Greenville Reporter

The North Carolina Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards for 2024 have honored several individuals and groups from ECU Health Medical Center. Among the recipients are volunteers Emmanuel Bryant, Dr. Emmett Floyd, an ECU Health team member, and the volunteer team at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital. The awards were established in 1979 to recognize significant contributions to communities through volunteer service.

Emmanuel Bryant has a long history of volunteering, inspired by his mother who founded a nonprofit in Durham. "I grew up volunteering and I believe it’s important to give back to the community," he stated. Originally from Durham, Bryant shifted his career aspirations from medicine to becoming a physician assistant after attending a program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Bryant graduated from East Carolina University (ECU) with a degree in public health in 2023 and volunteered at ECU Health Medical Center as part of his preparation for PA school applications. His work included patient transport and outpatient rehabilitation where he had mentors like Emmett Floyd. He also gained experience in therapeutic interventions alongside Shane Whitley, PTA.

His volunteer work helped him develop skills necessary for patient interaction and understanding hospital operations. "It has helped me get comfortable with patients... Exposure to these differences is the best way to combat discrimination," he noted.

Dr. Emmett Floyd moved from Virginia to North Carolina for education before serving in various educational roles including principal and superintendent, later joining ECU's College of Education faculty until retirement. Inspired by Frank Crawley, another award winner, Dr. Floyd began volunteering at ECU Health Medical Center as a patient escort in 2020.

He enjoys helping patients navigate their appointments and values the gratitude expressed by those he assists: "Those thank yous are the salary," he remarked. Dr. Floyd appreciates working with fellow volunteers and finds joy in weekly interactions.

Despite being surprised by receiving the award, Dr. Floyd remains humble: "It’s not about me... I’m just one who represents the 300 or more members of our team." He emphasizes giving back through volunteer work as essential: "We’ve lived in Greenville for 35 years... I feel like you should give back."

All award winners were recognized during local county commissioners’ meetings over the summer.

For more information on the NC Governor’s Award for Volunteer Service or to nominate someone, visit their website.