Bradley Named 2017 Top Nurse at ECU Physicians | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Amy Adams Ellis, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    A nurse manager in family medicine has been selected by her peers as this year's top nurse at ECU Physicians, the group medical practice of the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University.

    Beth Bradley, a Greenville native, works in the Purple Module at ECU's Family Medicine Center. In her six years of nursing, she has garnered a reputation for her ability to build and maintain strong relationships with patients, staff, medical residents and faculty.

    "Even though Beth focuses on patient care first, she is also able to see the bigger picture, ensuring staff and provider needs are met as well," said Dr. Jason Foltz, outpatient medical director for the Department of Family Medicine. "Her positive approach is contagious and evident as soon as you enter the module. She is a sounding board for her staff, providing support and encouragement... She listens and is respectful of other views and ideas."


Beth Bradley is ECU Physicians’ 2017 Nurse of the Year. (Photos by Cliff Hollis)

    According to Dr. Ricky Watson, assistant residency director for family medicine, Bradley "acts as far more than just a head nurse. She educates residents, counsels them on work and life. When conflicts develop she is there to settle nerves and sort through problems," he said.

    "The outstanding nurse is one who can nearly read the mind of the physician and care provider they work with, one who can be trusted to assist you in the care of your patients, sift through the messages that come through on an overwhelming daily basis, and solve problems before they even arise," Watson added. "Beth is that person to me, to the staff she works with, the residents and students we teach."

    Bradley said she never considered any career besides nursing, attributing her bias to the fact that her mother worked as a nurse for 37 years.

    After earning an RN degree from Lenoir Community College in 2010, she worked in medical oncology for two years in Kinston before taking a job at ECU. These days in the family medicine arena, she finds inspiration in the long-term connections she's able to enjoy with patients - during sickness and in health.

    "Being able to have relationships with patients, even when they're healthy, motivates me," she said. "Over time, I get to see them grow and even have children of their own.

    "Taking care of patients is definitely the best part of my job," Bradley continued. "They rely on me to get their needs taken care of. They call me when they aren't feeling well, and I listen to them, no matter how busy I am."

    Bradley's supervisor Jennifer Blizzard, nurse administrator for family medicine, said, "Beth is someone we can depend on to get the job done without complaining. She approaches challenges in a calm and positive manner. We have seen her interact with patients and there is a genuine connection, respect and trust."

    Dr. Gary Levine, associate professor in family medicine, has worked closely with Bradley over the past five years.

    "If I were in a position to start a new residency program and develop a clinical practice to support this educational endeavor, the first nurse that I would seek to hire would be Beth Bradley..." Levine said. "If a member of my immediate family was ill and needed superb and compassionate nursing care, I would recommend that they seek out Beth Bradley."