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.
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.