Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health has reached an agreement on a new multi-year contract with UnitedHealthcare, restoring in-network access to care for more than 100,000 UnitedHealthcare-covered patients and supporting rural health sustainability in eastern North Carolina effective Aug. 7, 2026.
The new contract covers patients with Commercial, Medicare Advantage and Medicaid UnitedHealthcare plans, allowing patients to access care from the ECU Health providers, hospitals and clinics they know and trust.
Throughout negotiations, ECU Health’s priority was to protect and restore patients’ access to high-quality, affordable care close to home while ensuring the organization can continue providing essential services across the region.
After years without meaningful increases in reimbursements from UnitedHealthcare despite rising costs associated with delivering care, ECU Health successfully negotiated sustainable terms for the care we provide.
Importantly, this agreement supports:
- Full in-network access to all ECU Health providers, facilities and services for UnitedHealthcare members
- Reimbursement terms that better reflect the cost of care
- Reduced administrative burden
- Fewer barriers to care
- Preserves the relationships our providers have with patients covered by UnitedHealthcare
“Throughout this process, patients and families across eastern North Carolina have been our top priority,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO at ECU Health. “Meeting the mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina means ensuring the sustainability of the services we provide, particularly given the ongoing challenges rural healthcare will continue to face. This agreement ensures patients can access the care they trust at ECU Health, close to home, and allows us to move forward with UnitedHealthcare in a way that supports the long-term health of our communities.”
Patients with canceled or postponed appointments can reschedule with their provider on MyChart or call their provider’s office directly to resume care.
For additional questions or support, patients can visit ECUHealth.org/UnitedHealthcare.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center is the fifth institution in the nation to begin using the bioMérieux VITEK® REVEAL™ analyzer, a rapid blood culture testing tool that can help providers identify effective antibiotics for certain bloodstream infections approximately 24 hours sooner than standard methods.
The new tool, which was implemented in July, can help enable faster treatment, improve patient care and reduce broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance. The analyzer can work directly from a blood culture sample that tests positive for certain, designated types of harmful bacteria to determine which antibiotics are most effective for treatment.
“We know that seconds count when it comes to treating disease, and the Vitek Reveal analyzer is an innovative tool to focus therapy for patients right here in eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Brooks Mitchell, interim director of microbiology, ECU Health Medical Center. Providers equipped with the right information are more likely to make the right decision with less risk of a patient developing resistance that can slow down their recovery.”
ECU Health Medical Center will use the Vitek Reveal analyzer to identify specific microbes that cause sepsis. That allows providers to escalate care accordingly, and in some cases could mean shorter stays at the hospital.
Clinicians will still play the vital role of identifying patient-specific factors such as allergies or other adverse reactions to certain antibiotics and determining the best treatment options for patients. The ability to select the right antibiotic to treat specific microbes also means patients are less likely to develop resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics, maintaining medication’s efficiency in treating microbial disease.
The road to launching the new Vitek Reveal analyzer was a multidisciplinary effort between ECU Health Medical Center’s Microbiology Lab and Infectious Disease Pharmacy. The analyzer will be used in tandem with existing tools to maximize its efficiency.
“Having the right tool for the job is important, but it matters more when those tools are in the hands of skilled professionals,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “We are excited to offer state-of-the-art care close to home for patients in eastern North Carolina, and even more excited to see the impacts this tool and our dedicated physicians and team members will have on treating disease across the region.”
Greenville, N.C. — ECU Health Medical Center recently surpassed 100 GammaTile® procedures for patients with brain tumors, marking a significant milestone in advancing access to innovative cancer care across eastern North Carolina. The achievement places ECU Health among a limited number of centers nationwide with this level of experience using GammaTile®, an FDA-approved, surgically targeted radiation therapy designed to improve outcomes for patients with operable brain tumors.
“Reaching 100 GammaTile® procedures is a significant achievement that reflects ECU Health’s commitment to advancing brain tumor care for patients across eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Stuart Lee, chief of the division of Neurosurgery at ECU Health and medical director of The Gamma Knife Center at ECU Health Medical Center.
“For many of our patients, GammaTile® offers the advantage of receiving surgery and radiation treatment during a single hospitalization, helping reduce barriers to care and ensuring they can access advanced treatment closer to home. There are few centers in the country with this level of experience, and it reflects the expertise of our multidisciplinary team and our commitment to advancing the standard of care for patients with brain tumors.”
With the American Cancer Society estimating more than 24,000 malignant tumors of the brain or spinal cord diagnosed in 2026 across the United States, the need for timely access to advanced treatment options continues to grow.
ECU Health began offering GammaTile® therapy in 2019 and has steadily expanded its use, particularly for patients with metastatic brain tumors requiring surgery. The treatment involves placing small, bioabsorbable collagen tiles embedded with radiation sources directly into the tumor cavity at the time of surgery, allowing for immediate, localized radiation therapy. Unlike traditional approaches, which often require patients to return weeks after surgery for radiation treatment, GammaTile® delivers therapy at the time of tumor removal, eliminating delays and reducing the risk of missed or postponed follow-up care.
“For patients across eastern North Carolina, this milestone means greater access to advanced cancer treatment close to home,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “By bringing these cutting-edge treatments to our region, we can provide the specialized care patients need without requiring them to travel far from their homes and support systems. This achievement reflects ECU Health’s ongoing commitment to innovation and reinforces our role as a regional leader in delivering specialized care.”
In early 2026, ECU Health earned GammaTile® Center of Excellence Program designation from GT Medical Technologies, recognizing the organization’s clinical expertise, patient education and commitment to improving outcomes for patients with operable brain tumors.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center was one of 32 institutions across the nation to participate in the national ROADS (Randomized Controlled Trial of Resection Surgery and GammaTile® versus Standard of Care) clinical trial, a randomized study investigating how GammaTile® therapy compares to the traditional standard of care for patients in treatment for newly diagnosed, operable metastatic brain tumors.
The study, conducted by GT Medical Technologies, determined that GammaTile® therapy, which ECU Health began offering in 2019, can significantly lower rates of tumor regrowth in those patients and improve overall survival rates compared to traditional treatment, which consists of surgery and recovery before patients undergo stereotactic radiation therapy (SRT), a form of targeted radiosurgery, at the tumor site.
“The results of the ROADS clinical trial are very encouraging,” said Dr. Stuart Lee, chief, division of neurosurgery, ECU Health, and medical director of The Gamma Knife Center, ECU Health Medical Center. “Patients who underwent surgery with GammaTile® saw dramatically lower rates of tumor bed recurrence and significantly improved overall survival compared to patients who had surgery followed by radiosurgery four weeks after their operation. We are proud to participate in this important clinical study which affirms ECU Health’s commitment to providing the highest level of care close to home.”
ECU Health earned GammaTile® Center of Excellence Program designation from GT Medical Technologies in early 2026. The designation honors institutions that demonstrate outstanding clinical skill, patient education and commitment to improving outcomes for patients with operable brain tumors. On May 21, 2026, ECU Health celebrated treating its 100th GammaTile® patient. ECU Health is one of six GammaTile® treatment centers in North Carolina and was one of the first adopters of the technology in the eastern United States.
GammaTile® involves placing small, bioabsorbable collagen tiles embedded with radiation sources directly into the tumor cavity at the time of surgery, allowing for immediate, localized radiation therapy. The study indicated patients who received GammaTile® therapy experienced significantly lower rates of tumor regrowth, a greater likelihood of living longer without the tumor recurring and better overall survival compared to patients who received standard SRT.
“Clinical trials like ROADS give ECU Health the data we need to determine how we can offer the best possible care for patients in eastern North Carolina and a chance to share that data with other health systems across the nation,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “Our participation in this trial reflects our commitment to leading the way in cancer care as a top performer nationwide and one of the few institutions with this capability in the state.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is pleased to name Brian Dunn, CPA, as chief financial officer, effective immediately. In this role, Dunn will oversee the Finance and Supply Chain departments for ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, helping advance the enterprise’s shared commitment to delivering high-quality care and improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.
Dunn’s appointment as CFO follows the departure of Andy Zukowski, who recently left the organization after four years of significant contributions to pursue other opportunities.
“Brian has been an invaluable member of the ECU Health team for more than 15 years,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and dean of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “His collaborative, forward-thinking and detail-oriented approach has strengthened our financial position and supported strategic investments in our mission. Brian’s leadership and expertise have been instrumental in driving revenue growth, optimizing reimbursement, reducing costs and advancing long-term financial planning. His extensive experience and deep understanding of our organization will be invaluable as we continue transforming ECU Health to meet the needs of our patients, communities and team members while strengthening our ability to serve eastern North Carolina for years to come.”
Dunn joined ECU Health in 2011 and most recently served as senior vice president of Finance, where he provided leadership for corporate accounting and financial reporting, financial planning and analytics, treasury services, reimbursement and cost reporting, and strategic financial and capital planning. Throughout his tenure, Dunn has played a key role in reinforcing ECU Health’s financial foundation and positioning the organization for long-term sustainability.
“ECU Health’s commitment to serving rural communities has been at the center of my career for the past 15 years,” said Dunn. “It is an honor to serve as CFO and work alongside talented team members across ECU Health. Together, we will continue to strengthen our financial sustainability so we can invest in the people, programs and services that improve health outcomes in eastern North Carolina. I look forward to helping ensure ECU Health remains strong and well-equipped to meet the evolving needs of the patients and communities we serve.”
Dunn earned both his Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Accounting from East Carolina University. Prior to joining ECU Health, he spent more than a decade with RSM, one of the nation’s largest accounting firms, where he specialized in complex accounting, auditing and financial reporting for health care, governmental and nonprofit organizations.
As CFO, Dunn will continue supporting the financial integration goals of the joint operating agreement between ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine, helping advance a shared-services model designed to improve efficiency, strengthen academic medicine and support the delivery of exceptional patient care across the region.
Greenville, N.C. — Martin County and ECU Health are celebrating new, historic investment included in the State Budget to support a regional system of care that will strengthen access to essential health services in eastern North Carolina, including $25 million to re-establish essential health care in Martin County and $15 million of initial support to expand bed capacity at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in Washington.
The funding for health care in Martin County included in the state budget, along with $35 million in NC Care funds previously allocated to the project, allows ECU Health and Martin County to move forward with efforts to reach a formal agreement.
While this funding marks important progress, additional investment to meet the full $150 million for ECU Health Beaufort is required to fully implement a sustainable regional system of care model needed to improve sustainability and expand inpatient capacity for the surrounding communities.
“This budget represents meaningful progress toward a sustainable model of care for Martin County, Beaufort County and eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health. “Rural Americans are facing unprecedented challenges that continue to threaten the viability of health care in their communities. We are grateful for the support of our state elected leaders for infrastructure funding as we pursue rural health initiatives designed to improve the health and well-being of the most vulnerable communities in North Carolina. As the only health care partner with a viable plan, as well as a willingness to re-establish care in Martin County, we remain committed to working with county leaders and state partners to make high-quality local health care a reality on behalf of the patients, families and communities we are honored to serve.”
Leaders from Martin County and ECU Health said they will continue working toward a formal agreement that will define the structure, responsibilities and commitments needed to re-establish essential services in Martin County and advance this regional vision. Importantly, this process will take time as there are contingencies noted in the letter of intent that must be resolved to make this vision a reality. They emphasized that sustained partnership and careful planning will be critical to moving the work forward.
“This investment helps move an important vision forward for Martin County and the surrounding region,” said Drew Batts, County Manager for Martin County. “The effort to acquire this funding has been long and hard fought with Martin County’s team and ECU Health’s team working hand in hand every step of the way. This would not be possible without the efforts of multiple residents and business leaders from Martin County. We appreciate the partnership with ECU Health and the support from state leaders as we continue working toward a long-term solution that restores access to care and serves our residents well into the future.”
Additional details will be shared as planning progresses.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to welcome its first class of ophthalmology residents on June 25, 2026, marking another significant milestone in the growth of its Graduate Medical Education programs since its inception 50 years ago. The new ophthalmology residency program will welcome three residents who are set to begin training later this month. The inaugural residency class will be Dr. Vamsee Vemulapalli, Dr. Omar Nusair and Dr. Joseph “Mitch” Clayton.
“ECU Health’s new ophthalmology residency program is an exciting step forward for the health system and the patients we serve,” said Dr. Ann Ostrovsky, chief of ophthalmology, ECU Health. “This program allows us to train skilled ophthalmologists while expanding access to high-quality eye care across eastern North Carolina. It represents a long-term investment in both medical education and the health of our communities, and we are proud to welcome our first residents. We look forward to the impact they will have.”
The ophthalmology department at ECU Health was established in 2023 under the leadership of Dr. Ostrovsky, who prioritized the development of a residency program as a key component of the department’s long-term vision. With support from ECU Health’s Graduate Medical Education leadership, the program quickly gained accreditation and successfully recruited its inaugural class. Interest in the program was strong, and more than 500 applicants competed for three available positions. ECU Health matched with Drs. Vemulapalli, Nusair and Clayton, all of whom bring additional clinical and research experience following dedicated research years.
The four-year residency program includes an initial postgraduate year focused on broad clinical training followed by three years of specialized ophthalmology education. Residents will gain hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating a wide range of eye conditions while working alongside experienced clinicians. In addition to training residents, the program is expected to enhance patient care across the region.
“This milestone reflects 50 years of growth and commitment within ECU Health’s Graduate Medical Education programs,” said Dr. Mary Catherine Brake Turner, Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and ECU Health Medical Center. “Launching our first ophthalmology residency program expands training opportunities for future physicians and strengthens access to care for the communities we serve. We are proud to welcome these residents as we continue to grow programs that develop the next generation of physician leaders for eastern North Carolina.”
The program further strengthens educational opportunities for medical students. ECU Health will host students from the Brody School of Medicine and visiting institutions, offering clinical rotations and early exposure to ophthalmology. These experiences help build interest in the specialty and support the program’s future recruitment efforts.
Greenville, N.C. – The 2026 ECU Health Board Quality Leadership Award winners were recognized at the ECU Health Board of Directors meeting held on Tuesday, June 23. These winning teams exemplify ECU Health’s system-wide commitment to achieving zero harm, delivering exceptional experiences and advancing patient outcomes through high-quality, compassionate care.
“These projects exemplify the talent and passion that team members have for addressing complex health care challenges in our rural region,” said Dr. Andy Tewari, chair, ECU Health Board of Directors. “The wide range of teams recognized today shows the scope of their commitment to innovation and serving our patients in eastern North Carolina.”
Projects demonstrating excellence reflected two or more of the following traits:
- Sustained Quality and Safety Improvement: Quantifiable improvement in an organizational priority that advances the goal of zero harm and demonstrates reliability over time.
- Compassion in Action for Safety: Demonstrated teamwork and commitment to protecting patients and team members from harm through consistent application of safety behaviors, communication and a fair and just culture.
- Innovation and Continuous Learning: Implementation of innovative, evidence-based solutions that enhance clinical quality, safety and operational reliability.
- Reduce Variations in Quality Outcomes: Meaningful work that identifies and reduces barriers and promotes quality and safety for all populations served.
Four teams earned awards this year, chosen from a competitive pool of nominations and thoughtfully reviewed by the selection committee.
The winning teams are as follows:
A team from ECU Health Medical Center submitted “Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP) Review of Restricted Antimicrobial Use and Compliance.” The project improved ECU Health Medical Center’s electronic health record and antimicrobial stewardship program workflows. It yielded $270,000 in cost savings and reduced unnecessary antimicrobial use, supported safer patient care and helped fight antimicrobial resistance.
The project leaders were Nicole Nicolsen, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, ASP/Infectious Diseases (ID) pharmacist manager, and Melissa George, PharmD, BCIDP, ADP/ID pharmacist. Team members were David Laurent, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP, ASP/ID pharmacist, Emily Perez, PharmD, ASP/ID pharmacist, and Allison Field, PharmD, VCID, AAHIVP, ASP/ID pharmacist.
A team from ECU Health North submitted their project “Two-Year Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infection (CLABSI) Free Initiative: Driving Interdisciplinary Excellence Through Daily Nurse Quality Huddles and Rounding.” Efforts from the project led to zero hospital-acquired CLABSI cases.
The Project Leaders were Aparesh Balla, MPH, QS III, Maryland Hicks, BSN, RN, WCC, QNS II, and Chelsey Shearin, BSN, RN, IP II. The team members were Dr. Jude Ojie, hospitalist medical director, Dr. Rudo Gwanzura, chief of staff, Wanda Neathery, manager of patient care services, Jennifer Pilgreen, manager of patient care services, Karen Liles, RN, vascular access team, and Ann Strickland, RN, vascular access team.
A team from ECU Health Physicians submitted “Improving Hypertension Control in Ambulatory Care.” The project used a data-driven approach to improve blood pressure test accuracy, repeat measurement and home monitoring documentation by standardizing how blood pressure tests are conducted.
Project leaders were Crystal Ashley, RN, BSN, and Dr. Samuel Moskowitz. Team members were Marsha Becker, RN MSN, Dr. Dean Miner, Jessica Walker, MSHIIM, BSPH, Jason Monroe, MBA, Wendy VanLandingham, RN, BSN, Jennifer Jones, RN, and Drillious Gay, RN, MSN.
A team from ECU Health Ambulatory Quality Services submitted “Improving Outcomes: A Patient-Centered Approach to Hypertension Management.” The project used a community-funded initiative in July 2025, to improve home monitoring for blood pressure with blood pressure cuffs, patient education and integrated patient-entered readings through MyChart.
The project leader was Gail Scheller, RN, AMB-BC, AE-C, Ambulatory Quality Nurse Specialist. Team members were Barbara Adams, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Avon, Stephanie Huband, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Kitty Hawk, Cynthia O’Neal, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Manteo, Sean Dunigan, manager, Outer Banks Health Family Medicine – Nags Head East and Kristen Daniels, manager, Outer Banks Health Internal Medicine – Nags Head.
“These teams worked with purpose to build the tools, dataflow and support that empower our care teams to do their best work for patients in service to ECU Health’s mission and enterprise goal of clinical excellence,” said Dr. Niti Armistead, Chief Clinical Officer and Chief Quality Officer, ECU Health. “Their efforts remind us that quality improvement is one of the most powerful ways to bring meaning and joy into the work of caring for patients.”
Greenville, N.C. – The North Carolina Statewide Telepsychiatry Program’s Pediatric Program (NC-STeP-Peds) has been named the recipient of the 2026 Psychiatric Services Achievement Gold Award by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), one of the field’s highest national and international honors recognizing innovation and excellence in mental health care delivery.
The award was presented during the APA Annual Meeting held in May in San Francisco. Established in 1949, the award recognizes programs worldwide that demonstrate leadership in service delivery, quality improvement and meaningful engagement with patients, families and care teams.
NC-STeP-Peds, an initiative of East Carolina University’s Center for Telepsychiatry, was recognized for its innovative, technology-enabled approach to addressing pediatric mental health needs, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
“Improving access to high-quality behavioral health care for children is one of the most urgent challenges facing our communities,” said Dr. Sy Saeed, executive director of NC-STeP and professor and chair emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. “This recognition reflects the strength of our partnership and our commitment to reaching children where they are with timely, evidence-based care.”
Nationally, one in four to five children and adolescents are affected by a mental health disorder, yet fewer than half receive treatment. Access challenges are even more pronounced in North Carolina, where approximately 33% of residents live in rural areas and behavioral health providers are concentrated in urban centers. NC-STeP Pediatrics continues to work to address these significant mental health needs. NC-STeP-Peds serves children statewide, from Murphy to Manteo.
Launched in 2023, NC-STeP Pediatrics brings together clinicians from across the state to expand access through telepsychiatry, virtual reality, AI-supported knowledge management, and integrated, team-based care models. Using a population health approach, the program partners with pediatric practices across the state.
To date, the program has:
- Screened more than 47,000 children and adolescents for mental health symptoms.
- Supported more than 5,800 patients with follow-up evaluations by behavioral health managers.
- Connected more than 400 patients with child and adolescent psychiatrists.
- Delivered integrated care to more than 760 children and adolescents.
- Completed over 2,000 patients visits
“NC STeP Pediatrics demonstrates how academic medicine and health system collaboration can transform access to care, particularly for patients in rural communities,” said ECU Health CEO and Brody School of Medicine Dean Dr. Michael Waldrum. “By leveraging technology and innovation, we are reaching a greater number of children and families across North Carolina. This recognition is a testament to the mission-driven team members who continue to expand NC-STeP’s impact in the state.”
The program has emerged as a nationally recognized model for expanding access to pediatric behavioral health services in rural communities. Its collaborative co-management approach supports primary care providers and pediatricians while enhancing care coordination, improving patient experience and strengthening mental health outcomes.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health has been awarded $1,497,500 from The Duke Endowment (TDE) to participate in the Maternal Infant Health (MIH) Carolinas initiative, a multiyear effort to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across North Carolina and South Carolina, strengthen care coordination and advance health equity. H.E.A.R. (Healing, Equity, Advocacy and Respect) 4 Mamas and Babies (H4MAB) is a text- and phone-based screening and referral program developed at The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to identify medical, behavioral health and social needs early in pregnancy and throughout the postpartum year.
“ECU Health is proud to serve as a pilot site for this proven maternal health model, allowing us to bring an innovative, evidence‑informed approach to mothers across our 29‑county region,” said Angela Still, executive director, Women’s Services, James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center.
“By integrating comprehensive, stage‑specific screenings with coordinated nursing and social work support, we can better identify needs early and connect patients with the clinical and community resources that help them thrive. We are excited to collaborate with MUSC and peer programs to advance maternal and infant health outcomes for families throughout eastern North Carolina.”
The model proactively connects participants to timely, trusted services and has demonstrated significant improvements in the detection and treatment of mental health conditions, including maternal depression and anxiety as well as substance use disorders, chronic health conditions, intimate partner violence and unmet social determinants of health needs.
TDE’s investment will support the awarded sites in planning and implementing H4MAB. This includes participation in a peer learning community and access to a comprehensive Technical Assistance and Training Center led by MUSC in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The center provides training, technology, cross-site evaluation and data resources along with ongoing technical assistance to strengthen implementation. It will also collaborate with state agencies, Medicaid programs and private payers to explore long-term reimbursement pathways for program sustainability.
ECU Health is among five health systems TDE selected to form a network aimed at mitigating risk factors that lead to poor maternal and infant health outcomes while ensuring families across the Carolinas receive the timely support they need to thrive. ECU Health will collaborate with local health care providers, public health agencies and community-based organizations to share information about H4MAB and connect families with medical, behavioral health, social support and peer support resources. ECU Health will also convene a community advisory board to provide feedback, identify resource gaps and ensure that implementation reflects local context and community experience.
“We are thrilled to launch this initiative in partnership with MUSC, UNC-Chapel Hill and five health systems,” said Jay Kennedy, senior program officer with The Duke Endowment’s Health Care program area. “Our aim is to work together to replicate and scale this program in hopes of improving health outcomes for more women and infants across the Carolinas.”