EDITOR’S NOTE: Various businesses and organizations throughout northeast North Carolina submitted the following information. Whenever possible, the information is also included in our calendar of events, found here. To have your item included, you can send a direct message via our social media accounts, via email to albemarle.observer@gmail.com via the contact form on our website.
ECU Health Chowan Hospital earns national recognition
EDENTON — ECU Health Chowan Hospital was nationally recognized for excellence in patient experience, earning the second spot on PEP Health’s 2026 US Hospital Rankings. This recognition places ECU Health Chowan Hospital among the top-performing hospitals in the country, based on real-time feedback from patients and families.
“Being recognized as one of the top hospitals in the country for patient experience is a tremendous honor,” said Brian Harvill, president of ECU Health Chowan Hospital. “This achievement reflects the compassion, dedication and professionalism of our entire team. We are proud to serve our community and remain committed to delivering excellent care.”
PEP Health’s rankings are based on unsolicited online comments posted between Sept. 1, 2024, and Aug. 31, 2025, across public review sites, forums and social media. Using an AI-powered platform, PEP Health analyzes and validates patient sentiment to provide a transparent, unbiased view of how care is experienced across the country. To be eligible, hospitals must have received at least 365 unsolicited comments and consistently high scores across seven domains of patient-centered care, including: Fast Access, Effective Treatment, Emotional Support, Communication & Involvement, Continuity of Care, Attention to Physical & Environmental Needs and Billing & Administration.
“Patient experience is a powerful reflection of values in action, and this recognition from PEP Health affirms the importance of listening to our patients and continuously improving based on their insights,” said Dr. Julie Kennedy Oehlert, chief experience officer at ECU Health. “Being recognized nationally for excellence across multiple elements of people-centered care affirms from our patients that we are providing safe, healing environments. I am grateful for our teams and this recognition is validation of the ECU Health team’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of eastern North Carolina.”
According to PEP Health, hospitals that prioritize patient experience see improved clinical outcomes, stronger financial performance and enhanced health equity. Last year, ECU Health Medical Center recognized as leader in patient experience for second consecutive year by PEP Health. To ensure fairness and representation, only the top-performing hospital per health system is featured. Positive experiences also influence CMS Star Ratings and play a key role in attracting and retaining patients.
Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter ALS Foundation hosts tasty fundraiser
PERQUIMANS COUNTY — The Jim “Catfish” Hunter ALS Foundation is hosting a Sausage Ball fundraiser for Christmas.
The sausage balls will be made with Layden’ss sausage. Pick-up dates will be held Dec. 6-17 in various places in Perquimans and Pasquotank counties.
Orders can be placed by scanning the QR Code on the attached flyer or by visiting http://bit.ly/44l6a4J
The cost is two dozen sausage balls for $25, four dozen for $48 and up. The order deadline is Dec. 5. All proceeds go directly to assist ALS patients in northeastern North Carolina.
Hunter was a Perquimans County native who played Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1979 for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees. He was known for his pinpoint control, won five World Series championships, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1987. Hunter was also the first player to become baseball’s first big-money free agent after a contract dispute with the Athletics.
He is remembered not only for his athletic achievements but also for his humility and down-to-earth character.
Hunter died in 1999 from ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), the same disease that affected Lou Gehrig.
Turkey Trots set for Edenton, Elizabeth City
Both Edenton and Elizabeth City will host 5K (3.1 miles) Turkey Trots this upcoming week.
Edenton
Queen Anne’s 11th Annual Turkey Trot Run/Walk/Bike, benefiting the Community Snack Program of Edenton, will be held at 8 a.m. Nov. 27 starting at Queen Anne Park, also known as Elizabeth Vann Moore Park, on East Water Street in Edenton.
There is no fee to participate, but donations of money or individual snacks are encouraged.
The Albemarle Observer participated in the race in 2024 and are looking forward to this year’s event.
Elizabeth City
The 14th annual Kids First Turkey Trot will start at Waterfront Park in Elizabeth City. Registration for the races will be held from 8-8:45 a.m., with the 5K race starting at 9 a.m. A 1-miles family fun run will start at 10 a.m.
This fundraiser has become a holiday tradition for many families nd is a great opportunity for you to support our community.
Join us for the 5K run or 1 Mile Family Walk. Bring the kids to get a holiday pic with our Turkey Trotter and Andy from Texas Roadhouse. Pets are always welcome.
For information, visit the Facebook event by clicking here. To register, click here.
Register now for Edenton’s Christmas Parade
EDENTON — The 2025 Edenton-Chowan Christmas Parade, themed “Once Upon a Christmas,” will start at 10 a.m. Dec. 13.
To register, visit https://forms.gle/tjHbGWSwR5Jwfr5QA or call The Edenton-Chown Chamber of Commerce at 252-482-3400.
