When many people think about careers in health care, the roles of nurse or doctor often come to mind. Yet delivering exceptional care depends on a network of professionals whose work supports daily operations, enhances the patient experience, and helps advance ECU Health’s mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.
To help students explore those opportunities, ECU Health‘s Talent Acquisition team launched the new non-clinical internship program this past summer.
The pilot program provided college students with hands-on experience across a variety of departments while introducing them to career opportunities in health care that extend beyond direct patient care.
“This was really about building awareness that there are many career paths within a hospital beyond what most people traditionally think about,” said Tavis Richardson, who led the development of the program. “There are opportunities in business, human resources, food and nutrition and many other areas that support our Mission every day.”
The program ran from May through August and welcomed East Carolina University students pursuing non-clinical fields of study. Interns were placed in departments including Food and Nutrition Services, Graduate Medical Education, Onboarding, Patient Experience and Engagement, Community Health, and other support areas across the organization.
Throughout the summer, participants gained practical experience, completed impactful projects and built relationships with team members.
One of those students was Bridgette Dingee, who interned with Food and Nutrition Services. During her internship, she worked alongside patient services, culinary and retail teams while contributing to projects aimed at improving operations and the patient experience. Her work included supporting the Cambridge Menu Study, enhancing competency checklists, completing safety and departmental audits, participating in patient and nursing rounds and other projects.
Among the projects she completed, Dingee said she was most proud of helping develop the patient picture menu.
“It was rewarding to be part of a project that could improve the hospital experience for patients with literacy, language or communication barriers,” Dingee said.
The experience also helped shape Dingee’s career path. Following the internship, she joined ECU Health Food and Nutrition Services as a team member while continuing her studies in dietetics at ECU.
Building on the success of the pilot program, ECU Health plans to expand the initiative in 2027. Internship opportunities will be available at all nine hospitals across the health system, and applications will be promoted to colleges and universities across North Carolina.
Sonya Williams came to ECU Health as a 19-year-old intern with no specific plans to stay at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. A job offer in the admissions and billing department, however, paved the way for a 40-year career that has seen Sonya through many changes.
“I love my journey,” Sonya said. “You can grow with this system. ECU Health has afforded me great opportunities in my professional and personal growth.”
From the business office, where she worked the phone switchboard, Sonya transitioned to insurance where she gained a leadership role. She’s since worked in corporate compliance, the HIMS department, process improvement, and community equity and improvement.
“That takes us up to the pandemic,” Sonya laughed. “From there I worked in community work and my role changed again. Now I’m the manager of community health improvement, chaplain and volunteer services.”
During that time, Sonya also continued her education.
“I started with an associate’s degree from Roanoke-Chowan Community College, but I graduated from Elizabeth State University for a bachelor’s in business administration with a concentration in management in 1996, and after my husband passed away in 2013, I had the conviction to get my master’s and doctorate from Grace Bible College and Theological Seminary. Now I’m an ordained minister.”
Sonya said having supportive leadership and colleagues made it possible for her to continue her education.
“It’s good for you and it’s good for the organization. Getting my master’s and doctorate wasn’t required for my current role, but my leaders saw what I had and what was needed for this job and it connected.”
Regardless of her role, Sonya said she’s made strong connections with her colleagues and her community.
“Roanoke-Chowan has been like family, and I’ve felt supported in a life-work balance. It’s not always like that in other jobs,” she said. “And over the years I’ve worked with so many who have advanced in their journeys. I’ve tried to encourage them along the way, too.”
For now, Sonya has no plans to retire, although it is on the horizon.
“Staying the course isn’t possible because things always change,” she said. “Technology changes, people change. Retirement is my eventual destination, but even when I do, I don’t see myself doing nothing. I love people and my community, and I love to travel. My bucket list destinations are Africa and Dubai.”
In the meantime, Sonya plans to continue to flourish in her role.
“ECU Health is an absolutely wonderful place to grow and work if you’re open to change and experiences. If an opportunity presents itself, take it. I came in working the switchboard and here I am. Your attitude will make your path, your gratitude will grow it and your determination will allow your journey to be as long or as short as you desire it to be.”
When Natalie Phelps talks about her son, Chase Bateman, she wants people to remember far more than the tragedy that ended his life. She wants them to remember an outdoorsman, a beloved family member and his bright, blue eyes that spoke volumes even in the hardest times.
At age 19, Bateman was the youngest of four siblings.
“He loved dirt bike riding, duck hunting, loved hanging out with his friends, spending time with family and was just a wonderful human being,” said Phelps. “He was kind. He was loving. He was handsome and a great uncle and son and brother, and he was just a good guy all around.”
On Oct. 17, 2021, Bateman was involved in a side-by-side ATV accident in Washington County and was airlifted by EastCare to ECU Health Medical Center. What followed were 23 days that would forever connect Bateman’s family and the caregivers who stood alongside them through every setback, every small victory and ultimately, every difficult decision.
As Bateman underwent multiple surgeries and intensive treatment for his injuries, his family held tightly to hope.
“The first few days, he was alert. He was able to answer questions, nod yes or no,” Phelps recalled.
“He had several surgeries, but it was just a lot of hit and miss. We didn’t know if he was going to make it from one day to the next.”
Despite the uncertainty, Phelps never stopped believing her son would recover.
“I really, truly thought that he was going to go home,” she said. “He was going to have a lot ahead of him with maybe more surgeries. But I really thought that he was going home.”
During those 23 days, Tori Myers, BSN, RN, trauma coordinator at ECU Health Medical Center, and countless others became much more than clinicians caring for a patient — they became a support system for Bateman and his family.
Myers vividly remembers meeting Bateman and his family.
“I walked in to find Natalie bedside,” Myers said. “And I got to hear Miss Natalie say, ‘Look at those bright blue eyes.’ That was one of the few things that when we talked about Chase and we talked to Chase, everybody wanted to see him open his bright blue eyes.”
Because Bateman was unable to speak, his eyes became a way for family and caregivers alike to connect with him.
“Chase was always intubated, always on a breathing machine his whole time in the ICU,” said Myers.
“He couldn’t talk and say words, so the way that we wanted to see Chase was through his eyes. And occasionally we could get him to smile and wake up.”
During Bateman’s time at the Medical Center, Phelps remembers the compassion shown by everyone who crossed their path.
“It was the nurses, the doctors, the respiratory team, the patient care techs, the nice lady that came in and would clean his room. I mean, just everybody was absolutely amazing.”
The care they received extended far beyond medical treatment.
“The very last night, one of the doctors came in and he loved old music, and she sat there and sang a song, one of his favorite songs to him,” Phelps recalled. “She played it on her phone and played the whole song and sang every word of the song to him.”
Myers said caring for critically injured trauma patients means also caring for the people who love them.
“It’s hard as an ICU nurse – especially as a trauma nurse – you want to be honest, you want to be truthful, and you want to make sure that when you advocate for your patient, you advocate for the family, too,” said Myers.
And for 23 days, that’s exactly what Bateman’s care team did.
“Some days it was happy news, and we celebrated that together,” said Myers. “Some days the news was a little harder to take.”
After 23 days in the hospital, Bateman succumbed to his injuries on Nov. 9, 2021.
For Phelps, the loss of her son remains immeasurable. Yet throughout the experience, she never doubted the care he received.
“There was never a question that he wasn’t given the care that he deserved, that he needed. Never questioned it,” she said.
Following Bateman’s death, the connection between the family and caregivers did not end. Phelps and her family continue to visit the team each year on the anniversary of Bateman’s passing, bringing treats and sharing memories. For Myers and the care team, those visits continue to have a profound impact.
“I can try to put it into words, but I don’t think that there’s enough words that really will ever quantify how much it means to know that those 23 days still meant so much to you guys and then instead of seeing us as a negative in his story, you see us as a positive,” Myers said. “It kind of refills your cup as a nurse.”
Today, Phelps hopes others facing difficult situations remember the importance of kindness.
“I know it’s hard when you’re in a situation like this to stay positive,” Phelps said. “There were days that it was just flat out hard. Remember to just be kind.”
Looking back, she remains grateful for the care team that helped her family navigate the most difficult 23 days of their lives.
“Thank goodness we have a good one to tell, even though our story didn’t end the way we wanted to,” Phelps said.
Ultimately, Phelps hopes people remember Bateman for who he was.
“He was just such a good, good human being,” said Phelps. “And I just don’t ever want him to be forgotten.”
If you would like to share a story of gratitude with the ECU Health team, please visit go.ecuhealth.org/grateful.
Since 1989, the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina celebrates registered nurses who demonstrate exceptional practice, leadership and professionalism in a variety of settings.
This year, the program set a record with nearly 500 nominations. Among this year’s honorees were 18 ECU Health nurses, underscoring the system’s commitment to high-quality care and team member recognition.
In this series, we’ll introduce you to each of ECU Health’s honorees. In our first installment, meet: Kelly Garner, BSN, RN, Missy Johnson, RN, Allison Eure, MSN, RN, RNC-OB, and Ali Grimes, BSN, RN, CPN.
Kelly Garner
After working in New Hampshire and then Chicago, Garner found herself wanting a new challenge and a warmer climate, which brought her to ECU Health Medical Center. Now after 30 years as a nurse – 20 of which in the NICU – she can’t imagine working or living anywhere else.
“Having worked at different facilities, I can say the NICU is fantastic here,” she said. “We have good teamwork and always try to make things better.”
She knew she was being nominated for the Great 100 Nurses, but she didn’t expect to win. Even so, she credited the work she does with her team as reason for being nominated.
“I’m always stirring up trouble,” she laughed. “I’m looking for ways to improve things and teach families and our team.”
That includes providing education in neonatal resuscitation and serving as a clinical coach. As a member of the ostomy and G-tube committee, she and the team noticed that many babies were going home with ostomies but their families couldn’t get enough supplies once they were home.
“Our team in outpatient and inpatient worked with suppliers to recognize the issue and figure out a solution so the infants get more ostomy supplies. It takes a lot of work to troubleshoot this kind of problem; a bedside nurse is so much more.”
Missy Johnson
Johnson started her career at ECU Health Medical Center as a pharmacy technician when she was 20, and she recently celebrated more than 41 years with ECU Health.
“I always wanted to go to nursing school, but I started as a pharmacy tech and got my EMT certification while working,” she said. “My manager told me about the HomeGrown Program, so I took my pre-nursing classes at night and then got my ADN from Lenoir Community College.”
Her work in the NICU is a little personal; her twin sons – now 21 years old – were born prematurely at 31 weeks and spent time there.
“If not for our hospital, I don’t know what would have happened,” she said. “I was working in neonatal when they were born and that was the best and the worst time, because it put me at ease to know they were well cared for, but it is hard when you know all the bad things that can happen.”
Twenty-eight years later, she wouldn’t work anywhere else.
“I love what I do; I enjoy taking care of babies,” she said. “I don’t know when I’ll retire but if I’m blessed to work until I’m older, I’m going to keep doing it.”
Johnson said she’d been nominated a few times for the Great 100 Nurses, but she didn’t think she’d win this year.
“My heart stopped when I opened the letter – I’m still in shock,” Johnson said.
Johnson said she is proud to work for ECU Health because of the people and communities we serve.
“People don’t understand the scope of the services we offer. And we have the best nurses – so many are local but we have many from all over the United States and the world who work with us,” she said. “I’m proud of what we do and the great care we provide.”
Allison Eure
Eure wanted to be a veterinarian and then considered accounting before deciding that nursing was the right career for her, and now she’s the manager of patient care services in labor and delivery at ECU Health Chowan Hospital.
She grew up near the hospital and so it made sense to come back to her community after graduating from East Carolina University in 2008.
“We’re a family here. When you go out in the community, people know what you do and where you work,” she said. “You feel like you’re giving back.”
Eure was honored to learn she was a Great 100 Nurse, but she said she’s here to get things done.
“It’s nice to be recognized, and I try to ensure my staff feel supported – not just in the hospital but at a system level,” she said. “We want our community hospitals to have a voice for change.”
Ali Grimes
Next year, Grimes will celebrate 10 years with ECU Health. The director of pediatric services and child life services at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital started her education in public health at East Carolina University, but she immediately returned to school for her nursing degree at Pitt Community College.
“I thought about nursing but was interested in the health education part of it,” she explained. “My neighbor was a NICU nurse and I shadowed her, and that’s what sparked my passion.”
She joined ECU Health as a nurse at Maynard Children’s Hospital and enjoys serving her community. Since then, she’s achieved her BSN from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and is currently pursuing her MSN.
“I love this community because we see our patients and their families thrive,” she said. “There’s a wide array of diagnoses we see, and the impact is felt across the state.”
She also highlighted how ECU Health celebrates and supports nurses.
“We put a lot of effort into growing nurses and improving nursing care,” she said. “The health system empowers nurses to make huge impacts in the medical center, the system and beyond.”
Although she was shocked to learn she was a Great 100 Nurse, Grimes said her job is to lend a helping hand to her colleagues.
“Even though I’m not at the bedside anymore, I enjoy going to the units and helping when I can,” Grimes said. “That allows me to see what’s happening on the unit and where there are gaps and barriers so I can better advocate for our patients and our team.”
East Carolina University’s College of Nursing launched an Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) post-graduate certificate program in 2025. The program’s first cohort of five – Charlsie Woodard, Hunter Venters, Rachel Ferrell, Richa Dhungana and Angela Jones – graduated and say the experience strengthened their skills and expanded opportunities to care for critically ill patients.
Filling the gaps
Dr. Kristie Hertel was asked to serve as the program’s director, something that seemed a natural progression of her education and practice.
“As a bedside nurse, I worked in the trauma ICU and have a passion for that patient population,” she said.
During those years, she had mentors who encouraged her to think critically and to continue her education. That mentality shaped how Dr. Hertel led the AGACNP program.
“I had no plans to be a program director, and there was a steep learning curve,” she shared. “But I love hearing from the students thanking me for guiding them through the program and helping them find a new career path.”
“I had some amazing preceptors, and Dr. Hertel runs a first-class program,” Hunter Venters said. “She focused on the things we needed to know.”
As the clinical manager of critical care air and ground transport with ECU Health EastCare, Venters said his work as a flight nurse exposed him to some of the sickest patients, but this program helped fill the gaps.
Rachel Ferrell, a nurse practitioner at ECU Health Chowan Hospital, was in a similar situation: she has worked in the emergency and hospitalist departments for much of her career but wanted to take the next step and get her certification.
“I had been looking at other programs when I found out ECU was putting together this program,” she said. “I preferred ECU because my BSN, MSN and FNP are all with the university and it has a great reputation.”
In her 36 years as a nurse – 19 have been in acute care – Charlsie Woodard, a nurse practitioner in internal medicine, said much of her early training was on-the-job.
“I wanted to improve my skills, and this program was such a great learning experience. I’m honored to be in this first class,” Woodard said.
For Angela Jones, a nurse practitioner at Bertie Hospital, the program came at exactly the right time.
“I was transitioning to work in the emergency department (ED) and I quickly saw how medically complex our patients are,” she said. “It was clear I needed this program. Having advanced training and experience has been so advantageous.”
Learning beyond the classroom
The graduates said the program took strong time management and sacrifice to balance work and life with the clinical rotations and coursework, but the support they received from each other made it possible. The cohort had a group chat they still use today, and when it was time to prepare for an exam, they often studied together.
“The members of that first class brought so much knowledge and experience,” Jones said. “Some had more than 20 years working in acute care. We worked in different areas and specialties, and everyone was willing to share their knowledge. It took many late nights and early mornings, but I most definitely apply what I’ve learned.”
Although the program was primarily remote learning, the graduates were able to access the skills simulation lab at ECU, and the exposure to different settings and patient populations during clinical rotations gave them opportunities to practice skills they may not have encountered in their day-to-day roles.
“In the smaller hospitals you don’t always have the opportunities to perform procedures such as insertion of dialysis catheters or multi-lumen access catheters, but I was able to see and do that during my clinical rotations,” Ferrell said.
While some graduates are already considering their next academic or professional steps, they agreed the program has made them more confident clinicians and strengthened the care they provide.
“With this training, I feel more confident I can serve those who walk through the doors,” Woodard said.
“Patients don’t come from a textbook world,” Jones added. “We have to critically think and look at the literature. Being in environment conducive to learning makes all the difference.”
In high school, Morgan Quintanilla thought she wanted to be a nurse, but after a clinical rotation during her certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, she changed her mind. Instead, she went to the University of Mount Olive and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management. An internship with Chick-Fil-A led to a six-year career in leadership with the chain.
“Then I got a spark,” Morgan said. “I thought, let me try to be an RN again, so I got into a program but didn’t do well.”
Still undeterred, Morgan opted for a licensed practical nurse (LPN) program, which she completed in August 2021. During that time, she also married her husband Juan and got pregnant with twins.
That November, however, Morgan went into pre-term labor at 28 weeks and delivered two girls: Leah and Mia. Mia passed away, and Leah spent 65 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Maynard Children’s Hospital before discharging home.
“When I was pregnant, I had no desire to go back to school,” Morgan said. “But sitting in the NICU, I realized I wanted to serve in that role. I wanted to work where I could help parents experiencing the same thing I did, and work beside the people who made me feel comfortable and cared for. A nurse told me only RNs can work in the NICU, so I applied for an LPN to RN program sitting next to my baby’s bed.”
Leah was discharged in January 2022, and Morgan began RN program that May. When she graduated from the year-long program in August 2023, she immediately found a job with the NICU.
“As soon as I stepped foot in that NICU, I knew this is where I needed to be,” she said. “My heart was fulfilled again. I was where both my babies had been alive, and I get a lot of comfort from that.”
Morgan said this experience was a classic example of taking something bad and turning it into something good.
“I can let other parents know that I’m both a NICU mom and a NICU nurse,” she said. “I know what it’s like to have a survivor and a loss. When they hear that, there’s this sense of relief that we’ll get through this together. I want to make sure the parents, especially those who experience a loss, are advocated for.”
She also said her pursuit of nursing feels meant to be.
“I would never wish for this to have happened,” she said, “But if it hadn’t, I wouldn’t be an RN now. In high school, I just had this intuition I wanted to be a nurse, but I wasn’t sure how I would get there. This was my calling and I’m lucky to have found it.”
Share your story with us at go.ecuhealth.org/gratitude. Stories like these show the lasting impact of Maynard Children’s Hospital.
The North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards honor the true spirit of volunteerism in individuals and groups in the public, nonprofit and private sectors who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. This year, Charmaine Reeder, on behalf of the ECU Health’s work with Pitt County Meals on Wheels, Traquavis Harris, Sara Gray Tingen and Angelina Brittle and were honored as award winners.
Brittle started her career at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital before it was part of ECU Health. After more than 20 years serving patients and families across the health system in roles ranging from oncology social worker, hospice social worker and volunteer coordinator, Brittle found herself back at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, serving as the manager of volunteer services. Her diverse experience has allowed her to support patients and their families at the bedside and behind the scenes by building meaningful volunteer programs.
Brittle grew up wanting to help people, and after a personal experience with a social worker who left a lasting impression, she found her calling and pursued a bachelor’s degree in social work at East Carolina University. That passion naturally led to her work in volunteer services.
During her 13 years at the Service League of Greenville Hospice House, Brittle served as the primary social worker while also overseeing the volunteer program. She matched volunteers with patients and families to provide comfort during some of life’s most difficult moments. She later joined the volunteer services team at ECU Health Medical Center, overseeing one of the largest volunteer programs in the state, before returning to ECU Health Beaufort Hospital.
“I started my career here and now I’m back home. I love caring for my neighbors,” she said. “I believe volunteers play a vital role in creating exceptional experiences for patients and families by offering comfort, easing anxiety, providing navigation and allowing clinical staff to focus on direct patient care. When we match people with purpose, everyone benefits.”
Brittle was surprised to learn she received the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award.
“I love to see our volunteers light up while they collectively make a difference for those we serve,” she said. “This award isn’t just about me; it’s about our volunteers and the incredible impact they make every day.”
The North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards honor the true spirit of volunteerism in individuals and groups in the public, nonprofit and private sectors who make a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service. This year, Charmaine Reeder, on behalf of the ECU Health’s work with Pitt County Meals on Wheels, Traquavis Harris, Sara Gray Tingen and Angelina Brittle and were honored as award winners.
Traquavis Harris
Harris, program coordinator in pastoral care programs, began his career with ECU Health in 2022 as a scheduler in perioperative administration when his mother, also an ECU Health team member, encouraged him to apply.
“I wanted to grow and move around to different departments without having to leave an organization, and ECU Health offers the opportunity to learn about different professions and specialties,” he said. “You don’t have to be a nurse or doctor to work in health care.”
After a year in the operating room, he saw an opportunity for his current role and he leaped at the chance.
“I was a VolunTEEN in 2017 and did patient escorts, central transport, cancer center registration and work in the emergency department,” he said. “This was a chance to circle back to where I once was and give back to my community.”
That strong background in service has helped Harris grow in his role. He has since amassed an impressive portfolio of degrees and certifications, including a bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, a master’s degree in technology management with a concentration in Six Sigma, and numerous certifications in Java, Data Reporting and Analytics, project management and agile methodologies.
When he learned he won the Governor’s Volunteer Service Award, Harris said he was too stunned to speak.
“It was a verification that the work I’m doing doesn’t go unnoticed. You don’t volunteer expecting to receive anything, but I was excited,” he said.
He also credited the support he received from colleagues, such as fellow award-winner Angelina Brittle, and his current leader, Ashley Ware, as influential in his work.
“As I was entering the role, Angelina was leaving, but she taught me everything I needed to know to be successful in this sector,” he said. “And Ashley allows individuals on her team to be authentic to themselves and their work, putting us first to get knowledge about what we want to learn and mold us into flexible leaders. Working with Ashley has been transformational.”
Harris said volunteering is important – not only for what it gives to others, but for what it teaches you about yourself.
“It’s a chance to learn about yourself and put yourself out there,” he said. “Giving back does something to you; you have a purpose.”
Tonya Moye, a mammography technologist IV, began her career at what was then Pitt County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) in 1991, where she worked in x-ray and CT. A severe car accident in 1995 and an unexpected move to Dare County set Moye up for the opportunity to work at what became Outer Banks Health, where she’s been ever since.
Moye’s interest in radiology began with a high school research paper on radiologic technology, and after graduation she attended Pitt Community College where she got her degree in x-ray and special imaging. Transitioning to PCMH made sense for the Winterville native – partially due to its proximity to home and partially because she completed much of her training at that very hospital.
“It already felt like home for me,” she said. “My mentor taught me so much, and I worked with a few people I knew from high school. A few of our radiologists had small children and I babysat for them.”
Seeking continuing education credits, Moye opted for a certification in mammography.
“The way life and God work, I used that knowledge a few years later when Outer Banks Hospital needed a mammography tech,” Moye said. “The supervisor was a guru and said she’d teach me everything she knew, so I made a change from x-ray and CT.”
That change was fortuitous; Moye said she is blessed to still love what she does every day.
“I have some patients I have seen every year since the day I started at this hospital, and that’s 24 years,” she said. “I know about their kids and pets and lives, and they know about mine. And, if something shows up on their mammogram, they feel like someone there really knows them and cares. They’re more than a number.”
In 35 years, Moye said she’s never considered working anywhere else.
“This is close to home. My mother still lives near Greenville,” she said. “Also, our department sees many patients, and our team works well together. My colleagues have seen me through health problems and kids and life. The people I’ve worked with have made work a good place to be.”
That includes her leadership’s support of her ongoing education, a vital part of her success and ability to evolve as technology changes.
“When I transitioned to mammography, my leadership supported me in taking classes at Johnson Community College and other continuing education,” she said. “Becky Ward, the director of radiology, has been the best leader I’ve ever had. She’s supportive and fights for what we need. We’re blessed to have her.”
A lot has changed when it comes to radiology, so having that level of support means Moye’s been able to adapt quickly.
“I can still smell the chemicals we used to process images,” she laughed. “That was when x-ray film was recycled for the silver in it. Now everything is digital. I never imagined computers would become such a large part of imaging, but it’s amazing how much everything has changed. But I am happier and more at peace than I have ever been in my life. My work enhances that.”
Retirement isn’t in Moye’s immediate future, but travel is, including a dream trip to Greece.
She also has a new grandchild on the way, and she has considered teaching in a radiology program.
“I think students don’t realize how vast radiology is and what options they have. You can go to school for two years and have so many areas you can work in,” she said. “I’d tell students or new graduates to focus on being their best, because that will take them where they want to go. Things change, but what’s consistent is how you treat your patients.”
Angela Still, MSN, executive director of Women’s Services at ECU Health Medical Center, has been named the 2026 recipient of the Award of Excellence in Leadership from the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN).
Presented at AWHONN’s national convention in May, the award recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional leadership in advancing care for women, infants and families. Still was nominated by a colleague, and the award selection committee unanimously chose her for the honor.
“I was completely surprised and humbled,” Still said. “It’s such an incredible honor, and it really reflects the work of our teams and what they accomplish every day.”
Advancing care across eastern North Carolina
The AWHONN Award of Excellence in Leadership recognizes nurses who have made significant contributions to clinical practice, patient outcomes and the nursing profession.
As executive director of Women’s Services, Still has led efforts to standardize care, expand interdisciplinary education and strengthen access to high-quality care across ECU Health’s 29-county region. A key part of that work is the perinatal outreach program, which provides education, simulation training and clinical support to hospitals throughout eastern North Carolina.
“Our goal was never to make every hospital look like the Medical Center,” Still said. “It was to learn from each other and ensure a consistent level of care across the region.”
At the Medical Center, Still also oversees teams caring for increasingly high-risk maternal patients while helping meet growing demand for obstetric services.
Building teams and strengthening the workforce
In addition to advancing clinical practice, Still is passionate about supporting and developing the nursing workforce, both at the Medical Center and at the community hospitals where recruitment and retention can be challenging.
One example is the regional OB nurse cohort, which brings together new nurses from community hospitals for shared education, mentorship and peer support. The program helps reduce isolation, strengthen clinical skills and reinforce a systemwide approach to care.
“Health care is a team effort,” Still said. “When we support our nurses, remove barriers and invest in their growth, it makes a real difference in how teams function and the care they deliver.”
A career rooted in purpose
Still celebrated 40 years with ECU Health in June.
While attending college, she joined then Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center, as an extern on the gynecology unit and went on to serve in clinical, education and leadership roles. She has also contributed to statewide initiatives and served on numerous advisory and academic boards, including the ECU College of Nursing Hall of Fame Board.
“This is home,” Still said. “I chose to come back to eastern North Carolina because I’m passionate about improving the health and well-being of mothers and newborns here.”
Leading with purpose and compassion
Still credits much of her success to the teams and mentors who have shaped her career. Today, she focuses on mentoring future nurse leaders and creating an environment where team members feel supported and empowered.
“We have an opportunity every day to care for people during some of the most important moments of their lives,” she said. “It’s an honor and a privilege, and we should never take that for granted.”