Greenville, N.C. – Listeners across eastern North Carolina tuned in to make an incredible impact during the 28th annual “Music for Miracles” radiothon, raising $113,734 in support of the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center, which serves pediatric patients across a 29-county region. Since its inception in 1998, the radiothon has now raised over $4 million, directly enhancing the hospital’s programs and services.
“Year after year, I am deeply moved by the remarkable generosity of this community,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs for the ECU Health Foundation. “Their unwavering commitment to enhancing health care for children in eastern North Carolina is nothing short of inspiring. I also want to express my gratitude to the families who share their heartfelt stories with us. These children are true miracles, and it is a privilege to shine a spotlight on the exceptional care they have received at Maynard Children’s Hospital.”
This year’s radiothon aired on all Inner Banks Media radio stations, including 107.9, Talk 96.3 and 103.7, Oldies 94.1 and 102.7, and 94.3 The Game. All funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Hospital events like the radiothon are allocated entirely to supporting programs and services at Maynard Children’s Hospital. These contributions help procure life-saving medical equipment, enhance educational opportunities for patients and staff, provide comforting resources for children and develop new, state-of-the-art facilities.
“I am so proud of another successful radiothon,” said Henry Hinton, president, Inner Banks Media. “I am amazed every year of the generosity of our listeners and to surpass $4 million over the years is really something we can all be proud of. There is no greater feeling of pride than helping to raise funds for this great hospital that cares for our children in eastern North Carolina. It is a great privilege for us to use our radio stations in this way.”
For those who missed the radiothon but would still like to contribute, donations can be made at www.GiveToCMN.com.
Edenton, N.C. – ECU Health is expanding access to specialized cardiology care in the Chowan area with the launch of a new telecardiology program, designed to bring expert heart care closer to home for patients who may otherwise have to travel long distances for appointments or experience long wait times between appointments.
“Our goal is to provide high-quality cardiology care that is both accessible and convenient for our patients,” said Dr. Sivakumar Ardhanari, cardiologist, ECU Health. “This program allows us to assess patients in real time, conduct detailed evaluations, and coordinate necessary next steps—all without requiring them to leave their community. By integrating cutting-edge telemedicine technology with hands-on support from our local clinical teams, we’re ensuring that patients receive timely and expert care while reducing travel burdens and wait times.”
The telecardiology program, which launched its first clinic in January, leverages advanced telemedicine technology to connect in-person patients at ECU Health Chowan Hospital’s outpatient specialty clinic with Dr. Ardhanari, a Greenville-based cardiologist.
During each visit, patients first undergo standard vital checks, and the care team can perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) if needed. Dr. Ardhanari evaluates patients remotely using a specialized telemedicine system equipped with audio and video capabilities, a digital stethoscope, and other assessment tools. He communicates directly with both the patient and the attending nurse, guiding the examination process, including listening to the heart and lungs. If additional testing—such as a heart monitor or stress test—is needed, the nurse facilitates the next steps, ensuring a seamless patient-provider connection and comprehensive cardiovascular care.
Through MyChart, patients can communicate with their care teams, access test results, and ask follow-up questions, enhancing both convenience and continuity of care. Additionally, two Greenville-based cardiologists, Dr. Christopher Gregory and Dr. Christopher Karkut, continue to provide in-person visits at ECU Health Chowan Hospital on Mondays and Thursdays, ensuring a hybrid approach to care.
“The demand for cardiology services in the Chowan area continues to grow, making this program an essential step in expanding patient access,” said Dr. John Catanzaro, John “Jack” Rose Distinguished Professor and chief of the Division of Cardiology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, and director of the East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU Health Medical Center. “By leveraging technology and clinical expertise, ECU Health remains committed to bridging gaps in specialty care, ensuring patients in rural communities have access to the high-quality cardiology services they need in their own community.”
To learn more about ECU Health Heart & Vascular Care, please visit: ECUHealth.org/Heart
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Feb 19, 2025 – PEP Health, the AI-powered patient experience platform trusted by leading health systems, today announced a strategic partnership with ECU Health, a mission-driven rural academic health system known for its excellence in patient experience and commitment to rural health and wellness. This collaboration provides ECU Health with real-time, AI-driven patient and community insights, allowing for a more inclusive, proactive, and data-informed approach to improving the patient experience through the wisdom of unsolicited patient feedback.
“Creating caring experiences for our patients and team members is central to our mission and values,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, Chief Experience Officer at ECU Health. “PEP Health’s technology offers a new and comprehensive way to deeply listen to patients as well as potential consumers and puts us in a better position to make more informed experience decisions. This partnership supports our ongoing commitment to deliver safe, highly reliable human-centered care to the communities we serve.”
Transformative Technology for Rural Health Excellence
Today’s healthcare consumers expect transparency, responsiveness, and personalized experiences—and PEP Health meets this challenge by using AI, data science, and healthcare-specific natural language processing (NLP) to continuously analyze millions of patient interactions across online sources, including social media, review platforms, and patient forums. ECU Health will implement PEP Health’s proprietary AI analysis of unsolicited feedback from over eight million digital sources.
“Patient experience is the foundation of healthcare excellence,” said Dr. Mark Lomax, CEO of PEP Health. “ECU Health’s commitment to understanding patient and community insights sets a standard for human-centered care. With our technology, they can focus on what patients’ value most and continuously adapt to meet those expectations.”
Why This Matters for Healthcare Providers
The stakes for patient experience have never been higher. Patient sentiment directly influences HCAHPS scores, CMS Star Ratings, and financial performance. Traditional surveys offer limited, delayed, and often incomplete insights, capturing feedback from only a small percentage of patients. Meanwhile, millions of people—including patients, family members, caregivers, and future healthcare consumers—are already sharing their experiences online.
These unfiltered perspectives provide a wealth of actionable insights that hospitals and health systems can leverage to improve care quality, enhance trust, and drive better outcomes—if they have the right tools to capture and analyze them.
“Forward-thinking health systems like ECU Health recognize that these insights from unsolicited feedback are key to unlocking better outcomes, improved loyalty, and inspiring long-term patient trust. Our technology provides more visibility into actual patient sentiment—helping healthcare leaders take meaningful action before issues impact care quality or financial performance,” continued Dr. Lomax.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center is enhancing the patient and visitor experience by reintroducing valet services and expanding shuttle services starting Saturday, Feb. 1. These services, provided by The Car Park (TCP), are part of ECU Health’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and convenience for all who visit the medical center.
Valet Services
Valet services will cost $10 per day, with payment options including credit/debit card (swipe or tap), and Apple Pay and Google Pay becoming available later this year. During operating hours, customers will receive a card with a text number/code or can call a phone number for car retrieval. After hours, customers can text or call the posted number, and TCP employees will retrieve the car and deliver it to the preferred entrance location. After-hours coverage is provided by the team stationed at the Emergency Department.
Valet services will be available at the following locations and times:
- Emergency Department: Seven days a week, 24 hours a day
- Ambulatory Surgery Unit: Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Cancer Center: Monday to Friday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Main Entrance Valet: Monday to Sunday, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Free Shuttle Services
The shuttle service will continue operating with extended service hours aligning with visiting hours. The shuttle will run continuously from designated parking lots on ECU Health Medical Center’s campus to nine entrances at the hospital and serving 50 additional on-campus locations on demand.
Shuttle services can be reached at 919-900-6599 or 252-847-1547 and will be available at the following times:
- Monday to Friday: 4 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
ECU Health Medical Center is excited to continue its commitment to providing a seamless and accessible experience for patients and visitors by reintroducing valet and shuttle services. These enhancements aim to reduce parking challenges and improve convenience, ensuring everyone who visits the medical center can focus on what matters most—receiving high-quality care.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health, the health system serving eastern North Carolina, marked a year of clinical advancements, record recruitment, expanded access to care, academic growth and national recognition in 2024. The health system’s progress demonstrates its unwavering commitment to improving health outcomes for the region’s rural communities.
“At ECU Health, 2024 was a successful year marked by groundbreaking innovations, impactful collaborations and significant achievements that solidify our position as a national model for rural health care,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, ECU Health CEO and dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
“From advancing academic excellence and clinical innovation to expanding access to care, these milestones reflect the unwavering dedication and hard work of our exceptional team members. As an exciting new year begins, we remain committed to building on this momentum to address the unique health care needs of our communities with a focus on meeting our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
A few key highlights from 2024 include: celebrating the first graduating class of its Rural Family Medicine Residency Program and also expanding class sizes moving forward, investing in research with the Brody School of Medicine, introducing innovative technologies such as the BEAR® Implant, FARAPULSE™ and EluPro® BioEnvelope to enhance patient outcomes and offer state-of-the-art treatment options, and the system earning several prestigious recognitions, including becoming the only Level I Pediatric Trauma Center in eastern North Carolina and one of four in the state, Electrophysiology Lab accreditation and Magnet® designation for nursing excellence, and hosting the one year anniversary celebration of Medicaid expansion, highlighting the number of eastern North Carolinians who now have access to health insurance.
More 2024 highlights include:
- ECU Health Medical Center received The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for brain tumor care.
- ECU Health strengthened its network with the opening of the Outer Banks Health Cancer Center, groundbreaking for Outer Banks Health Family Medicine in Manteo, the launch of the JOY Clinic and the ECU Health and Pitt County Health Department’s vaccine and health assessment clinic for local kids.
- ECU Health achieved record recruitment of physicians and nurses committed to the ECU Health mission.
- ECU Health expanded access to primary care access by adding 198 new primary care providers and opening more than 900 new primary care appointments per week.
- ECU Health celebrated the first graduating class of its Rural Family Medicine Residency Program and expanded the class size.
- ECU Health started fellowships in Electrophysiology and American Sign Language.
- The Brody School of Medicine broke ground on its new Center for Medical Education, a step toward increasing its class size from 86 to over 120 students, addressing the growing need for physicians in the region.
- ECU and ECU Health’s NC-STeP program received a national achievement award by the American Psychiatric Association.
To explore more milestones and highlights from 2024, visit ECUHealth.org/YearInReview2024.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health and the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt are pleased to announce an initiative that will help eliminate more than $186 million worth of past-due hospital medical debt for more than 32,000 qualifying patients. Debt relief letters will arrive over the course of December’s holiday season into the New Year on a rolling basis given the size of this relief effort
Eligible community members do not need to apply, and there is no application process. Instead, community members who qualify for this one-time debt relief will receive a branded letter from Undue Medical Debt indicating which past-due hospital debt or debts have been eliminated. Undue Medical Debt works with hospital systems and other providers across the country to purchase past due medical debt belonging to those least able to pay in large portfolios for pennies or less on the dollar and then erases the debt.
ECU Health’s collaboration with Undue Medical Debt pre-dates North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ medical debt relief initiative which spans all hospitals in the state and lays out a plan for medical debt relief coupled with changes to Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement policy and financial aid standards in 2025.
Under Undue Medical Debt guidelines, those who qualify for this medical debt relief have hospital medical debts that are 5% or more than their annual income or earn at or below four times poverty-level income. The current federal poverty level is an annual income of under $31,200 for a family of four which means a qualifying family of four would make under $124,800. Community members do not need to take any action, as the eligible hospital medical debt will automatically be eliminated for those who qualify.
“We’re grateful to collaborate with ECU Health to help ease the burden of medical debt in eastern North Carolina,” said Undue Medical Debt CEO and President Allison Sesso. “Helping community members burdened by medical debt takes thoughtful collaboration and I’m proud of the results: over 30,000 people helped this holiday season. We hope this program provides financial and emotional relief to recipients and encourages them to continue engaging with the healthcare system.”
The collaboration with Undue Medical Debt is one of many ways in which ECU Health is living its mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. The initiative aligns with the health system’s commitment to serving underserved communities in the East, many of which have disproportionate numbers of low-income and uninsured or underinsured people. The initiative is also in alignment with ECU Health’s long-standing practice of non-predatory billing practices, which emphasize charity care, zero-interest payment plans, transparent pricing and dedicated resources to help patients navigate financial requirements.
“At ECU Health, our commitment to our mission and patients is at the heart of all we do,” said ECU Health Chief Operating Officer Brian Floyd. “We have always been guided by a deep desire to support our patients in whatever way we can, and this collaboration with Undue Medical Debt will make an enormous impact on so many in our largely underserved region. We could not be more thankful to find an organization like Undue Medical Debt which shares our vision for making high-quality rural health care accessible here in eastern North Carolina.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health, eastern North Carolina’s leading academic health care system, has named Todd Hickey, MHA, FACHE, as president of ECU Health North Hospital, effective Jan. 1, 2025. Hickey will serve as president of ECU Health North in addition to continuing his current role as chief strategy officer for the health system.
“I could not be more pleased to welcome Todd into his new role as president of ECU Health North Hospital,” said D. Van Smith, MBA, MSHA, ECU Health Community Hospitals President. “Todd brings more than 20 years of experience in health care operations, strategic planning and leading transformational change to the role, and I am confident he will continue to guide ECU Health North Hospital in service to communities in the northeastern part of our region. I want to also thank Dennis Campbell for his leadership as the interim president at North over the last six months.”
Hickey joined ECU Health in 2008, serving in service line and hospital operations executive leadership roles at ECU Health Medical Center until becoming the health system’s first Chief Clinical Network Development Officer in 2016. In this role, Hickey successfully led and implemented joint ventures, service line expansions, an integrated population health model and key acquisitions, including the integration of Halifax Memorial (now ECU Health North Hospital) into ECU Health in 2019. He transitioned to Chief Strategy Officer in 2022 which expanded his oversight to include developing and guiding the ECU Health enterprise 3–5-year strategic plan.
“It is an honor to serve as president of ECU Health North Hospital,” Hickey said. “I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to help bring ECU Health North into the ECU Health system and I have a deep appreciation for the important role it plays in Halifax County, Roanoke Rapids and the surrounding communities. I am excited to work with the ECU Health North team to continue advancing the legacy of providing high-quality, compassionate care.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health has earned 2024 College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) Digital Health Most Wired recognition as a certified acute and ambulatory Level 8. 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 and included more than 48,000 represented facilities in 2024.
“I am incredibly proud of our team’s dedication and innovation, which have been instrumental in achieving the 2024 Most Wired Award,” said Donette Herring, chief information officer, ECU Health. “Our efforts to improve the well-being and efficiency of our clinical team members and adoption of artificial intelligence were top priorities this past year. These achievements underscore the team’s commitment to innovation, education and the seamless integration of technologies across the organization. We look forward to building on these successes and exploring new opportunities to advance ECU Health’s strategies and improve operational performance.”
ECU Health ranked above peers in categories across eight key areas including: infrastructure, security, administrative/supply chain, analytics/data management, interoperability/population health, patient engagement, innovation and clinical quality/safety. Participants receive a comprehensive benchmarking report enabling them to evaluate their current information systems’ health. This report assists in devising strategies to elevate the quality of health care organizations to enhance industry-wide care standards. The assessment covers digital health performance. The survey assesses the adoption, integration and impact of technologies at all stages of development, from early development to industry leading.
ECU Health has piloted several initiatives to enhance patient care and streamline operations. The clinical communication program has enhanced the timeliness of communication and care coordination among team members, as well as increased workforce mobility, evidenced by high utilization in medication administration, documentation, and secure messaging. The MyChart Bedside program allows patients to access real-time education, lab results and pertinent care information directly from iPads, enhancing patient understanding and engagement. In the Emergency Department, the ‘Hello World’ initiative improves patient engagement through enhanced texting capabilities, keeping patients informed on next steps.
Additionally, regional facilities have expanded the tele-sitter program, optimizing resource allocation for patients who need monitoring but not constant one-on-one attention. The implementation of flowsheet macros has been a major efficiency booster, saving nurses millions of clicks and positioning ECU Health as a leader in this innovative adoption. ECU Health is also advancing artificial intelligence (AI) integration across its operations. The launch of the AI Center of Practice (AICoP) has gathered over 200 members across departments to foster collaboration and AI best practices.
“We are proud to recognize your ECU Health’s exceptional dedication to digital health excellence,” said CHIME President and CEO, Russ Branzell. “ECU Health’s pioneering performance in the industry not only inspires other organizations by example, but also provides patients around the world with better care.”
Greenville, N.C. – Dr. Ghanshyam Shantha, cardiac electrophysiologist at ECU Health, recently performed the first procedure at ECU Health Medical Center with a new and innovative device that treats atrial fibrillation (AFib), or an irregular heartbeat – the FARAPULSE™ Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) System. The FARAPULSE™ PFA is a catheter device that uses electrical fields to target specific tissue areas within the heart that causes an irregular heart rhythm that significantly decrease quality of life and carries the risk of embolic stroke.
“I’m incredibly proud of our electrophysiology team at ECU Health for delivering innovative solutions like FARAPULSE that are making a real difference in the lives of patients here in eastern North Carolina, where many struggle with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and hypertension,” said Dr. John Catanzaro, John “Jack” Rose Distinguished Professor and chief of the Division of Cardiology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, and director of the East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU Health Medical Center.
“AFib patients face a significantly higher risk of stroke, heart failure and other serious complications. Our team’s dedication to improving the well-being of our community is reflected in the cutting-edge treatments we’re providing to help reduce these risks and offer a better quality of life for our patients.”
More than 454,000 people are hospitalized with AFib each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. AFib is a common heart condition where the top chambers of the heart beat irregularly due to disorganized electrical signals in the heart. Paroxysmal AFib occurs when the irregular heartbeat does not happen all the time. Traditional treatments often use heat or cold to burn or freeze the malfunctioning heart cells to get the heartbeat back to normal. Thermal ablations pose a small risk of causing damage to other surrounding areas and complications. The newer ablation option, PFA, uses electrical pulses to target these cells more precisely, significantly reducing some of the complications that can come with thermal ablations.
“We’re thrilled to introduce FARAPULSE as a cutting-edge solution for patients with AFib in eastern North Carolina, where AFib rates are particularly high, and access to advanced care is essential,” said Jay Briley, president of ECU Health Medical Center. “Our teams are dedicated to delivering top-tier cardiac care, and their commitment to providing patients with the latest technology is inspiring. This innovative treatment is yet another step toward ensuring the best possible outcomes for our communities, right here at home.”
According to Boston Scientific, FARAPULSE benefits patients by reducing the risk of damage to surrounding anatomy, shorter procedure duration and better patient outcomes. In fact, more than 80 percent of patients with paroxysmal AFib had no returning symptoms within one year, and almost three-quarters of patients discontinued heart rhythm medications within one year.
ECU Health team members that were part of the new procedure include: Ghanshyam Shantha, MD, MPH; John Catanzaro, MD, MBA, Mark Dixon, RN, Dennis Wood, CVT, and Stephanie Clarke, CVT. As the leading academic health system in eastern North Carolina, ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine perform nearly 450 ablations each year, ensuring patients can access the latest medical treatments close to home. By combining academic expertise with clinical care, ECU Health not only improve patient outcomes but also provides essential training for the next generation of health care professionals. ECU Health’s leadership in advancing cardiovascular treatments reinforces its mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. To learn more about ECU Health’s heart and vascular services, please visit ECUHealth.org/heart.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® Certification for brain tumor care, recognizing the program’s ongoing dedication to delivering safe, high-quality patient care. According to The Joint Commission, the Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that recognizes health care organizations that provide comprehensive care for patients with brain tumors.
“This recognition from The Joint Commission is a testament to the incredible neuro-oncological expertise, technology and research available here at ECU Health Medical Center,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “It is immensely humbling to witness the incredible efforts that take place within the walls of the hospital every single day to further our understanding of brain tumors and brain tumor treatment. We could not be more proud of every team member who helped receive this prestigious certification.”
ECU Health Medical Center underwent a rigorous onsite review in July. During the visit, the Joint Commission reviewer evaluated compliance with related certification standards including compliances with consensus-based national standards, effective integration of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines to manage and optimize care, and organization of approach to performance measurement and performance improvement, including data collection and analysis. Joint Commission standards are developed in consultation with health care experts and providers, measurement experts and patients. The reviewers also conducted onsite observations and interviews.
“Brain tumor care certification recognizes health care organizations committed to striving for excellence and fostering continuous improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Ken Grubbs, DNP, MBA, RN, executive vice president of Accreditation and Certification Operations and chief nursing officer, The Joint Commission. “We commend ECU Health Medical Center for using The Joint Commission certification process to reduce variation in clinical processes and to strengthen its clinical program to drive safer, higher quality and more compassionate care for individuals served.”
ECU Health Medical Center boasts a comprehensive neuro-oncological care program, led by a board-certified neuro-oncologist. The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® Certification for brain tumor care highlights the collaboration between interdisciplinary teams in oncology and neurosciences who are committed to advancing the treatment of brain tumors through research, numerous clinical trials, patient care, education and prevention.
“Obtaining this certification highlights our team’s unwavering dedication and commitment to delivering exceptional care for our patients with brain tumors,” said Dr. Jasmin Jo, director, neuro-oncology program, ECU Health. “Our primary objective is to ensure we deliver high-quality care consistently throughout every stage of the patient journey, from initial presentation and diagnosis to treatment, and follow-up care, as well as comprehensive education for both patients and their families. I could not be more proud of the entire brain tumor team for their remarkable dedication and hard work in achieving this certification. We remain steadfast in our pursuit of continuous improvement in the treatment and care of our patients.”
In addition to its clinical and academic expertise, ECU Health Medical Center offers an array of comprehensive brain tumor interventions, supported by state-of-the-art technology like GammaTile and Gamma Knife treatment, as well as innovative clinical trials that improve brain tumor knowledge, treatments and outcomes. This blend of cutting-edge technology and academic collaboration enhances the precision and effectiveness of care, ultimately leading to better outcomes for patients.
“Patients diagnosed with brain tumors deserve access to high-quality physicians, technology and treatment options close to home,” said Dr. Stuart Lee, executive director, ECU Health Neurosciences. “I am proud of the team behind this important certification because they are truly living our values as a mission-driven organization. With comprehensive brain tumor services available in the region, we are proud to do our part to improve the health and well-being of those we proudly serve.”
For more information about ECU Health’s neurological care services, please visit ECUHealth.org/Neuro or The Joint Commission website.