The Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Board of Directors has chosen 19 nurses from ECU Health as part of the group’s “Great 100 Nurses.” The winners are honored for their exceptional professional skills and efforts to make health care better in their areas.
CEO of ECU Health, Trish Baise, said, “ECU Health nurses have dedicated their careers to caring for others and serving our community with exceptional dedication.” “I’m so proud of the great nurses who were named to the Great 100.”
Also, thank you to everyone on the ECU Health nurse team who helped make this year’s awards possible. You live out our goal every day by providing excellent, caring care. It makes a huge difference in the lives of the people we serve.
The North Carolina Great 100 Inc. has been honoring nurses across the state since 1989 for their dedication to quality and work to improve public perception of nursing.
The Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina Board of Directors asks patients, health care workers, friends, and family of nurses working in North Carolina every year to suggest a great nurse. After going through thousands of proposals, 100 nurses are chosen to be honored at a gala for the whole state.
These ECU Health nurses were named one of the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina in 2024:
Kayla E. Anderson, BSN, RN, CEN.
The Center for Learning and Performance at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, which is part of ECU Health Medical Center, has an education leader named Kayla E. Anderson, who has a BSN, an RN degree, and a CEN. She has worked for ECU Health for seven years.
She went to Winston-Salem State University and got her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Now she is going to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington to get her master’s degree in nursing teaching. Kayla is certified as a provider in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
She is also certified as a teacher in Basic Life Support, Advanced Stroke Life Support, and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. The Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing is something she plays a part in.
Kimberly Askew
Kimberly Askew is a staff nurse III at ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital. She is an RN. As a certified nursing aid, she started her career at the hospital 19 years ago. She wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse like her mother, who was a big influence on her.
She has been a charge nurse, a preceptor, a childbirth educator, a unit educator, and an Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics (ALSO) tutor over the course of her 15 years as a nurse.
As a labor and delivery nurse, she worked hard to make the hospital a 4 star breastfeeding friendly place. Since she switched to peri-operative services, Kimberly enjoys making sure that people who choose or need surgical services are safe and comfy.
Dennis Campbell II is a DHA, RN, and FACHE.
He became vice president of Patient Care Services at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital in December 2020. Dennis Campbell II is a DHA, RN, and FACHE. He became president in September 2023, after being president-elect since February of that year. Dennis is also the acting head of ECU Health North Hospital, a job he has had since August 2024.
The first job Dennis had in health care was as a qualified nurse in intensive care in 2004. He worked his way up through the ranks and is now in the C-suite. Along the way, he gained important experience in North Carolina and Georgia in a range of senior leadership and executive positions in nursing, quality, operations, and compliance.
Dennis is a well-known and cooperative leader who knows how to use complicated health systems to solve problems and put strategy plans into action to get results.
He knows how to build relationships and how important they are when coming up with ways to improve health and wellness in the areas he works with. He has an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree in management, and a doctoral degree in health care administration.
RN-BC Gina Coldwell has a BSN.
Gina Coldwell is a staff nurse II on the Neuroscience Intermediate Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has a BSN and is an RN-BC. For five years, she has worked on this unit. From Edgecombe Community College, Gina got her associate’s degree in nursing. From East Carolina University, she got her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
She is in Carson-Newman University’s Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner program right now. She has a medical-surgical board certification. Gina is proud to have four grown children and five grandkids.
RN, BSN, and CRRN Katie Elliott
Katie Elliott is a staff nurse IV in the Radiation Oncology Clinic at ECU Health Medical Center. She has worked for the hospital for 15 years and has a BSN, RN, and CRRN. At Beaufort County Community College, Katie got her associate’s degree in nursing. At Fayetteville State University, she got her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Katie is a registered nurse who is certified in rehabilitation. She is also a co-chair of the ECU Outpatient Oncology Unit Based Council and an active part of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Katie is also on the Environmental Council and the Coordinating Council for ECU Health.
Alex Gilbert, RN, BSN, CCRN
Staff nurse III Alex Gilbert has a BSN, is an RN, and a CCRN. He works in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Alex has worked at ECU Health Medical Center for seven years. As a flight nurse, she has worked in both the SICU and ECU Health EastCare.
Alex went to East Carolina University and got his bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as his critical care RN specialty license. Alex is involved in the community in eastern North Carolina as an EMT-B and by working with community groups.
Becky Hagee, RN, BSN
Rebecca Hagee is a staff nurse III in the Surgical Oncology Clinic at ECU Health Cancer Center. She has a BSN and an RN. Rebecca has worked for six years at ECU Health Medical Center.
She went to Pitt Community College and got her associate’s degree in nursing. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington gave her her bachelor’s degree.
Brittany Harriett, RN, BSN
Brittany Harriett is an assistant nurse manager on the Medical Unit at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital. She has a BSN and an RN. The Juanita Jackson award was given to her in 2022, and she was up for the Susan Gerard Excellence in Leadership award in 2024.
She’s worked for ECU Health for nine years. British also has a part-time job as a nurse adviser at the East Carolina University College of Nursing.
It took Brittany two years to get her bachelor’s degree in nursing and an associate’s degree in nursing from Beaufort County Community College. Brittany is a mom to two busy boys when she’s not working in health care. They both love sports, spending time with their families, and going to church.
Katie Hobbs, BSN, RN-BC
Tracy Hobbs is an assistant manager for the 3 East Hospitalist Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has a BSN and is an RN-BC. She has worked at ECU Health Medical Center for all 27 years of her job.
Tracy went to Barton College and got her bachelor’s degree in nursing. She is qualified as a medical-surgical nurse specialist. She is involved in efforts to make things better for the future of nursing at ECU Health Medical Center.
Kathryn Jarvis, RN, DNP, NPD-BC
At Maynard Children’s Hospital, Kathryn Jarvis is the senior head for Children’s Services. She has a DNP, an RN, and an NPD-BC. She has worked as a nurse at ECU Health Medical Center for 12 years and has experience with kids, teaching nurses, and being in charge of nurses.
Kathryn got her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from East Carolina University. She then went to the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and got her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with a focus on nurse executive leadership.
Besides that, she has a specialty certification in nurse professional development. Kathryn is the senior head of Maynard Children’s Hospital and also teaches part-time in East Carolina University’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Kathryn loves her jobs because she is passionate about both teaching and leading nurses.
RN Jennifer Lewis with a BSN
Jennifer Lewis is the outreach leader for ECU Health Medical Center Cancer Care. She has a BSN and is an RN. Jennifer has worked for ECU Health for 32 years and has been a nurse for 27 of those years.
Jennifer worked at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, which is part of ECU Health Medical Center, in a variety of acute and outpatient settings before taking on her current job in 2021. An associate degree in nursing was earned by Jennifer at Beaufort County Community College.
Her bachelor’s degree in nursing was earned at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Jennifer thinks it’s important to build strong relationships with businesses, schools, churches, and civic groups in order to raise knowledge about how to avoid getting cancer and find it early.
MSN-NE and RNC-EFM Jessica Noble
Jessica Noble, RNC-EFM, is a registered nurse who has worked in maternal health for more than 20 years. She is now the perinatal nurse champion and guide for ECU Health, where she fights for fair perinatal care in eastern North Carolina.
Jessica has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in nursing teaching from UNC at Wilmington. Jessica is in charge of the “I Gave Birth” band program and works on projects for the Perinatal Quality Collaborative of North Carolina.
As an active member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses, she has given talks at conferences, co-written a piece for the North Carolina Medical Journal, and is on the Maternal Health Task Force for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Jane Oakes, BSN, RN
Staff nurse IV Amber Oakes has a BSN and an RN. She works at ECU Health Medical Center in the Gynecologic Oncology Clinic. Amber has worked at ECU Health for 14 years.
Amber went to Pitt Community College and got her associate’s degree in nursing. She then went to Western Carolina University and got her bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Lou Ann Proctor, BSN, RN, CCRN.
Lou Ann Proctor has been a nurse for 35 years and has a BSN, RN, and CCRN. She works as a staff nurse IV in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. There is a bachelor’s degree in nursing that she has from East Carolina University College of Nursing.
For 18 years, she has been a Critical Care Registered Nurse member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. She has also been a charge nurse, a teacher, and an instructor for Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Rachel Rice, BSN, RN
Rachel Rice is a staff nurse III in the Palliative Care Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has a BSN and an RN. She’s worked for ECU Health for over four years. Deborah went to East Carolina University and got her bachelor’s degree.
Deb is in charge of her unit as a charge nurse, nursing coach, and quality lead. She is also a member of the North Carolina Nurse Association and works as an adjunct clinical teacher at Pitt Community College.
Mary Seawell, MSN, RN-BC, NPD-BC
Liz Seawell, MSN, NPD-BC, RN-BC, is in charge of the Trauma Program at ECU Health Medical Center. Elizabeth has worked at ECU Health Medical Center for 16 years as both a staff nurse for surgery and trauma and a career development specialist.
Elizabeth went to East Carolina University and got both her bachelor’s degree in nursing and her master’s degree in nursing teaching. Elizabeth is certified as a medical-surgical nurse and as a nursing professional development nurse.
Elizabeth is very involved in the Nursing Honor Guard in eastern North Carolina, the Trauma Survivors Network, the Professional Practice Council, and other events in the local community.
Myra Barnes Thompson, MSN, RN, CNML.
At ECU Health Medical Center, Myra Thompson coordinates the Medical Intensive Care Unit and the Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Program as the nurse manager. She has an MSN, an RN, and a CNML. For 17 years, Myra has worked at ECU Health Medical Center.
Myra went to East Carolina University for her bachelor’s degree and Western Governors University for her master’s degree. It was the American Organization for Nursing Leadership that gave Myra her specialty license as a certified nurse manager and leader.
Sarah C. Tripp, BSN, RN, NPD-BC
Ginny Tripp, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, works at ECU Health Medical Center as a professional development expert in the Center for Learning and Performance. Ginny has worked as a nurse for 30 years, and for the last 15 years she has been at ECU Health Medical Center.
Her first degree was in nursing from Craven Community College, and her second degree was in nursing from East Carolina University. As a specialist, Ginny has earned certifications in both case management and nurse professional development.
It’s Ginny’s deepest desire to elevate the nursing field and help others reach their fullest potential. Being a blessing in other people’s lives every day is her main goal to please God and follow her God-given job as a nurse. She works hard as a member of the Nursing Professional Development Council at ECU Health Medical Center.
Katie Trout, RN, OCN
Kelly Trout is a staff nurse III in the Medical Oncology Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She is an RN and an OCN. She is a medical oncology nurse who has worked for 15 years and has a specialty license as an oncology certified nurse.
On her unit, she is the lead nurse and the clinical coach. It’s her job to make sure that medical cancer patients stay in their jobs, and she has started programs in her unit, like the HOPE Christmas workshop for very sick oncology patients. The Oncology Nursing Society is something she does often.