Greenville, NC — ECU Health Medical Center is proud to announce its designation as a Gold Level Center of Excellence in Life Support by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). This honor recognizes health care centers that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to evidence-based practices, quality measures, staff training and outstanding patient care in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
“We are honored to receive this recognition from ELSO, a testament to the skill and commitment of our ECMO and critical care teams,” said Heidi Carrow, ECMO Coordinator at ECU Health. “Our teams work tirelessly to deliver the highest standard of care, and this achievement reflects that dedication. Looking ahead, ECU Health Medical Center has established a dedicated adult ECMO team, enabling specialists to focus exclusively on this advanced therapy and further enhance the quality of care we provide.”
ECU Health provides ECMO therapy for infants, children and adults experiencing acute failure of the cardio-respiratory system. ECMO is one of the most advanced forms of life support available to patients and allows time for the patient’s lungs or heart to heal over a period of time by using a heart-lung machine to oxygenate the blood outside the body. Since launching its ECMO program in 2015, ECU Health has treated more than 50 to 60 patients annually across neonatal, pediatric and adult populations.
This marks ECU Health’s first Gold Level recognition, following previous Silver Level awards in 2016 and 2023. The Gold Level designation reflects the continued advancement and excellence of ECU Health’s ECMO program and critical care teams. The award is valid for a three-year period from Jan. 1, 2026, through Dec. 31, 2028.
“Achieving Gold Level recognition from ELSO is a testament to the skill and dedication of our teams at ECU Health,” said Jay Briley, president, ECU Health Medical Center. “This award underscores our commitment to advancing critical care and ensuring patients across eastern North Carolina have access to the most advanced life support therapies available close to home. We are proud of the progress our ECMO program has made and remain focused on continuing to elevate the quality of care for every patient we serve.”