“I’ve had cancer more than five times, and I’m still standing,” Maleiyah Perez said. “My job now is to tell people about my journey and help them believe they can do it too.”
When Perez was 17, her mother noticed a lump on her thigh. They went to the doctor immediately, and the nurse confirmed there was a mass.
“Things went fast from there,” she said. “They said they were admitting me that very day, and I had a biopsy the next week.”
The biopsy showed the mass was alveolar soft parts sarcoma, a rare form of cancer that originates in soft tissue such as muscle, fat or nerves. Only about 80 cases are diagnosed per year in the United States.
Holding on to hope
“Before they could remove the tumor, I needed 38 rounds of radiation to shrink it down from the size of a softball,” she said. The surgery left her missing parts of her muscle in that leg.
Almost one year later, Perez prepared to celebrate a year of being cancer-free. A friend’s aunt needed a kidney transplant, and Perez decided to get tested to see if she could be a donor, but the test came back with an unexpected result: her cancer had returned.
“The doctor took us in a room and showed me an x-ray. I had 10-12 nodules in both lungs.”
Perez underwent treatment again, this time a robotic, non-invasive radiation therapy called CyberKnife coupled with oral chemotherapy.
“It was pretty intense, but those treatments together had success, and I was cleared of that cancer.”
Two years later, however, the cancer returned in her lungs. Two years after that, she went back to the doctor with a persistent headache and her doctors discovered a small spot on her brain.
Perez underwent a Gamma Knife treatment, which is a non-invasive stereotactic radiosurgery instrument that doesn’t require an incision. Two months after that surgery, she needed it again for two more spots on her brain, and recently, cancer was discovered in her pelvis.
“Through all of this, I never felt any fear,” Perez shared. “I have faith I’m going to make it through, and I have people who support me, including the great team at the cancer center. Dr. Musharraf Navaid, my doctor through much of this journey, said I was very lucky and that people with this type of cancer have a 20-40% chance of surviving five years because it’s often discovered too late. I’m grateful I advocated for myself and have doctors checking on me every month.”
“Maleiyah’s ability to endure the shock of her diagnosis, major surgeries, radiation and chemotherapy shows her strength,” Dr. Navaid said. “Hers is a story of resilience, courage and hope, and she hasn’t let this disease define her.”
After two pelvic fractures, a hip replacement and pelvis reconstruction in November 2025, Perez is working on healing both physically and mentally.
Not going through it alone
“I’ve had a lot of challenges because I’m not as independent as I’d like to be,” she said. “I can’t walk or help my kids, and a lot of cancer patients feel like no one understands. I expressed my feelings to my oncology nurse navigator, Katie Elliott. She listened to me and sat with me, and she gave me information on how to find a therapist to talk to. Both she and Dr. Navaid’s nurse, Charman Baker, go above and beyond. I’m very grateful for that team and everyone at the cancer center because they helped me out of a dark place.”
“I’ve known Maleiyah for a while now,” Elliott said. “It’s been an honor to walk alongside her. We want people to know they’re not going through their journey alone. We have various resources, but sometimes the hardest part is asking for help. We serve many rural communities, and we’ll help patients get access to the care and resources they need.”
“Her smile is infectious, and even on a bad day, you’re going to see that smile,” said Baker, a nurse in the medical oncology clinic. “She hasn’t allowed this experience to deflate her goals, and she’s an inspiration to us.”
Perez said the care she received—from Dr. Navaid’s compassion to the nurses’ efforts to follow up regularly, and the support she received from her mother, who passed away from cancer, and her husband, Jason—helped her through the experience.
“My husband and I had been together only three months when I was first diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “The nurse said, ‘Wow, your boyfriend really cares about you because he asked me what he could do to help.’ Since then, he’s been there for me and our family, and he’s shown he’ll be there through sickness and health. And my mother was my number one cheerleader from the beginning; she was with me for every treatment.”
Perez is 29 now, and her focus is on recovery.
“I won’t say I’m in ‘remission,’ because to me that means the cancer is completely gone. Dr. Navaid wants me to heal more before we do anything else, but for now, I’m in a place where I don’t need treatment,” she said. “My end goal is to be completely healed and live a long life. I know that will happen someday soon. Having a positive mindset will get you further in life.”
In 2025, Caroliena McCoy was a junior in ROTC teaching marksmanship to a few kids in her group when another student accidentally stepped on Caroliena’s right leg. A week later, she experienced a medical emergency.
“My right leg hurt but after four days it improved and we thought everything was okay,” Caroliena said. “By the following Tuesday, I was limping.”
“I picked her up from school and she was pale and looked tired,” added Caroliena’s aunt, Connie. “Before I could get out of the parking lot, her eyes rolled back and she started sucking air like she couldn’t breathe. I thought she was having a seizure.”
The assistant principal of Ayden-Grifton High School directed Connie to pull over and brought out two teachers: Ms. Alphin and Ms. James. Sylvia James was the health science teacher and she and Ms. Alphin were both first responders; before joining the school system, Sylvia worked at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital for 33 years as a nurse.
“I had started to come out of it by then, but Ms. James recommended we call 911,” Caroliena said. The EMTs could only determine Caroliena had high blood sugar, but Ms. James recommended she still go to the emergency department at Maynard Children’s Hospital.
“Ms. James saved me because she thought I was showing signs of respiratory distress,” Caroliena said.
“I was called out because they said someone had a seizure, but then I saw how dusky blue Caroliena was, and her oxygen saturation wasn’t good,” Sylvia said. “I had seen her just the day before and knew about her leg pain, and it sounded like she had complications from an injury that caused the respiratory distress. I called the rescue squad right away.”
At the hospital, the emergency department team acted quickly by running tests, including x-rays, a CT scan and ultrasounds, to figure out what was going on with the 17-year-old. It turns out Ms. James was right.
“I had blood clots in both lungs and my right leg,” Caroliena said. “My episode in the car was the result of me not getting oxygen to my brain.”
Dr. M. Umer Tariq
That’s where Dr. M. Umer Tariq stepped in.
“We recommended she have a mechanical thrombectomy for pulmonary embolism immediately,” Dr. Tariq said. “It’s a minimally invasive, percutaneous treatment—meaning you aspirate the clots out with a catheter. It’s done while the patient is awake and it’s a life-saving procedure. Pulmonary embolism is the third leading cause of cardiovascular deaths behind stroke and heart attack.”
This was an unusual situation, as 17-year-olds don’t often present with blood clots, but Dr. Tariq felt confident about the treatment plan.
“Our program has been doing this for at least six years now and it’s performed by cardiology and vascular surgery. The novelty in this case was working with the pediatric ICU and cardiology teams,” Dr. Tariq said. “We told Caroliena that when the clot in the lungs are large and another breaks off from the leg, it can be fatal.”
“Dr. Tariq explained everything very well and answered all our questions. I’m glad he was her doctor,” Connie said.
Caroliena looks back on her experience with gratitude for the care she received—both at the school and the hospital.
“Ms. James recognized the urgency of the situation,” she said. “Dr. Tariq was very straight forward and talked to us about the procedure, and during the procedure a nurse—I don’t remember her name—stayed with me and held my hand.”
Her favorite part was getting a visit from Sam, Maynard Children’s Hospital’s facility dog.
“That was really special,” Caroliena said. “She made me think of my dog at home that I was missing, and that made me feel a lot better.”
Caroliena is doing well now. Her care team determined she has a Factor V Leiden mutation of one of the clotting factors in blood, which raises the risk for developing harmful blood clots; that means she has to be on a low-dose blood thinner from now on.
“I still have some limitations,” she said. “If I am in one position for too long my leg hurts, and my plan to join the military after college had to change. Now I plan to attend Pitt Community College and then transfer to East Carolina University to study geology.”
“I’m so thankful I was at school that day,” Sylvia said. “I knew Caroliena was in trouble the minute I saw her. Those nurse instincts just kicked in. I’m so thankful the emergency department providers acted quickly and they got her into surgery. Caroliena was incredibly brave through the whole thing. She showed resilience and bounced back quickly.”
Dr. Lorrie Basnight grew up in Chapel Hill, and after seven years working as an exercise physiologist, she went back to school to become a doctor. She found a passion for pediatrics unexpectedly, and since 1995, she’s loved working with children and their families.
“Children can be delightful and challenging,” she said. “I thought I was a compassionate physician; I was happy to talk with families and let them feel their feelings. But after my diagnosis, I realized what the other side feels like.”
In 2025, Dr. Basnight was diagnosed with breast cancer, a total shock because she considered herself to be in good health.
“I was going to the gym and doing all the things you should do. I have no genetic background or family history of breast cancer. The year before my diagnosis, I did a 100-mile hike in Spain, and in the spring of 2025, I did a 200-mile bike ride in Belgium and the Netherlands,” she said. “Two weeks after I got back from that trip, I got my diagnosis.”
Immediately following her diagnosis, Dr. Basnight said she struggled with fear and anxiety.
“Not 15 minutes after I left the doctor’s office I started thinking I needed to make my funeral plans,” she said. “That’s where my head went. Getting that under control has been a process.”
A path forward
The first step was creating a plan, which Dr. Basnight said was accomplished with her doctor, Dr. Mahvish Muzaffar.
“I had an intense regimen of 16 doses of chemo, followed by surgery,” Dr. Basnight said. “Dr. Muzaffar and the team did a great job of controlling my side effects, and before surgery, my MRI showed no signs of cancer.”
That didn’t mean she was out of the woods quite yet; her post-surgical pathology report showed residual cancer cells. She required additional treatment, which she is still receiving, including 20 rounds of radiation and targeted drugs and hormone blockers. Through it all, however, Dr. Basnight said her doctor and the cancer center team took care of her and put her mind at ease.
During her treatments, she contracted COVID twice and suffered a heart arrythmia as a side effect from one of her medications, which required her to be admitted to the hospital, but Dr. Basnight said she felt supported the entire time.
“It’s weird to have this serious illness and say I’ve had such a great experience,” she said. “When I first met Dr. Muzaffar, she talked with me and my daughter and then asked to speak with me alone. Then she gave me a big hug and said, ‘I know this is scary, but you’re going to be okay.’”
Over the last year, Dr. Basnight said Dr. Muzaffar has reminded her that her medications are working very well and if she did have a recurrence, there are new cancer drugs and treatments coming out all the time.
“She told me that people like me with stage three cancer have lived many years, so she pulled me get out of that ditch of thinking this is the end of my life,” she said. “It’s just the start of a different part of my life.”
Dr. Basnight said it’s also been helpful to use all the resources available to her through the cancer center, including speaking with a therapist to get her anxiety under control.
“When I was first diagnosed, I’d wake up in the middle of the night panicking. My therapist, Dr. Rachelle Evans, has given me many exercises to help with my anxiety, like thought interrupting exercises,” she said. “When I start worrying about something, I say or think, ‘Not helpful,’ and that stops the spiral. I really feel like I’ve become a new person who’s moved into a state of acceptance.”
More than a patient
From her doctor and her therapist to pharmacists and front desk staff to her nurse navigator, Dr. Basnight said the Cancer Center provides an exceptional level of care.
“They talk to you and treat you like you’re more than an MRN number,” she said. “They talk to my family and include them in the conversation. They get you through check-in quickly, they know you and ask about your life and sort out appointments easily. I had a friend who received cancer care from another facility and she came to a few appointments with me at ECU Health. She told me later, ‘I’m sure I got excellent medical care where I went, but my oncologist never acknowledged how scary this is for me.’ My friend ended up switching to ECU Health to get her radiation and she had a great experience.”
For now, Dr. Basnight is continuing her cancer treatment and making plans for future biking and travel. She’s back in the gym and says anyone with cancer should figure out how to still do the things they love.
“One of the things Dr. Evans helped me do was define what’s important to me: relationships,” she said. “Last year, my four siblings and I rented a house in Manteo and had the best time. It was the first time in a long time we’d all been together for a whole week, and it’s special to be with the ones you love. Next spring, we plan a boat and biking trip, and I’m looking forward to that.”
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 the final installment of our series, we’re highlighting Celina Hawkins, BSN, RN, Stacey Sloan, BSN, RN, CGRN, Christine Smith, MSN, RN, OCN, Brooke Thompson, RN and Jose Vazquez Velazquez, BSN, RN.
Celina Hawkins
“My grandmother told me I’d be a nurse one day. I knew that’s what I wanted to do,” Hawkins said. “I didn’t get to go to nursing school until I was 41, but I love it and have been at ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital for 14 years now.”
Hawkins said it was a family effort to go back to school after raising her six children, and after graduating from Edgecombe Community College with her ADN, she made her dream come true. She worked at the bedside before graduating with her BSN from North Carolina Wesleyan University and transitioning to an education coordinator role, where she ensures those coming on board have what they need to succeed.
“I’m just doing what I love. That’s reward enough. To be recognized as one of the Great 100 Nurses is truly humbling and holds a special meaning, because nursing has always been more than a career,” she said. “It’s a calling rooted in service, compassion and a genuine desire to help others.”
This recognition affirms that the work she loves makes a difference and that she’s exactly where she’s meant to be. For Hawkins, Tarboro is home.
“The community, the people and my team keep me here. Tarboro is small and everyone knows everyone,” Hawkins said. “On the floor, I know some of the patients and it’s a warm feeling to see them doing well in the community later. We are truly the best.”
Stacey Sloan
A third-generation nurse, Sloan joined ECU Health after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and she honed her skills on 3 East. She moved to a cardiac unit before finding herself in endoscopy.
“You want to make a difference for someone,” she said. “When we care for our patients, it’s not a happy time in their lives. We deliver a lot of bad news and that’s tough. You have to show compassion, be present and listen to them.”
Although she’s not at the bedside as often, Sloan said her leadership role gives her the opportunity to give back.
“I had really good mentors who invested in me when I got started. Now I can make a difference with my team by improving a workflow and making thing safer or easier,” she said. “Being a nurse means showing up every day and inspiring others.”
For Sloan, that includes developing a robust orientation program for new team members and improving scheduling so more patients are seen. It’s no wonder she was named a Great 100 Nurse.
“It’s incredible. I knew I was nominated but I didn’t think I’d win because so many were nominated this year. And interestingly enough, my mother won this award 30 years ago. She was my role model, so it was cool I could share that with her.”
Christine Smith
Her mother passed away when Smith was 11, and the care her mother received touched her heart and sparked her interested in nursing. Then her mother-in-law, Dorothy, fanned that flame by encouraging her to pursue nursing also.
“Right out of high school, I became a nurse assistant while I went to nursing school,” Smith said. “I graduated in 1992. I came to Pitt County Memorial Hospital when I got my degree.”
She came for the large hospital setting, the fact that it is a teaching hospital and she wanted to be a flight nurse. Since then, Smith has worked in a variety of settings, but when she stumbled across medical oncology, she fell in love.
“I really love working with that patient population,” she said. “I have done a lot of work with Santa’s Hope so patients in the Cancer Center can select gifts for their families. I am also the membership coordinator for the Eastern North Carolina Nursing Honor Guard. I love this hospital; I feel like my team and leadership really care about nurses and what we think. The system promotes acknowledging the things people do, and I appreciate that.”
She also appreciated being a Great 100 Nurse – something she wasn’t expecting.
“I’d been nominated before but never won,” she said. “This award began about the time I got out of high school and along the way I’ve known many nurses who won. This is the crème de la crème. I’ve been in awe of them, so to become a part of that makes me feel humbled and happy.”
Brooke Thompson
“My mother and sister were both diagnosed with cancer and passed away within nine months of each other; that experience of being the family at the bedside informed the type of nurse I am today.”
Thompson went to college and majored in sociology, but when she realized her work-life balance wasn’t ideal after graduation, she went back to school for nursing at Carteret Community College.
“I was in the first class of nursing students there,” she said. “During that time, my mother and sister were both diagnosed with cancer, but it just confirmed that I was doing what I should be doing.”
After graduation, the Morehead City native first worked at what was then Carteret General Hospital before taking a travel nurse role – where she found herself spending a lot of time at ECU Health Medical Center.
Thompson said she was amazed and honored to be a Great 100 Nurse.
“I’d heard of the award but didn’t think I’d ever get it. I was a traveling nurse for so long and I have my associate’s degree so I thought I never would,” she said. “But this validates that I’m a good nurse and the judges saw me – not just the letters behind my name.”
She tries to be available for her colleagues and open to questions, and she shares the same advice with all new graduate nurses.
“Put yourself in that bed or in the bedside chair. My experience with my mother and sister shaped what kind of nurse I wanted to be because I saw the good and the bad from the family perspective,” Thompson said. “As nurses, we have to bring that to our role at the bedside.”
Jose Vazquez Velazquez
When Velazquez was six, his father became gravely ill.
“He was diabetic and working in North Carolina,” he said. “My mother and siblings and I were in Mexico, so we came to North Carolina to see him.”
During the journey, his mother experienced severe dehydration in the desert, but a kind passer-by saw her in distress and helped her.
“A health care worker on their way to work – we aren’t sure what their job was or who they were, only that they were in scrubs – saw her unresponsive and took her to the hospital. That made a strong impact on me, and made me want to help like they did,” Velazquez said.
Jose gained permanent United States residency when he was 12, and in 2018, he graduated from East Carolina University with his BSN. There was no doubt where he wanted to work.
“I wanted to be at ECU Health because this was a part of my community,” he said. “I like the resources we have and our team. They are supportive and help me whenever I need it.”
Velazquez said it was an honor to be recognized as a Great 100 Nurse. In addition to donating to Wigs for Kids, listening to patients’ family members and paying close attention to patient changes in status, he aims to be a calm and consistent presence for his team.
“Excellence is a part of ECU Health’s culture, and this award shows the trust my team has in me,” he said. “I try to be dependable, and this motivates me to be a better nurse and grow.”
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.
On a hot July morning, Mark Brady woke up and went about his day as usual. He didn’t expect he’d be spending the next two months in the hospital.
“I walked around the block, took a shower, drank a large iced coffee and was preparing to golf with my friends when my body started to shake,” Brady said.
When he didn’t show up, Brady’s golfing buddies stopped by his house and found him on the floor in his bathroom; one of those friends had taken a first aid class and recognized Mark was having a stroke.
“He saw my drooped face and called 911 immediately. From there I went to ECU Health Duplin Hospital, they put me on a helicopter, and I ended up in Greenville,” Brady said. “I don’t remember much until a week later.”
A team effort
After Brady transitioned from the ICU to a step-down unit, he entered inpatient rehabilitation where he met a team of trained therapists who collaborated on his care.
“When Mark arrived here, he was completely flaccid in his left arm and leg – which means he had no movement,” said Mary Kathryn Hubbard, occupational therapist. “During his stay here, he’s put in such tremendous effort and he’s dedicated to his success. Now he can actively open and close his left hand and use his arm functionally.”
“Early in his stay, we had frank conversations with Mark about his progress,” Melissa DeCarlo, physical therapist, added. “We wanted him to go home safely, but he had a long road ahead of him. Due to his hard work, his family support and his therapy interventions, he started getting better and our conversation changed. I’ve updated his care plan four times because he’s made steady progress the whole time. Now he can walk with a walker and get around with supervision.”
Kelsey Hall, a speech language pathologist, noted that Brady’s cognitive status has also improved.
“His scores initially showed a moderate disorder, but now he’s doing activities of daily living like finances and medications without cues,” she said. “His recovery isn’t necessarily typical, but it shows his dedication to getting better.”
Brady attributes much of his success to the rehabilitation team’s collaborative and supportive spirit.
“Every therapist has done a great job. They pushed me to the point of success, and they are the best in North Carolina,” Brady said. “They all work together and they cheer you on when you accomplish things. It’s a close-knit group.”
“As a team, we look at a patient as the whole person. We wanted Mark to get out and stay active. We co-treat with each other and helped Mark do what was meaningful to him, and that plan evolved over time as he improved,” said Alex Kinney, recreational therapist.
One of those collaborations included an outing to the local Barnes & Noble bookstore. There, he practiced skills he developed during his rehabilitation stay. For Brady, the experience was about more than physical recovery. It was about rediscovering his independence and confidence.
“It was great to be back in the real world,” he said.
These community experiences help patients apply physical, cognitive and problem-solving skills outside the hospital setting for improved functioning at discharge. By combining evidence-based practices, advanced clinical expertise and individualized treatment plans, the rehabilitation center helps patients of all ages achieve their highest level of function and quality of life.
“We can guide the patient,” Kinney said, “But they’re the ones who have to do the work.”
The next step
Brady completed his inpatient therapy and went home with his girlfriend, Lynne, on Sept. 17. He will continue his therapy at ECU Health Duplin Hospital’s Outpatient Rehabilitation clinic, and he has big plans for the future.
“When I was first admitted, they said I might not be able to walk again,” Brady said. “But I told them my goal was to walk independently by Christmas and play golf next year.”
According to Brady, it was the personal attention and genuine care provided by the therapy team that made a lasting impact.
“The therapists make you feel like you are the most important patient on the floor, even though they have many other patients that day,” he said.
The Inpatient Rehabilitation Center at ECU Health Medical Center offers expert care and personalized therapy from a multidisciplinary team that includes physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, recreational therapists, case managers and other specialists.
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.
Rebecca Jenkins, BSN, RN, Nicole Hinson, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, Nada Tannoury, CNP, APRN, FNP-C, RN, and Cierra Linton, BSN, RN are among the 18 inductees this year.
Rebecca Jenkins
She calls nursing her “second act,” but it’s clear Rebecca Jenkins, is a shining star in the Edgecombe Hospital ICU and CCU.
“I wanted to be a teacher out of high school, but then I got married and had four kids and stayed at home a while,” she shared. “I had a job as a companion for someone, and I helped her with her meals and getting around. When she was diagnosed with cancer, I helped care for her. At 18 I never wanted to be a nurse, but after caring for this person, I knew I’d really love it.”
Years later, Rebecca’s aunt was hospitalized with COVID, and a few weeks after that, Rebecca found herself there as a patient.
“The ICU was so kind to my aunt, and they were good to me,” she said. “I knew then I wanted to work at ECU Health, specifically at Edgecombe.”
She graduated in 2022 with her ADN and joined ECU Health the same year. In 2026, she graduated with her BSN. She knew her manager nominated her for the Great 100 Nurses, but she didn’t think she’d be chosen.
“I do not feel worthy,” she said. “There are so many I work with who are more deserving. But I love my job and appreciate that my team has confidence in me.”
Rebecca said she puts her all into her work and does extra things, like Nursing Honor Guard, additional education or washing a patient’s hair, to improve things for her unit and her profession. Part of that is her “all or nothing” attitude, but part of it comes from working with a great team.
“When you work with amazing people, it challenges you to be better. This award is very humbling because I have so many great people I work with. It’s an honor I hope to live up to.”
Christiana “Nicole” Hinson
Born in Cary, Nicole Hinson, attended ECU for her BSN and graduated in 2021. She immediately joined the Medical Center’s CVICU – partly because of ECU Health’s level one trauma status and opportunities for growth.
“The impact you make on every patient in the CVICU is special,” she said.
“You see patients go from being on the most life support possible to walking out of the hospital. Some come back and visit us. It’s nice to see that progression.”
She knew her manager nominated her for the Great 100 Nurses, but she didn’t expect to get a letter in the mail.
“I try to make a difference at the bedside,” she said. “And I also share my voice to make differences not just in nursing, but for all of patient care. There are so many projects our team is working on.”
One project includes working with dietary to create picture menus for patients who can’t read, have difficulty speaking or don’t speak English. She’s also involved in precepting new graduates, unit education, governance and the Pirate Nurse Alumni Council.
Her next achievement? She will graduate as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) in 2029.
“I’m already signed on to come back to ECU Health after I graduate,” she said. “There’s no place I’d rather be.”
Nada Tannoury
Nada was an ED nurse in Lebanon, and when she moved to the United States with her husband, she pursued higher education and built on her experience to continue making a difference in her patients’ lives.
“When I was younger, I wanted to be a doctor, but nursing got me into health care quicker. When we moved to the U.S., I wanted to continue my education and do more. It took time, especially while balancing work, family and school, but I did it because it was a dream of mine.”
This past May, Nada graduated with her DNP as a family nurse practitioner.
In her role at Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Nada works in same-day surgery and endoscopy, and she also establishes vascular access and places peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) lines.
“I am passionate about improving the health outcomes of our patients, especially here in a rural community,” she said.
She didn’t expect to be a Great 100 Nurse, but she was deeply honored by the recognition and grateful to be selected.
“We have so many nurses who deserve this recognition,” she said. “Nursing is demanding work, and every nurse makes a difference, whether they receive an award or not. I feel truly honored to be recognized among so many incredible nurses.”
Cierra Linton
In high school, Cierra Linton spent a lot of time in the hospital as her aunt battled stage IV melanoma.
“I was close to her, so after school I would stay with her until I had to go home,” she said. “The nurses let me help change her dressings and involved me in her care. That’s the reason I do what I do.”
Before she became a nurse, Cierra worked in emergency medical services (EMS), and now her role in the Beaufort Hospital emergency department (ED) feels like the logical next step.
“In EMS you have to acutely fix the problem and stabilize the patient, but in the ED, you see the follow up to that.”
While she knew she’d been nominated for the Great 100 Nurses award, she was shocked to learn she won.
“I couldn’t have done it without my team and my patients,” she said. “Each patient teaches you something new.”
Cierra said she is humbled to be named with other great nurses, and she aims to show her team and her community that’s she’s more than someone who takes blood and gives medications.
“In the ED, it’s chaotic and noisy, and there’s no place for families to grieve or process what’s happening,” she said. “I try to make things easier for our patients and their families. It’s more than medicine.”
In the future, Cierra hopes to become a DNP and specialize in emergency medicine – right after she gets married.
ECU Health Medical Center is proud to welcome the 12th class of Project SEARCH students to work in the hospital environment. The year-long internship program will empower the six students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to learn real-world work experience, develop valuable job skills and build the confidence needed to successfully transition from school to the workforce.
The Project SEARCH Class of 2027 includes Jaden Chamberlain, Marquell Jones, Mattie Breault, Tyler Frazer, D’Mari Clemons and Michael Dunbar.
“We are delighted to welcome another class of Project SEARCH students to ECU Health Medical Center and continue investing in opportunities that help young people build confidence, independence and career-ready skills,” said Doris Hill, workforce development coordinator at ECU Health.
“Project SEARCH creates meaningful pathways to employment by giving students hands-on experience in a real-world health care setting while allowing them to discover their strengths and talents,” Hill continued. “The program not only transforms the lives of participating students but also enriches our workforce and strengthens our commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”
Project SEARCH is a partnership between ECU Health Medical Center, Pitt County Schools, McCloud & Associates, Inc. and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities.
During the program, students participate in internships across various departments at ECU Health Medical Center, including in hospitality, cafeterias, housekeeping and some clinical spaces. These experiences help students transition from classroom learning to professional environments, connecting their educational journeys to their next chapter in a workplace setting.
“Project SEARCH gives students the chance to learn and grow in ways that aren’t possible in a traditional classroom setting,” said Jay Cotton, Project SEARCH instructor. “Through internships and daily workplace experiences, students develop valuable job skills, gain confidence and learn how to navigate professional environments. I am excited to watch these students discover their potential and take important steps toward achieving their goals after graduation.”
The employment rate for youth with disabilities is about 60 to 70 percent less than youth without disabilities, according to the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy. Project SEARCH has proven results with a 65 percent employment and 90 percent retention rate nationally. Students who participate in the program are enrolled at various Pitt County high schools.
The Project SEARCH program at ECU Health Medical Center began in 2015 with the support of its founding partners: Pitt County Schools, RHA Health Services and the North Carolina Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities. The program has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for participating students while also making significant contributions to the local community. Project SEARCH is instrumental in cultivating our ECU Health community into one that embraces diversity, inclusivity and shared success.
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 second installment, meet: Sherri Crouch, RN, Leighann Henley, MSN, RN, Heather Fox, BSN, RN, OCN, Erica Askew, MSN, RN and Toni Merritt, RN are among the 18 inductees this year.
Sherri Crouch
Crouch joined ECU Health Beaufort Hospital right out of nursing school in 1993, continuing a legacy her mother started.
“She was a nurse with ECU Health for 40 years at Beaufort, and she was my inspiration,” Crouch said.
Crouch likes the small hospital community, and although she works in the ambulatory surgery unit and endoscopy now, she started in labor and delivery and has worked in almost every department in the hospital.
She said she doesn’t know why she was nominated as a Great 100 Nurse, although she was humbled to be a part of the esteemed group of winners.
“It’s nice for someone to see you pour yourself into your work, but I’m not one who likes recognition,” she said. “I love my job and taking care of people.”
Leighann Henley
Henley always wanted to be a nurse, and in 1991, she joined ECU Health’s neonatal ICU.
“I did that for a few years and then worked with the transport team with EastCare, but then I found an opportunity with oncology, and I’ve been there 25 years,” she said. “You either love oncology or you don’t, and I fell in love with it.”
Her colleague and fellow Great 100 Nurse, Heather Fox, emphasized the work Henley has done to lead the oncology team through two major transitions, work that demonstrates her leadership and commitment to the institution.
Despite her passion for her work, she was surprised to learn she was a Great 100 Nurse.
“I knew my manager nominated me, but I didn’t think about it until I got the letter,” she said. “It’s nice to be appreciated for what you do.”
She was also quick to celebrate her team and fellow Great 100 winners.
“I love my patients and my coworkers,” she said. “We have the best team in the hospital, and I do well because of the people around me.”
Heather Fox
“As the oldest daughter in my family, I helped care for my younger siblings,” Fox recalled. “When I was 13, my brother had his appendix out and I stayed with him at the hospital and that was my first exposure to nursing. Watching his nurses care for him and provide comfort to the family made a lasting impression.”
After she graduated from high school, Fox considered being a veterinarian, but at the end of her sophomore year of college, she realized nursing was where she belonged. Now she works in oncology and it’s a perfect fit.
“I have been in oncology my whole career of 21 years. It’s where my heart is; it is meaningful,” she said. “You’re caring for people during a vulnerable time and walking with them down this challenging path.”
“Heather is so awesome. She puts patients first,” said her fellow Great 100 Nurse, Leighann Henley.
Not only does Fox take care of people at work; she also serves her community by fostering children.
“Caregiving has been a consistent part of my life, both personally and professionally,” she said. “Becoming a foster parent has further deepened my commitment to supporting vulnerable individuals during times of uncertainty,” she said. “These experiences have reinforced my belief that caring for others is not just what I do. It’s who I am.”
Despite the work she does at the hospital and in the community, Fox said she didn’t expect to be a Great 100 Nurse.
“When my manager told me she was nominating me, I was embarrassed. I’m just doing what comes naturally,” Fox said.
Erica Askew
As a child, Askew had three goals: be a nurse, own her own home, and buy a BMW.
“I’m still waiting on that BMW,” she said.
She’s been a nurse now for 21 years, and in her role in the medical surgical unit at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, she has had the opportunity to do a lot with her team.
“I train new nurses, serve as a clinical coach, work as a unit educator, serve as a vascular access nurse and this year, I’ll be a clinical instructor for Roanoke-Chowan Community College where I got my degree,” she said. “I like to learn new things.”
When she’s not working, Askew volunteers at the local animal shelter, and she recently graduated with her MSN from the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
“I was so surprised and proud to be a Great 100 Nurse,” she said. “Nursing is natural for me because I began caring for others at an early age; it’s something I enjoy doing.”
She’s a big part of that growth, and she’s proud to inspire nurses to go back to school and stay with ECU Health.
Toni Merritt
Although she began her career in graphic arts, Merritt quickly decided that wasn’t a good fit and she went back to school to be a nurse. She graduated from Roanoke-Chowan Community College in 1989, and she’s been with ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital since 1991.
“I always wanted to be a nurse. When my grandmother was sick, I wanted to take care of her, and that inspired me,” she said.
As a Great 100 Nurse, Merritt trains new nurses, serves as a clinical coach, is a safety coach, is a patient family advocate, has been cross-trained as a nursing house supervisor and she recently served as a facilitator for the Peri-op 101 course in the operating room.
“I’m honored to work with this team; we’re so lucky to have this hospital,” she said. “I show up for work and do the best I can. I learn something new every day and make a difference in some small way. That makes it worth it.”
For 50 years, resident physicians have had the opportunity to live, train and learn in eastern North Carolina through Graduate Medical Education (GME) at ECU Health Medical Center and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. As the program celebrates its semicentennial, leaders from across ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine gathered to celebrate the program’s impact and the people who make it work.
During an Aug. 21 luncheon at the East Carolina Heart Institute, resident physicians past and present had a chance to reflect on the history of GME at ECU Health Medical Center.
What began with a single Family Medicine Residency program in 1976 has blossomed into 38 resident physician and fellowship programs that give providers hands on experience as they treat patients in rural eastern North Carolina.
“Today we celebrate a legacy of 50 years which has produced many of the physicians who currently practice medicine in our region,” said Dr. Mary Catherine Turner, associate dean for Graduate Medical Education at the Brody School of Medicine and ECU Health Medical Center. “GME is a beautiful example of ECU Health intentionally living out its mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina. We are in an active phase of growth and anticipate another 50 years of caring for patients across our rural communities.”
GME quickly grew in the 1970s, adding residency programs in fields like pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology and psychiatry. Through the 1980s and 1990s new programs including ones in geriatrics, cardiology and immunology were introduced. Most recently, ECU Health Medical Center has added residency programs in neurology and ophthalmology, with recruiting underway to launch the newest fellowship program in addiction medicine. All the while, residency tracks in rural medicine have given physicians opportunities to care for patients in underserved areas, with new rural residency tracks continuing to launch through summer of 2027.
In 2025, 39 GME graduates entered the physician workforce in eastern North Carolina. Dr. Turner said maintaining that number for the next five years would see 195 physicians practicing across the region.
“The mission of ECU Health and the mission of GME have not changed. Since day one, we have focused on recognizing and addressing disparities in rural health care,” said Dr. Jonathon Firnhaber, interim chair of the Department of Family Medicine at ECU Health. Dr. Firnhaber served as a residency program director for 14 years. “That commitment was made in 1976, carries through today and will continue forward. It is exciting for me, from a training perspective, to know there is a hospital in this geographically diverse region, which generally lacks other medical care, with virtually every aspect of care available. It’s an incredible training opportunity.”
Dr. Michael Waldrum, CEO of ECU Health and Dean of the Brody School Medicine, said the celebration marked what academic health care can accomplish when mission meets action.
“Today reminds me of why I love health care,” Dr. Waldrum said. “When we embarked on our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina, we injected the value of education into our organization. It’s important to celebrate and understand the importance of how we educate the future of health care, how we educate ourselves and how we build a better future for our communities and each other. The work toward that goal is represented in this room, and I thank you for building that personal future that impacts our communities and, frankly, the nation.”