Greenville, N.C. – Twenty-five ECU Health nurses from 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, honoring their outstanding professional ability and contributions to improving health care services in their communities. This marks the highest number of ECU Health nurses honored as Great 100 Nurses in a single year.
“With over 4,000 nurses across our system, ECU Health is proud to celebrate the exceptional caregivers who embody our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina,” said Trish Baise, chief nursing executive, ECU Health. “Each nurse honored in the Great 100, and those recognized in years past, represents the skill, compassion and advocacy that define our nursing team. Their dedication is a powerful affirmation of the extraordinary care our communities receive every day.”
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.
“Every day, our nurses bring skill and unwavering dedication to our patients and families of eastern North Carolina,” said Pam Rudisill, vice president of Nursing Excellence, ECU Health. “Having 25 ECU Health nurses named among the 2025 Great 100 Nurses is a powerful testament to the exceptional care they provide and a meaningful reminder to our community that we are here to care for them.”
ECU Health has built a strong culture of nursing excellence which is the backbone of patient-centered care. Last year, ECU Health Medical Center earned Magnet® recognition for its third consecutive accrediting period, awarded every four years and represents the highest national honor for professional nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® distinguishes health care organizations that meet rigorous standards for nursing excellence and is considered the gold standard for nursing excellence.
ECU Health will be rolling out stories highlighting each nurse in the coming weeks at ECUHealth.org/Newsroom. The ECU Health nurses chosen as Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina in
2025 are:
- Elizabeth Arnold, BSN, RN, CNOR(E)
- M. Dustin Bass, DNP, MHA, RN
- Britney Beeker, BSN, RN
- April Bracy, BSN, RN-BC
- Sheena Bunch, BSN, RN, VA-BC
- Allison Castelloe, RN, MSN
- Anne Chadwick RN, BSN
- Elaine L. Cudnik, DNP, CPNP-AC/PC
- Kathryn Freeman, RNC-OB
- Christy Harding, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC
- Robin Lanier BSN, RN
- Katherine Low, BSN, RN-BC
- Claire McFadyen, BSN, RN
- Connie R. Midgette RN, BSN
- Wendolyn Minton, BSN, RN, CEN
- Randy Mintz, ADN, RN, CEN
- Kaili Nixon, MSN, RN
- Victoria McIntosh Respess, MSN, ANP-BC
- Rebecca Simmons DNP, AGCNS-BC, APRN
- Stephanie Smith, BSN, RN
- Angela Still, MSN RN
- Megan Tripp, BSN, RN
- Gloria Waters, RN, RN-BC
- Sharon Watford, BSN, RN-BC
- Lindsey Woodlief, DNP, APRN, FNP-C
More than 500 ECU Health nurses gathered May 20-21 at the Greenville Convention Center for the 12th Annual Nursing Summit—a transformative two-day event dedicated to education, leadership and innovation in health care.
The summit featured a dynamic lineup of keynote speakers. North Carolina Senator Gale Adcock shared insights on leadership. Claire Zangerle, chief executive officer of American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and Trish Baise, chief nursing executive at ECU Health, sat down to discuss the power of influence at every level. Dustin Bass, vice president of System Emergency Services at ECU Health, emphasized the strength of unity in The Power of Us. Phil Gwoke, CEO of BridgeWorks, tackled the importance of cross-generational collaboration in health care.
For attendee Susan Hoover, director of Perioperative Services at Outer Banks Health Hospital, the event was a powerful reminder of the mindset behind leadership.
“Senator Adcock really reminded us that what we tell ourselves impacts who we are as a leader and as a person,” Hoover said. “That’s something that can get lost in day-to-day business, but having it put forward again was very beneficial.”
Attendees engaged in breakout sessions focused on research, innovation, leadership development, well-being and AI/tech. Nurses explored cutting-edge technology firsthand, with vendors displaying innovative solutions designed to enhance patient care.
“My favorite part was visiting the technology zone,” Hoover shared. “There were several vendors showcasing different modules that will be beneficial for our teams. I’ll definitely take that back to our senior leaders.”
As the event drew to a close, Baise reflected on the summit’s impact.
“What we witnessed wasn’t just professional development; it was a renewal of spirit,” she said. “In every breakout session, keynote address and hallway conversation, I saw the very heartbeat of health care—nurses exchanging ideas, supporting one another and embracing innovation with open arms and open minds.”
Kelly Barnette, nurse manager of Patient Care Services, OBGYN at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, emphasized how the event fostered meaningful connections.
“This is my third Nursing Summit since being in this role, and one of my favorite parts is seeing that I actually know so many people outside of my community hospital,” Barnette said. “The networking, the conversations and the shared energy make it truly special.”
“Our gathering served as a testament to the profound impact of collective energy,” Baise said. “When nurses unite, we don’t just talk about change—we create it. We empower one another to challenge the status quo, lead with empathy and uplift the communities we serve.”
Resources
It is nearly impossible to adequately describe just how much a nurse means to the patients they serve. They are expert caretakers for sick patients. They are entertainers for a child who needs a laugh. They are a compassionate shoulder to cry on during life’s difficult moments. They embody what it means to foster hope, healing and trust.
Trish Baise, ECU Health Chief Nursing Executive
This year, May 6-12 was recognized as National Nurses Week, and I am proud to honor the 4,000-plus nurses serving here at ECU Health. It is always a pleasure to tell people about how impactful our nurses are, but their contributions go far beyond the limitations of words. To honor National Nurses Week, we decided to show how important our nurses truly are by hosting the first-ever ECU Health Walk-a-Mile with Nursing, where organizational leaders spent the day shadowing a nurse and fostering a deeper appreciation for all a nurse does in a single day at hospitals across the health system.
I want to share just a few of the most common words we heard during a roundtable discussion following the Walk-a-Mile event at ECU Health Medical Center: compassionate, caring, competent, eye-opening. The organizational leaders, many of whom don’t work primarily in the clinical setting, saw our nurses doing what they do best: exemplifying excellence and compassion in every way possible. From the ICU to the labor and delivery unit, and everywhere in between, it was a true joy to take folks behind-the-scenes to see who our nurses truly are.
The Walk-a-Mile event was the perfect way to kick off National Nurses Week and recognize the theme “Celebrating the Power of Nurses,” which acknowledges courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to patient care. I could not be more proud of ECU Health’s nurses, who embody our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.
In honor of the incredible contributions of all nurses, and particularly those here in eastern North Carolina and at ECU Health, I certainly encourage everyone to share a kind word or two with the nurses in your life. It can be a thankless job at times, and the value is better measured by the lives touched than the kudos received. Still, nurses everywhere deserve to know that their contributions are deeply appreciated.
Each day in hospitals, clinics and other clinical settings across ECU Health, nurses take on roles beyond the medical care they provide – they’re a support person, a patient advocate, offer a hand for food services and help keep rooms clean all while bringing high-quality, compassionate care to patients in eastern North Carolina.
On May 6, to mark the start of National Nurses Week, ECU Health nurses invited board members, executives and other leaders to take part in “Walk-a-Mile with Nursing” to offer the opportunity to shadow a nurse and experience all the different roles that nurses play each and every day at ECU Health hospitals.
“Many of us have experienced the hospital setting through the eyes of a patient or a loved one, but today we got a chance to experience it through the eyes of the people who make high-quality, compassionate care possible at ECU Health: our nurses,” said Chief Nursing Executive Dr. Trish Baise during the roundtable discussion immediately following the three-hour shadowing session at ECU Health Medical Center. “I hope this experience to walk alongside nurses across our hospitals provides an even deeper appreciation for the work they do and the incredible difference it makes in the lives of so many.”
Bob Greczyn, chair of the ECU Health Board of Directors, was one of the guests on the hospital floor during “Walk-a-Mile” and he shadowed nurses on the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center.
He said taking part in the event gave him the best morning he’s had in a long time. He was most impressed with the way teams – doctors, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists and more – worked together to care for patients on the unit.
“I’ve heard about doing rounds on patients and how the teams work together, but I’ve never actually been able to see it happen. Now I know what happens, and I know they didn’t just do it for my benefit,” Greczyn said. “I want to thank all the nurses who choose to work here for what you do, because it’s really important.”
Walk-a-Mile with Nursing was also held at community hospitals across ECU Health, where participants captured a glimpse of the community-centered care that makes rural hospitals unique. There, they witnessed team members treating neighbors, family and friends – a testament to the power of hands-on nursing in rural communities.
Gary Stanley, ECU Health Chowan Hospital Development Council Board Member and Lead Chaplain for ECU Health Bertie and Chowan, reflected on his experience with the Walk-a-Mile with Nursing event.
“It was truly an incredible experience,” Stanley said. “Nurse Konner Mims exemplified attentiveness, compassion, and respect, fully embracing the ECU Health model of patient- and family-centered care. This experience was profoundly impactful—I am a different chaplain because of it.”
Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health chief executive officer and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, and Donette Herring, ECU Health’s chief information officer, both had the opportunity to return to their clinical roots prior to their leadership roles.
Dr. Waldrum shadowed Carolina Pena, staff nurse III, on the Medical Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. As an intensivist for many years, he said it was great experience to be back at his “home.” He was grateful for the opportunity to shadow Pena and see the heart of ECU Health nursing on display with care, compassion and excellence.
Herring visited the Surgical Intensive Care Unit at the Medical Center. It was a fitting return for her as she said the intensive care unit was her last unit in a clinical role before she transitioned to leadership. She said she wasn’t sure what to expect for the day, but she was grateful to be welcomed in by the unit and have open, honest conversations with the team. She said her biggest takeaway from the day was the importance of taking time to listen to the experiences of nurses and understand their needs.
Pena said she felt this event was important to connect nurses with leadership and non-nursing team members to have their voices heard.
“This was so important to have, because as a nursing staff we go through a lot with patients, doctors, family members and everyone. We never really know if anyone is going to hear our concerns,” Pena said. “I know Dr. Waldrum has been an intensivist before, he knows what happens in our unit, but just having him there, hearing our concerns, seeing our patients, asking questions, it really gives us a sense that we’re being listened to and that we matter. I think that’s very important for our nurses.”
Overall, the event served as the perfect way to kick off National Nurses Week. Other events focused on celebrating nurses and their contributions to high-quality care unfolded throughout the week, and the Walk-a-Mile experience provided a first-hand understanding of just how powerful nurses are in a patient’s life.
“Today has far exceeded my expectations in terms of turnout and the genuine desire to connect, understand and walk a mile with nursing team members,” Baise said. “I’ve done this in previous roles, and there is more enthusiasm today than I’ve seen before, and I think it speaks to the authentic nature of everyone in this system. I’m so grateful for the nurses and units who hosted everyone today and sharing their work with everyone here.”
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Rebecca Zelnar, a staff nurse III in the post anesthesia care unit (PACU), loved being a travel nurse, and after working for a Florida health system for nearly 20 years, she thought she’d never find a staff position that was as fulfilling. That all changed when she came to ECU Health Medical Center, where she now feels at home.
The Gainesville, Florida native knew early on she wanted to be a nurse.
“I was a candy striper, and in high school I knew I wanted to be a nurse; but then things happened in my family to where I couldn’t go to college right out of high school,” she said. “I got a job and got married, had kids. I worked in the legal field. But nursing nagged at me. In my mid-to-late-twenties, I went back to school. I worked a paper route and as a CNA to pay for school, and I graduated top of my class 24 years ago. I just knew that was what I wanted to be. I went right into the ICU and never looked back.”
She worked at the University of Florida Shands Hospital in the trauma unit for 18 years. “I love critical care. I worked in the surgical trauma ICU at UF and loved it. I love that patient population, and I loved being a part of making science at a teaching hospital,” she said.
Then the pandemic happened, and Zelnar said she saw that as an opportunity to make a change. “My husband and I bought a camper and moved into that, with plans to travel at some point, but then the pandemic came and there was an opportunity for nurses to go to New York City and help,” Zelnar explained. “I asked the Lord if that’s what He wanted me to do. Twenty hours later, I was a Covid nurse in New York.”
Her experience in New York was challenging, but her previous experience in critical care and her work in the ICU float pool prepared her for working in different settings. “There was a lot of fear [in New York]; it was terrible times. I saw how weary those nurses were, and I wanted to be a relief to them. It taught me to rely on my skills in the moment.”
After her time in New York, Zelnar traveled to Texas and worked as a travel nurse in El Paso, Corpus Christi, San Antonio and McAllen before coming to ECU Health in 2021. Her daughter lives in Rocky Mount, and Zelnar said it was nice being closer to her. “I worked in central staffing for the ICU, and I thought I’d just continue traveling when my contract was up,” she said. “But as that time approached, I realized I couldn’t bear leaving this family I’d come to know. It brought me to tears to think about leaving.”
Zelnar said she talked with her husband and she prayed about it, and after talking with the manager of patient care services in the PACU, Amy Sawyer, she decided she wanted to stay. “Amy had a PACU position open, and I accepted the job immediately,” Zelnar said.
“Rebecca brought the knowledge she had gained from working in multiple PACUs,” Sawyer said. “Shared knowledge is so valuable because we always aspire to learn and grow in the nursing profession. Rebecca is compassionate and her patient care is extraordinary. She always advocates for the best possible care for her patients, and she’s been an amazing addition to our family.”
Part of what enticed her to stay were the leadership and staff she worked with every day as a traveler. “I liked the overall friendliness of the staff towards travelers; they didn’t treat you differently. I liked how the nurses cared for each other. It’s a big family, and people are caring and compassionate. It made me want to be a part of their team.” That sentiment stuck with Sawyer. “Rebecca had been traveling for a while but missed the sense of belonging somewhere. She felt that she truly belonged here at ECU Health,” she said.
Rebecca also highlighted the skill set of her colleagues. “The talent of nurses in this unit is very high. It’s the best group of nurses I’ve worked with for long time. It’s the best management team I’ve ever worked with, and I love being a part of the PACU and all their initiatives.”
When asked if she’d recommend ECU Health as a permanent home for other travel nurses, she didn’t hesitate to answer. “I would definitely recommend ECU Health,” she said. “I’m actually recruiting my daughter-in-law, who is a nurse, and my son, to move here from Florida so she can work here. There is a lot to offer for nurses – professional councils, Magnet designation – it’s definitely a place to develop professionally.”
Zelnar said she’s settled in and plans to get her perioperative certification and serve on the unit council, something she hasn’t done in a long time due to being a traveler. “It just feels right,” she said. “I want to work at the bedside and take care of patients, and I love going to work. We moved the camper here and plan to eventually buy some land and maybe build a tiny home. I hope to spend many years at ECU Health.”
ECU Health nurses from across the system gathered at the Hilton Hotel in Greenville for the 11th Annual ECU Health Nursing Summit where they engaged with esteemed speakers and discussed the future of nursing across eastern North Carolina and beyond.
The summit aimed to address the transformative period nursing is experiencing amid complex challenges. It served as a platform for meaningful discussions on integrating leading-edge technology and innovative practices. Chief Nursing Executive Trish Baise shared that the nursing summit was one way to connect with and empower nursing team members to be a part of designing ECU Health’s future.
“The nursing summit provided a wonderful opportunity for hundreds of our ECU Health nurses from across the region to come together,” said Baise. “We were able to create a national-caliber conference in our own backyard tailored to the mission of our rural health care team. The energy of our nursing team was palpable.”
Keynote speakers included Rich G. Kenny, who explored the future of Generative AI for nurse leaders, and Sen. Gale Adcock, who discussed health care policy and advocacy. Brian Floyd, ECU Health’s chief operating officer, reminded nurses of their mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina, highlighting the organization’s unique care for the rural region.
The summit also included breakout sessions that covered topics like well-being, AI in health care, six dimensions for influencing team culture and nursing policy advocacy. Additionally, a panel discussion explored emerging trends in health care.
Keynote speaker, Olivia Lemberger, innovation scientist from the American Nurses Association, highlighted the future of nursing innovation and praised the camaraderie among nurses at the event.
“There is a deep sense of community among the colleagues at ECU Health,” said Lemberger. “There was a positive energy that was palpable. This is something I wish every nurse had.”
Mandi Civils, ICU and Central Staffing Office manager at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, reflected on the summit’s impact.
“At the heart of health care transformation for ECU Health was the great nursing summit, where dedication met innovation, and passion will fuel progress going forward,” Civils said. “It was my honor to be part of an event that inspired me to believe I can be anything I want to be when I grow up.”
Amidst the relentless demands of health care, three exceptional nurse leaders are making significant strides as leaders at ECU Health and as district representatives for the North Carolina Organization for Nurse Leaders (NCONL). Laura Respess, nurse manager of Patient Care Services, Renal Dialysis Unit at ECU Health Medical Center, Dawn Tetterton, vice president of Inpatient Nursing at ECU Health Medical Center and Jenny Parnell, manager of Patient Care Services, ICU at ECU Health Duplin Hospital, exemplify a bold, collective commitment to elevating patient care and advocating for the nursing profession statewide.
NCONL is a state-level affiliate of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. NCONL transforms patient care and serves as a voice for North Carolina nurse leaders, aiming to shape health care through innovative and expert nurse leadership.
The organization strengthens nursing leadership through professional development, facilitates nursing research to advance practice and influences health care policy regarding the value of the nursing profession.
Laura Respess & Dawn Tetterton
Having recently concluded her term as a district representative, Respess was responsible for member communication to district VI, one of the largest districts in North Carolina. She organized quarterly meetings and planned educational sessions. She coordinated contributions for events like the annual conferences and drove the request for abstracts and Quality Initiative work from members in the region to share at the NCONL conference.
“One of the things we’ve always advocated for at ECU Health is having nurses on boards,” Respess said. “Being a representative comes with the benefits of staying informed about statewide developments and sharing best practices. As a NCONL representative, you gain a good understanding of legislative matters from the perspective of nursing, and how our profession is being represented in the legislature.”
“Through NCONL, members can showcase the excellent work being done at ECU Health,” said Tetterton, who recently stepped in to fill Respess’ role. “We submit several posters and abstracts annually and have had winners chosen for podium presentations to share nursing best practices they have developed.”
“Laura has done an amazing job,” Tetterton said, “and truly was part of the reason I felt like I needed to step forward. She has worked tirelessly the past six years, exemplifying leadership at this level.”
Respess also praised Tetterton for her leadership and is confident she will be amazing in her Regional NCONL Representative role.
“My challenge for Dawn is to drive our district’s diversification, which is one of our strategic goals,” said Respess. “We primarily focus on acute care, but we recognize the need to reach out to nursing leaders in ambulatory care and health departments across the state. It’s important to involve these sectors because they play a significant role in our overall mission.”
Jenny Parnell
Jenny Parnell was inspired to join NCONL many years ago by a nurse leader at ECU Health.
“A past nurse leader encouraged many of us to join, and throughout my time as a leader with ECU Health, it has been incredibly beneficial,” said Parnell. “I attended numerous conferences and met many leaders. In the last several years post-COVID, the organization has really come back strong.”
When a district representative position opened up, Jenny was serving on the practice committee, which focused on evidence-based practice. She wanted to take on a larger role and self-nominated for the district representative role.
“My hope is to help others grow and share things I’ve learned through the years,” she said. “Laura and I worked together many years ago on CIU as young nurses, so we’ve kind of grown up together. Even if you’re not the district representative, there are other committees that you can serve on. There are many ways to serve within the NCONL, Laura will continue to serve on the board in another role and be close by to help in our region. That’s what NCONL is all about, those nursing connections.”
Learn more about nursing at ECU Health by visiting ECUHealth.org/Nursing.
Greenville, N.C. – Trish Baise, ECU Health chief nursing executive, was recently honored as one of Becker’s Hospital Review’s 2024 Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) to know. Since stepping into the role in 2022, Baise has cultivated a dynamic nursing environment that drives innovations to enhance patient care quality and elevate patient experiences across eastern North Carolina.
“This recognition by Becker’s reflects the collective efforts of the incredible nurses across ECU Health, all of whom are dedicated to creating an environment where nurses and patients alike can thrive,” said Baise. “Together, we are driving innovative approaches in rural health care, committed to excellence in all we do and enhancing patient care across eastern North Carolina. I am honored that ECU Health has been recognized for this commitment.”
Tasked with addressing nurse staffing shortages, managing budgets and fostering growth opportunities for emerging nurses, the nursing leaders recognized by Becker’s play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing.
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. This list honors CNOs for their commitment to optimizing health care.
Baise has led efforts to establish a supportive environment where both nurses and patients can thrive. Under her leadership, ECU Health has achieved its third Magnet recognition, underscoring a commitment to nursing excellence. The Advancing Nursing Practice and Excellence (APEX) initiative has been foundational to this strategy, focusing on innovation, research and collaborative efforts to advance nursing in rural health care. Through partnerships with East Carolina University and local colleges, ECU Health also invests in the future of nursing, offering residency programs to equip new nurses with essential skills. This vision represents ECU Health’s dedication to defining a new standard for patient care and nursing excellence in eastern North Carolina.
“As the region’s largest health care provider and educator, ECU Health has a unique role in shaping community health, and Trish understands that our mission’s success depends on attracting the best providers, nurses and care teams to our health system,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “Trish’s dedication to service and our mission aligns with ECU Health’s work to build the model for rural academic health care. ECU Health is proud to lead the way in defining the future of nursing in our region.”
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On Aug. 28, East Carolina University College of Nursing and ECU Health gathered to celebrate their academic-practice partnership. Topics of discussion included entry-level and graduate-level education and practice, nursing research, and their vision for the future.
Chief Nursing Executive of ECU Health, Dr. Trish Baise, appreciates all the work that has been done by the collective nursing leadership team over the last few months. “We have built a strong foundation and are already realizing outcomes. This is just the beginning. Both our institutions are committed to finding innovative partnership opportunities that support the needs of our region and a better future for eastern North Carolina.” Baise said.
Dr. Bimbola F. Akintade, dean and professor at ECU College of Nursing, reflected on the past and mentioned that both institutions have come a long way.
“One of our advantages is not just the proximity but the overarching institutional dynamic we share can only serve as resources. Our vision is that both institutions are so intertwined that students who are graduating from ECU will also see an opportunity to work at ECU Health,” Akintade said.
Graduate-level education programs such as the Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist and the Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist concentrations are advancing nursing practice to provide better care for eastern North Carolina. The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) program is unique and the only one in North Carolina. In addition to graduate-level programs, ECU and ECU Health have collaborated to sponsor a nurse extern program. This immersive program, allows students to gain practical experience in various care settings across the health system before their final semesters of nursing school.
During the celebration, a recent graduate of the nurse extern program expressed her gratitude. “I have never been more sure that I am where I’m supposed to be as a nurse and here at ECU Health,” she said. Kiley Fisher will be joining ECU Health Medical Center in February 2025.
Both institutions are hopeful for the future and what is to come.
The Great 100 Nurses in North Carolina honors the nursing profession by recognizing nurses around the state for their commitment to excellence. The recipients are distinguished for their outstanding professional ability as well as their contributions to improving health care services in their communities. This year, 19 ECU Health nurses were recognized as honorees, including Dennis Campbell, II, Myra Thomson, Alex Gilbert, Gina Coldwell and Lou Ann Proctor.
Dennis Campbell, II
Although he is now the president of ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and the interim president at ECU Health North Hospital, Dennis Campbell, II began his career in 2004 as a nurse in the medical/surgical intensive care unit. Over time, he spent his early career in the emergency department, the burn center and the telemetry floor, and he was a staff nurse educator and a clinical educator for local nursing schools in his home state of Indiana.
However, a job opportunity brought him to eastern North Carolina, and he’s since navigated his way into quality leadership, corporate compliance, behavioral health and nursing leadership.
Dennis said finding his path to nursing was a winding road. “I was looking for something I could do that would provide a secure job,” he shared. “I shadowed a nurse in the local community as well as a respiratory therapist. What attracted me to nursing was how polished that nurse was. She was neatly dressed in white scrubs and a hat. The way she presented herself to her patients made me say, ‘I can do that.’” What kept Dennis coming back day after day was the difference he was making every day. “It’s the connection with people at the most vulnerable times of their lives,” he said. “I get to make the ordinary extraordinary, and if there’s something I can do to put a smile on your face, that also fills my cup.” That hasn’t changed since Dennis found his way into leadership roles. “It’s a platform that impacts healthcare and people in a larger way.”
Still, Dennis was surprised that “little old me” was nominated for and selected as a Great 100 Nurse. “It says a lot about what my colleagues think about me, and I’m grateful,” he said. “And it’s good for all Great 100 nurses, because it’s often the case that we are the unsung heroes. It means people are taking notice and want to recognize those who give their heart and soul.” Dennis said the honor is also a legacy for his family. “They don’t get to go to work with me every day and see what I do, and my work is hard to quantify. To have that recognition is impactful to my family.”
Myra Thomson
Myra Thomson, a nurse manager in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) and the Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy program at ECU Health Medical Center, decided to be a nurse because her mother was a nurse. “It was all I knew; I was raised in a medical profession home. It fit me and my personality,” Myra said.
The East Carolina University graduate began her career with ECU Health right after graduation. During her clinical rotation on the medical intermediate unit, she had the opportunity to shadow in the MICU. This confirmed Myra’s conviction to work with the critically ill patient population. “I love that there’s a complexity, with more than one thing to treat,” Myra said. She also enjoys the MICU team. “It’s the place to be,” she said. “I love my team at work and outside of work. They call me if they need something, and I check in on them. They’re my people.”
Myra said it was amazing to find out she was named a Great 100 Nurse. “It’s an honor for me that the people I work with think enough of me to say what they did about me. It shows they’re exactly why I do what I do.” It’s also special that so many ECU Health nurses are recognized this year. “The nurses here work very hard across the system, and they deserve to be recognized. It makes you proud to work at ECU Health,” Myra said.
Alex Gilbert
Alex Gilbert, a staff nurse III in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), calls himself a “second generation nurse,” because both of his parents were also nurses. “Mom works in the ECU Health Cancer Center,” Alex said. “Dad was a flight nurse with EastCare. That’s how my parents met.”
Alex used to watch his father on the helipad and wait for him to get off work, which sparked his own interest in a health care profession. That spark was reignited when his grandmother got sick during his senior year of high school. “That renewed my interest and showed me I could care for people. I knew I had a calling.”
After graduating from East Carolina University with his BSN, Alex split his time between the SICU and the ECU Health EastCare Transport Team as a flight RN. He also serves as an EMT-B in the community. Alex said he was surprised when he discovered he was a Great 100 Nurse honoree. “I can think of so many others who deserve this award,” he said. “We don’t do the job for recognition; we do what we do to care for people.” Alex did cite his passion for his work as a key factor in his success, as well as the support from his family and his co-workers. “It’s not just a nine to five job; it’s someone’s life. It’s an honor and a pleasure to care for someone. But I can’t take all the credit. My faith, my family and my co-workers all play a part. I’d put my team up against any in the country, and I wouldn’t be getting this award if not for them. I’m just a piece of the puzzle.”
ECU Health’s representation in the Great 100 Nurses is a testament to the care our nurses provide, and the education and support ECU Health provides its nurses, Alex said. “We’re the biggest level one trauma center East of I-95,” he said. “Our patients are the sickest of the sick, and our nurses are on the top of their game.”
Gina Coldwell
A Newport News, Virginia, native, Gina Coldwell knew she had an interest in nursing early-on, but she couldn’t go to school while caring for her four small children. “I was a stay-at-home mom for 15 years,” she said. “But then I got divorced and was working two minimum-wage jobs and I wanted to do something I enjoyed.” That’s when Gina went back to school and received her associate degree in nursing from Edgecombe Community College in 2019. “I started working at ECU Health that following summer,” Gina said. She began on the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit, but she also continued her education to complete her BSN from East Carolina University in 2021, followed by enrolling in a master’s program at Carson Newman University, with plans to graduate in 2025.
Gina said she didn’t know what specialty she wanted after initially graduating from nursing school. For her, the team on 3 North drew her to the neuroscience unit. It was a challenging first year, but Gina said she has grown to love the challenge. “It’s hard to not take the work home with me,” she said. “But it’s so fascinating. You get such a diverse group of people, from someone who fell and broke their back to someone who had a stroke. It’s not an easy fix, but you have the benefit of seeing the fruits of your labor and how your patients improve. It’s so rewarding and fulfilling.”
That passion is one reason Gina was nominated for and recognized as a Great 100 Nurse. “I was shocked when I found out,” Gina said. “I was proud because I still consider myself a baby nurse. And we have amazing nurses at ECU Health. We’re a Level I Trauma hospital, and everything we deal with is big. You must have your heart in it, and you must have good leadership that recognizes that heart.” Gina also works with new graduates and new hires. “I love to teach and train,” she said. “And if I don’t know something, I ask someone who does. We’ll find out the answer together.”
Lou Ann Proctor
Lou Ann Proctor, a staff nurse IV in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), calls herself a legacy Great 100 Nurse. “My mother, Janice Proctor, was in the first group selected to be a Great 100 Nurse in 1989, the year I graduated from nursing school at ECU,” Lou Ann said. “My Aunt Lucy Weaver and Aunt Becky Lewis were also chosen in 1994 and 1993. Sadly, I just lost my mother last year, and she would have loved this.”
It was her mother’s work that inspired Lou Ann to become a nurse in the first place. “My father was a farmer, so when I turned 15, I wanted to get out of the tobacco fields and I went to work with my mother at Edgecombe General Hospital in Tarboro. I got to work beside her and see how amazing she was at her job,” she said.
Lou Ann has continued that legacy by being nominated as a Great 100 Nurse several times before being an honoree this year, although she remains humble about the work she does every day. “I’ve been a bedside nurse for 35 years and have been involved in Nurse Congress, Quality/EBP Council and my unit council, but there are so many nurses I would nominate for this award. That recognition is overdue and well deserved for them.” When she found out she has won the award this year, the moment was bittersweet. “My co-workers nominated me this time and I was both thrilled and heartbroken to be selected,” she said. “It would have meant so much if my mother was still here. But my Aunt Lucy and family plan to attend the Gala with me and that will make it special.”
The recipients will be honored at a statewide gala in September, to be held in Concord.