transport care.”
Dr. Lutrick was recently accepted as a Fellow of the Academy of Emergency Medicine Physicians (EMS), from the National Association of EMS Physicians (NAEMSP), for which she will be recognized this January.
“I do a lot of education, and I enjoy teaching, but I also like the variability with my roles,” she said. “Flying with EastCare is different from working with medical students, residents or fellows, all of which continue to challenge me.”
Jessica Rispoli
A Pennsylvania native, Jessica Rispoli is a nurse practitioner (NP) at ECU Health Bertie Hospital’s Emergency Department.
Working in critical care transport wasn’t originally in her plans. As a high school student, she considered physical therapy or athletic training because of her background in sports, but it was her school nurse who encouraged her to consider nursing. At first, however, nursing school didn’t seem like the right fit.
“Then in my junior and senior years of college, I had an internship with a Level I Trauma Center. I fell in love with the ED. When PennSTAR, the local air medical transport service, stopped by the hospital, I saw the aircraft and I was immediately hooked. That steered my education and training to critical care transport. Had I not met the PennSTAR flight crew, that spark might not have been ignited.”
After moving to North Carolina in 2016, she flew with EastCare full time for eight years before transitioning to the ED, but she still flies as needed with the EastCare team.
Jessica didn’t know she’d been nominated for the 40 Under 40 award until she received notification she’d won.
“I have a lot of emotions about it,” she said. “Mostly for all the people who have helped me build as a person and a nurse. It’s honestly humbling because the others who were selected are amazing.”
She said this award’s existence brings light to the industry.
“I don’t want this award to be just about me; I want it to be about our profession, the system and the awesome people I’ve worked with. People outside this field need to know the value of critical care and air medical transport. This award helps emphasize the impact of the services we provide.”
Jessica said she also enjoys serving the rural communities of eastern North Carolina.
“Our patients need advocates. One of the reasons I love flying with EastCare is we do what we can to stabilize patients from small communities and facilities and be their advocate. Sometimes it’s just about being there and holding their hand, to be with them and show you care.”
In the meantime, Jessica just wrapped up her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree and plans to go back to school in 2026 for the Adult Gerontology Acute Care NP program at ECU.
“I have a lot of working years left and I’m excited to see where it goes,” she said. “I’ll present at conferences, educate those new to the industry, keep working in the ED and keep flying.”
ECU Health Medical Center’s shadowing program offers high school and college students an eye opening introduction to a wide range of health care careers. Participation has grown significantly over the past year, reflecting students’ enthusiasm for real world experience and team members’ commitment to providing meaningful opportunities.
Offered through Workforce Development, students are able to observe clinical environments, interact with care teams and connect classroom learning to real patient care. It’s a chance to gain firsthand insight into how their future careers could take shape.
“The shadowing experience gives students clarity,” said Nancy Turner, workforce development consultant. “It helps them understand what different roles look like in practice and how much impact our team members have on patients and families every day.”
Though opportunities span many departments, frequently requested areas include pediatrics, ultrasound and trauma. Students unsure where to begin receive guidance based on their interests.
For many, the experience confirms their career goals.
Serena Petway, who shadowed in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and Medical Oncology, said the program strengthened her desire to work at ECU Health.
“My mentors answered all of my questions and I felt comfortable interacting with patients,” Petway said. “I would love to work at Maynard Children’s Hospital after I graduate.”
Others discover new possibilities entirely. Mary Morgan Beeman described her experience in Vertigo Rehabilitation as transformative.
“I learned about a specialty I didn’t even know existed,” she said.
Hands-on observation is especially powerful for students early in their training. For nursing student Addison Parker, the program provided memorable and formative experiences. Enrolled in the ENC Regionally Increasing Baccalaureate Nurses (RIBN) Program through Pitt Community College and ECU, Parker shadowed in Pediatrics, the NICU and Labor and Delivery.
“I was able to see a live birth, a postpartum hemorrhage and an epidural being given,” Parker said. “It was breathtaking. I can picture myself working as a Labor and Delivery nurse at the bedside.”
The experience also broadened her understanding of nursing.
“Nurses are integrated into every aspect of health care,” she said. “Seeing different units showed me how varied and specialized nursing roles can be.”
For ECU student Karleigh Rouse, shadowing reinforced both her career choice and her connection to ECU Health. A child life major on the pre-occupational therapy track, Rouse shadowed across multiple inpatient settings, including Pediatrics Acute Care and special care NICU.
“One of the biggest highlights was seeing Occupational Therapy in the NICU,” Rouse said. “I didn’t realize how much of a difference OT can make, even at birth. The therapists were some of the most empathetic, hardworking and caring individuals I had ever met. Seeing how they made such a difference in the patients’ lives stuck out to me the most.”
Her mentors echoed her enthusiasm.
“Karleigh was a wonderful shadow student. She was very attentive to our patients and never afraid to ask questions. I could tell she was very passionate about OT within just one week,” said Megan Eakes, occupational therapy assistant I.
Rouse said the program reinforced her passion for hospital-based care and solidified her long-term career goal.
“It’s so important to shadow and to see what your everyday life would be like if you pursued a particular field, and ECU Health is the best place to do so. Throughout my shadowing, I discovered that I am most interested in working in a hospital environment and it reinforced that occupational therapy is the right path for me,” she said.
Feedback from students consistently highlights welcoming teams, supportive mentors and meaningful exposure to patient care. For many, shadowing serves as their introduction to ECU Health’s collaborative, mission-driven culture.
For Turner, that impact reflects the program’s greater purpose.
“Shadowing not only allows students to make informed decisions about their careers but it also allows them to see ECU Health as a place where they can learn, grow and eventually work,” she said.
The shadowing program is open to high school students and older who have completed at least one health sciences course to ensure participants are familiar with basic medical terminology.
Students can learn more and submit shadowing requests through the ECU Health Careers website.
ECU Health Medical Center recently conducted a comprehensive, campus-wide lockdown exercise focused on preparedness for an active threat scenario. The exercise brought together a broad group of hospital leaders, clinical teams, support services and safety partners, demonstrating a strong, unified commitment to protecting patients, visitors, and team members.
The exercise provided an important opportunity to evaluate existing emergency protocols, communication pathways and leadership coordination across the organization. Multiple strengths were identified, including effective leadership presence, clear command structure, and strong collaboration between departments. Participants also highlighted valuable opportunities for improvement that will help further enhance readiness and response capabilities in real-world situations.
“Conducting drills based on real-life scenarios is a key component of preparedness,” said Dr. David Trisler, trauma and surgical critical care. “As the region’s Level I Trauma Center, it is incumbent upon us at ECU Health Medical Center to be prepared for various emergency scenarios. It was encouraging to see the level of participation from stakeholders across the entire breadth of hospital service lines, including both clinical and non-clinical personnel.”
Building on the lessons learned, ECU Health Medical Center will continue to expand on preparedness efforts through additional unit-based drills and functional exercises that help promote a culture of safety. These targeted and scenario-driven activities will continue to strengthen coordination, reinforce best practices, and ensure that teams across the campus remain confident, capable, and ready to respond to any emergency.
“Exercises like this helps our team identify strengths and opportunities for improvement,” said Murry Stroud, Emergency Management manager for ECU Health Medical Center. “Our goal is to maintain a safe environment for patients, visitors, and team members by continuously refining our emergency response strategies.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to announce it has earned system-wide accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACS CoC), marking a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to delivering world-class cancer care across eastern North Carolina. ACS CoC accreditation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards designed to improve survival and quality of life for patients with cancer.
“As a rural academic health system serving eastern North Carolina, ECU Health recognizes the importance of bringing high-quality cancer care close to home for the 1.4 million people we serve,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “We are proud of the leadership team, physicians and team members whose dedication made this achievement possible. Their collective efforts underscore ECU Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
ECU Health Cancer Care delivers standardized, high-quality services across all System hospitals and clinics. ECU Health Cancer Care Network includes ECU Health Medical Center, ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Each location aligned on shared goals, projects and outreach initiatives, including cancer screenings to improve community health and well-being. Patients benefit from standardized care protocols across the system, multidisciplinary participation in cancer conferences, a collaborative cancer registry that enhances data-driven care and access to highly trained specialists in Greenville working seamlessly with care teams across the region.
“This system accreditation means patients across our region can expect the same high standards of cancer care no matter where they seek treatment,” said Dr. Emmanuel Zervos, executive director of cancer services at ECU Health, and professor at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “It ensures that advanced treatments, multidisciplinary expertise and supportive resources are consistently available close to home. Most importantly, it gives patients and families confidence that their care is coordinated, compassionate and designed to achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Accredited programs must undergo comprehensive evaluation and review to ensure patients receive a full continuum of cancer care services, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and supportive resources. This accomplishment reflects the strong collaboration across the ECU Health system. The initiative was led by physicians and leaders across the health system to establish a state-of-the-art care model that unites specialists and resources across the region.
Dustin Bass, DNP, MHA, RN, CEN, NEA-BC, vice president of ECU Health Emergency Services, has officially begun his term as the 2026 president of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA). He steps into the role with a clear mission to strengthen the sense of community, belonging, and professional support among the association’s more than 40,000 members worldwide. With more than 15 years of clinical and leadership experience, his election marks another milestone in a career defined by service and commitment to the nurses who care for patients at their most vulnerable moments.
Bass’s passion for emergency care began early in life. As a teenager volunteering in a hospital, he witnessed a nurse leap onto a stretcher to perform CPR – an experience that cemented his desire to pursue nursing. A first-generation college graduate, he earned his nursing diploma in 2011 and later completed his doctorate in health care leadership, systems and policy at Yale University in 2023. His career has since spanned bedside care, system-level leadership, authorship and national advocacy.
As ENA president, Bass plans to focus on strengthening relationships across the emergency nursing profession. “Emergency nurses give so much of themselves, and they deserve an association that gives back just as powerfully,” Bass said. “2026 will be a year of belonging, community and hope—one that reflects the undeniable strength and spirit of emergency nursing.”
Bass has been active in ENA since 2010, serving on committees and councils, leading the Nevada ENA Council, and joining the ENA Board of Directors in 2021. His presidency begins alongside a diverse and accomplished 2026 ENA Board of Directors, including both returning leaders and newly elected members. He is the author of The Leadership Dashboard and Leadership Affirmations: A Coloring Book and Journal, and he frequently presents on leadership at ENA conferences and on national media platforms. His achievements have been widely recognized, including being named to the inaugural ENA 20 Under 40 list in 2021, selection for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership’s Young Professional Voices class of 2023, and recognition in North Carolina as a Great 100 Nurse.
His leadership philosophy – “helping people help others” – has guided his work to support nurses at the bedside and beyond. Colleagues describe Bass as someone who can navigate the complexities of a large academic health system while still rolling up his sleeves to support frontline teams.
“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.”
As he steps into the ENA presidency, Bass brings that same dedication to the national stage to champion the emergency nurses who keep communities safe every day.
Dana Byrum, vice president of Patient Care Services at ECU Health Bertie and Chowan hospitals, and Christina Miller, vice president of Nursing Strategic Operations, were both recently awarded the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) Nurse Executive Fellowship, a prestigious and selective year-long program for nurses who are new to an executive or senior leadership role. This is the first time any ECU Health team member has represented the system as an AONL Fellow, let alone two, and they join a group of only 25 leaders from across the country.
Dana Byrum
Byrum has been with ECU Health for 29 years, and she began her career working in medical records and then as a nursing assistant before going to school to become a nurse.
“There was a nursing leader, Vicky Blanchard, from the MedSurg unit who would come talk to me in medical records,” Byrum said. “She was so kind and engaging, and she suggested I get certified as a nursing assistant to see if I might like nursing. I did, and when I graduated with my RN, she hired me. She was really the first who invested in me.”
That investment has paid off. With her newer role as vice president, Byrum said the AONL Fellowship presented a great opportunity to gain experience and develop critical executive competencies such as executive presence and communications, innovation and change leadership and governance relations.
“Participation in the AONL Nurse Executive Fellowship will provide me with the chance to learn from innovative practices across the country while sharing the exceptional work happening here at ECU Health,” Byrum said. “Our vision is to become the national model for rural health, and this program helps us understand what that looks like by building connections, exchanging ideas and translating insights into improved clinical outcomes. It’s not just about learning – it’s about collaboration, creating lifelong relationships and showcasing ECU Health’s leadership in rural health innovation.”
Christina Miller
Miller graduated from nursing school in 1998, and the Duplin County native has worked as a nurse and leader in acute hospital settings in eastern North Carolina for the past 25 years. She was recruited to ECU Health to continue to serve her local community.
Miller has since served in a leadership capacity at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, was promoted to vice president of Patient Care Services, and she now serves as the vice president of Nursing Strategic Operations for ECU Health. The AONL Nurse Executive Fellowship is a great opportunity for continued leadership growth and development, and to continue to support the mission and vision of ECU Health, Miller said.
“It offers a huge connection with nurse leaders across the country,” she said. “We connect well with local and regional leaders, but this gives us a chance to spread our wings and see what strategies are being deployed in other places.”
The year-long fellowship offers education in strategic planning, innovation and change leadership and governance, as well as information about national-level policy where nurse leaders learn how to advocate and lead big process changes.
In addition to in-person fellowship retreats, which will happen in Chicago and Washington, D.C., fellows will attend the AONL Annual Conference in the spring, participate in one-on-one coaching with a mentor and establish a supportive network of peers.
“You leave [the fellowship] with 25 colleagues you have collaborated with, and this peer group moves forward together,” Miller said. “You grow a new skill set and learn from leaders across the nation.”
Christina said this fellowship is key in developing her abilities as a nurse leader – something ECU Health has supported her in and will inform the work she does with the system.
“We lead the nursing voice in eastern North Carolina,” she said. “Trish Baise, ECU Health chief nursing executive,] empowers us to advocate for nursing for the region, state and nationally. The more we learn, network and support our organization, the more we are able to attract and retain talent.”
Greenville, NC – ECU Health is proud to announce it has been named a 2025 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner in consumer experience by Press Ganey, the global leader in health care experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in consumer experience.
“This recognition from Press Ganey is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to listening to our patients and constantly improving based on their insights,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer at ECU Health. “Being honored for excellence in consumer experience reflects the strength of the ECU Health brand in eastern North Carolina and affirms the trust our communities place in us. I am so proud of the compassion and dedication of our team members who deliver high-quality care to those who call eastern North Carolina home.”
The Press Ganey Human Experience Awards honor health care organizations that consistently lead in patient experience, employee and physician engagement, clinical quality and safety. As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award® ECU Health is in the top one percent of health care providers in consumer experience in the last year.
“As a mission-driven rural health care system, ECU Health is uniquely positioned to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to communities that often face barriers to access,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer at ECU Health. “This recognition from Press Ganey reflects the extraordinary commitment of our team members who work tirelessly to create meaningful patient experiences while advancing health equity across eastern North Carolina. It is a powerful testament to our work to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
Press Ganey reviews third-party ratings on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, WebMD, Sharecare and Vitals, and reviews the health care organization’s responsiveness to patient reviews addressing concerns. The 2025 awards are based on performance from Jan. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025.
“ECU Health is showing what it truly means to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “Their deep commitment to both patients and caregivers is creating a culture where empathy drives action—and where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s a privilege to stand beside them on this journey.”
Ebrahim Rezk “Abe” Al Quhshi could be anywhere right now. Born in Yemen and raised for a time in Sudan, he moved to New York City as a youngster before eventually finding his way to Greenville. He’s a 2020 graduate of South Central High School in Winterville, and in May, expects to graduate from ECU with a business degree in management information systems (MIS).
His next move might be the most surprising yet. He may stay put.
This summer, Al Quhshi was a part of a pioneering school-to-office pipeline that connected 19 students to high-growth employers across eastern North Carolina through the federal work-study program. It introduced students to a rich spectrum of career opportunities in our region. It also helped them apply their classroom learning in real-world settings, building confidence along with the competencies needed to become workforce-ready professionals.
Developed by Dr. Melanie Fiona Jackson, director of Innovative Workforce Partnerships inside ECU’s Office of Research, Economic Development and Engagement, in close collaboration with Student Employment and Financial Aid, the initiative is the latest way the university is co-developing talent with industry partners such as ECU Health, the region’s largest health system and employer.
“When we talk about strengthening the regional economy, this is what it looks like in action,” she said. “Students like Abe are proof-of-concept.”
The students were assigned roles around the health system, including talent acquisition, workforce development and finance. Al Quhshi was placed in an entry-level human resources role, but after a few days, he gently pointed out that, as an MIS major in the College of Business, the work didn’t strongly draw on his education.
“He said, ‘I don’t think this is going to connect to anything I’m studying,’ so, after two days, he got moved,” says Tavis Richardson, a recruitment outreach program manager with ECU Health. “I love that we can do this! This is what we’re after at ECU Health, to create pipelines to the university, to expose these students to the opportunities at ECU Health so they’re not leaving eastern North Carolina.”
Al Quhshi slid over to a customer-facing position in the revenue cycle department and loved it immediately. He was so hard-working and curious, prepared and charming that when the 13-week program sunset, the health system moved to hire him.
“Once you understand how a big organization works, it can shape your future career,” he says. “It’s helped me have an idea where I want to be and what type of work I want.”
‘That Light Flickering and That Energy’
The full-time opening was adjusted so that his workweek could make room for classes and school obligations. Today, he hustles to work first thing in the morning, often leaves for classes, then returns.
“I don’t have any more time for friends and, like, stuff,” he laughs, “but when I get paid I forget about all that.”
“His department really wanted to make him part of the team,” Richardson said, and “it was easier for us to bring him on board as a team member because of the program.”
Hiring qualified, educated professionals is an expensive proposition. According to the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), employers in the U.S. will spend about $5,500 on average for a single non-executive hire this year.
Students in a federal work‑study program (FWS) such as Al Quhshi are often offered jobs at higher rates than their non-FWS peers. These jobs are partly paid by federal or state funds, so employers have lower net cost to invest in these trial relationships. And in the end, employers become familiar, often fond of these junior associates.
Sabrina Sims is the health system’s vice president of revenue cycle. When asked about Al Quhshi and the perception of work-study students as well-educated but untried next to coworkers with years of experience, she waved it away.
Sure, she looks for experience, but do “they still have that light flickering and that energy that a college student’s going to have coming out, trying to get into the professional world to see if they can apply their studies? Because I want that.”
In Al Quhshi’s case, his immediate supervisor, Tasha Sears, says competence and reliability were never in doubt.
“From the front end to the back end, his work ethic is excellent,” she says. “I didn’t have to treat him any differently from my other employees.”
Developing the Future Workforce
Al Quhshi did the job over the summer while continuing to work as a staffer at the university’s fitness center swimming pool. He said he loved dealing directly with patients about their bills and attributed his “people skills” to his experiences in that most high-stakes of customer relations roles — restaurant server.
Through his work-study program he met Michael Whitfield, a revenue cycle analyst with the health system. Whitfield is an ECU alumnus with the same business degree and concentration Al Quhshi is finishing.
“My major, management information systems, is rare. You don’t find a lot of people even in the MIS major, but you have a whole MIS team here, and that was super exciting to meet them,” Al Quhshi says.
Whitfield, whom he sometimes calls “Sir Michael,” is a mentor. According to the graduating senior, it’s Whitfield’s role to share documentation and reports with management and key stakeholders, identify trends and innovate ways to improve processes — exactly what Al Quhshi hopes to do one day.
“Every time I see him coming, I’m like, ‘Hey, can I have a lunch with you?’ I look up to him,” he says.
“Abe’s success is his own, but his story is also one about how a university transforms a community,” Jackson says.
In the spring, Al Quhshi will receive his diploma and begin his career — or has his career already begun? Until this summer, he had thought he would have to move away. Perhaps not. He could continue to invest his talents in ECU Health.
He’s made all the right moves so far.
“I feel fortunate being an ECU student,” Al Quhshi says. “I have received all the help I need. I have met great people, great professors. And, yeah, it has been a whole experience for me.”
Learn more about workforce innovation and engagement.
Greenville, NC — ECU Health Medical Center is proud to announce its designation as a Gold Level Center of Excellence in Life Support by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). This honor recognizes health care centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based practices, quality measures, staff training and outstanding patient care in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
“We are honored to receive this recognition from ELSO, a testament to the skill and commitment of our ECMO and critical care teams,” said Heidi Carrow, ECMO Coordinator at ECU Health. “Our teams work tirelessly to deliver the highest standard of care, and this achievement reflects that dedication. Looking ahead, ECU Health Medical Center has established a dedicated adult ECMO team, enabling specialists to focus exclusively on this advanced therapy and further enhance the quality of care we provide.”
ECU Health provides ECMO therapy for infants, children and adults experiencing acute failure of the cardio-respiratory system. ECMO is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients and allows time for the patient’s lungs or heart to heal over a period of time by using a heart-lung machine to oxygenate the blood outside the body. Since launching its ECMO program in 2015, ECU Health has treated more than 50 to 60 patients annually across neonatal, pediatric and adult populations.
This marks ECU Health’s first Gold Level recognition, following previous Silver Level awards in 2016 and 2023. The Gold Level designation reflects the continued advancement and excellence of ECU Health’s ECMO program and critical care teams. The award is valid for a three-year period from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.
“Achieving Gold Level recognition from ELSO is a testament to the skill and dedication of our teams at ECU Health,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “This award underscores our commitment to advancing critical care and ensuring patients across eastern North Carolina have access to the most advanced life support therapies available close to home. We are proud of the progress our ECMO program has made and remain focused on continuing to elevate the quality of care for every patient we serve.”
Greenville, NC — ECU Health continued its mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina in 2025 by advancing rural health through clinical innovation, expanding access to care, academic excellence, establishing and growing workforce development pipelines and a steadfast commitment to quality. The year was marked by transformative programs, strategic partnerships and national recognition that reflect ECU Health’s dedication to improving health outcomes for the region’s rural communities.
“As we reflect on the past year, the milestones we’ve achieved are a testament to the dedication of our team members and the collaborative spirit that drives our mission forward,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health CEO and dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
“From introducing new clinical programs to expanding academic pathways and strengthening community partnerships, our team’s work in 2025 continues to position ECU Health as a national model for rural health care. At a time when rural health care continues to face significant uncertainty, ECU Health remains deeply committed to building sustainable models of care that meet the evolving needs of eastern North Carolina and strengthen the health of our communities for years to come.”
A few key highlights from 2025 include the launch of pediatric robotic surgery and telecardiology in Edenton, the region’s first Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program and the expansion of the Pediatric Asthma Program into rural schools. ECU Health also opened the IMPACT Clinic for perinatal substance use care, reinforcing its commitment to compassionate, specialized care. The health system earned national recognition for quality, including five-star CMS ratings for Duplin and Bertie hospitals, top cardiac surgery rankings for the East Carolina Heart Institute and continued honors from the Get With The Guidelines® program.
More 2025 highlights include:
- The MOTHeRS Project received national recognition for advancing maternal mental health care.
- The Health Sciences Academy expanded to four new locations, marking 20 years of academic excellence and workforce development.
- ECU Health welcomed its first class of neurology residents and celebrated 154 new Graduate Medical Education professionals entering the system.
- Fourteen graduates from the Brody School of Medicine matched to ECU Health Medical Center in March, highlighting the two organizations’ commitment to educating and training the next generation of rural physicians.
- ECU Health celebrated 40 years of EastCare transport.
- ECU Health nurses were honored for excellence, with a record 25 nurses named among the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina.
- ECU Health celebrated 40 years of ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital.
To explore more milestones and highlights from 2025, visit ECUHealth.org/Year-in-Review.