ECU Health Medical Center

In case you missed it: For 30 years, Tammy Edwards has been a powerful voice behind Tammy Edwards and The Edwards Sisters, continuing a cherished family tradition of gospel music. But her journey took a challenging turn when, in her late 40s, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease—a condition mother Diana and sisters Tonette and Tina also faced.

It is exceedingly rare for chronic kidney disease to affect four members of one family across two generations, according to Dr. Cynthia Christiano, chief of the division of nephrology and hypertension at ECU Health.

To read more about Tammy's journey, visit: https://bit.ly/3x1rnn5.

A beam adorned with signatures from ECU Health team members, behavioral health care teams, leadership and the Thomas Construction team was raised into place at the site of the upcoming behavioral health hospital in Greenville today! This marked another step as we prepare to offer extensive behavioral health services under one roof. We’re grateful for the ECU Health team members and Thomas Construction team who were on hand to recognize the occasion. We’re looking forward to serving eastern North Carolina in this new space.

Learn more about the upcoming behavioral health hospital here: https://encbehavioralhealth.org/

"Mom, I can do that by myself now," is a sentence Cindy Ferry is hearing a lot now.

Cindy's daughter Caitlyn recently graduated from Project SEARCH, a one-year internship program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities during their last year of high school offered at ECU Health Medical Center in partnership with Pitt County Schools, and her mom has noticed a huge difference in her daughter after completing the program.

“Her growth at home is absolutely, positively astounding. The things she’s doing now that she couldn’t do before such as helping set the table and cleaning up the table at the end of the day, helping in the kitchen."

Learn more about the difference this program makes: https://go.ecuhealth.org/4b6zexq

Yesterday, team members from Maynard Children’s Hospital joined Book Harvest, Representative Dr. Tim Reeder and hospital leadership to learn more about our new participation in Books from Birth, a Book Harvest program. This summer, the organization will begin providing children's books to families of newborns in Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center. This collaboration will provide families and children in the east with the support and books they need to foster early language and reading routines at home from a baby's very first days.

Learn more about the new partnership: https://go.ecuhealth.org/3RuEZhr.

Yesterday, we showed just how hot it can get inside of a car on a hot summer day. According to Ellen Walston, more than 50 percent of child deaths from hot cars are children who are left in vehicles are forgotten when routines are broken. Leaving something like keys, a cellphone or a briefcase in the backseat next to the child or setting an alarm on your phone are extra safety measures you can take to ensure a child is never left alone in the car.

Thank you to our partners, Pitt County Sheriff's Office, Pitt County Health Department, Safe Kids Pitt County, NC Department of Insurance and Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, Inc, for another successful event!

Take a look at the full event here: https://go.ecuhealth.org/4ciTME3.

On an 88-degree day like today, the interior of a car can quickly reach over 115 degrees, posing extreme danger, particularly for young children, seniors and pets. To prevent harm, caregivers should always check the backseat before leaving the car unattended.

Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program - Safe Kids Pitt County at ECU Health Medical Center, the Pitt County Health Department, and the Martin-Pitt Partnership for Children, Inc. came together today to host a hot car safety event to educate parents and caregivers on preventative measures to keep kids safe.

We are of Dr. Teresa Anderson, senior vice president for Quality at ECU Health, as she was inducted into The ECU College of Nursing Hall of Fame!
She said it was humbling to be recognized by her three-time alma mater for her and her team's work to keep patients safe while they receive the high-quality compassionate care across the ECU Health system.

Learn more about Dr. Anderson and the Hall of Fame here: https://go.ecuhealth.org/4eoV6XG.

We're so proud to offer the Summer Meal Program in Greenville, Ahoskie and Bethel this year! Community partnerships with Sodexo, Food Lion Feeds and ECU Health Foundation have allowed us to expand this year's program and we're grateful to serve eastern North Carolina through this program.

Learn more about the Summer Meal Program here: https://bit.ly/3XhEGuh.

For 30 years, Tammy Edwards has been a powerful voice behind Tammy Edwards and The Edwards Sisters, continuing a cherished family tradition of gospel music. But her journey took a challenging turn when, in her late 40s, she was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease—a condition also faced by her mother Diana and sisters Tonette and Tina.

It is exceedingly rare for chronic kidney disease to affect four members of one family across two generations, according to Dr. Cynthia Christiano, chief of the division of nephrology and hypertension at ECU Health.

To read more about Tammy's journey, visit: https://bit.ly/3x1rnn5.

ICYMI: ECU Health’s Safety Innovation Grants Pitch Day was a huge success!

The top five finalists pitched their innovative projects to leaders across Greenville for a chance to be awarded a Safety Innovation Grant by proposing new processes, improved products or tools that contribute to safer and more efficient work environments. These inspiring ideas are part of the Safety Innovation Grants initiative, demonstrating ECU Health’s commitment to advancing safety and quality care for patients.

ICYMI: Project SEARCH at ECU Health recently graduated its ninth class. Project SEARCH would not be possible without all of our amazing partners and instructors, like Katie Houmard.

Take a look at how educators like Katie shape our next generation at Project SEARCH: https://bit.ly/3QK41J5.

In case you missed it: Here's a story we LOVED to hear!

Frank Crawley, an 11-year volunteer at ECU Health's Medical Center, arrived at the medical center on a dark January morning along with his wife, Ellen. The valet working that morning, Claude White, greeted the Crawleys and provided a card for their vehicle check in. From there, Frank went in back for his procedure. “This preparation procedure was routine for any day-surgery patient," Frank
recalled. “But the service provided next was far from routine."

While Frank was in surgery, Ellen needed to return to their car to drop off some items, but by then it was daylight and she realized she could not recall where they had parked the car. That's where Claude stepped in. “She couldn't find her vehicle and you could tell she started panicking," Claude said. “I told her to just hang tight.

Claude located the car and called for transportation to take Ellen to her car so she'd know where it was for later. Frank commended Claude's efforts: “With temperatures well below freezing, Claude had ample reason not to leave his warm inside post to help Ellen locate the car, but Claude, I have learned, is an extraordinary person and exceptional employee."

A Pitt County native, Claude has worked for ECU Health for 10 years. “I like this job because I'm from this area and I get to see a lot of people I haven't seen in a long time – people I went to school with or worked with," Claude said. “And I get to help people out.”

Did you know earlier this year ECU Health successfully completed the first-ever reverse shoulder replacement surgery at the SurgiCenter? We are of Dr. Shawn Yeazell and the entire team for their dedication, expertise and commitment to offer a convenient and effective solution right here in eastern North Carolina.

To learn more about ECU Health’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine services, please visit https://bit.ly/3x0zgcp.

Meet Wiley! This brave 13-year-old is a trauma survivor who endured a boating accident that resulted in the amputation of his left arm and other severe injuries.

To learn more about Wiley's incredible journey and how he's overcoming challenges, visit: https://bit.ly/4bMvsKM.

“I mean, a year and a half ago, they told me I may not ever walk again, So, those 90 feet were probably the best 90 feet of my life.”

After a boating accident in the summer of 2022, East Carolina University baseball player Parker Byrd lost his right leg. Less than two years later, he had his first plate appearance and ended up on first base after a walk.

Hear more about Byrd's inspirational story here: https://bit.ly/4eaEEu5.

Sheila Grady, a retiree of ECU Health Home Health and Hospice, was recognized last fall for her efforts to help a grieving family through the Memory Bears program. The Memory Bear program is a service that makes teddy bears or pillows using an article of clothing from a family member who has passed away.

We're so grateful for Sheila and team members like her who go above and beyond to serve patients and families in eastern North Carolina!

Learn more about a local family's experience with the program here: https://bit.ly/3t7dtO9.

Thank you to JOY Community Center & Soup Kitchen for partnering with Access East, Inc.'s Uninsured Programs to host a Medicaid expansion event last week! Access East enrolled many community members with Medicaid and other insurance options.

Learn more about the event and how to get in contact with Access East: https://bit.ly/4bL1kPW.

We are of our nine Project SEARCH students who graduated from the program this year! In partnership with Pitt County Schools, RHA Health Services and the North Carolina Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Project SEARCH is a one-year internship program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities during their last year of high school with the goal of providing real-world practical skills and increasing the chances of competitive employment.

See more from the graduation: https://bit.ly/3yMS537.

🎉 The Children's Miracle Network - Greenville, NC 39th Annual Celebration Broadcast raised an incredible $1,258,511 to improve the health and well-being of children across eastern North Carolina! This event highlights the inspiring stories of children treated at Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center.

“Caring individuals, community groups, businesses and others show how much they care about children by providing generous contributions to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs, ECU Health Foundation.

To learn more about this year's event, visit: https://bit.ly/4e81uTc

ECU Health’s Safety Innovation Grants Pitch Day was a huge success!

The top five finalists pitched their innovative projects to leaders across Greenville for a chance to be awarded a Safety Innovation Grant by proposing new processes, improved products or tools that contribute to safer and more efficient work environments.

These inspiring ideas are part of the Safety Innovation Grants initiative, demonstrating ECU Health’s commitment to advancing safety and quality care for patients.

We are of Breanna Culler, su***de prevention coordinator, Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program, who recently won the ECU School of Social Work Outstanding Field Instructor award.

Learn more about the work Breanna does to help us meet our mission to improve the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina: https://bit.ly/3V8ajUq.

ECU Health Emergency Medicine residents had a special training day at Wildwood Park in Greenville as they encountered "patients" along the park trails. About 20 residents had to apply their training in various scenarios from poisonings and animal attacks to drownings and firework accidents.

Hear from attendees and the Brody School of Medicine faculty on what makes this event important: https://bit.ly/3X8tlN2.

More than 100 ECU Health Behavioral Health team members left their mark on a beam that will soon go into the upcoming behavioral health hospital in Greenville. Team members had the opportunity to sign the beam and learn more about the hospital coming in 2025.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3yN4X9u.

The East Carolina University Nurses Honor Guard recognizes and honors nurses' dedication to their work through funeral services and living tributes.

“It upholds the profession to know that the service rendered by a nurse is valuable,” said Deborah Herring, a retired ECU Health nurse and honor guard member. “It’s your health being protected by the nurse, and you want to honor them for that.”

The Eastern Carolina chapter was the first honor guard established in North Carolina and serves 24 counties in the state.

Learn more about the Nurses Honor Guard: https://bit.ly/4bxHYO3.

This summer, ECU Health is partnering with Food Lion Feeds, Sodexo USA and the ECU Health Foundation to provide free meals to children, teens and people with disabilities in three communities across eastern North Carolina!

Meals will be available at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Ahoskie, the Bethel Youth Activity Center in Bethel and English Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in Greenville.

For more information about the program, email [email protected].

We're only one day away from the 39th Annual Children's Miracle Network - Greenville, NC Celebration Broadcast!

“We are so grateful to all those who support our Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals program all throughout the year,” said Elise Ironmonger, director of programs, ECU Health Foundation. Donations support the life-saving equipment, critical programs and key services provided by Maynard Children’s Hospital.

The event will be held on Saturday, June 1, from 7-8 p.m. and Sunday, June 2, from 6-9 a.m. and 7-11 p.m. airing on WITN.

To support and learn more about the Children’s Miracle Network, visit https://bit.ly/4c3Gvij.

We had a great time attending the 53rd annual North Carolina Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrical and Neonatal Nurses Conference held in New Bern earlier this month! The conference had several speakers who touched on the health and well-being of maternal and neonatal population of North Carolina.

Topics ranged from empathy and empowerment to equitable care for this population. The conference had around 300 total attendees, with more than 30 ECU Health nurses, some of whom hosted three of the five poster presentations at the conference.

Thank you to the ECU Health nurses who made time for this important conference!

ECU Health was well represented at Nurses Night at the Legislature, on Monday, May 21 in Raleigh. The event was hosted by the North Carolina Nurses Association and other partners.

ECU Health nurses engaged in meaningful networking with legislators and state leaders, advocating passionately for nursing practice to support our communities in rural eastern North Carolina.

Meet Jadon! Jadon was born 13 weeks early in December 2022 at Maynard Children’s Hospital. He spent more than four months in the NICU with his family by his side.

We are just a few days away from the 39th Annual Children's Miracle Network Celebration Broadcast. To support kids like Jadon, tune in Saturday, June 1 from 7-8 p.m., and on Sunday, June 2 from 6-9 a.m. and 7-11 p.m.

To learn more about Jadon's journey, visit https://bit.ly/4aI1JBv.
To donate today, visit www.givetocmn.com.