Greenville, N.C. – Project SEARCH, an educational program offered at ECU Health Medical Center, is proud to announce six students recently graduated from the program: Keon Cox, Nasir Gardner, Kalasiah Forbes-Paige, Cameron McKenna, Daniel Sparrow and Johntevius Walker-Aytch. Project SEARCH is a one-year internship program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities during their last year of high school with the goal of providing real-world practical skills and increasing the chances of competitive employment.
“At ECU Health, we are proud to support Project SEARCH and help students gain essential career skills that empower them and prepare them for their future,” said Doris Hill, Project SEARCH coordinator at ECU Health. “This program not only equips students with hands-on experience but also strengthens our workforce and community. Witnessing their growth and success is truly inspiring, and we look forward to seeing them thrive in their careers.”
The Project SEARCH program at ECU Health Medical Center began in 2015 through partnerships with Pitt County Schools, RHA Health Services and Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. Students complete internships in various departments at the hospital, including the ECHO Lab, Gastrointestinal Lab, Central Services, hospital cafeterias, Hospitality, Shipping and Receiving and the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit.
This year’s students who participated in the program are enrolled at various Pitt County high schools including Farmville Central High School, Ayden Grifton High School, North Pitt High School and South Central High School.
“Project SEARCH empowers students with the skills and confidence they need to transition successfully into the workforce,” said Lyndsey Joyner, Project SEARCH instructor. “Watching them grow, gain independence and achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding. I have no doubt that these graduates will make valuable contributions to their communities, and I can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”
The employment rate for youth with disabilities is about 60 to 70 percent less than youth without disabilities, according to the Office of Disability Employment Policy. Project SEARCH has proven results with a 65 percent employment and 90 percent retention rate nationally. The Project SEARCH program began in 1996 at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) and was developed as a means to meet entry-level employment needs at CCHMC, support their diversity initiative and partner with schools and community services agencies. Project SEARCH is now an international program with over 716 program sites in 48 states and 11 countries.
Windsor, N.C. – ECU Health Bertie Hospital was recently named, for the second time, one of the top 20 critical access hospitals (CAHs) for patient satisfaction in the country.
The top 20 CAHs, including ECU Health Bertie Hospital, earned the highest scores among CAHs as determined by the Chartis Center for Rural Health for patient perspective/satisfaction. The recognition was recently announced by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA). An awards ceremony will be held during NRHA’s Critical Access Hospital Conference in September in Kansas City, Mo.
A Critical Access Hospital (CAH) is a classification assigned by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (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.
The top 20 CAHs have achieved success in overall performance based on a composite rating from eight measures of strength: inpatient market share, outpatient market share, quality, outcomes, patient perspective, cost, charge and finance. This group was selected from the Chartis Center for Rural Health’s 2025 top 100 CAH list, which was released earlier this year.
The top 20 CAH best practice recipients have achieved success in one of two key areas of performance:
- Quality index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across rural-relevant process of care measures.
- Patient perspective index: A rating of hospital performance based on the percentile rank across all 10 HCAHPS domains.
“ECU Health Bertie Hospital is proud of the efforts of the physicians and team members who have contributed to our hospital achieving this designation,” says Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Bertie Hospital. “Our results as a top 20 critical access hospital for patient satisfaction means our community can count on us to deliver the services they need now and in the future. This recognition highlights our deep commitment to serving our rural mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
“In a Critical Access Hospital, every patient touchpoint is an opportunity to make a profound impact,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer, ECU Health. “Excellent patient experience is not just a goal; it’s the manifestation of living our values and our commitment to safe, highly reliable, human-centered care, ensuring that every individual feels valued, heard, and feels that we have created a caring environment that helps them heal. The team at ECU Health Bertie Hospital consistently delivers on the ECU Health mission, vision and values in service to our patients and communities every single day.”
Greenville, N.C. –The Children’s Miracle Network (CMN) Celebration Broadcast honors the legacy of past telethons by sharing powerful miracle stories of children treated at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. These stories represent the thousands of children across eastern North Carolina who have received exceptional care over the past year.
“I am so incredibly excited to be celebrating 40 years of miracles this year,” said Elise Ironmonger, Director of Programs for the ECU Health Foundation. “To see where we started in 1986 as the ‘Children’s Hospital of Eastern North Carolina’ to where we are now — a 197-bed hospital with a Level IV NICU and Level I Trauma Center — is just extraordinary.
Thousands of miracles happen here, and there’s so much to be proud of. I invite our community to tune in and witness these incredible stories. Help us change kids’ health to change the future for the next 40 years.”
The 2025 CMN Celebration Broadcast will air on longtime partner WITN at the following times:
- Saturday, May 31, from 7–8 p.m.
- Sunday, June 1, from 6–9 a.m. and 7–11 p.m.
Throughout the broadcast, viewers will see firsthand how donations to the Children’s Miracle Network are used to fund critical care and services. These examples will highlight the life-changing impact of every philanthropic gift.
This year’s miracle children and stories will include:
- Alejandro Mendoza-Hernandez, Age 14 – Beaufort County
- Owen Tripp, Age 1 – Pitt County
- Graylon Goddard, Age 8 – Pitt County
- AiTayvion Nelson, Age 4 – Pitt County
- Insley Santifort, Age 4 – Duplin County
- Christopher Everette, Age 2 – Hertford County
The 2025 broadcast will spotlight the exceptional care delivered each day at Maynard Children’s Hospital while celebrating the hope and healing made possible by generous community support. Thanks to donors across eastern North Carolina, thousands of children receive the specialized medical care they need each year. With continued support, the team at Maynard Children’s Hospital can ensure every child receives the best care possible — today, tomorrow and for generations to come.
The local Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals fundraising program is staffed and supported by the ECU Health Foundation, a non-profit charitable corporation that serves as the custodian for all financial gifts and bequests to ECU Health. The ECU Health Foundation oversees allocation of all donated funds. To donate, please call 1-800-673-5437 or visit givetocmn.com.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is proud to announce the opening of the IMPACT (Integrated Model of Perinatal Addiction Care and Treatment) Clinic, a new outpatient addiction medicine clinic dedicated to providing specialized care for pregnant individuals facing substance use disorders. Located within the high-risk clinic at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, this clinic is the first and only clinic of its kind in eastern North Carolina.
“We know that perinatal substance use disorder is a medical disease—not a moral failing,” said Dr. David H. Ryan, obstetrician-gynecologist, addiction medicine provider and clinical assistant professor at ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine. “Many individuals facing this challenge are eager to seek treatment but struggle to access the care they need due to stigma and systemic barriers. The IMPACT Clinic will provide a supportive and comprehensive approach to treatment, helping patients navigate recovery while receiving essential medical and prenatal care.”
Recognizing the unique challenges and barriers to health care that pregnant women with substance use disorders face, ECU Health has assembled a multidisciplinary team to provide integrated treatment, including obstetric care, mental health services, lactation support, social work and educational resources. The clinic will also be serviced by medical residents to train future providers in addiction medicine and obstetrics and gynecology.
“The IMPACT Clinic headed up by Dr. David Ryan is a tremendous step forward in ECU Health’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology mission to make eastern North Carolina a better place for mothers and infants to be born and thrive,” said Dr. James Whiteside, department chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine. “Given the significance mental health disorders have in maternal death and illness in North Carolina, it is essential these and related services are expanded.”
The IMPACT Clinic aims to improve outcomes for pregnant individuals in North Carolina, where substance-related mortality rates are concerning. According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services from 2019-2020, one in four maternal deaths was attributed to unintentional overdose. With only five other programs in the state offering dedicated OBGYN addiction care within a single setting, ECU Health will become the sixth, filling a critical gap in resources for eastern North Carolina residents.
“Access to specialized health care is often limited in rural communities, and ECU Health is working to change that,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “By establishing the IMPACT Clinic, we are expanding essential addiction treatment and maternal health services in eastern North Carolina, ensuring that pregnant women receive expert, compassionate care without having to travel long distances. Initiatives like the IMPACT Clinic support our mission and help us build the national model for academic rural health care.”
The clinic began seeing patients on May 7, 2025, through referrals from OBGYN providers, including private practices and health departments. Services will be available to individuals actively experiencing substance use as well as those in recovery. Patients seeking more information about the IMPACT Clinic can call 252-744-2350.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health is expanding its successful Health Sciences Academy (HSA) to four additional locations across eastern North Carolina in the 2025-2026 school year. The expansion will extend the program’s impact to Beaufort County Schools, Edenton-Chowan County Schools, Hertford County Schools and the Roanoke Rapids School District in Halifax County; the program currently operates in partnership with Pitt County Schools and Duplin County schools.
“The Health Sciences Academy is a critical part of our mission to develop the next generation of health care professionals and address workforce shortages in eastern North Carolina,” said Lisa Lassiter, director of workforce development, ECU Health. “By expanding this program into more communities, we are ensuring that students across our region have access to the tools, mentorship and real-world experiences they need to pursue meaningful careers in health care.”
“At ECU Health, we take pride in being a leader in advancing health care excellence and positively shaping the future of eastern North Carolina,” said Brian Floyd, chief operating officer, ECU Health. “Through initiatives like the Health Sciences Academy, we are developing and strengthening a pipeline of future health care professionals while building the model for sustainable rural health care. By investing in opportunities for our youth to engage in health care topics and equipping them with the tools and knowledge to succeed, we are continuing to grow a local health care workforce from eastern North Carolina, for eastern North Carolina.”
Since its inception in 2000, the Health Sciences Academy has enrolled approximately 1,000 students annually, providing exposure to a wide range of health care careers beyond just doctors and nurses. Students complete a minimum of six health sciences courses and gain real-world experience through job shadowing, internships, career exploration and volunteer opportunities at ECU Health and other partner organizations. The program also focuses on developing essential skills such as leadership, critical thinking, accountability and communication. Students receive training in professional etiquette, resume building and college entrance exam preparation, making them well-prepared for their next steps.
For parents and students interested in more information about the Health Sciences Academy, please contact:
- Ginger Duncan, Roanoke Rapids School District in Halifax County, [email protected]
- Jennifer M. Tuten, Beaufort County Schools, [email protected]
- Casey Spear, Edenton-Chowan County Schools, [email protected]
- Shamika Archer, Hertford County Schools, [email protected]
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health and Lung Cancer Initiative (LCI) are proud to announce a partnership to launch a pilot of the Screening Saves program in eastern North Carolina. This collaboration focuses on reducing lung cancer incidences by promoting awareness, education and increased accessibility to screenings for communities and health care providers across the region.
“We are honored to collaborate with Lung Cancer Initiative on this vital program,” said Phyllis DeAntonio, executive director, Cancer Service Line, ECU Health. “Together, we aim to engage our community and health care providers to break down barriers to lung cancer screening, ensuring better outcomes and healthier futures for the people of eastern North Carolina. This partnership represents a critical step in reducing lung cancer rates and improving health outcomes in the region.”
Lung Cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., accounting for one in five of all cancer deaths, according to the National Cancer Institute. The incidence rate of lung cancer cases in North Carolina is much higher than the national rate at 62.9 per 100,000 compared to 53.6 per 100,000, according to the American Lung Association’s State of Lung Cancer 2024 report. While lung cancer rates are high in eastern North Carolina, over the last five years, the early diagnosis rate of lung cancer in North Carolina improved by 10 percent, which can partially be credited to an increase of lung screenings. ECU Health completed 5,274 low dose CT screenings in 2023 and 6,151 screenings in 2024.
“With lung cancer rates in eastern North Carolina surpassing state and national averages, expanding education and access to screenings is vital,” said Dr. Misbah Qadir, regional oncology medical director, ECU Health. “Early detection through programs like Screening Saves can significantly improve survival rates and empower our region to tackle this critical health challenge. By increasing the availability of low-dose CT screenings, we can detect lung cancer in its earliest stages, ensuring more timely and effective treatment for our community.”
Screening Saves is a state-wide initiative launched by Lung Cancer Initiative in 2024, which aims to raise awareness and leverage partnerships with health care providers like ECU Health to improve lung cancer screening rates through community engagement and health care provider education. The program is being piloted in eastern North Carolina to increase awareness among area residents who are at high risk. ECU Health and LCI will host community education events promoting lung screening awareness and educational sessions for primary care providers, along with additional community engagement events across eastern North Carolina.
“LCI and ECU Health share a common goal with Screening Saves—to expand access to lung cancer screenings and improve early detection rates in eastern North Carolina,” said Dr. Aundrea Oliver, thoracic surgeon and assistant professor at ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, LCI board member and co-chair of the Screening Saves program. “We know early detection is crucial, as it significantly increases survival rates and allows for timely, effective treatment. Through this partnership, we can reach more individuals at high risk, break down barriers to screening and ensure that life-saving resources are readily available to our communities.”
In support of this initiative, LCI is providing a $10,000 grant to assist ECU Health with data collection, planning and other program-related activities. ECU Health will analyze lung screening data from 2023 to 2025, providing quarterly updates to monitor progress and address barriers. Regular review meetings will allow both organizations to strategize improvements and develop tailored solutions for the local community.
Greenville, N.C. – Van Smith, MBA, MSHA, president of ECU Health Community Hospitals, has been elected as an at-large delegate to the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Regional Policy Board 3 (RPB 3). In this role, Smith will bring his extensive expertise in rural health care challenges and solutions in service to AHA’s mission. Smith’s term on the board lasts until Dec. 31, 2027.
Van Smith
“The American Hospital Association values ECU Health’s efforts to improve access to high-quality health care across rural eastern North Carolina, and we appreciate Van’s willingness to serve for the next three years on Regional Policy Board 3,” said Matthew Wright, regional executive, American Hospital Association.
AHA’s Regional Policy Boards convene three times per year to discuss policy issues, make recommendations and provide analyses for the AHA Board during its policy deliberations. The AHA is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks and their patients and communities. Nearly 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 43,000 individual members come together to form the AHA.
Smith brings 25 years of senior leadership experience in health care to RPB 3, with expertise in successfully operating rural hospitals. Smith has previously served as president of The Outer Banks Hospital, a critical access hospital, as executive vice president of ECU Health Medical Center, eastern North Carolina’s only Level I Trauma Center, and in executive leadership roles at Carolinas Healthcare/Atrium Health. His experience is important in today’s health care climate where rural communities are in need of solutions that ensure high-quality care will be available for generations to come.
“It is an honor to serve on AHA’s Regional Policy Board 3, where I will proudly advocate to advance the cause of improving access to health care, particularly in rural areas like eastern North Carolina,” said Smith. “My work here at ECU Health has allowed me to deepen my understanding of both the challenges and solutions associated with rural health care delivery in the U.S. Alongside the other experts serving on Regional Policy Board 3, our combined knowledge is our strength, and I look forward to collaborating alongside these bright minds in support of AHA’s advocacy work.”
Kenansville, N.C. — ECU Health Duplin Hospital has earned a five-star patient experience rating according to recently released ratings by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This rating underscores the hospital’s commitment to providing exceptional patient care and service.
Achieving this rating has been a central element of ECU Health Duplin Hospital’s strategic plan and demonstrates its dedication to enhancing patient satisfaction and overall experience. To commemorate this milestone, the hospital hosted a ceremony today for team members, acknowledging their invaluable contributions toward this goal and celebrating their commitment to the community.
“In November 2023, our team set a goal to elevate our patient experience from four stars to five stars,” said Jeff Dial, president of ECU Health Duplin Hospital.
“We have dedicated our time and energy to enhancing patient satisfaction through team member engagement and targeted, deliberate improvements. Achieving this five-star recognition reflects our determination and commitment to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our patients and community. I am incredibly grateful for our team’s hard work and dedication in reaching this milestone.”
CMS uses the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey to determine and publicly report star ratings based on 10 key measures of patient experience. These measures include communication with nurses, communication with doctors, responsiveness of hospital staff, pain management, communication about medicines, discharge Information, cleanliness of the hospital environment, quietness of the hospital environment, overall rating of the hospital and recommendation of the hospital.
“The experience of patients and families is at the heart of safe, highly-reliable human centered rural health care. ECU Health, and our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina, is where compassion, connection and partnerships all come together to create hope, healing and lasting impressions,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, ECU Health Chief Experience Officer. “This CMS five-star patient experience rating at ECU Health Duplin 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. I could not be more proud of the ECU Health Duplin Hospital team.”
CMS created the Five-Star Quality Rating System to help patients, their families and caregivers compare hospitals and other health care facilities, showcasing excellence in health care.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Medical Center is expanding advanced heart care with two new, state-of-the-art technologies for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement. The new technologies – EVOQUE™, a first-of-its-kind transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement, and TriClip G4™, a minimally invasive clip procedure designed to reduce tricuspid valve leakage – offer new hope for patients previously ineligible for surgery, providing significant symptom relief and improved quality of life.
“These new procedures represent a major advancement in the treatment of tricuspid valve regurgitation, offering hope to patients who previously had limited options,” said Dr. Paul Mahoney, section chief, interventional cardiology, director, Cardiac Catheterization Lab, East Carolina Heart Institute. “With the EVOQUE valve replacement and the TriClip G4, we can now provide effective, minimally invasive solutions that reduce symptoms and improve heart function without the need for open-heart surgery. This is a significant step forward in improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with TR.”
Tricuspid valve regurgitation affects more than 1.5 million people in the U.S. and occurs when the tricuspid valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward. This condition forces the heart to work harder, potentially leading to heart failure. Risk factors include heart disease, atrial fibrillation (AFib), pulmonary hypertension, prior chest radiation therapy and structural valve damage. Symptoms can range from fatigue and shortness of breath to swelling in the abdomen, legs or neck veins.
Traditionally, treatment options were limited to diuretics for symptom management, with surgical intervention reserved for only the healthiest patients or those already undergoing left-sided valve surgery. However, with recent advancements, including the FDA-approved TriClip G4 and EVOQUE valve replacement, patients now have access to innovative, minimally invasive options that can significantly improve heart function and overall well-being.
“It is critical that patients in eastern North Carolina have access to the latest innovations in heart care close to home, so they do not have to travel far for cutting-edge treatment options,” 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. “Our commitment to bringing the most advanced cardiac treatments to this region ensures that patients receive high-quality, life-changing care without unnecessary delays or burdens. I am proud of our heart and vascular care teams who continue to advocate for patients in our region and ensure they receive world-class treatment right here at ECU Health.”
ECU Health team members who participated in these groundbreaking procedures include Dr. Mahoney, Dr. Catanzaro, Dr. Melissa Moey, Dr. Wiley Nifong, Dr. Michael Bates and Dr. Brian Cabarrus. To learn more about ECU Health Heart & Vascular Care, please visit ECUHealth.org/Heart.
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.