Edenton, NC – ECU Health Chowan Hospital has been nationally recognized for excellence in patient experience, earning the second spot on PEP Health’s 2026 US Hospital Rankings. This recognition places ECU Health Chowan Hospital among the top-performing hospitals in the country, based on real-time feedback from patients and families.
“Being recognized as one of the top hospitals in the country for patient experience is a tremendous honor,” said Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Chowan Hospital. “This achievement reflects the compassion, dedication and professionalism of our entire team. We are proud to serve our community and remain committed to delivering excellent care.”
PEP Health’s rankings are based on tens of millions of unsolicited online comments posted between Sept. 1, 2024, and Aug. 31, 2025, across public review sites, forums and social media. Using an AI-powered platform, PEP Health analyzes and validates patient sentiment to provide a transparent, unbiased view of how care is experienced across the country. To be eligible, hospitals must have received at least 365 unsolicited comments and consistently high scores across seven domains of patient-centered care, including: Fast Access, Effective Treatment, Emotional Support, Communication & Involvement, Continuity of Care, Attention to Physical & Environmental Needs and Billing & Administration.
“Patient experience is a powerful reflection of values in action, and this recognition from PEP Health affirms the importance of listening to our patients and continuously improving based on their insights,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer at ECU Health. “Being recognized nationally for excellence across multiple elements of people-centered care affirms from our patients that we are providing safe, healing environments. I am grateful for our teams and this recognition is validation of the ECU Health team’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
According to PEP Health, hospitals that prioritize patient experience see improved clinical outcomes, stronger financial performance and enhanced health equity. Last year, ECU Health Medical Center recognized as leader in patient experience for second consecutive year by PEP Health. To ensure fairness and representation, only the top-performing hospital per health system is featured. Positive experiences also influence CMS Star Ratings and play a key role in attracting and retaining patients.
Greenville, NC – ECU Health is proud to announce the Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program (ECIPP) at ECU Health Medical Center was honored with the Martha Collar Partnership Award at the Safe Kids Worldwide International Childhood Injury Prevention Convention (PrevCon) for its outstanding contributions toward preventing childhood injuries. Named for Oklahoma Safe Kids State Coordinator Martha Collar, this award recognizes inspirational individuals or organizations that exhibit outstanding leadership and a commitment to collaboration and partnerships.
“ECIPP is honored by this recognition, which reflects the dedication and innovation of the entire team in advancing injury prevention and safety across eastern North Carolina,” said Ellen Walston, Injury Prevention Program Coordinator and Safe Kids Pitt County Coordinator at ECU Health. “Through strong partnerships and community-focused strategies, we have expanded access to education and resources that make a real difference in people’s lives. Our greatest reward is seeing the positive impact of this work on the health and well-being of the children and families we serve.”
ECIPP is dedicated to improving the health and safety of eastern North Carolina by reducing the frequency and severity of preventable injuries, especially to children. Founded in 1995, ECIPP is a collaborative initiative between the ECU Health Trauma Center, Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center and the Department of Emergency Medicine at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. Through hands-on community outreach, ECIPP offers car seat and bike helmet fittings, along with educational programs focused on risk areas such as driver and pedestrian safety, fall prevention, water safety, suicide prevention and safe firearm storage. ECIPP also plays an active role in regional coalitions, including the Greenville Traffic Safety Task Force, formed in partnership with the Greenville Police Department, and the Pitt County Firearm Safety Coalition, working together to build a safer, more informed community.
“The Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program exemplifies how community collaboration can transform safety education into measurable action,” said Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide. “Their partnerships and holistic approach embody Martha’s legacy of building bridges that protect families.”
The award was presented at PrevCon on Oct. 15, 2025, that convened more than 600 child health and safety professionals from around the world, including academic researchers, community activists, health care providers, manufacturers, public health and injury prevention practitioners and policy makers. More than 20 individuals and organizations were honored for their leadership in the field. PrevCon is one of the largest gatherings of individuals and organizations dedicated to childhood injury prevention. Preventable injuries are the number one cause of death for children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and almost every one of these tragedies is preventable.
Roanoke Rapids, NC — ECU Health North Hospital has launched a new hospital-based Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) I Program designed to help team members at ECU Health North, ECU Health Edgecombe and ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan hospitals gain hands-on training, real-world experience and the foundation needed to become a certified nursing assistant.
“At ECU Health, we are committed to strengthening the rural health care workforce by expanding access to careers in nursing and allied health,” said Pam Rudisill, vice president of Nursing Excellence, ECU Health. “This initiative not only invests in the growth and development of our current team members but also opens new doors for those entering the field. By aligning with existing workforce pipelines and community college partnerships, we are building a more resilient and skilled care team that is designed to meet the needs of those we serve.”
Team members who are selected for the program will learn essential patient care skills from experienced medical professionals, receive classroom instruction and clinical training on-site and build a pathway toward long-term career growth in health care. The program was created to enable current team members to pursue a nursing assistant certification by offering life-work balance and the support needed to achieve their goals. Upon completion of the program and with certification, team members will then transition from their current roles to a nursing assistant position. The first cohort will graduate in January 2026 and join the nursing team at ECU Health, and enrollment for the second cohort beginning in February 2026 is open now.
“By equipping our team members with the skills and support they need to grow into vital roles, we are helping create a pipeline of compassionate, community-based caregivers who will serve eastern North Carolina for years to come,” said Todd Hickey, president of ECU Health North Hospital. “Investing in our local talent, especially in rural communities like the Roanoke Valley, strengthens our workforce and keeps care close to home. Initiatives like these help us fulfill our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
The CNA I program was inspired by the vision of Sheryl Watson, BSN, RN, a former registered nurse at ECU Health, whose dedication to student education and commitment to guiding aspiring nursing assistants have been integral to the program’s formation. Watson laid the groundwork for the academy but passed away before seeing it come to fruition. As a former instructor in a community college CNA program, Watson saw the value in building a CNA program at ECU Health North.
Greenville, NC — Andy Zukowski, chief financial officer of ECU Health, has been recognized by Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 38 Rural Hospital and Health System CFOs to Know in its newly released list. Zukowski, who has served as CFO since 2022, oversees financial operations for both ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.
“It is an honor to be nationally recognized for the work the entire team does at ECU Health,” said Zukowski. “Our goal is to build the national model for high-quality rural academic health care, and being good stewards of our resources is a key component of that. I am proud to work alongside mission-driven individuals who dedicate their time, expertise and energy to meeting the mission of ECU Health by improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
Rural hospitals are a lifeline for communities that too often face barriers to convenient, affordable and high-quality care. According to Becker’s, the CFOs featured on the list are the financial architects behind that mission. With expertise in planning and resource management, they strengthen the financial foundation of their hospitals while driving cost-effective, innovative and accessible care. Their leadership ensures that rural communities continue to benefit from up-to-date services and sustainable healthcare delivery.
“Andy brings a mission-focused approach to financial leadership that reflects ECU Health’s broader mission to serve and uplift our communities,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine.
“As the largest health care provider, employer and medical educator in the region, Andy’s strategic insight helps ensure we remain a strong, sustainable force for health, education and opportunity in rural eastern North Carolina. We’re proud to have Andy helping lead the way.”
Becker’s Hospital Review accepted nominations and curated the list to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of rural hospital CFOs across the country. The full list, which includes individual profiles of each honoree, can be viewed on Becker’s website. Inclusion on the list is not exhaustive nor an endorsement, and individuals cannot pay for placement.
Greenville, NC — ECU Health Chief of Ophthalmology Services Dr. Ann Ostrovsky successfully performed the health system’s first procedures with the Alcon UNITY™ Vitreoretinal Cataract System (VCS), a groundbreaking advancement in ophthalmic surgery that merges cataract and retina capabilities into one integrated platform. ECU Health Medical Center is the first hospital in North Carolina to obtain a UNITY™ VCS.
“As a physician serving eastern North Carolina, it is imperative that we integrate the most advanced surgical technologies into our local care delivery,” said Dr. Ostrovsky. “This technology allows us to offer high-precision ophthalmic procedures, significantly reducing the need for patients to travel long distances. By improving intraoperative stability and reducing energy delivery to ocular tissues, we are enhancing both safety and recovery outcomes while maintaining access to high-quality care close to home.”
According to Dr. Ostrovsky, the UNITY™ VCS enhances eye stability during procedures, reduces intraocular pressure and minimizes energy use within the eye. These improvements translate into shorter operating times, gentler procedures and faster visual recovery for patients undergoing cataract or retinal surgery. Thanks to these technological advances, patients with advanced cataracts and retinal disease are now experiencing dramatically improved outcomes.
Many cataract surgery patients are achieving excellent vision as early as the day after surgery, an extraordinary leap forward compared to the extended hospital stays and long recoveries that were common just a few decades ago, according to Dr. Ostrovsky. ECU Health’s newly appointed vitreoretinal surgeon, Dr. Peter Jones, will also leverage the UNITY™ VCS to treat complex retinal conditions, including diabetic and rhegmatogenous retinal detachments.
“This milestone reflects ECU Health’s deep commitment to bringing cutting-edge care to the communities we serve,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer of ECU Health. “Innovative technologies allow us to deliver world-class treatment without requiring patients to travel far from home. ECU Health is meeting people where they are and ensuring that rural eastern North Carolina has access to high-quality care close to home.”
NAGS HEAD, N.C. — October 1, 2025 — Outer Banks Health (OBH) has a new, state-of-the-art mammogram screening machine, Senograph Pristina 3D with Efficiency Suite 2. This advanced screening technology offers higher accuracy in diagnostic performance, especially in dense breast tissue, by using 3D imaging to reduce the overlap of tissues, which can hide abnormalities in 2D scans. With a 40% higher cancer detection rate and the ability to find more invasive, life-threatening tumors, 3D screening mammography offers unmatched clarity and peace of mind. The new Pristina takes images faster than 2D and supports greater patient comfort due to an ergonomic and patient-comfort-forward design that gives patients the option to apply the pressure themselves.
“Outer Banks Health is committed to our community’s health and well-being. That’s why we invest in state-of-the-art technology. We also respond when the community provides feedback on our services. In addition to our new equipment, it is easier than ever to get an appointment for your mammogram, and our waiting room is now warm, welcoming and ready for your next visit,” shared Amy Montgomery, executive director of OBH.
OBH has refined its mammogram scheduling system, creating an additional 30 appointments per week, with plans to increase this number further. The wait time for a mammogram is less than one month, and patients are now able to self-schedule through the MyChart patient portal if they have an order from an ECU Health or OBH provider.
On the day of their mammogram screening appointment, patients also now enjoy upgrades to the mammogram imaging suite. These upgrades were funded by proceeds from the recent Nags Head Links Ladies Driving Fore a Cure Golf Tournament. Thanks to the Nags Head Links Ladies, the mammogram suite now provides an atmosphere that promotes patient comfort. Features such as a gown warmer, a TV, a coffee station, new furniture and artwork, and other cosmetic elements, such as new curtains, painted walls and artificial skylights have all been added to improve the patient experience.
The most likely outcome of a mammography screening is peace of mind that comes from knowing you do not have breast cancer. When breast cancer is detected, Outer Banks Health has the highest quality of care available to help patients navigate the breast cancer journey.
In fact, the Outer Banks Health Breast Care Program has once again been accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers of the American College of Surgeons, marking its second recognition since 2022. OBH’s full cancer program has earned Commission on Cancer accreditation three times in a row since 2016. Out of over 1,300 similarly sized hospitals, OBH is the only one in the nation to earn this prestigious designation. OBH has a full team of screening and cancer care specialists ready to help and guide patients every step of the way. OBH is also accredited by the American College of Radiology as a gold standard of medical imaging, as OBH offers the safest and best quality of care possible.
Our high-quality care is evidenced by the fact that OBH has reduced the breast cancer mortality rate in Dare County. When OBH opened in 2002, the county’s breast cancer mortality rate ranked among the highest percentiles statewide. Today, it is among the lowest, at an above-average survival rate. Since OBH’s opening, the detection of life-threatening tumors has shifted dramatically from clinical diagnoses to proactive screenings. Previously, results were primarily discovered in a clinical setting, with only 44% of women having regular screenings. Now, 80% of women in Dare County are learning of their results through proactive screenings, increasing their chances of survival if any life-threatening discoveries are made. This significant decrease in mortality rate is the direct result of OBH’s initiatives, including promoting regular screenings, fundraising for state-of-the-art mammography technology, and fostering a community-wide focus on prevention and well-being.
Further, our high-quality care is available to all. Outer Banks Health offers free screening mammograms to individuals who do not have health insurance. Dare County residents, as well as Hyde, Currituck and Tyrell county residents who work in Dare County, are eligible. The free screenings are made available through the Get Pinked! Program of Outer Banks Health’s Development Council. Since 2011, we have provided more than 2,800 free mammograms.
Breast cancer screening using mammography is recommended to begin at age 40. An order from a provider is needed to schedule a mammogram appointment. Contact your primary care provider or OB/GYN to obtain a mammography order. For more information about screening mammography at Outer Banks Health and to schedule your appointment, call (252) 449-5918. If you need a primary care doctor, call (252) 449-4540 to be connected to an available provider.
Windsor, N.C. – ECU Health Bertie Hospital is proud to announce it has earned an overall hospital quality five-star rating for 2025 from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This recognition places the hospital among the top-performing facilities nationwide and highlights its commitment to delivering compassionate, high-quality care to the communities of eastern North Carolina.
“This five-star rating is a reflection of the exceptional care our team provides every day,” said Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Bertie Hospital. “This recognition is a testament to our strategic focus on patient-centered care and the connection we share with the community we serve. I am incredibly proud of our team here at ECU Health Bertie Hospital and grateful for the trust our patients place in us.”
The CMS Five-Star Quality Rating System evaluates hospitals based on mortality, safety, readmission, patient experience and timely, effective care.
Ratings are calculated using data hospitals report through several CMS programs and only include measures for which data are available. A rigorous seven-step methodology is used to standardize scores, group measures and assign star ratings based on performance within peer groups. ECU Health Bertie Hospital’s five-star rating reflects its excellence across these measures and its commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care.
“The experience of patients and families is at the heart of safe, highly reliable, human-centered rural health care,” said Dr. Niti Armistead, chief quality and clinical officer, ECU Health. “This CMS five-star patient experience rating at ECU Health Bertie Hospital signifies to us that our patients trust and value our care. It is the result of an intentional focus on creating truly exceptional loving experiences for our patients and their families, and I could not be prouder of the ECU Health Bertie Hospital team.”
ECU Health Bertie Hospital was also recently named one of the top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the nation for patient satisfaction. A Critical Access Hospital is a classification assigned by CMS to qualifying rural hospitals across the United States. These facilities play a crucial role in enhancing health care accessibility for rural communities by delivering essential medical services and receiving cost-based reimbursement for Medicare-covered treatments.
Greenville, N.C. – The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association has awarded all nine ECU Health hospitals Get With The Guidelines ® achievement awards for demonstrating commitment to following up-to-date, research-based guidelines for the treatment of heart disease, stroke and diabetes, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times and fewer readmissions to the hospital.
“At ECU Health, delivering high-quality, life-saving rural health care is central to our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “Our team members represent that mission in action and we could not be prouder that all nine ECU Health hospitals have once again earned national recognition in improving outcomes for patients facing stroke, heart disease and diabetes–conditions that deeply impact our region. This achievement reinforces ECU Health’s commitment to ensuring high-quality health care is available in our rural region.”
Heart disease and stroke remain among the deadliest health threats in the United States, ranking first and fifth, respectively, according to the American Heart Association 2025 Statistical Update. Every 40 seconds, someone in the U.S. suffers a stroke, adding up to nearly 795,000 new or recurrent cases each year. Tragically, stroke claims about 140,000 lives annually. Eastern North Carolina bears an even heavier burden, with stroke mortality rates exceeding national averages. The region also grapples with disproportionately high rates of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlighting the importance of targeted prevention and timely intervention.
“In eastern North Carolina, where stroke, diabetes and heart disease rates are disproportionately high, delivering high-quality care close to home is not just important – it’s vital,” said Dr. Niti Armistead, chief quality officer and chief clinical officer, ECU Health. “By adopting evidence-based practices and programs like Get With The Guidelines, our teams deliver consistent, highly reliable care that improves recovery and health outcomes. These recognitions affirm our steadfast commitment to clinical excellence and continuous improvement in all that we do.”
Evidence shows that patients fare significantly better when health care providers follow established treatment protocols, such as those outlined in the Get With The Guidelines program. Consistent adherence to these evidence-based practices leads to improved recovery outcomes and can help reduce the devastating impact of stroke and heart disease.
“These awards show ECU Health’s commitment to caring for those in their community who need care,” said Donald Lloyd-Jones, past volunteer president of the American Heart Association and current volunteer chair of the Association’s Quality Oversight Committee. “By following the American Heart Association’s quality improvement protocols, ECU Health can help realize our shared vision of improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates — a win for health care systems, families and communities.”
ECU Health recognitions include:
ECU Health Beaufort Hospital – A Campus of ECU Health Medical Center
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Bertie Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Silver
ECU Health Chowan Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Duplin Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and Stroke Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Rural Gold
ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Silver
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll and Stroke Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Silver
ECU Health Medical Center
- American Heart Association Commitment to Quality Award
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Adult Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Pediatric Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Neonate/Infant Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Newly Born Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Stroke Honor Roll
- Elite Plus, Stroke Advanced Therapy and Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Receiving Center Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease NSTEMI Gold with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
ECU Health North Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Silver
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Silver
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Bronze
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Gold
Outer Banks Health Hospital
- Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus with Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Stroke Gold
- Get With The Guidelines – Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Referring Center Silver Plus
- Get With The Guidelines – Rural Coronary Artery Disease STEMI Silver
NAGS HEAD, N.C. — September 19, 2025 — Outer Banks Health announces it has been recognized as a top performer in the 2025 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking by Vizient, Inc. Outer Banks Health (OBH) placed tenth amongst 1,400 Vizient provider clients in the critical access cohort and was recognized for demonstrating excellence in delivering high-quality care based on the Vizient Quality and Accountability Study, conducted annually since 2005.
“We are tremendously proud of our entire team for their exceptional commitment to safe, effective and compassionate patient care for our community. OBH is honored to be recognized for these efforts,” said Ronnie Sloan, president of OBH. “Special recognition goes to Devereux Grindle, vice president of clinical operations and former director of clinical quality management, for establishing and building a strong quality department, as well as to Stefanie McMahon, director of clinical quality management, for her outstanding leadership today.”
This year, 1,220 participating hospitals were segmented into seven cohorts for the Vizient Quality and Accountability Study. The study measures performance on the quality of patient care in six domains: safety, mortality, effectiveness, efficiency, patient centeredness and variation in care. The study factors in measures from the Vizient Clinical Data Base and includes performance data from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey and the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network.
The Vizient Quality and Accountability Study helps participating hospitals and health systems understand their performance against their peers and identifies structures and processes associated with high performance in quality and safety across a broad spectrum of patient care activity. The recognition period is for work spanning July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
“We extend our sincere congratulations to this year’s top-performing hospitals recognized in the Vizient Quality and Accountability Study,” said David Levine, chief medical officer, Vizient. “These organizations have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to delivering safe, effective, and patient-centered care. Their performance reflects the highest standards in clinical quality and operational excellence, and we are proud to honor their achievements.”
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