Halifax Community College Tuesday welcomed representatives from ECU Health EastCare, a critical care air and ground transportation service, to its campus to engage with the Second Level Associate Degree Nursing Students. 

“The visit provided students with a unique opportunity to explore advanced emergency medical transport and learn about career pathways in the field,” HCC said.

During the visit, the EastCare team showcased its specialized equipment and discussed the critical role of air and ground transport in delivering life-saving care. Students gained firsthand insight into how medical crews respond to emergencies, stabilize patients, and provide advanced care during transport to medical facilities.

ECU Health EastCare serves as the critical care transport program for eastern North Carolina, offering both air and ground services for patients experiencing trauma, cardiac events, and other serious medical conditions. The program operates multiple ground units and air transport helicopters across the region, providing rapid response and advanced medical care to critically ill and injured patients. EastCare also supports neonatal and pediatric transport and plays a vital role in connecting rural communities to specialized care.

“Experiences like this are invaluable for our students,” said Sarah Harris, HCC director of nursing. “Exposure to programs like ECU Health EastCare allows our students to see the full scope of nursing beyond the traditional clinical setting and inspires them to consider critical care and transport nursing as a career path.”

EastCare team members also shared information about the education, certifications, and skills required to work in the field, including roles such as flight nurses, paramedics, and emergency medical technicians. 

The program’s outreach and education initiatives frequently partner with healthcare providers and community colleges to provide training and career awareness opportunities.

“Our goal is to prepare students for real-world healthcare environments,” said Kara Clary, nursing instructor at HCC. “Having professionals from ECU Health EastCare on campus gave students a deeper understanding of high-acuity care and the teamwork required in emergency situations.”

The college said, “The visit reflected Halifax Community College’s continued commitment to providing experiential learning opportunities that connected classroom instruction with real-world applications. By partnering with leading healthcare providers such as ECU Health EastCare, HCC ensures that its nursing students are well-prepared to meet the evolving demands of the healthcare workforce.”