Find Meaningful Health Care Careers in Greenville, NC
ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville draws expert clinicians from near and far to care for their chosen community. Ahead, hear from three people who work for the center who love living in the area and building their health care careers at ECU Health.
Perfect Fit for Doctor in Greenville, NC
Dr. Michael Firtha was a firefighter, EMT and paramedic before a role at a children’s hospital in Ohio changed his trajectory and put him on the path to attending medical school at Campbell University.
“That was my first time living outside Ohio,” he says. “I was newly married, and my wife and I both fell in love with North Carolina. We love the weather, the people and the pace of life, and we hoped that after my training, we’d end up back here.”
After residency at the Cleveland Clinic and a fellowship program in pediatric orthopedics at the University of California at Davis, Firtha got his wish and, in 2023, landed a role at ECU Health in Greenville, NC, as a pediatric orthopedist.
“The amount of support we’ve had to grow this new department in just two years has been incredible,” he says. “I think that only happens in a place that is motivated to provide excellent care. They want to see the kids in Greenville get treated the same as they would in a major city.”
Firtha says ECU Health is the perfect fit for him.
“It’s a big tertiary academic center, and you feel like you have all the resources to provide world-class treatment, but at the same time, it’s still small enough that you don’t get lost in the shuffle. It’s the best of both worlds,” he says.
Firtha and his wife have two young daughters, and they appreciate being part of a strong faith community. He also enjoys hunting and fishing, and his family loves the proximity to the water.
“We just couldn’t be happier with the area,” he says.
Nursing Excellence at ECU Health Medical Center
When she’s not caring for patients on the Family Medicine unit at ECU Health Medical Center, Samantha Scarfone is often in the stands at an East Carolina University football game. “I’m probably their biggest fan,” she says.
Scarfone came from her native New York and New Jersey to study at ECU, earning a bachelor’s degree and working in other fields before realizing nursing was her chosen path. She left to obtain an accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing, then returned to ECU Health as a nurse in early 2024.
“I never expected to stay in the area, but now, my whole life is here,” she says. “There are so many exciting things happening for ECU Health, with opportunities for me to expand professionally.”
That includes ECU Health Medical Center’s Magnet designation, which demonstrates the organization’s commitment to nursing excellence. Within this structure, Scarfone serves on the hospital’s Shared Governance Board.
“I’m very proud to be a part of that,” Scarfone says. “I’m eager to be involved, and my bosses support me in every way. The Magnet designation sets us apart. It takes a lot of work, but it helps us give the best care to our patients.
ECU Health really advocates for nursing and for having the nurses’ voices heard. They want you to be the best you can be to provide the best care for the patients. I just love what I do, and I love connecting with patients.”
Enjoying a Welcoming Community
Katie Uzelac moved from her native Pittsburgh in 2021 to become a flight nurse on EastCare’s pediatric and neonatal team, then landed at ECU Health Medical Center as a pediatric nurse practitioner in 2025.
“The flight job is what brought me here,” she says. “I fell in love with Greenville and haven’t left.”
Uzelac has spent her nursing career exclusively with pediatric patients.
“I have always been passionate about pediatrics,” Uzelac says. “Kids are so honest and keep you on your toes. They are so resilient. You can see the sickest of kids, and next time you come into work, they can be up and running around. It’s the most satisfying thing I could ever imagine doing.”
She says the kind and welcoming community at ECU Health sets it apart from other places. “Everybody’s family, and the environment is just lovely,” she says. “I can’t speak enough to how kind everyone is.”
Besides the people, she also loves the geography and the community of Greenville. “I can be at the beach or in the mountains in a day,” Uzelac says. “I have two dogs that I love to take out on the walking trails.”
Uzelac’s boyfriend is also a transplant, and Uzelac says they love Greenville’s bountiful sporting events and varied and vibrant food culture.
“There’s always something to do, and the community never lets us down,” she says.
Get to Know Greenville-Pitt County
Want to learn more about living and working in Greenville, NC? Check out the latest edition of Livability Greenville-Pitt County, North Carolina.