Since 1989, The Great 100 Gala has recognized and honored nurses in North Carolina for their commitment to excellence and to promote a positive image of the nursing profession. Out of the thousands of nominations, the selection committee chooses 100 nurses to honor as the best of the best in the state.

This year, nine Vidant nurses have been named to the Great 100 honorees, eight from ECU Health Medical Center and one from Vidant Edgecombe Hospital. 

Vidant extends heartfelt gratitude to these nurses for their contributions to patient care in eastern North Carolina.

The Vidant nurses chosen this year are:

Jamie Gautier, MSN, RN-BC, NE-BC, is a nurse manager in the Neurosciences Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. Jamie has been with Vidant for 17 years and has been in her current role as nurse manager for 6 years. Jamie is certified in medical surgical nursing and as a nurse executive. She earned her associate’s degree in medical assisting from Pitt Community College, an associate’s degree in nursing from Beaufort County Community College, her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix and her master’s degree in nursing from Walden University. Jamie is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and Sigma Theta Tau.

Telicia Keys, BSN, RN-BC, PCCN is a staff nurse III, in the 3 West Surgery Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. Telicia has been with Vidant for 17 years and has been in her current role for 9 years. She earned her associate’s degree in nursing from Beaufort County Community College and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Chamberlain University. Telicia has her medical-surgical certification and is a progressive care certified nurse. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Julie Linder, DNP, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, is Director of the Professional Practice and Magnet Program at ECU Health Medical Center. Julie has been with Vidant for 9 years and has been in her current role as director of professional practice for one year. She earned her bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University, a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University, a master’s degree in nursing-clinical nurse specialist at East Carolina University and a doctor’s degree in nursing practice from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.  Julie is certified as a critical care registered nurse and acute care clinical nurse specialist-adult gerontology and a member of American Nurses Association, American Association of Critical Care Nurses and National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, North Carolina Affiliate Chapter of National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, North Carolina Nurses Association, North Carolina Nurses Association Council of Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Pamela Moss, MPH, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN-CSC, is a clinical nurse specialist at ECU Health Medical Center. Pamela has been with Vidant for 10 years and has been in her current role for 4 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and pharmacology at University of Strathclyde, a graduate certificate in field  epidemiology from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, a master’s degree in public health: policy analysis and management from East Carolina University, and  a master’s degree in nursing at East Carolina University. She is a member of American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Nurses Association and North Carolina Nurses Association.

Lou Reida, MSN, RN, CPHQ, is vice president of Quality for Vidant Health. Lou has been with Vidant for 19 years and has been in her current role for 4 years. Lou earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her master’s degree in nursing at East Carolina University. She was honored as a Vidant Health Emerging Leaders Graduate in October 2016, American Hospital Association / National Patient Safety Foundation Patient Safety Leader Fellow in May 2013,  and East Carolina University Outstanding Nursing Leadership Master’s Graduate in May 2010. She is a certified professional in health care quality.  Lou is a member of North Carolina Association for Healthcare Quality Professionals and Sigma Theta Tau International.

Leanna Smith, RN-BC, is a staff nurse II in the Neurosciences Unit at ECU Health Medical Center. Leanna has been with Vidant for 8 years and in her current role during this time. She earned an associate’s degree in nursing from Pitt Community College and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at East Carolina University. She is board certified for medical-surgical nursing, and certified in emergency neurological life support and advanced cardiac life support. She is also a member of American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Lee Spivey III, RN, is an assistant nurse manager in the surgical unit of Vidant Edgecombe Hospital. Lee has been with Vidant Health for 13 years, including 8 at ECU Health Medical Center and has been in his current role at Vidant Edgecombe since September 2020. Lee is a certified CPI instructor and a certified brain injury specialist. He received his associate’s degree in nursing at Pitt Community College.

Erin Whitehurst, BSN, RN-BC, is an assistant nurse manager on the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery unit at ECU Health Medical Center. She has been with Vidant for 14 years has been in her current role for 2 years. She is board certified in medical and surgical nursing. Erin graduated with an associate’s degree in nursing from Pitt Community College and received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University. She is a member of the North Carolina Vascular Nurses Association and American Heart Association Subcommittee for Cardiovascular Nursing.

Allyson Yelverton, BSN, CCRN, is a nurse manager in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Vidant Health Maynard Children’s Hospital, ECU Health Medical Center. She has been with Vidant for 14 years and in her current role for 2 years. She is certified as a critical care nurse-neonatal. Allyson received her nursing diploma from Bon Secours Memorial School of Nursing, her bachelors’ degree in nursing from University of North Carolina Wilmington and is pursuing her master’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  She is a  member of American Association of Critical Care Nurses.