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.”
Greenville, N.C. – Five ECU Health team members are among the first graduates from East Carolina University School of Nursing’s Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) program, a post-graduate certificate program that prepares specialized nurse practitioners to care for senior patients in acute care settings across North Carolina. The five ECU Health providers are Charlsie Woodard, Hunter Venters, Rachel Ferrell, Richa Dhungana and Angela Jones.
“As we continue to see the aging population grow nationwide, ensuring nurses at ECU Health and across the state have access to specialized training will continue to be a priority for ECU Health,” said Dr. Trish Baise, chief nursing executive, ECU Health. “Programs like this ensure our teams are prepared to deliver high-quality, specialized care close to home. We are grateful for our strong partnership with ECU, which continues to strengthen our workforce and elevate care across the region.”
The AGACNP certificate further prepares APRNs to deliver specialized acute and critical care services across a variety of settings including emergency departments, inpatient acute care units and intensive care units.
“Expanding the number of AGACNP-prepared providers helps address critical workforce shortages in these high-demand areas while strengthening access to specialty and acute care services for the rural and underserved populations of eastern North Carolina,” said Elaine Cudnik, executive director, Women’s and Children’s Advanced Clinical Practice, ECU Health. “By developing a highly qualified acute care workforce locally, ECU is helping to improve healthcare access, reduce disparities, and ensure that patients can receive timely, high-quality care closer to home.”
This program was established through ECU Health and ECU’s College of Nursing. ECU Health previously developed pathways for the development of the future of nursing care in eastern North Carolina with the establishment of an academic practice partnership, seeded by a $1.5 million investment from ECU Health over five years. This investment has provided the ECU College of Nursing with the opportunity to expand faculty and resources to support students in the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate program and the development of the Doctor of Nursing Practice in AGACNP. Four graduates were granted financial support through the ECU Health Foundation. Dr. Kristie Hertel, serves in a dual role as an ECU Health trauma nurse practitioner and the AGACNP program director.
Jones, FNP, an Emergency Department Nurse Practitioner at ECU Health Bertie Hospital, also completed the program. Jones’ participation was not funded through the ECU Health Foundation’s tuition assistance program.
The program welcomed its first cohort in Spring 2025 and is designed to address the growing demand for acute care and gerontology services. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 18% of North Carolina’s population is 65 or older. The program ensures alignment with the Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education model as well as the Advanced Practiced Registered Nurse (APRN) Consensus Model by providing formal education preparation that matches the APRN’s population focus and practice setting. The additional certification supports regulatory compliance and ensures APRNs have the tools to practice to the full extent of their education, training and licensure in acute and complex care environments.
“We truly value the strong partnership between ECU Health and the College of Nursing to address the shortage of advanced practice nurses health care workers nationwide,” said Dr. Julie Linder, chair of the ECU College of Nursing’s Department of Advanced Nursing Practice and Education. “Collaborating within an academic health system lets nurses receive high-quality training they can carry forward into their work in specialized communities.”
Expectant mothers now have more options at ECU Health when it is time to have their baby. That includes Certified Nurse Midwives, or CNMs, whose expertise lies in supporting those moms-to-be throughout their pregnancies, all the way to the delivery table. At ECU Health, qualified, experienced CNMs are now empowered to work within the full scope of their practice authority, a change that aims to improve health care outcomes for mothers and babies while better distributing provider workloads across maternal care teams.
As of April, independent CNMs at ECU Health with at least two years and 4,000 hours of clinical experience are now able to admit patients to the hospital, discharge patients from the hospital and write all notes and orders without the need for a physician’s co-signature or supervision.
CNMs deliver babies from “standard risk” pregnancies while consulting with physicians to identify cases that come with higher risks of complication or need procedures like C-sections. They continue to work in tandem with other members of the maternal care team like OB-GYN physicians.
“This was an incredibly important step forward to ensure that we are using our providers to their full scope of practice in order to improve access to care and broaden our services,” said Elaine Cudnik, executive director for Women’s and Children’s advanced clinical practice at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. “There is a nationwide shortage of OB-GYN providers and ECU Health is not immune to the challenges in recruiting that specialty. We continue to augment our services with advanced practice providers and independent certified nurse midwives who can support that critical maternal service here at ECU Health.
Added Cudnik, “I think allowing independent CNMs to work to the top of their license brings an incredible value to the community that we serve and will only expand the access that we’re able to provide.”
On the day the change went into effect two CNMs — Sarah Sears and Margi Reither — were granted independent CNM privileges at ECU Health. Reither called it a monumental step and the result of decades of advocacy. She is grateful that ECU Health now grants qualified CNMs more freedom in scope of practice.
“It is great, professionally, to be able to take care of our own patients,” Reither said. “That’s what we are truly grateful for. We have had wonderful support from our OB-GYN team who agree this is a good, professional decision. This was truly a team effort between midwives, physicians and administrators.”
Sears said the change is empowering, and that it shines a light on how midwives are crucial parts of an OB-GYN team.
“It makes us feel seen,” Sears said. “There is certainly a feeling of respect not just in being able to work with my patients in a new way, but from the health system recognizing what we do and making our roles more visible.”
More importantly, the change is good for patient outcomes. Sears said midwifery care is shown to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. When physicians and midwives collaborate, it allows providers to play to their own strengths. For midwives, that is recognizing and managing standard risk labor and delivery.
“Physicians really are needed for the high-risk things, the abnormal circumstances that can arise during a delivery,” Sears said. “As midwives, we are focused on the normal. It comes down to working together to make sure our approach fits each individual patient on a case-by-case basis.”
Dr. James Whiteside, department chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine, played a critical role in helping expand the scope of midwifery practice at ECU Health when he arrived at the health system in 2022. He said further expanding midwives’ scope of practice to include independent care is an important step toward addressing clinician shortages that continue to strain maternal care nationwide.
“We saw an opportunity to expand the role of midwifery across our region and leverage independent scope of practice for these integral members of our care teams,” Dr. Whiteside said. “More midwives will help us address the real challenges facing rural delivery, specifically when it comes to resources and the number of clinicians we have available to provide high-quality care and reduce risk associated with delivery.”
Dr. Dan Dwyer, chief medical officer, ECU Health Community Hospitals and an obstetrician, said he is excited for the positive impact the change will have on maternal services in some of eastern North Carolina’s most rural communities. CNMs will have reliable teams they can work with and the ability to transfer care to another clinician, or to another facility, as needed, in the most efficient way possible.
“Looking ahead, we are excited to introduce independent Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs) into care teams throughout ECU Health’s rural community hospitals,” Dr. Dwyer said. “Teamwork is a cornerstone of our culture, and we are committed to recruiting and nurturing skilled CNMs whose dedication and values align with our mission. These professionals are essential to delivering the highest quality care in rural settings.”
Serving 29 counties and operating eight rural birthing locations, Dr. Dwyer said ECU Health faces a range of challenges — not least of which are recruiting and retaining talented healthcare professionals.
“To address these needs, it is imperative that every member of our health care team — including independent CNMs — practice at the top of their license. Creating an environment where everyone feels valued and welcomed is central to our approach,” he said. “The collaborative efforts of CNMs, family practitioners and obstetricians, supported by advanced digital technology and a robust network of sub-specialists, are critical to ensuring patients receive timely, appropriate care wherever they are. We take great pride in the strength of our teamwork and remain confident that, together, we can overcome future challenges and continue to provide exceptional care for our communities.”
ECU Health has maintained labor and delivery services at its rural hospitals. Midwives’ knowledge and skills play a prominent role in ensuring that quality care is available to even more patients in eastern North Carolina, Cudnik said.
“We strongly believe in midwives’ practice and their ability,” Cudnik added. “We strive to create a place where that expertise is valued and leveraged in a way that supports our unique rural academic mission. Not only will expanded access to care benefit community hospitals and rural communities, these midwives will also have a chance to teach students and residents at our ECU Health Medical Center. We’re excited to see the independent CNM program grow.”