In the third year of medical school, students step out of the classroom and into clinical settings for the first time as physicians in training. As they interact with patients, many are left with lasting memories and lessons that will serve them throughout medical school and into their time practicing medicine.
In recognition of these experiences, ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University hosted the sixth annual Legacy Teachers Celebration on April 4. Fourteen students submitted stories, poems, drawings and other expressions of gratitude for their time with a patient and their family that has changed the way they view their roles as future physicians.
Dr. Christina Bowen, chief well-being officer at ECU Health, said the event is important to thank patients and their families for making a difference in medical students’ journeys, and it’s also a great opportunity for the students to reflect.
“We have spent the last six years celebrating these relationships between students and patients,” Dr. Bowen said. “With each year’s celebrations, I have seen an increase in the well-being of our medical students as they practice gratitude for patients, and they’re able to reflect on the impact that those relationships have on how they’ll practice medicine.”
Andrew Cunningham and Jovanna Martin
One story captured on video and shared during the event was from Andrew Cunningham, a third-year medical student at the Brody School of Medicine, and Jovanna Martin, a patient at ECU Health Medical Center.
In February of 2024, Martin had a serious health scare when her hemoglobin levels, which should be around 14, plunged to just 1.5. She had seven bags of blood given to her, and she was doing well until a September check in with her provider.
“I went for a normal doctor’s appointment. I didn’t understand, because I was in Battleboro, why they were sending me to Greenville, but I thought that I would just get those blood bags again,” Martin said. “When they saw me, they were like, ‘We don’t want you to drive back home. We want you to go to ER here.’”
That’s when Cunningham met Martin for the first time. He said her lab results looked scary when he first saw them and expected to see someone who looked very sick when he made his way to her in the Emergency Department.
When he got to Martin, he was surprised to find someone in a positive spirit, thanks to her family.
“I remember walking into your room, and you were there with your son, and it didn’t matter how bad your labs looked, you were just happy and bubbly,” Cunningham said to Martin. “I could tell you were going to be a mom to him before anything else.”
Martin said while she was far away from the rest of her family, she found Cunningham to be an extension of her family. As she prepared for surgery, she said he was there to comfort her and help her through the process.
“Every time there was an uncomfortable, or a scary moment – and there were a lot of scary moments – whenever he would come in the room with that smile, I was like, ‘He’s here!’” Martin said.
Martin and Cunningham were reunited at the Legacy Teachers Celebration. Martin said afterward that watching a video of their story during the event was emotional, and she was grateful to see Cunningham again and discuss their experiences.
For Cunningham, the event was important to connect himself with his purpose as a future physician.
“This is so special to be able to reflect on everything that has happened over the last year. It’s kind of rare to be able to meet patients that you’ve cared for,” Cunningham said. “It’s a great chance to reflect on everything and bring the lessons from the last year back to where we are now. It’s powerful, too, because it’s hard to understand what [Martin is] giving to me, and it’s really rewarding to put that into words.”
There is a special connection between a patient and care provider, and at ECU and ECU Health, we’re grateful for medical students who took the time to recognize these important and impactful relationships. The lessons patients have taught the students are memorialized through Legacy Teachers Celebration, and the attributes of care, compassion and communication will be carried with them throughout their medical career.
Each year in early April, ECU Health and HonorBridge, an organization in North Carolina that partners with hospitals, transplant centers and other essential partners to coordinate organ donation, host Pause to Give Life events to honor and reflect on the live-saving act of organ donation.
This year, the Greenville-based event happened Wednesday, April 2 at the flagpole in front of the medical center. Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center, welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of honoring donors, as well as raising awareness for organ donation.
“This morning, we recognize the strength and courage of those waiting,” Briley said. “We honor the hundreds of North Carolina donors and donor families that have so selflessly give the gift of life and healing through organ, eye and tissue donation.”
The ECU Health Police Department raised the Donate Life flag to honor donors, their families, those who are waiting and recipients who have received the gift of life.
Attendees joined the entire health system in a moment of silence at 10:08 a.m., a time significant because one donor can save eight lives.
William Knight, a two-time kidney recipient, former member of the HonorBridge board and advocate for organ donation throughout the community, shared his story and how his life has changed because of the two kidney donations he received with support through HonorBridge.
“I recently got a kidney in September of last year. The first one I had was 13 years ago and at the time I was coaching at DH Conley High School and my kidneys started to fail and I had to step down,” Knight said. “But my mama always told me that in due time, God takes care of everything, you just have to have patience.”
He is now an advocate for organ donation and encourages people that they can make a difference through donation.
“Why not help someone to live a better life to get them out of their misery. Why not be an organ donor? I was skeptical about being an organ donor until I got an organ,” he said. “Every chance I get, I advocate for organ donation. Please, if you get the chance, sign up to be an organ donor,.”
According to the North Carolina Department of Administration, over 4,400 North Carolinians are waiting for a life-saving transplant and more than five million North Carolinians have designated themselves as organ, eye and tissue donors.
Last year, ECU Health had 47 organ donors and transplanted 127 organs, and 30 organs were sent out for research. There were also 76 tissue donors with 157 tissues recovered and 79 eye donors with 108 corneas transplanted and 13 placed for research. ECU Health Medical Center also performed 151 kidney transplants last year.
Those interested in learning about organ donations or interested in becoming an organ donor can visit ECU Health’s donor registration portal or the Donate Life website for more.
Resources
ECU Health Transplant Services
ECU Health Donor Registration Portal
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.”