Roanoke Rapids, NC — ECU Health North Hospital has launched a new hospital-based Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) I Program designed to help team members at ECU Health North, ECU Health Edgecombe and ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan hospitals gain hands-on training, real-world experience and the foundation needed to become a certified nursing assistant.
“At ECU Health, we are committed to strengthening the rural health care workforce by expanding access to careers in nursing and allied health,” said Pam Rudisill, vice president of Nursing Excellence, ECU Health. “This initiative not only invests in the growth and development of our current team members but also opens new doors for those entering the field. By aligning with existing workforce pipelines and community college partnerships, we are building a more resilient and skilled care team that is designed to meet the needs of those we serve.”
Team members who are selected for the program will learn essential patient care skills from experienced medical professionals, receive classroom instruction and clinical training on-site and build a pathway toward long-term career growth in health care. The program was created to enable current team members to pursue a nursing assistant certification by offering life-work balance and the support needed to achieve their goals. Upon completion of the program and with certification, team members will then transition from their current roles to a nursing assistant position. The first cohort will graduate in January 2026 and join the nursing team at ECU Health, and enrollment for the second cohort beginning in February 2026 is open now.
“By equipping our team members with the skills and support they need to grow into vital roles, we are helping create a pipeline of compassionate, community-based caregivers who will serve eastern North Carolina for years to come,” said Todd Hickey, president of ECU Health North Hospital. “Investing in our local talent, especially in rural communities like the Roanoke Valley, strengthens our workforce and keeps care close to home. Initiatives like these help us fulfill our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
The CNA I program was inspired by the vision of Sheryl Watson, BSN, RN, a former registered nurse at ECU Health, whose dedication to student education and commitment to guiding aspiring nursing assistants have been integral to the program’s formation. Watson laid the groundwork for the academy but passed away before seeing it come to fruition. As a former instructor in a community college CNA program, Watson saw the value in building a CNA program at ECU Health North.
ECU Health celebrated Wear Pink Day on Oct. 17 to honor those impacted by breast cancer and to raise awareness of the importance of annual screenings. In addition to wearing pink, the Cancer Care team and members of the East Carolina University Women’s Basketball team, including head coach Kim McNeill, handed out pink ribbons and information about breast cancer and 3-D mammograms to ECU Health team members and ECU Health Medical Center visitors.
ECU Health Cancer Care and the ECU Women’s Basketball team work together to share the importance of early detection for breast cancer across the community. For several years, the Women’s Basketball team, assistant coaches and staff, as well as McNeill, have visited ECU Health Medical Center to greet and educate team members and patients.
“Even with their busy season starting, the ECU Women’s Basketball team is committed to spreading this awareness message,” said Phyllis DeAntonio, administrator of ECU Health Cancer Care. “We are extremely grateful for the team’s commitment to ECU Health’s mission, to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
Screenings are important for prevention and early detection. ECU Health offers 3D mammography at 11 locations throughout eastern North Carolina. Key advantages of 3D mammography include:
- Greater detail for improved accuracy
- 40 percent increase in cancer detection
- Locates more invasive, life-threatening tumors
- Better at detecting cancer in dense breast tissue
- Digital images allow doctors in other locations to consult if needed
- Fewer call-backs, resulting in less anxiety
- Patient-friendly design that is more comfortable for all breast sizes
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month continues, make sure you are talking with your health care provider about receiving regular mammograms. Women at higher risk may need to start screening earlier. Learn more about breast cancer and finding a screening location near you by visiting ECU Health’s breast cancer page.
Roanoke Rapids, NC – ECU Health is proud to recognize Hubert Allen as the first patient to complete 60 hyperbaric oxygen treatments at the ECU Health Wound Healing Center in Roanoke Rapids. His journey represents a powerful testament to the importance of having high-quality care close to home, particularly for those needing advanced wound care.
Allen arrived at the center on May 1, 2025, facing life-altering complications from a radiation injury. He was wheelchair-bound, frequently hospitalized, disoriented and unable to drive—his independence and quality of life severely impacted. But with the expert care of medical director Dr. Jamie Udwadia, nurse practitioner Ashley Duke, manager of Patient Care Services Jennifer Millius, and the entire Wound Healing Center team, Allen’s condition began to improve dramatically.
“Hyperbaric oxygen therapy restores at the cellular level,” said Dr. Udwadia. “Hubert’s radiation injury was slowing his healing, but today, his recovery is a testament to the power of modern medicine and personal resilience. The fact that he could receive this level of care close to home underscores how vital it is to make advanced therapies accessible close to home for our own communities.”
Allen underwent 60 hyperbaric oxygen treatments, which is a specialized treatment that enhances the body’s natural healing processes by delivering high concentrations of oxygen in a pressurized environment. It is particularly effective for patients with chronic wounds, radiation injuries, and other complex conditions. Over the course of his treatments, Allen experienced a remarkable transformation. Today, he is walking, driving, and reconnecting with the life he once knew.
“The ECU Health Wound Healing Center team was extremely compassionate and supportive during my treatments,” said Allen.
Allen’s recovery not only marks a personal milestone but also underscores ECU Health North’s commitment to providing innovative, patient-centered care to communities across eastern North Carolina. His story serves as an inspiration to others facing similar challenges and a reminder of the profound impact compassionate care can have on a patient’s journey.
Greenville, N.C. – ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to celebrate the upcoming opening of a state-of-the-art, 144-bed hospital. The event marks a historic milestone in expanding access to high-quality, compassionate behavioral health services in eastern North Carolina.
Located at 2820 MacGregor Downs Road in Greenville, less than a mile from ECU Health Medical Center, the new hospital represents a major investment in behavioral health infrastructure for the region. The hospital will offer comprehensive inpatient and intensive outpatient programs for adults, seniors, children, and adolescents facing acute mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, and co-occurring substance use disorders. The hospital was built through a joint venture partnership between ECU Health and Acadia Healthcare. It is set to open its doors to patients starting in Fall 2025 and will build up capacity over the ensuing months.
“This ribbon-cutting symbolizes much more than the opening of a hospital – it’s a continuation of ECU Health’s commitment to meeting the most pressing needs of our communities,” said Dr. Michael Waldrum, Chief Executive Officer of ECU Health and Dean of the Brody School of Medicine. “By partnering with Acadia Healthcare and offering specialized, patient-centered behavioral health care that will also serve as a training ground for future clinicians, this hospital will support patients throughout eastern North Carolina and directly advances our mission to improve the health and well-being of the region.”
The hospital will also serve as a training site for students and residents through partnerships with ECU’s Brody School of Medicine. This academic integration will help address the shortage of behavioral health professionals in the region.
“This partnership between Acadia Healthcare and ECU Health is built on shared values and a shared vision: to expand access to world-class behavioral health services close to home,” said Chris Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Acadia Healthcare. “We are proud to stand beside ECU Health in this important work and look forward to the positive impact this hospital will have on the lives of patients and families in this region.”
“Our goal is to provide comprehensive care that reflects the needs of each community we serve,” said Tyler Davis, Chief Executive Officer of ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital. “This new hospital is a vital step forward in that mission. By bringing care, education, and innovation together under one roof, we are creating a model that other regions can look to for inspiration.”
Thomas Construction Group led the construction of the hospital with architectural design by Stengel Hill Architecture.
To learn more about ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital, visit www.ecuhealthbehavioral.com.
Each summer, Camp Hope and Camp Rainbow offer a sanctuary for children in eastern North Carolina living with cancer, sickle cell disease, hemophilia and other chronic bleeding disorders. More than just a change of scenery, these camps provide a place where kids can just be kids.
“This is a week for them to come to camp and just be a kid and have fun and meet other kids that may have the same type of condition that they have,” says Tamika Mackey, child life specialist at the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic at ECU Health and the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and director of Camp Hope and Camp Rainbow. “My favorite part is seeing smiles on their faces, getting hugs from the kids and seeing them meet new people.”
Camp Rainbow is for children with cancer, hemophilia and children who have lost a sibling to one of these diseases, and Camp Hope is for children with sickle cell disease.
ECU Health and Brody School of Medicine team members develop camping programs to provide pediatric patients an opportunity to learn more about themselves and their illness, participate in fun activities like swimming, canoeing, archery, crafts, music and drama, all while making life-long friendships with other children with similar conditions and experiences. While at camp, located at The Refuge in Ayden, children receive 24-hour medical care and close medical monitoring by their ECU Health care teams including physicians, nurses, child life and social workers.
“The goal is for kids to meet other children that may share the same medical condition that they have and to build lifelong relationships,” Mackey said.
For kids navigating life with chronic illnesses, especially in rural communities where connection can be even harder, Camp Hope and Camp Rainbow are more than just a week of fun. According to Mackey, they’re a lifeline, a reminder that they are seen, supported and deeply loved.
“They’ve been enjoying camp,” said Mackey. “I can tell by the hugs and smiles I get daily. Just to see them having fun and not in a medical environment, that’s everything.”
The connections the kids make extend beyond the week.
“They don’t all live in the same area, but they stay in touch with group chats and even checking on each other during hospital stay,” said Mackey. “That kind of support is invaluable.”
Lawsen Ziemba, a twelve-year-old camper, was diagnosed with leukemia when he was just two years old. Ziemba spent his first week at camp this year and said he was able to connect with kids and adults who had gone through some of the same medical experiences he had.
“You can get a perspective from other people that have gone through the same thing you had and have a relationship with them about what you have gone through,” said Ziemba.
One of the camp’s examples of the impact camp has is Heaven Glaspie, a former camper turned counselor. Diagnosed with sickle cell disease, Heaven began attending Camp Rainbow at 8 years old. Now 23, he returns to give back the joy he once received.
“Whenever I was growing up, we had mentors and volunteers that were coming to camp and taking time out of their week to make sure that we had a very great time,” said Glaspie. “For me to be able to do that whenever I aged out of camp and come back and be able to help other people have a good time, that’s one of the best feelings in the world to me. The smile on their face that they give you whenever they’re having the best time of their life at camp, it’s very heartwarming.”
His firsthand experience gives him a unique perspective.
“Not a lot of people can relate to what these kids go through, but I’ve walked in their shoes,” said Glaspie. “I can let them know they’re not alone.”
For both campers and counselors, camp is about more than just memories.
“Camp becomes a family,” Heaven said. “Everybody’s so used to seeing each other in the summer, and even when we go home, we keep talking.”
Mackey said seeing campers grow up and come back as volunteers is inspiring.
“It shows younger kids that they, too, can grow up, go to college, give back,” said Mackey. “It’s powerful for them to see someone living with sickle cell disease or a similar condition to them who’s thriving.”
ECU Health, in partnership with STEM East and NC East Alliance, welcomed K-12 educators from across eastern North Carolina to the third annual Health Sciences Industry in Schools experience, an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the ECU Health’s system of care designed to inspire the next generation of health care professionals.
This initiative aims to educate K-12 teachers in eastern North Carolina about the different health care careers available, from doctors and nurses to child life specialists and lab technicians to build a sustainable workforce pipeline to support the growing needs of the region.
By engaging teachers as ambassadors, the event equips them with firsthand knowledge about the wide range of opportunities in health care from clinical roles to critical support services so they can guide and help students learn about future careers.
“The core mission of STEM East is to empower our regional teachers as workforce developers,” said Dr. Ethan Lenker, director of Industry Engagement and Support, STEM East Network. “The most effective way to inform students about local career opportunities is to first equip our schools and educators with that same knowledge. By partnering with ECU Health and other industries, we ensure our teachers gain firsthand experience they can bring back to the classroom—making career exploration more practical, relevant, and connected to our region’s workforce needs.”
The goal is for educators to leave the training with real-world insights to bring back to their classrooms.
“We’re really highlighting health sciences industries for educators throughout the eastern part of North Carolina,” said Nancy Turner, workforce development consultant, ECU Health. “Our hope is to create a spark in students early on so that one day, they’ll be the ones providing care in our communities.”
This year’s featured experience centered on a simulated pediatric shark bite emergency. Educators toured the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital and ECU Health Medical Center, watching live-action demonstrations led by experienced medical teams. From tourniquet application to patient transport and emergency department protocols, teachers witnessed the real-time collaboration it takes to save a life. Participants also visited and heard from team members in respiratory, radiology, blood bank, surgery, pharmacy, rehab and PICU and dietitians.
“We’re not just showcasing health sciences careers,” Turner said. “We talk about our values and the important character qualities it takes to be a health care provider like confidence, empathy and compassion. These are qualities that can be nurtured in every classroom and in every grade.”
By giving educators a deeper understanding of the skills a health care career demands, ECU Health is helping grow meaningful careers right here at home from a young age. That investment in local talent is key to addressing the long-term workforce challenges facing rural areas.
“Even starting as early as kindergarten, teachers can shape students’ character and spark their curiosity,” said Turner. “It’s not only about content knowledge, but about who they are becoming as future professionals.”
Greenville, N.C. – The 2025 ECU Health Board Quality Leadership Award winners were recognized at the ECU Health Board of Directors meeting held on Tuesday, June 24. These winning teams exemplify ECU Health’s system-wide commitment to achieving zero harm, delivering exceptional experiences and advancing patient outcomes through high-quality, compassionate care.
“Having served on the Board Quality Leadership Awards selection committee for several years, I continue to be inspired by the caliber of work presented,” said Robert Greczyn, chair, ECU Health Board of Directors. “Choosing a single winner is never easy—every project reflects remarkable dedication, innovation and impact. It’s a testament to the incredible talent and passion driving our mission forward.”
Two teams earned recognition this year, chosen from a competitive pool of nominations and thoughtfully reviewed by the selection committee, and the winning teams are as follows:
The first winner, from ECU Health Medical Center, submitted “Mechanical Thrombectomy Treatment Option for Pulmonary Embolism.”
To address the urgent need for better treatment of pulmonary embolism, ECU Health Medical Center began offering a procedure called mechanical thrombectomy, which removes blood clots, for patients at moderate risk. Over three years, the team used this approach to treat 108 patients. In total, they evaluated 1,361 pulmonary embolism cases. This team-based effort has greatly improved access to critical care for patients in eastern North Carolina.
The Project Leaders were Umer Tariq, MD – Interventional Cardiologist, ECU, CVS Cardiology, Jessica Decker, MBA, BSN, RN – Director, Patient Care Services, Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Veeranna Maddipati, MD – Pulmonary Critical Care. The team members were Crystal Beaman, Cardiovascular Technologist, Ryan Schroeder, Cardiovascular Technologist, Delicia Reddick, Cardiovascular Technologist, Meredith McConnell, RN, Staff Nurse III, Cardiac Catheterization Lab and Josh Patton, RN – Staff Nurse IV, Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
The second winner, from ECU Health Edgecombe Hospital, submitted their project “Promoting a Culture of Continuous Improvement: Safeguarding Care for our Patients and Team Members.” The team prioritized enhancing workplace safety by addressing the national rise in workplace aggression incidents. With a specific aim to improve team member safety by increasing reported WPA events by 50%, the initiative focused on early recognition of escalating behaviors, improved communication between staff and administration and strengthened partnerships with local law enforcement and the Office of Experience. As a result, the team helped achieve significant progress toward a safer work environment.
The Project Leaders were Kim Langston, Manager, Emergency Department, Captain Jim Bullins, ECU Health Police and Renee Mayo, Vice President, Patient Care Service. The team members were JoAnna Keeter, Quality Director, Jason Berry, Executive Director, Operations, Bobby Davis, Manager, Facility Services, Heather Smith, Staff Nurse, Emergency Department, April Joyner, ANM, Emergency Department and Jamie Woodcock, Quality Nurse Specialist.
To receive this honor, team members submitted projects that demonstrated at least two of the following requirements:
- Quantifiable improvement in an organizational quality priority with sustained excellence over time
- Demonstration of empathy and compassion in patient care
- Implementation of innovative solution to patient care problem
- Community outreach that addresses the social determinants of health in a meaningful way
These projects and the dedicated teams behind them highlight ECU Health’s ongoing commitment to providing the best care possible to the communities we serve. ECU Health congratulates the 2025 award recipients and thanks all nominees for helping meet our mission of improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.
Since its inception in March 2022, the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) initiative has worked to mitigate the effects of food insecurity, housing instability, interpersonal violence/toxic stress and lack of access to transportation.
Spanning multiple counties, including Pitt, Beaufort, Chowan, Edgecombe, Hertford, Martin, Halifax, Northampton and Bertie, the Access East HOP consists of a network of community-based organizations, called Human Service Organizations (HSOs), which provide essential services. By leveraging resources and expanding local economies, HOP ensures that critical support reaches those in need.
HSOs play a vital role in bridging the health care gap. By working alongside Medicaid, they offer non-medical services that directly impact health outcomes.
Programs target individuals with chronic conditions, addressing socioeconomic needs for all age groups. Access East acts as the HOP lead for eastern North Carolina, building the HSO network and coordinating insurance claims.
“Eligible Medicaid Managed Care enrollees receive these services to help manage non-medical factors that improve health outcomes,” said Tina Dixon, vice president of Healthy Opportunities at Access East. “For example, if someone does not have food security, they aren’t able to consistently eat healthy meals with fresh fruits and vegetables that play a large role in preventing conditions like diabetes and hypertension.”
One HSO, Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Bertie County serves about 1,200 families per month in Bertie County, ensuring anyone in need has access to food. Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Bertie County provides large-scale food distributions to residents in Bertie County, including delivering about 150 food boxes per week through the HOP program. Deborah Freeman, executive director of Good Shepherd Food Pantry of Bertie County, uses fresh produce from local farms, which not only generates steady revenue for local businesses like the farm but also provides employment opportunities, contributing to economic stability.
In 2022, Good Shepherd was among the first agencies to join the Access East HOP Program, a decision that has allowed them to hire eight new employees, many of whom are seniors, to help with food delivery, with additional staff packing food boxes and supporting operations through a senior employment program. These positions provide not only financial stability for older adults but also an opportunity for them to give back to their communities. Ninety percent of their drivers are over 70 years old, with additional staff packing food boxes and supporting operations through a senior employment program.
HOP has also helped fund their backpack program, an initiative that provides children with two breakfasts, two lunches, milk, juice, and fresh fruit to ensure children have access to nutritious food. They delivered 9,600 backpack meals to elementary and middle school students in Bertie County during the past school year. Reimbursements from HOP food boxes deliveries provided over $70,000 to fund the backpack program.
“There are so many babies who go to school hungry,” said Freeman. “Teachers know which children are struggling when they come back on Monday. We allow schools to identify those in need, provide a count, and we ensure that backpacks are delivered every Thursday.”
Freeman says her team has witnessed firsthand how HOP has transformed the lives of many people in her county.
“There are just so many stories that come back from my drivers,” said Freeman. “When they go to certain homes, they really get to know the families over months, even a year sometimes, because they keep getting recertified. At first, you have to face the reality of the conditions people are living in, but then you witness the transformation. We provide food, but then other HSOs step in to repair homes and offer more support. One of my drivers shared that, at the beginning, you could see the ground through one person’s house, but by the end of six months, the house had been repaired, food boxes were coming in, and HOP was really helping improve lives.”
While Good Shepherd Food Pantry’s work has helped address food insecurity at the local level, the broader impact of HOP extends beyond individual communities. By supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and providing essential services, HOP helps improve the health and well-being of recipients while adding to local economies.
“HOP not only offers these services to improve the lives of Medicaid patients, HOP also greatly benefits local economies,” said Dixon. “Local businesses are growing and flourishing because of the funds from HOP. It provides a steady income for these businesses, and they’re able to provide services for those in need and even expand their services outside of HOP recipients.”
Since its inception, Access East’s HOP has enrolled 12,190 clients and served 10,396 individuals, ensuring access to essential services. With a total of more than 220,000 contracted services provided, the initiative has had a significant impact on the community. The value of services delivered amounts to $44,454,724, with 223,283 invoices submitted for payment. Access East HOP’s invoicing specialists carefully review each invoice, ensuring accurate payments are made to the HSOs. These funds have been instrumental in supporting both local residents and the HSOs dedicated to serving them, improving access to critical resources.
When Ricky Blount, a supply chain professional, joined what was then Pitt County Memorial Hospital, now ECU Health Medical Center, he was fresh out of high school.
“I graduated from D.H. Conley High School in 1979 and started working here not long after,” Ricky said. “I was supposed to join the military, but my mother had open heart surgery, and she needed someone to be home with her while she recuperated. I started work at the hospital thinking I’d just be here a year.”
That year turned into 45, and during that time he’s mostly worked in one department: radiology.
“I started in patient transport, but after six months I moved to vascular interventional radiology (VIR). I learned on the job and enjoyed it. From there, I became a technical assistant in VIR,” Ricky said.
Recently, he made a change to working in Supply Chain, but he still supports the radiology department.
“VIR wanted someone who was familiar with radiology to do the supplies for the whole department, and my manager wanted to give me more challenging things to do.” To learn the skills related to his new role, Ricky said his team sent him to Maryland for a week of training. “I learned how to do different reports, inventory and manager supplies in the Pyxis machines,” he explained.
Over the years, Ricky said the hospital has changed a great deal.
“It’s much larger, and radiology has grown bigger and bigger. I’ve seen a lot of growth and people come and go,” he said. “Paychecks have grown a lot too. I started at $2.65 an hour, but that was pretty good pay in 1979.”
Through it all, Ricky said he’s worked with great people. “I have a good relationship with the physicians, and they trust my judgement,” he said. “Radiology has also been very supportive. I’ve had great managers and co-workers. They’re family-oriented and work with you when things come up.”
As for his future plans, Ricky said that he hopes to retire soon. “I turned 65 on June 12, but it’s a little scary to think about not working,” he said. “My wife will have projects around the house for me to do and I might find some part time work. I’ll also do some volunteer work at my church.”
Ricky said he has no regrets about staying with ECU Health beyond that first year. “It’s a great place to work. I like helping people and I enjoy what I’m doing. If I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t change anything.”
Ahoskie, NC – ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital Perioperative Services Department, in collaboration with the American College of Surgeons, is proud to announce that Tomekia Perry, sterile processing technician with ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Kankuben Baxiram Gelot Scholarship.
This distinguished scholarship was established by Raguvir B. Gelot, MD, FACS, to honor his mother’s legacy while supporting professional development among health care colleagues at the hospital where he dedicated 35 years of service.
Ms. Perry’s selection recognizes her commitment to advancing her expertise in perioperative care. The scholarship award includes a $2,000 stipend to assist with registration and related costs for an approved educational or professional development program.
She has been officially approved by the Perioperative Services Department Manager and the American College of Surgeons to complete the Certified Sterile Processing Technician program, further strengthening her skills in the health care field.
“We are incredibly proud of Tomekia’s achievement and dedication to professional growth,” said Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. “Her selection for this scholarship underscores our commitment to supporting individuals who strive for excellence in patient care and surgical services.”