Berry Warren, a medical lab technician, was recognized on Mar. 31 for his 45 years of service at ECU Health. At age 80, Warren has worked in several roles across the health system since joining in 1981.
Warren’s long career highlights the value of lifelong learning and adaptability in health care. His experience reflects changes in technology and practice within hospitals over several decades.
Warren said he first considered a medical career after encouragement from family members. “I was working for a wholesale company but felt like I wasn’t really helping anyone in that role,” Warren said. “Then my sister-in-law and brother-in-law suggested I go to nursing school. Nursing wasn’t really for me, but I enrolled in a Medical Laboratory Technician program near Asheville and was hired to work in the lab of the local hospital before I graduated.” After working near Asheville, he joined ECU Health and served at various facilities including Beaufort Hospital, Chowan Hospital, Bertie Hospital, and ECU Health Medical Center.
He described differences between smaller hospitals and larger centers: “At smaller hospitals, you get to know the patients and talk to them,” he shared. “You also get to do a little bit of everything. But at the medical center, you learn a lot because you see more diagnoses and patients.” His wife and daughter have also worked with ECU Health.
Reflecting on his time supporting cardiac surgery units early in his tenure, Warren recalled: “In 1984, they sent us to Duke to work in the operating room while they were doing cardiac surgery,” he explained. “Dr. [W. Randolph] Chitwood was one of the surgeons and he always took time to talk to me… And he taught me things – like he’d show me the heart during surgery…” He explained how responsibilities such as calculating blood gases were once done manually but are now computerized: “I didn’t grow up with computers… The team I work with helps me out when I need it. We’re all buddies.”
ECU Health is a nonprofit integrated health care system consisting of hospitals, clinics, and physician practices serving eastern North Carolina according to its official website. It operates an academic medical center with two campuses along with eight community hospitals as well as outpatient clinics according to its official website. The network includes more than 1,100 providers across over 185 clinics at more than 110 locations serving over 1.4 million people according to its official website.
The organization’s mission is focused on enhancing health through patient-centered care programs throughout eastern North Carolina according to its official website.
When asked about advice for new team members facing technological change or evolving job duties within such systems spanning multiple counties as reported by their official site, Warren said: “Don’t let it overpower you,” he said. “Jobs evolve and you have to change with it. Always be learning.”
As Warren looks toward retirement after decades dedicated both personally—and alongside family—to local healthcare delivery across rural communities served by ECU Health’s network according to its official website, he plans not only continued activity on his farm but ongoing engagement outside clinical settings.
