East Carolina University’s College of Nursing launched an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) post-graduate certificate program in 2025. The program’s first cohort of five – Charlsie Woodard, Hunter Venters, Rachel Ferrell, Richa Dhungana and Angela Jones – graduated and say the experience strengthened their skills and expanded opportunities to care for critically ill patients.
Filling the gaps
Dr. Kristie Hertel was asked to serve as the program’s director, something that seemed a natural progression of her education and practice.
“As a bedside nurse, I worked in the trauma ICU and have a passion for that patient population,” she said.
During those years, she had mentors who encouraged her to think critically and to continue her education. That mentality shaped how Dr. Hertel led the AGACNP program.
“I had no plans to be a program director, and there was a steep learning curve,” she shared. “But I love hearing from the students thanking me for guiding them through the program and helping them find a new career path.”
“I had some amazing preceptors, and Dr. Hertel runs a first-class program,” Hunter Venters said. “She focused on the things we needed to know.”
As the clinical manager of critical care air and ground transport with ECU Health EastCare, Venters said his work as a flight nurse exposed him to some of the sickest patients, but this program helped fill the gaps.
Rachel Ferrell, a nurse practitioner at ECU Health Chowan Hospital, was in a similar situation: she has worked in the emergency and hospitalist departments for much of her career but wanted to take the next step and get her certification.
“I had been looking at other programs when I found out ECU was putting together this program,” she said. “I preferred ECU because my BSN, MSN and FNP are all with the university and it has a great reputation.”
In her 36 years as a nurse – 19 have been in acute care – Charlsie Woodard, a nurse practitioner in internal medicine, said much of her early training was on-the-job.
“I wanted to improve my skills, and this program was such a great learning experience. I’m honored to be in this first class,” Woodard said.
For Angela Jones, a nurse practitioner at Bertie Hospital, the program came at exactly the right time.
“I was transitioning to work in the emergency department (ED) and I quickly saw how medically complex our patients are,” she said. “It was clear I needed this program. Having advanced training and experience has been so advantageous.”
Learning beyond the classroom
The graduates said the program took strong time management and sacrifice to balance work and life with the clinical rotations and coursework, but the support they received from each other made it possible. The cohort had a group chat they still use today, and when it was time to prepare for an exam, they often studied together.
“The members of that first class brought so much knowledge and experience,” Jones said. “Some had more than 20 years working in acute care. We worked in different areas and specialties, and everyone was willing to share their knowledge. It took many late nights and early mornings, but I most definitely apply what I’ve learned.”
Although the program was primarily remote learning, the graduates were able to access the skills simulation lab at ECU, and the exposure to different settings and patient populations during clinical rotations gave them opportunities to practice skills they may not have encountered in their day-to-day roles.
“In the smaller hospitals you don’t always have the opportunities to perform procedures such as insertion of dialysis catheters or multi-lumen access catheters, but I was able to see and do that during my clinical rotations,” Ferrell said.
While some graduates are already considering their next academic or professional steps, they agreed the program has made them more confident clinicians and strengthened the care they provide.
“With this training, I feel more confident I can serve those who walk through the doors,” Woodard said.
“Patients don’t come from a textbook world,” Jones added. “We have to critically think and look at the literature. Being in environment conducive to learning makes all the difference.”
Greenville, N.C. – Eighteen nurses across five ECU Health hospitals have been named part of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina by the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Board of Directors. These recipients were honored for their outstanding professional ability and contributions to improving health care services in their communities.
“Over 4,000 ECU Health nurses are committed to the well-being of patients in communities across eastern North Carolina every day,” said Dr. Trish Baise, chief nursing executive, ECU Health. “We are delighted to see that commitment recognized by the Great 100. These 18 honorees, and our entire nursing team, are shining examples of how compassion and skill blend together to provide people high-quality medical care close to home.”
Since 1989, The North Carolina Great 100, Inc. has recognized and honored nurses around the state for their commitment to excellence and to promote a positive image of the nursing profession. Each year, the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Board of Directors asks patients, health care workers, friends and family members to nominate an outstanding nurse practicing in North Carolina. Thousands of nominations are reviewed, and 100 nurses are selected and honored at a statewide gala.
The ECU Health nurses chosen this year are:
Erica Askew
Erica Askew, MSN, RN, is a staff nurse IV on the Medical-Surgical Unit at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, where she also serves as a unit educator, charge nurse, clinical coach and vascular access nurse. An adjunct clinical instructor at Roanoke-Chowan Community College, Askew has dedicated 21 years to ECU Health and has gained experience across multiple areas of hospital care. She earned an associate degree in nursing from Roanoke-Chowan Community College, a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Askew is an active member of the North Carolina Nurses Association and the American Nurses Association.
Sherri Respess Crouch
Sherri Respess Crouch, RN, is a staff nurse in Ambulatory Surgery and Endoscopy at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, where she has served patients and families for 30 years. She began her nursing career in 1993 in labor and delivery while also working in home health, developing a passion for wound care. Throughout her career, Crouch has served as a nursing supervisor and medical-surgical nurse before transitioning to her current role in Ambulatory Surgery and Endoscopy.
With more than three decades of nursing experience, Crouch is known for her commitment to clinical excellence, teamwork and compassionate patient care. She serves as chair of her unit’s Unit-Based Council and as a unit safety coach. In 2021, she received a DAISY Award and was named ECU Health Beaufort’s Exemplary Nurse in 2026.
Allison Eure
Allison Eure, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, is the labor and delivery and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nurse manager at ECU Health Chowan Hospital. She has served at ECU Health Chowan for 18 years, providing leadership to care teams and support to patients and families.
Eure earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University and a Master of Science in Nursing in executive nursing administration, with a subspecialty in education, from the University of South Alabama. She also holds specialty certification in inpatient obstetric nursing. Known for her commitment to patient-centered care and nursing excellence, Eure plays a key role in advancing maternal and clinical care services at ECU Health Chowan.
Heather Fox
Heather Fox, BSN, RN, OCN, is a staff nurse IV in the Outpatient Infusion Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has dedicated her 21-year nursing career to oncology care and has served at ECU Health Medical Center for 17 years, including the past 15 years in outpatient infusion.
Before joining the Outpatient Infusion Unit, Fox worked as an infusion and clinic nurse at the Leo Jenkins Cancer Center and as a nurse on the inpatient medical oncology unit at then Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 2004 and is oncology certified. Throughout her career, Fox has remained committed to delivering compassionate, specialized care to patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Kelly Garner
Kelly Garner, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse IV in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at ECU Health Medical Center. She has been a registered nurse for 30 years, including the past 20 years at ECU Health caring for newborns and their families in the NICU.
Garner earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Saint Joseph’s College of Maine and holds an Ostomy Care Associate certificate. She serves as a neonatal resuscitation instructor and clinical coach and is actively involved in several committees. She is co-chair of the Ostomy G-Tube Committee and serves on the Clinical Coach Committee and Neonatal Development Committee.
Ali Grimes
Ali Grimes, BSN, RN, CPN, is director of Pediatric Services at the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. During her nine years with ECU Health, she has remained dedicated to pediatric nursing, beginning her career on the pediatric unit and advancing into leadership roles focused on improving care for children and families.
Grimes earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is a Certified Pediatric Nurse. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing in Health Systems Leadership at East Carolina University. Passionate about advancing patient outcomes, supporting multidisciplinary teams and enhancing the care experience, Grimes is committed to strengthening pediatric services across eastern North Carolina.
Celina Hawkins
Celina Hawkins, BSN, RN, is the education coordinator at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, where she has worked for 14 years. She began her nursing career in the hospital’s Surgical Unit before transitioning into her current role in nursing education after earning her bachelor’s degree.
Hawkins earned an associate degree in nursing from Edgecombe Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from North Carolina Wesleyan University. Throughout her 14-year career with ECU Health, she has been dedicated to supporting professional development, clinical excellence and lifelong learning among nursing staff. Hawkins is also an active member of the Eastern North Carolina Nurse Honor Guard, helping honor and recognize nurses for their service and contributions to the profession.
Leighann Henley
Leighann Henley, MSN, RN, is the assistant nurse manager of the Infusion Center at ECU Health Medical Center. She has dedicated 35 years to ECU Health, including the past 24 years caring for oncology patients and supporting cancer care services.
Henley earned an associate degree in nursing from Johnston Community College and both a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University. Throughout her career, she has been committed to providing high-quality care to patients with cancer while supporting nursing excellence and team development. Henley is an active member of the North Carolina Oncology Management Society and the Oncology Nursing Society.
Christiana “Nicole” Hinson
Christiana “Nicole” Hinson, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, is a staff nurse II in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center, where she has served for five years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 2021 and holds Critical Care Registered Nurse certification with a Cardiac Surgery certification credential.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Hinson serves as a unit educator, charge nurse and preceptor. She is an active member of East Carolina University’s Pirate Nurse Alumni Council and ECU Health Medical Center’s Coordinating Council, and she chairs the Medical Center’s Nursing Environment Council. Committed to advancing critical care nursing and professional development, Hinson is currently pursuing her certified registered nurse anesthetist degree at the East Carolina University College of Nursing as part of the Class of 2029.
Rebecca Jenkins
Rebecca Jenkins, BSN, RN, is an intensive care unit nurse at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, where she has served for four years. In addition to her clinical role, she supports hospital operations through the Nursing Office and Nursing Education.
Jenkins began her nursing career in 2022 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2026. She is dedicated to advancing quality patient care and serves as a patient safety coach, wound care associate and member of the sepsis team. Passionate about collaboration, professional growth and evidence-based practice, Jenkins is committed to improving patient outcomes and fostering excellence in nursing care across the organization.
Melissa “Missy” Johnson
Melissa “Missy” Johnson, RN, is a staff nurse III in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has dedicated 41 years of service to ECU Health, including 28 years as a registered nurse caring for newborns and their families.
Johnson earned an associate degree in nursing from Lenoir Community College. She is co-chair of the Clinical Coach Committee and has served as a preceptor for 26 years, helping guide and mentor the next generation of nurses.
She also serves as co-chair of the Central Line Committee and is a breastfeeding educator.
Cierra Linton
Cierra Linton, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse II in the Emergency Department at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, where she has worked for the past two years. Before becoming a nurse, she served as an EMT for five years, building a strong foundation in emergency care.
Linton earned an associate degree in nursing from Beaufort County Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University. She continues to pursue professional development and has completed Trauma Nursing Core Course Emergency Nursing Pediatric Course and Ultrasound-guided IV Placement certifications. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Linton serves as a charge nurse and preceptor and is actively involved in her department’s Unit-Based Council and STEMI Committee.
Toni Merritt
Toni Merritt, RN, is an operating room nurse at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, where she has served for 35 years in a variety of clinical roles. She earned her associate degree in nursing from Roanoke-Chowan Community College in 1991.
Merritt began her career in medical-surgical nursing and has also worked in hospice care and a local physician practice owned by the hospital that later became a federally qualified health center. She has spent the past 13 years in the operating room and has held multiple certifications throughout her career.
Merritt serves as a safety officer, charge nurse and circulating nurse. She has cross-trained in several areas, including the Ambulatory Medical Unit, hospital supervision and perioperative services, where she serves as a peri-op 101 facilitator for new hires. She is also a Patient and Family Advisory Council partner.
Stacey Sloan
Stacey Sloan, BSN, RN, CGRN, is an assistant nurse manager for Endoscopy Services at ECU Health Medical Center, where she has worked for 28 years. She began her nursing career as a new graduate on the 3 East Hospitalist Unit before advancing to the Cardiac Intermediate Unit and later joining Endoscopy Services. Throughout her career, Sloan has served as a clinical coach, charge nurse, endoscopy clinical coordinator and assistant nurse manager. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is certified in gastroenterology nursing.
Sloan is active in her regional professional society and serves as a board member-at-large for the Greater North Carolina Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates.
Christine Smith
Christine Smith, MSN, RN, OCN, is nurse manager of the Medical Oncology Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has been a nurse for more than 34 years, including 29 years at ECU Health Medical Center. Smith earned a Master of Science in Nursing in administration from Western Carolina University. Throughout her career, Smith has been recognized for her leadership and commitment to nursing excellence. She is the recipient of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award and the St. Martin of Tours Award and was a finalist for the 2024 Brody Awards Most Outstanding Nurse of the Year.
Smith serves as membership coordinator for the Eastern North Carolina Nurse Honor Guard and helps lead Santa’s HOPE, a holiday program that lets oncology patients select gifts for their loved ones. She has presented and published quality improvement work nationally through the Oncology Nursing Society.
Nada Tannoury
Nada Tannoury, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, RN, is a family nurse practitioner and registered nurse with more than 22 years of nursing experience. She currently serves as a peripherally inserted central catheter line nurse and same-day surgery nurse at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital and will begin practicing as a family nurse practitioner at Roanoke-Chowan Community Health Center in Ahoskie.
Tannoury earned her registered nursing diploma in Lebanon in 2004, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University in 2020 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Family Nurse Practitioner, from East Carolina University in May 2026. She is passionate about evidence-based practice, patient safety and improving health care outcomes for patients in rural eastern North Carolina.
Brooke Thompson
Brooke Thompson, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse III in the Neurosciences Intermediate Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She began her career at ECU Health as a travel nurse in 2017 and transitioned to a staff role in 2024.
Thompson has nine years of nursing experience, including the past two years as a core staff member at ECU Health Medical Center.
Thompson is a member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and dedicated to providing high-quality care for patients with complex neurological conditions.
Jose Vazquez
Jose Vazquez, BSN, RN, is a staff nurse III in the Neurosciences Intermediate Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. Originally from Purísima del Rincón, Guanajuato, Mexico, he has more than seven years of nursing experience at ECU Health. In addition to his clinical role, Vazquez serves as a charge nurse, preceptor and quality leader.
Vazquez earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Carolina University. Through compassionate neuroscience care, patient safety initiatives and mentorship, he works to improve outcomes for patients and families while promoting healthier communities across eastern North Carolina and strengthening rural health care.
Greenville, N.C. – Five ECU Health team members are among the first graduates from East Carolina University School of Nursing’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program, a post-graduate certificate program that prepares specialized nurse practitioners to care for senior patients in acute care settings across North Carolina. The five ECU Health providers are Charlsie Woodard, Hunter Venters, Rachel Ferrell, Richa Dhungana and Angela Jones.
“As we continue to see the aging population grow nationwide, ensuring nurses at ECU Health and across the state have access to specialized training will continue to be a priority for ECU Health,” said Dr. Trish Baise, chief nursing executive, ECU Health. “Programs like this ensure our teams are prepared to deliver high-quality, specialized care close to home. We are grateful for our strong partnership with ECU, which continues to strengthen our workforce and elevate care across the region.”
The AGACNP certificate further prepares APRNs to deliver specialized acute and critical care services across a variety of settings including emergency departments, inpatient acute care units and intensive care units.
“Expanding the number of AGACNP-prepared providers helps address critical workforce shortages in these high-demand areas while strengthening access to specialty and acute care services for the rural and underserved populations of eastern North Carolina,” said Elaine Cudnik, executive director, Women’s and Children’s Advanced Clinical Practice, ECU Health. “By developing a highly qualified acute care workforce locally, ECU is helping to improve healthcare access, reduce disparities, and ensure that patients can receive timely, high-quality care closer to home.”
This program was established through ECU Health and ECU’s College of Nursing. ECU Health previously developed pathways for the development of the future of nursing care in eastern North Carolina with the establishment of an academic practice partnership, seeded by a $1.5 million investment from ECU Health over five years. This investment has provided the ECU College of Nursing with the opportunity to expand faculty and resources to support students in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate program and the development of the Doctor of Nursing Practice in AGACNP. Four graduates were granted financial support through the ECU Health Foundation. Dr. Kristie Hertel, serves in a dual role as an ECU Health trauma nurse practitioner and the AGACNP program director.
Jones, FNP, an Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner at ECU Health Bertie Hospital, also completed the program. Jones’ participation was not funded through the ECU Health Foundation’s tuition assistance program.
The program welcomed its first cohort in Spring 2025 and is designed to address the growing demand for acute care and gerontology services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 18% of North Carolina’s population is 65 or older. The program ensures alignment with the Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education model as well as the Advanced Practiced Registered Nurse (APRN) Consensus Model by providing formal education preparation that matches the APRN’s population focus and practice setting. The additional certification supports regulatory compliance and ensures APRNs have the tools to practice to the full extent of their education, training and licensure in acute and complex care environments.
“We truly value the strong partnership between ECU Health and the College of Nursing to address the shortage of advanced practice nurses health care workers nationwide,” said Dr. Julie Linder, chair of the ECU College of Nursing’s Department of Advanced Nursing Practice and Education. “Collaborating within an academic health system lets nurses receive high-quality training they can carry forward into their work in specialized communities.”
It might come as a surprise to her high school self, but Anne Chadwick has spent 44 years treating, tending to, and connecting with patients in eastern North Carolina. Now, her passion and commitment have been honored with ECU Health’s first ever DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chadwick, an ECU Health staff nurse with 2 North at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, was recognized with the award in front of more than 500 of her peers on May 20, during the 2026 ECU Health Nursing Summit. The honor intends to spotlight a nurse with 25 or more years of experience who has demonstrated a lasting legacy of compassionate care, mentorship, advocacy, lifelong learning and transformational leadership.
For Chadwick, what began as a simple decision developed into something much, much deeper.
“When I was in high school, I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do,” Chadwick said. “I had some good friends say they were going into nursing so I said, ‘OK. I’ll do nursing.’ When I started working, I fell in love with it. 44 years later, I still love it.
“I have not one regret going into this field.”
In addition to her clinical time, Chadwick is an adjunct instructor at Pitt Community College where she teaches the next generation of nurses. She values being able to make a difference in her career.
“I hope that what I bring to nursing I can give to my students and fellow nurses,” Chadwick said. “When patients and family members thank you for taking care of them or their families, that’s what touches you. It makes you want to be the best nurse you can be.”
The 13th annual ECU Health Nursing Summit is a two-day event that brought together more than 400 nurses from across the system. Each year, the summit offers an opportunity for nurses to connect, reflect on the future of the profession and celebrate their impact. Participants engaged in breakout sessions focused on research, innovation, leadership development, well-being and technology. The summit also featured educational sessions, keynote speakers, networking opportunities and vendors showcasing the latest in health care innovations, allowing nurses to explore cutting-edge technology designed to enhance patient care.
“When nurses come together to share experiences, challenge traditional thinking and learn from one another, incredible things happen,” said Trish Baise, chief nursing executive at ECU Health. “This summit reflects our commitment to creating a culture where nurses are engaged, empowered and equipped to lead transformation. The future of health care will be shaped by nurses, and I am excited to see the innovation and leadership emerging across our system.”
Tara Stroud, chief nursing officer, ECU Health Medical Center, said the annual summit is also a celebration.
“We are so proud of our ECU Health nurses and the care that they deliver,” Stroud said. “It’s so important to be able to give back to them and ensure they can grow professionally to be the best nurses they can be. Our nurses do remarkable things every day, so this is an opportunity for us to really celebrate that amazing work.”
A number of deserving candidates were nominated for the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. That list was painstakingly narrowed down to five finalists: Barbara “Dee” Abrams, care manager at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital; Andrea Jeppson, licensed practical nurse at ECU Health Duplin Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit; Lou Ann Proctor, staff nurse at ECU Health Medical Center’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit; Dr. Sharona Johnson, executive director of Advanced Clinical Practice at ECU Health; and Chadwick. All five represented more than 200 years of nursing expertise.
Over 42 years, Abrams has made an impact on the Edgecombe County community through her work with patients and colleagues. She said ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital has always felt like home.
“There’s nothing else that I’d rather do,” Abrams said. “I think what has kept me in the field is just doing my best and working as a family to help others.”
Jeppson will soon mark 40 years in nursing. In that time, she said nursing has changed, but caring for people has not. Jeppson initially felt called to the career after she saved a neighbor from choking on food.
“She came out waving a dish cloth, she was choking on a piece of steak,” Jeppson recalled. “I just ran across the yard and did the Heimlich maneuver, and we managed to get the steak out. I thought, maybe I want to be a nurse.”
Proctor has been a nurse for over 38 years. Her mother, two aunts and a great aunt were also nurses. They taught her the value of compassion, something she takes into her role working with patients and her fellow team members.
“You’re not in this alone,” Proctor said. “You go into a room by yourself to check vitals or administer medications, but if that alarm goes off there are three people at your door. People come running when there’s a need.”
Johnson said that as a youth, she could tell nurses cared about people. That resonated with her on the way to her 39-year career in the field.
“I think we owe it to our patients to know part of their story, because that is what defines their life,” Johnson said. “We’re a shared humanity and we need to realize that.”
Stroud said all of the nominees were worthy of the Lifetime Achievement Award, finalist or not. She said Chadwick personifies the qualities that exemplify what it means to be an exceptional nurse, and that her commitment to the profession and her patients deserved recognition.
“Anne shows heartfelt compassion, exceptional clinical skills and a commitment to growing the future of nursing,” Stroud said. “She spends so much time teaching other nurses and students how to succeed in the field.”
Chadwick also thanked her team who she said do a phenomenal job taking care of patients. She said anyone considering a career in nursing should just do it.
“This is a great career,” Chadwick said. “You have to show compassion and care for your patients. It is about people.”
On any given day the 5,000-plus nurses across ECU Health’s system find themselves tackling tasks that go above and beyond their perceived jobs. Between their clinical duties placing lines, hurrying to codes and prepping patients for procedures are moments where service takes the form of a compassionate hand on the shoulder, a shared moment of grief or a celebration as their patients are discharged after a medical success.
Nurses advocate for, support and respond to the needs of patients. It’s not just their job, it is an inherent part of who they are as people. To kick off National Nurses Week, leaders from across the ECU Health system got to witness firsthand just how hard nurses work during a “Walk-a-Mile with Nursing” shadowing experience at ECU Health hospitals. This is the second year that ECU Health has held a Walk-a-Mile experience to help celebrate Nurses Week.
For ECU Health Chief Nursing Executive Dr. Trish Baise, Walk-a-Mile is one of the most meaningful highlights of Nurses Week, observed through May 12 to recognize the vital role nurses play in healthcare. The experience provides leaders with the opportunity to step alongside nurses, hear their perspectives firsthand and deepen their understanding of the compassion, expertise and strength nurses bring to every patient interaction. It also reinforces the importance of listening as a foundation for effective leadership and meaningful connection across teams.
At a debrief after their shadowing, leaders used terms like “compassion,” “kindness” and “teamwork” to describe what they saw in their respective experiences with nurses. Those who shadowed were impressed how Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses knew their tiny patients by their big personalities, or how Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit nurses could band together and provide some degree of comfort during life’s most difficult moments. In the 2 North Progressive Care Unit, Carlester T. Crumpler, Chairman of the Board of ECU Health Medical Center, learned what it takes to care for patients who have moved out of intensive care but still need close monitoring. He witnessed a patient receive a blood transfusion and was deeply impressed at the professionalism and care nurses showed during the procedure.
Getting to see nurses work firsthand also spoke to how important hospitals are to communities as a whole, Crumpler said, and gave him important perspective as a leader.
“I have a responsibility not only to all of our team members, but also to the community and the region to help us fully realize our mission and vision as a hospital and a health system,” Crumpler said during a debrief following the shadowing. “I don’t know anyone who wants to live in a community without access to a strong hospital nearby. This is a crown jewel asset for the region, and we must continue to strengthen it through strategic partnerships. It’s important for people to understand what we see and experience every day.”
“I’m grateful for this experience, because I know it’s going to help me and my fellow board members be better stewards of service for our community.”
Baise shadowed Kandace Six, a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit nurse at ECU Health Medical Center, throughout the event. Six has been at ECU Health for about two years. She said getting to hear board members and other leaders express their appreciation for nurses throughout the day was uplifting, and a great way to kick off Nurses Week.
“I know this is cliché, but when you feel seen, you feel heard,” Six said. “When leaders are actively involved and express real interest in our work, ask how we feel about our units or check to make sure patients’ needs are being met, it speaks volumes for us. It’s a chance to tell our story and let them know what is working.”
Six said she wants people to understand that, at the end of the day, nurses are people with human emotions working their absolute hardest to care for patients.
“We have to bottle up a lot of things,” Six said. “Even when we are sad or upset, it feels like we have to reflect happiness. We care, and we are constantly on the move to make sure our patients are taken care of, even when people don’t see it.”
Throughout Nurses Week, ECU Health celebrates its nursing team by providing meals, hosting appreciation events and sharing stories that highlight the many ways nurses make a difference in their communities, transform lives and improve patient outcomes. These efforts reflect ECU Health’s continued commitment to recognizing, supporting and investing in nurses—not only during Nurses Week, but every day.
“We are incredibly proud to have such a talented and dedicated community of nurses at ECU Health,” Baise added. “On behalf of all of us, thank you to our nurses for the innovation, collaboration and excellence you bring to your work each and every day.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to announce that Trish Baise, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAONL, chief nursing executive, has been named to the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) 2025 class of fellows (FAONL). The honor recognizes exceptional contributions to nursing leadership and will be celebrated at AONL’s annual conference in Chicago this March.
“Nursing leadership has shaped my career and my sense of purpose, and this recognition reflects the mentors, colleagues and teams who have supported and challenged me along the way,” Baise said. “Being named an AONL fellow underscores that high-quality leadership and forward-thinking care are thriving here in eastern North Carolina, even in a complex and rapidly changing health care environment. It strengthens my commitment to advancing nursing practice, developing future leaders and contributing to the broader dialogue about how nursing can lead meaningful change in health care.”
AONL is the national professional organization of more than 12,000 nurse leaders and is the voice of nursing leadership across the nation. AONL advances the professional development of nurse leaders through innovative and competency-based learning experiences as well as advocates for the perspective and needs of nurse leaders are addressed in public policy issues related to nursing and patient care. Nurse leaders who attain AONL Fellow Designation are committed to shaping the future of nursing leadership through expert leadership practice, mentoring developing leaders and contributing to AONL at the regional and national levels.
Baise, who joined ECU Health in 2023, brings more than 30 years of health care experience to her role, overseeing all nursing functions across the health system. Under her leadership, ECU Health achieved its third Magnet recognition, underscoring the system’s commitment to nursing excellence. She also championed the Advancing Nursing Practice and Excellence (APEX) initiative, which focuses on innovation, research and collaboration to advance nursing in rural health care. Through partnerships with East Carolina University and regional colleges, ECU Health invests in the future of nursing by offering residency programs that equip new nurses with essential skills.
“ECU Health is proud to have Trish as a nursing leader whose commitment to excellence reflects the collective work happening across our organization,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “Our nurses and leaders consistently demonstrate innovation, compassion and a deep dedication to serving our communities while also caring for one another, which is why ECU Health continues to be recognized as a national model for rural health care. Under Trish’s leadership, nursing at ECU Health has thrived, advanced and continued to innovate in ways that strengthen the future of care for eastern North Carolina.”
Baise’s achievement reflects not only her personal dedication but also the collective efforts of ECU Health to define a new standard for nursing in eastern North Carolina and beyond.
“This recognition sends an important message that nursing leadership excellence is not limited by geography,” Baise said. “Rural communities face unique challenges, but they are also places of innovation, deep relationships and meaningful impact. I hope this inspires nurses in rural communities to see themselves as leaders and change agents and reinforces the importance of continuing to advocate for resources, education and opportunities that strengthen rural health care.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to announce Trish Baise, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, FAONL, ECU Health chief nursing executive, was recently named one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2025 Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) to know. The annual recognition highlights exceptional nursing executives who are shaping the future of patient care through strategic leadership, innovation and a deep commitment to supporting the nursing workforce.
“I am honored to be included in this recognition, which reflects the incredible work of ECU Health nurses who are driving creative solutions that strengthen our workforce and expand access to high quality care in rural communities,” said Baise. “I am fortunate to lead a team who is actively shaping the future of nursing across our region. Their unwavering commitment to our patients continues to elevate the standard of care in eastern North Carolina, and I’m grateful to work alongside them as we serve our community.”
Baise brings more than 30 years of experience in both urban and rural nursing environments. She leads a systemwide nursing workforce spanning nine hospitals and more than 100 clinics. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing ECU Health’s Advancing Nursing Practice and Excellence (APEX) initiative, which focuses on innovation, research and collaboration to elevate nursing practice in rural communities. Under her guidance, ECU Health earned its third Magnet recognition, underscoring the system’s commitment to nursing excellence. Baise is also a strong advocate for non‑traditional pathways into nursing, reflecting her own journey, which began as a fire department dispatcher before she became a paramedic, flight paramedic, flight nurse, emergency department and ICU nurse, and later director of a flight program before advancing into senior nursing leadership.
“ECU Health is proud to have Trish as our nursing leader – who has strengthened the culture and elevated the standard of care across eastern North Carolina,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “As the region’s leading health care provider and educator, we carry a responsibility to shape the future of rural health care, and Trish recognizes that our success depends on attracting and supporting exceptional nurses and care teams. Her commitment to our mission is helping ECU Health advance the model for rural academic health care and set the standard for nursing in our region.”
The nursing leaders recognized by Becker’s play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing, tasked with addressing nurse staffing shortages, managing budgets and fostering growth opportunities for emerging nurses. Beyond leading nursing departments, CNOs drive innovative initiatives that uphold high patient care standards. Their roles demand a unique blend of clinical expertise and executive leadership.
Roanoke Rapids, N.C. — ECU Health North Hospital is proud to announce the first cohort of its hospital-based Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) I program graduated Jan. 30, 2026. A graduation ceremony marked the successful completion of a program designed to strengthen the rural health care workforce and create new pathways for career advancement within the ECU Health system. The eight program graduates are: Lisa Allen, James Cooper, LaToria Grimes, Deja Harris, Denise Mendoza-Beltran, Katara Whitaker, Asekywia Williams and Marleena Womack.
“We are proud of our graduates who worked hard, completing classroom instruction, hands-on training and clinical experience at ECU Health North Hospital,” said Pam Rudisill, vice president of Nursing Excellence at ECU Health. “This program represents our commitment to strengthening the rural health care workforce by expanding access to careers in nursing and allied health. By investing in our team members and aligning with community partners, we are building a more resilient and skilled care team designed to meet the needs of those we serve.”
Attendees gathered to honor the eight graduates who completed the inaugural program at ECU Health North Hospital. Upon certification, all eight graduates will transition into CNA roles at their current ECU Health facilities — four at ECU Health Medical Center, one at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital and three at ECU Health North Hospital.
“By equipping our team members with the skills and support they need to grow into vital roles, we are helping create a pipeline of compassionate, community-based caregivers who will serve eastern North Carolina for years to come,” said Todd Hickey, president of ECU Health North. “The CNA I program serves as a model for workforce development across the region, offering team members the opportunity to advance their careers while supporting the health and well-being of the communities ECU Health serves.”
The CNA I program was inspired by the vision of the late Sheryl Watson, BSN, RN, a former ECU Health nurse and community college instructor whose passion for education and mentorship laid the foundation for the program. Though she passed away before seeing the program launch, her legacy continues to shape the future of nursing assistants across the region. With the first cohort now entering the workforce, ECU Health North Hospital is preparing to welcome its second cohort in early February, consisting of 10 new students representing multiple ECU Health locations.
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.”