FirstHealth of the Carolinas

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT | If laughter is the best medicine, then patients and colleagues in the ICU at MRH-Richmond are in good hands with nurse Deanna Hodges. Her journey at MRH-Richmond began on Oct. 18, 1993. Over the years, she transitioned through roles in an orthopaedic surgery clinic and imaging before finding her calling in nursing. It was as a patient transporter in imaging that she caught the attention of nurses on the medical floor, who saw her potential and encouraged her to pursue nursing school. Looking back, Deanna said she always felt a nudge toward nursing, but her family came first. As a devoted mother and now proud “GiGi” to 10 grandchildren, she even felt guilty about going back to school—thinking she was selfish to focus on herself. But with the support of her husband and the encouragement from those around her, she took the leap. While attending nursing school at Richmond Community College, she worked as secretary on the medical floor at MRH-Richmond. She graduated in 2014 and began her career as an R.N. on the medical floor before transitioning in 2017 to the ICU, where she continues to provide compassionate, high-quality care. Born in Randolph County but raised in Richmond County, Deanna has deep roots in the community she serves. Outside of work, nothing brings her more joy than being GiGi. Whether it’s trips to the beach or cheering on her grandchildren at their sporting events, she cherishes every moment spent with them. Deanna’s story is one of dedication—not just to her patients but to her family and colleagues. With her humor, kindness and unwavering commitment, she embodies the best of FirstHealth.

"When a person hears they have cancer it is like being thrown into a scary hurricane. Things are happening fast and they have no control." FirstHealth offers integrative oncology as a way to enhance care delivery and combine conventional treatments with complementary services. Our goal is to improve the quality of a patient's life, reduce the side effects of cancer treatments and help patients take an active role in their care journey: https://bit.ly/3QHsEpp

"He is an amazing team player..." Congratulations to Corey Bivens on winning FirstHealth's BEE Award, which recognizes employees who go above and beyond to fulfill our core purpose – To Care for People. Corey serves on our registration team at MRH - Hoke and was nominated by a coworker who was praised for his “exceptional care of patients.” Learn more about Corey: https://bit.ly/4ijp94g

Welcome to the FirstHealth family, Kerry!

“What sort of care would you expect in a scary moment? You would want qualified people who are on your side and advocating for you the entire way. That’s just what I got. I never saw Vince after I was rolled into the Cath Lab, but without him and his crew, I would not be here. I owe my life to him, and my wife and I are so grateful for the care I received.” Medical emergencies are always scary, and that’s especially true when someone is alone and away from home. Anxiety and fear can set in quickly, and questions are endless – what is happening with my body? Can I safely drive myself to get medical care? Is there a hospital nearby? All these questions and many more were running through Doug Peterson’s mind in October 2024 after he started experiencing chest pains following a day of work in Lee County. Doug was far from home...but he would soon meet several "real-life heroes" who would become the advocates he needed. Read his story: https://bit.ly/41h367D

"This program has helped me achieve my dreams..." Meet Sir'Dareus, one of the first recipients of a FirstFutures sponsorship. We launched FirstFutures last year to transform how we recruit and train the health care providers and staff of the future. Think of the program as a career pipeline connecting students to career opportunities across the FirstHealth system. The program is a collaborative effort by FirstHealth and The Foundation of FirstHealth. Learn more about FirstFutures and how you can get involved: https://bit.ly/415UC2S

FirstHealth of the Carolinas has been recognized as one of the nation’s best places to work, ranking 43rd overall and 15th among hospitals and health systems on Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Best Employers. “We are thrilled to receive this recognition, and I’m deeply proud of the incredible team we have here at FirstHealth of the Carolinas,” said FirstHealth CEO Mickey W. Foster. “Our providers and employees are at the heart of everything we do, and being included on this list reflects our ongoing commitment to being the best place to work in health care nationally.” This honor is based on over 6.5 million employer evaluations, with feedback from employees and industry professionals across the country. Learn more about what makes FirstHealth a top employer: https://bit.ly/3X5bMMN #HealthcareExcellence #BestPlacesToWork #NCHospitals #Healthcare

“I made a promise to him that his life was going to have a meaning, that his life was going to have a legacy and that I would do whatever I could to help anybody change their life.” In today's Voices of FirstHealth video, meet Stephanie Hoover, one of the opioid use and substance use disorder specialists serving with FirstHealth Community Health Services. Her desire To Care for People is deeply personal. After experiencing a devastating loss, she turned her pain and grief into purpose, dedicating herself to saving lives through education, resources and, most importantly, hope. Her unwavering commitment is making a difference for individuals, families and communities affected by substance use disorders. Learn more about Community Health's work fighting substance use disorder: https://bit.ly/4hWguV6

The FirstHealth Cancer Center brought all our care teams together under one roof, allowing better collaboration between providers and the support teams who come alongside patients and their families. The Cancer Wellness Program is just one way we are committed to whole-person cancer care, and it is designed to enhance the lives of our patients through exercise, education and group support. Learn more about our cancer wellness program: https://bit.ly/4gDVP7a

We launched FirstFutures last year to transform how we recruit and train the health care providers and staff of the future. Think of the program as a career pipeline connecting students to career opportunities across the FirstHealth system. The program is a collaborative effort by FirstHealth and The Foundation of FirstHealth. Learn more about the program and how you can get involved: https://bit.ly/3WI0SN1