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.
Greenville, NC — ECU Health has been designated a GammaTile® Center of Excellence Program (COE) by GT Medical Technologies, recognizing the health system’s exceptional expertise and leadership in advancing brain tumor care. The designation honors institutions that demonstrate outstanding clinical skill, patient education and commitment to improving outcomes for patients with operable brain tumors.
“We are proud that ECU Health is leading the way in brain cancer care with GammaTile®, a vision we set in motion back in 2019,” said Dr. Stuart Lee, chief, division of neurosurgery, ECU Health and medical director of The Gamma Knife Center, ECU Health Medical Center. “GammaTile® allows us to deliver radiation therapy safely and effectively during surgery, offering new hope and better outcomes while preserving healthy brain function. It is a privilege to provide this level of care to the people of our region.”
ECU Health began offering GammaTile® therapy in November 2019 and has since completed more than 85 implantations, becoming one of the first centers east of the Mississippi River to adopt this innovative treatment. GammaTile® is an FDA-cleared, bioabsorbable collagen implant embedded with radiation seeds. Placed directly where the brain tumor was removed at the time of tumor removal, GammaTile® delivers immediate, localized radiation when cancer cells are at their lowest levels. This approach eliminates the traditional delay between surgery and radiation therapy, maximizing effectiveness against remaining cancer cells while minimizing exposure to healthy brain tissue. This way, radiation starts working immediately, right at the spot where cancer cells are most likely to come back.
“ECU Health is honored to be designated a GammaTile® Center of Excellence, a recognition that reflects our team’s unwavering dedication to innovation and collaboration,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “This achievement ensures that patients across eastern North Carolina can access the most advanced, high‑quality treatment options without leaving their community. We remain committed to bringing cutting‑edge care close to home, where it matters most.”
Multiple ECU Health team members were recognized with Center of Excellent Achievement, including:
- Neurosurgeons: Aaron E. Bond, MD; Richard Dalyai, MD; Jennifer L. Griswold, MD; Regis G. Hoppenot, MD; Hilal A. Kanaan, MD; K. Stuart Lee, MD; Lenwood P. Smith, Jr., MD
- Radiation Oncologists: Andrew W. Ju, MD; M. Sean Peach, MD
- Medical Physicists: Christopher Bentley, DABR; Sean Cavenaugh, MS, DABR; Blane Jernigan; David Rushing, MSPH
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist: Heather Grillo
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to announce it has earned system-wide accreditation from the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (ACS CoC), marking a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to delivering world-class cancer care across eastern North Carolina. ACS CoC accreditation is awarded to institutions that demonstrate compliance with rigorous standards designed to improve survival and quality of life for patients with cancer.
“As a rural academic health system serving eastern North Carolina, ECU Health recognizes the importance of bringing high-quality cancer care close to home for the 1.4 million people we serve,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “We are proud of the leadership team, physicians and team members whose dedication made this achievement possible. Their collective efforts underscore ECU Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
ECU Health Cancer Care delivers standardized, high-quality services across all System hospitals and clinics. ECU Health Cancer Care Network includes ECU Health Medical Center, ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, ECU Health Beaufort Hospital and ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. Each location aligned on shared goals, projects and outreach initiatives, including cancer screenings to improve community health and well-being. Patients benefit from standardized care protocols across the system, multidisciplinary participation in cancer conferences, a collaborative cancer registry that enhances data-driven care and access to highly trained specialists in Greenville working seamlessly with care teams across the region.
“This system accreditation means patients across our region can expect the same high standards of cancer care no matter where they seek treatment,” said Dr. Emmanuel Zervos, executive director of cancer services at ECU Health, and professor at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “It ensures that advanced treatments, multidisciplinary expertise and supportive resources are consistently available close to home. Most importantly, it gives patients and families confidence that their care is coordinated, compassionate and designed to achieve the best possible outcomes.”
Accredited programs must undergo comprehensive evaluation and review to ensure patients receive a full continuum of cancer care services, from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and supportive resources. This accomplishment reflects the strong collaboration across the ECU Health system. The initiative was led by physicians and leaders across the health system to establish a state-of-the-art care model that unites specialists and resources across the region.
Greenville, NC – ECU Health is proud to announce it has been named a 2025 Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winner in consumer experience by Press Ganey, the global leader in health care experience solutions and services. This award is part of Press Ganey’s annual ranking of the top hospitals and health systems in the country, according to performance in consumer experience.
“This recognition from Press Ganey is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to listening to our patients and constantly improving based on their insights,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer at ECU Health. “Being honored for excellence in consumer experience reflects the strength of the ECU Health brand in eastern North Carolina and affirms the trust our communities place in us. I am so proud of the compassion and dedication of our team members who deliver high-quality care to those who call eastern North Carolina home.”
The Press Ganey Human Experience Awards honor health care organizations that consistently lead in patient experience, employee and physician engagement, clinical quality and safety. As a winner of the Press Ganey HX Guardian of Excellence Award® ECU Health is in the top one percent of health care providers in consumer experience in the last year.
“As a mission-driven rural health care system, ECU Health is uniquely positioned to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to communities that often face barriers to access,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer at ECU Health. “This recognition from Press Ganey reflects the extraordinary commitment of our team members who work tirelessly to create meaningful patient experiences while advancing health equity across eastern North Carolina. It is a powerful testament to our work to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
Press Ganey reviews third-party ratings on platforms like Google, Healthgrades, WebMD, Sharecare and Vitals, and reviews the health care organization’s responsiveness to patient reviews addressing concerns. The 2025 awards are based on performance from Jan. 1, 2025, through May 31, 2025.
“ECU Health is showing what it truly means to deliver compassionate, person-centered care,” said Patrick T. Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Press Ganey. “Their deep commitment to both patients and caregivers is creating a culture where empathy drives action—and where people feel seen, heard, and supported. It’s a privilege to stand beside them on this journey.”
Greenville, NC — ECU Health Medical Center is proud to announce its designation as a Gold Level Center of Excellence in Life Support by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). This honor recognizes health care centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based practices, quality measures, staff training and outstanding patient care in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
“We are honored to receive this recognition from ELSO, a testament to the skill and commitment of our ECMO and critical care teams,” said Heidi Carrow, ECMO Coordinator at ECU Health. “Our teams work tirelessly to deliver the highest standard of care, and this achievement reflects that dedication. Looking ahead, ECU Health Medical Center has established a dedicated adult ECMO team, enabling specialists to focus exclusively on this advanced therapy and further enhance the quality of care we provide.”
ECU Health provides ECMO therapy for infants, children and adults experiencing acute failure of the cardio-respiratory system. ECMO is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients and allows time for the patient’s lungs or heart to heal over a period of time by using a heart-lung machine to oxygenate the blood outside the body. Since launching its ECMO program in 2015, ECU Health has treated more than 50 to 60 patients annually across neonatal, pediatric and adult populations.
This marks ECU Health’s first Gold Level recognition, following previous Silver Level awards in 2016 and 2023. The Gold Level designation reflects the continued advancement and excellence of ECU Health’s ECMO program and critical care teams. The award is valid for a three-year period from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.
“Achieving Gold Level recognition from ELSO is a testament to the skill and dedication of our teams at ECU Health,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “This award underscores our commitment to advancing critical care and ensuring patients across eastern North Carolina have access to the most advanced life support therapies available close to home. We are proud of the progress our ECMO program has made and remain focused on continuing to elevate the quality of care for every patient we serve.”
Greenville, NC — ECU Health continued its mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina in 2025 by advancing rural health through clinical innovation, expanding access to care, academic excellence, establishing and growing workforce development pipelines and a steadfast commitment to quality. The year was marked by transformative programs, strategic partnerships and national recognition that reflect ECU Health’s dedication to improving health outcomes for the region’s rural communities.
“As we reflect on the past year, the milestones we’ve achieved are a testament to the dedication of our team members and the collaborative spirit that drives our mission forward,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health CEO and dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
“From introducing new clinical programs to expanding academic pathways and strengthening community partnerships, our team’s work in 2025 continues to position ECU Health as a national model for rural health care. At a time when rural health care continues to face significant uncertainty, ECU Health remains deeply committed to building sustainable models of care that meet the evolving needs of eastern North Carolina and strengthen the health of our communities for years to come.”
A few key highlights from 2025 include the launch of pediatric robotic surgery and telecardiology in Edenton, the region’s first Intensive Cardiac Rehabilitation program and the expansion of the Pediatric Asthma Program into rural schools. ECU Health also opened the IMPACT Clinic for perinatal substance use care, reinforcing its commitment to compassionate, specialized care. The health system earned national recognition for quality, including five-star CMS ratings for Duplin and Bertie hospitals, top cardiac surgery rankings for the East Carolina Heart Institute and continued honors from the Get With The Guidelines® program.
More 2025 highlights include:
- The MOTHeRS Project received national recognition for advancing maternal mental health care.
- The Health Sciences Academy expanded to four new locations, marking 20 years of academic excellence and workforce development.
- ECU Health welcomed its first class of neurology residents and celebrated 154 new Graduate Medical Education professionals entering the system.
- Fourteen graduates from the Brody School of Medicine matched to ECU Health Medical Center in March, highlighting the two organizations’ commitment to educating and training the next generation of rural physicians.
- ECU Health celebrated 40 years of EastCare transport.
- ECU Health nurses were honored for excellence, with a record 25 nurses named among the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina.
- ECU Health celebrated 40 years of ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital.
To explore more milestones and highlights from 2025, visit ECUHealth.org/Year-in-Review.
Windsor, NC – ECU Health Bertie Hospital earned a 2025 Performance Leadership Award for excellence in outcomes and patient perspective. Compiled by The Chartis Center for Rural Health, the Performance Leadership Awards program recognizes top quartile performance among rural hospitals in Quality, Outcomes, and/or Patient Perspective.
“This recognition reflects the dedication and compassion of our entire team at ECU Health Bertie Hospital,” said Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Bertie Hospital. “Delivering high-quality care and ensuring positive patient experiences are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to serve our community and honored to be recognized among the top-performing rural hospitals in the nation.”
ECU Health Bertie Hospital is a six-bed critical access facility committed to providing high-quality care close to home. The hospital offers a broad range of inpatient and outpatient services, including radiology, rehabilitation, and laboratory diagnostics. It also features a specialty clinic delivering advanced care in areas such as pain and wound management, podiatry, nephrology, ENT, and more.
This dedication to excellence has earned ECU Health Bertie Hospital national recognition. In addition to receiving The Chartis 2025 Performance Leadership Award, the hospital achieved an overall five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and was named one of the nation’s Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals for patient satisfaction.
The Performance Leadership Awards program is based on the results of the Chartis Rural Hospital Performance INDEX®, a comprehensive and objective framework for assessing how rural hospitals are performing. INDEX benchmarks are relied upon by rural hospitals, health systems with rural footprints, hospital associations, and state offices of rural health to measure performance across multiple areas impacting hospital operations and finance.
“The areas of quality, outcomes, and patient perspective are cornerstones of healthcare delivery across rural America, and this year’s Performance Leadership Award recipients are establishing a standard of excellence for their rural peers to follow,” said Michael Topchik, executive director, Chartis Center for Rural Health. “We are delighted to shine a spotlight on such strong performance and honor the achievement of these hospitals on National Rural Health Day.”
Greenville, NC —The National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a quality program administered by the American College of Surgeons, has again granted accredited status to ECU Health Medical Center, which lasts through 2028. Accreditation by NAPBC is granted to programs proven to provide the best possible care to patients with breast cancer.
“ECU Health is committed to delivering comprehensive, high-quality care for every breast cancer patient,” said Dr. Karinn Chambers, breast surgical oncologist at ECU Health and associate program director in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “This national designation affirms our patients can trust their care meets the highest standards and reflects the latest advances in treatment, research and multidisciplinary collaboration. Most importantly, it ensures that patients are supported through every stage of their journey – from prevention and diagnosis to treatment, recovery and survivorship.”
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths for women in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The even higher prevalence of cancers in eastern North Carolina highlights the importance of having an accredited cancer care center in the region. Access to preventative screenings and early detection allows for less invasive treatments, a greater variety of options and a greater potential to prevent the spread of breast cancer. Patients receiving care at a NAPBC-accredited center have access to information on clinical trials and new treatment options, genetic counseling, and patient-centered services including psychosocial support, rehabilitation services and survivorship care.
“ECU Health Medical Center serves a vast rural region where chronic diseases, including cancer, are especially prevalent,” said Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center. “As a rural academic medical center, ECU Health Medical Center – with the expertise of the Brody School of Medicine – offers patients access to groundbreaking research and clinical trials while also attracting and training top-tier cancer care providers. Delivering standardized, high-quality care close to home for the 1.4 million people we serve is integral to our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
To achieve NAPBC accreditation, a breast center demonstrates compliance with the NAPBC standards that address a center’s leadership, clinical services, research, community outreach, professional education and quality improvement for patients. Breast centers seeking NAPBC accreditation undergo a site visit every three years.
To learn more about breast cancer screenings and treatment options near you, please visit ECUHealth.org/breast-cancer.
NAGS HEAD, N.C. – Outer Banks Health is proud to honor the legacy of President Ronnie Sloan, FACHE, after a remarkable career of nearly 15 years of dedicated service as President of Outer Banks Health (OBH) and 40 years overall of service in the health care industry.
Sloan was honored on Dec. 1, 2025, at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head with a commemorative party thrown by OBH team members and community members, where nearly 200 individuals gathered to recognize his impact. Many individuals offered personal thanks to Sloan for the direct influence he had had on their lives. ECU Health, a partner of OBH, and Sloan’s family were present in recognizing his accomplishments as well.
“When I began my career, I was encouraged to step beyond respiratory therapy and move into health care administration. I hesitated at first because I felt great reward in caring for patients and their families,” Sloan said. “But I’m forever grateful to the person who helped me see how much more my impact could have in this role. Serving this community, building so many meaningful relationships and playing a part in growing healthcare on the Outer Banks has been a true blessing.”
Sloan is celebrated for creating and cultivating a culture of compassion among team members, medical staff, patients and the community. This culture is reflected in patient care, resulting in OBH’s standing as a 5-star hospital in North Carolina for patient satisfaction according to Press Ganey. Under Sloan’s supportive and guided leadership, OBH was one of the first hospitals in the nation to pilot rural, accredited cancer programs—reducing mortality rates—became the first Dementia Friendly Hospital in North Carolina and achieved accredited stroke-ready status. Sloan also drove the expansion of essential health care services on the Outer Banks, helping to introduce and grow offerings such as urgent care, family medicine, urology, cardiology, ear nose and throat, orthopedics and sports medicine, and cancer care services.
Throughout his career with OBH, Sloan has remained fully committed to its mission: to enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors of Dare County and surrounding areas by providing the highest quality health care services. Sloan has been a valued partner to both of OBH’s partners, ECU Health and CRH, faithfully advancing the aligned missions through collaborative leadership, integrity and dedication.
“Ronnie’s impact has been immeasurable. His contribution to eastern North Carolina, especially on the Outer Banks, will continue to benefit this region for generations,” said Van Smith, Jr., MBA, MSHA, president, ECU Health community hospitals. “For the entirety of the past 15 years, Ronnie exemplified our mission and values in his work, leading by example and reflecting compassion and excellence in all he does. He has set a lasting tone for future healthcare leaders and team members.”
In 2018, Sloan received national recognition as a recipient of the American Hospital Association Rural Health Leadership Award, which honors hospital leaders who guide their organizations through transformational change while displaying outstanding leadership and commitment to improving health outcomes and growing access to healthcare. Beyond his leadership within the organization, Sloan has been a steadfast community advocate. He has volunteered his time and expertise with numerous nonprofit agencies and community development groups, including the North Carolina Aquarium Society Board of Directors, the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the Dare Community Housing Task Force, the Access to Healthcare Task Force and the Visitors Bureau Long Range Strategic Task Force.
“On behalf of the OBH Board of Directors, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Ronnie Sloan for a distinguished career defined by compassion, vision and lasting impact. His legacy will continue to benefit the people of eastern North Carolina for years to come. The Board wishes him the very best in his retirement,” said Myra Ladd-Bone, chair, OBH Board of Directors.
Sloan is set to retire in early 2026 following the selection of his successor, for whom a search is currently underway. Along with OBH’s partners, the OBH Board of Directors is seeking a leader who understands the Outer Banks community, shares its values and will carry forward the organization’s commitment to compassion, integrity and exceptional care.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health has earned 2025 College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) Digital Health Most Wired recognition for Level 8 achievement in the acute category and Level 9 achievement in the ambulatory category. The Digital Health Most Wired program conducts an annual survey designed to identify and recognize health care organizations that exemplify best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.
“ECU Health is honored to be recognized once again by CHIME’s Digital Health Most Wired program for our continued progress in digital transformation,” said Donette Herring, chief information officer, ECU Health. “This achievement is a testament to our team’s commitment to innovation and excellence. As we navigate an increasingly complex health care landscape, our strategic focus on data-driven care and using advancements in artificial intelligence to enhance our services empowers us to enhance patient outcomes and support our clinical teams.”
Among the more than 50,000 facilities surveyed, ECU Health distinguished itself by ranking above peers in key focus areas including clinical quality and safety, analytics and data management, cybersecurity, population health, infrastructure, patient engagement and innovation. The survey evaluates the adoption maturity, outcomes and value of technology integration across healthcare organizations at all stages of digital maturity – from early phase digitization to advanced transformation.
As health care organizations continue to face complex challenges in rising cybersecurity threats, evolving care models, workforce shortages and budget constraints, the need to accelerate digital transformation has never been more urgent. Over the next several decades, emerging technologies will revolutionize care delivery in fundamental ways. Innovations powered by interoperable data, artificial intelligence, and secure digital infrastructure are poised to redefine the digital health landscape. Navigating this evolution will require sustained commitment and a clear, strategic roadmap.
The Digital Health Most Wired survey serves as a comprehensive evaluation and digital maturity report card for health care organizations across the globe. As success in digital transformation increasingly influences the quality and accessibility of care, this recognition program reflects the progress of leading health care providers as they reshape the future of health care. This achievement extends beyond information technology to every area of the enterprise, symbolizing a collective commitment to advancing health and care through strategic digital initiatives.
This past year, ECU Health made significant strides in analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and digital health all with the goal of transforming care delivery and operational excellence. The organization’s AI strategy has accelerated adoption and literacy across the organization, enhancing efficiency and everyday productivity. Physicians and nurses are embracing AI as it seamlessly augments workflows—saving time, improving quality, and elevating the patient experience. Leveraging advanced analytics and the power of AI, clinical and operational leaders are gaining real-time insights that drive immediate action and improve outcomes.
ECU Health has also expanded telehealth services across more specialties through new enterprise platforms, extending access to care for rural communities and advancing our mission to improve health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. These achievements underscore ECU Health’s position as a leader in digital transformation and innovation in health care.