ECU Health Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

ECU Health has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, clinical operations, behavioral health, financial management, and human resources.

Committed to regional wellness, ECU Health delivers comprehensive medical care across 29 counties in Eastern North Carolina. This not-for-profit system prioritizes patient outcomes through integrated hospital services and community-focused health initiatives.

Leadership Roles at ECU Health

  • Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Dean - Elizabeth Gurkin
  • Chief Executive Officer & Dean - Michael Waldrum
  • Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital - Tyler Davis
  • Chief Financial Officer - William Koch
  • Chief Financial Officer​ - Brian Dunn
  • Chief Operating Officer - Glenn Simpson
  • President & Chief Operating Officer - Brian Floyd
  • Chief Information Officer - Donette Herring
  • Chief of Staff - James Egbert
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Kelly Weatherly
  • Elizabeth Gurkin - Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Dean

    Elizabeth Gurkin, the Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Dean at ECU Health, manages high-level administrative workflows and strategic communications. Coordinating between the executive office and academic leadership, Gurkin ensures alignment across the 1,447-bed hospital system. This role involves synthesizing complex data to support decision-making processes that impact patient care delivery throughout Eastern North Carolina. By facilitating cross-departmental collaboration, Elizabeth Gurkin maintains operational continuity within the organization. The Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Dean oversees the integration of clinical and academic priorities, ensuring that the system meets the needs of 1.4 million residents. Through rigorous oversight of administrative projects, Gurkin drives efficiency and supports the broader mission of improving health outcomes. This position requires constant engagement with internal stakeholders to refine organizational goals and execute long-term strategic initiatives across the entire regional network.

    Michael Waldrum - Chief Executive Officer & Dean

    Michael Waldrum, the Chief Executive Officer & Dean at ECU Health, directs the overarching strategy for the entire 1,447-bed hospital system. Overseeing the integration of clinical services and academic research, Waldrum ensures that the organization provides high-quality care to 1.4 million people across 29 counties. This leadership role involves setting the vision for regional health expansion and fostering partnerships that enhance medical accessibility. By aligning the system with modern healthcare standards, Michael Waldrum drives innovation in patient treatment and operational excellence. The Chief Executive Officer & Dean manages the complex balance between fiscal responsibility and the mission of a not-for-profit entity. Through consistent engagement with the board and clinical leadership, Waldrum secures the long-term viability of the network. This executive position remains focused on transforming the healthcare landscape in Eastern North Carolina through sustainable growth and community-centered medical practices.
    Michael Waldrum

    Tyler Davis - Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital

    Tyler Davis, the Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital at ECU Health, manages specialized psychiatric care services within the broader hospital network. Overseeing clinical protocols and facility operations, Davis ensures that behavioral health resources meet the needs of the 29-county service area. This role involves optimizing patient intake processes and coordinating with community partners to expand mental health access. By implementing evidence-based treatment models, Tyler Davis drives improvements in patient recovery outcomes. The Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital maintains strict compliance with regulatory standards while fostering a supportive environment for clinical staff. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of service demand to allocate resources effectively across the facility. Through strategic planning and operational oversight, Davis strengthens the behavioral health infrastructure, ensuring that the system provides essential support to the diverse population of Eastern North Carolina.

    William Koch - Chief Financial Officer

    William Koch, the Chief Financial Officer at ECU Health, directs the fiscal strategy and capital allocation for the not-for-profit hospital system. Overseeing revenue cycle management and budgetary planning, Koch ensures that the organization maintains the financial health necessary to support 1,447 beds. This role involves analyzing market trends and managing investments to fund future growth and facility upgrades. By optimizing financial performance, William Koch drives the sustainability of the system's mission to serve 1.4 million people. The Chief Financial Officer coordinates with the board to ensure transparency and compliance with all financial regulations. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of economic indicators to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities within the healthcare sector. Through strategic financial oversight, Koch supports the delivery of essential medical services across the 29 counties of Eastern North Carolina.

    Brian Dunn - Chief Financial Officer​

    Brian Dunn, the Chief Financial Officer​ at ECU Health, manages the long-term financial planning and cost-containment strategies for the hospital system. Overseeing the audit processes and financial reporting, Dunn ensures that the organization maintains fiscal integrity while expanding its service reach. This role involves evaluating the financial impact of new medical technologies and infrastructure projects. By managing the balance sheet and optimizing cash flow, Brian Dunn drives the financial stability required to support 1,447 beds. The Chief Financial Officer​ coordinates with department leaders to ensure that budgetary constraints align with the mission of providing care to 1.4 million residents. This leadership position requires a focus on identifying cost-saving opportunities without compromising patient care quality. Through rigorous financial analysis, Dunn supports the system's ability to invest in the health of the 29 counties in Eastern North Carolina.
    Brian Dunn

    Glenn Simpson - Chief Operating Officer

    Glenn Simpson, the Chief Operating Officer at ECU Health, directs the daily administrative and clinical operations across the 1,447-bed system. Overseeing supply chain logistics and facility management, Simpson ensures that all hospital units function with maximum efficiency. This role involves streamlining patient flow and optimizing resource allocation to support the 1.4 million residents served by the organization. By implementing lean management principles, Glenn Simpson drives operational improvements that reduce costs while maintaining high standards of care. The Chief Operating Officer coordinates with department heads to align internal processes with the broader strategic goals of the system. This leadership position requires constant evaluation of operational metrics to identify areas for growth and improvement. Through rigorous oversight of hospital infrastructure, Simpson supports the delivery of consistent, high-quality medical services throughout the expansive Eastern North Carolina region.

    Brian Floyd - President & Chief Operating Officer

    Brian Floyd, the President & Chief Operating Officer at ECU Health, manages the execution of clinical and business strategies across the entire hospital network. Overseeing the integration of regional hospital services, Floyd ensures that the system operates as a cohesive unit to serve 1.4 million people. This role involves driving performance improvements in patient care delivery and operational efficiency. By aligning clinical outcomes with business objectives, Brian Floyd supports the long-term growth of the 1,447-bed system. The President & Chief Operating Officer coordinates with other executive leaders to implement policies that enhance the quality of care throughout Eastern North Carolina. This leadership position requires a focus on scaling operations to meet the increasing demand for medical services. Through strategic management of the system's assets, Floyd ensures that the organization remains a leader in regional healthcare delivery.

    Donette Herring - Chief Information Officer

    Donette Herring, the Chief Information Officer at ECU Health, architects the digital infrastructure and data security protocols for the entire hospital system. Overseeing the implementation of electronic health records and cybersecurity measures, Herring ensures that patient data remains protected and accessible to clinical teams. This role involves managing the technological backbone that supports 1,447 beds and multiple outpatient facilities. By integrating advanced analytics into daily operations, Donette Herring drives data-informed decision-making across the organization. The Chief Information Officer coordinates with clinical leadership to deploy software solutions that enhance patient care and administrative efficiency. This leadership position requires constant adaptation to the evolving digital landscape of healthcare. Through the strategic management of information technology, Herring supports the system's mission to provide reliable, modern medical services to the 1.4 million people residing in the 29 counties of Eastern North Carolina.

    James Egbert - Chief of Staff

    James Egbert, the Chief of Staff at ECU Health, manages the internal coordination of executive functions and organizational priorities. Overseeing the flow of information between the C-suite and various departments, Egbert ensures that strategic initiatives receive proper attention and resources. This role involves facilitating meetings, tracking project milestones, and resolving operational bottlenecks that hinder system performance. By maintaining clear communication channels, James Egbert drives alignment across the 1,447-bed hospital network. The Chief of Staff supports the executive team in executing the mission of providing comprehensive care to 1.4 million people. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of the system's operational complexities and the ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks simultaneously. Through diligent oversight of administrative processes, Egbert ensures that the organization remains focused on its core objective of improving health outcomes throughout Eastern North Carolina.

    Kelly Weatherly - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Kelly Weatherly, the Chief Human Resources Officer at ECU Health, directs the talent acquisition, retention, and workforce development strategies for the entire hospital system. Overseeing the management of thousands of employees, Weatherly ensures that the organization attracts and retains top-tier clinical and administrative talent. This role involves designing compensation structures and professional development programs that support the 1,447-bed network. By fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity, Kelly Weatherly drives employee engagement and operational productivity. The Chief Human Resources Officer coordinates with leadership to align workforce capabilities with the evolving needs of the 1.4 million people served. This leadership position requires constant attention to labor market trends and the implementation of policies that promote staff well-being. Through strategic human capital management, Weatherly ensures that the system maintains the workforce necessary to deliver high-quality care across Eastern North Carolina.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding ECU Health Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads ECU Health?
    ECU Health is led by Elizabeth Gurkin (Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Dean), along with executives such as Michael Waldrum (Chief Executive Officer & Dean) and Tyler Davis (Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital).
    Who is part of ECU Health’s executive team?
    The executive team of ECU Health includes leaders such as Elizabeth Gurkin (Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Dean), Michael Waldrum (Chief Executive Officer & Dean), Tyler Davis (Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does ECU Health have?
    ECU Health has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in ECU Health’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of ECU Health includes roles such as Office of the Chief Executive Officer and Dean, Chief Executive Officer & Dean, Chief Executive Officer, ECU Health Behavioral Health Hospital, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer​.