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.”
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.”
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health has been recognized with a 2025 Global Healthcare Exchange (GHX) Supply Chains of Distinction Award, highlighting the health system’s commitment to investing in people and technology to contribute to long-term savings and more efficient supply chain management. ECU Health was named among the top 25 large organizations, a distinction which reflects transaction volume and not hospital size.
The Supply Chains of Distinction Award honors top-performing GHX Exchange-connected health care providers who demonstrate industry-leading supply chain performance through exceptional execution of GHX’s fully automated “Perfect Order” performance metrics. ECU Health averages 20,000 automated transactions per month that required no human intervention from purchase to payment from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2025.
“This recognition reflects ECU Health’s ongoing commitment to excellence in an increasingly complex and visible area of health care,” said Brian Floyd, Chief Operating Officer of ECU Health. “Our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina depends on our ability to procure the supplies care teams need to deliver exceptional care. Our supply chain management team strengthens the health system through contracting, purchasing and delivering essential goods and equipment that support patients, team members and visitors daily. I am proud of the dedicated professionals who help lead this important work.”
ECU Health clinicians, nurses and various internal analytics, data, contract and logistics teams work to ensure best spending practices and to benefit patients and team members. The health system exceeds its supply savings goals in part by investing in jobs and technology that improve long-term fiscal sustainability.
“Over the past three and a half years, ECU Health’s team has invested in people, tools and processes to develop and refine its innovative supply chain system,” said Andrew Montgomery, vice president of supply chain management for ECU Health. “Those investments have transformed our team’s operations to support ECU Health’s mission to deliver exceptional patient care. We are proud of our progress and continued efforts to achieve our goal — delivering the right products at the right cost for our team members and patients.”