Dr. Oehlert has revolutionized the culture at ECU Health by integrating human experience principles into every level of care, championing initiatives like the “Big E” that connects team member experience with patient outcomes. Leveraging her clinical background, she has introduced impactful programs such as tranquility rooms and “Code Lavender” to support the emotional wellbeing of frontline staff. Her forward-thinking response during the Covid-19 pandemic included the creation of non-clinical support roles on inpatient and emergency teams, reducing nurse burnout and enhancing patient satisfaction. Thanks in large part to her work, ECU Health earned national acclaim, with PEP Health naming it a top performer in patient experience for multiple consecutive years. Dr. Oehlert also launched the “Patient Choice Award” to celebrate units achieving exceptional and improved experience ratings, reinforcing a culture of compassion and excellence.
