2023-2024 HHP Philanthropy and Service Event Honoring HHP Alumni, wall of fame, distinguished service and cornerstone society

Dr. Francisco Limon

Dr. Francisco Limon is a 2016 Graduate of The Department of Human Development and Family Science’s Medical Family Therapy Doctoral program and is currently the Chief Integrated Care Services Officer for Contentnea Health. When Dr. Limon interviewed with the Medical Family Therapy doctoral program he said during his interview that he wanted to join a program that was committed to the Hispanic community. Dr. Limon had many choices for his doctoral program, but chose to be part of Pirate Nation. In the past 10 years, Dr. Limon's significant contributions to the field are evident in various aspects. He has successfully expanded the services provided by Contentnea Health, which has resulted in a significant increase in the number of patients served. He is also collaborated with Drs. Lamson and Hodgson in supporting approximately 80 masters and doctoral integrated care providers. This growth has allowed for greater continuity of care and culturally sensitive treatments for individuals and families in our region. In addition, Dr. Limon has co-authored numerous book chapters and peer reviewed journal articles with Medical Family Therapy faculty, students, and alumni. Dr. Limon has earned national awards for his contributions to behavioral health for Hispanic communities.

Dr. Limon's unwavering commitment to integrated behavioral health care services with underserved communities positions him as a leader in providing transformative healthcare experiences. He tirelessly advocates for optimal healthcare infrastructure, funding, and essential resources to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. Under his leadership, the number of therapists serving eNC has increased, resulting in improved continuity of care and positively impacting the health and well-being of those in our region. Congratulations, once again, to Dr. Francisco Limon. We just received word that Dr. Limon experienced the loss of dear friend this week and could not join us. However, we do have some of the integrated care team from Contentnea Health here today if they could come forward and join us for a photo.

Ms. JaNell Octigan

JaNell is a 2012 graduate of our BS in Public Health program. Today, JaNell serves as Health Director for the Beaufort County Health Department. JaNell lives ECU's motto to serve others through her work at Beaufort County Health Department, while leading nearly 50 employees to promote, protect, and enhance the quality of life for a rural population by providing accessible quality public health services and education in order to improve the wellness of the community within a healthy environment. JaNell has served in a variety of capacities, continually moving forward and leading others, even through a pandemic while navigating new territory in trying times. JaNell began her work with BCHD as a departmental intern. She was offered a position based on her performance and skill to create positive change within populations. As an educator, JaNell implemented programs 1-on-1 and in group settings to reduce chronic disease and illness burden. As a planner, JaNell was striving to protect communities from a variety of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and terrorist events. Currently, serving as one of the state’s youngest health directors, JaNell's powers and duties fall into five general categories: administration, remedies, communicable disease control, other disease control and education/advisement. If you have eaten at a restaurant, thank JaNell and her team. If you have sat near someone vaccinated and not had to worry about transmission, thank JaNell and her team. If you received accurate information during the COVID pandemic, you can thank JaNell and her team. As you can see, JaNell makes a difference daily — and often behind the scenes. JaNell often explains departmental activities, prepares budgets, and works toward maintaining accreditation standards. She is responsible for enforcing public health laws within her jurisdiction, and can be involved in investigations of communicable disease outbreaks. JaNell communicates effectively and is well versed in various cultures, ages, and backgrounds and has with a doubt made a difference in the health and well-being of those in Beaufort County, eastern North Carolina and beyond. Congratulations once again to Ms. JaNell Octigan.

Dr. Cynthia Johnson

Dr. Cynthia Johnson from our Human Development and Family Science Department. Dr. Johnson was the first graduate from the newly developed MS in Child Development and Family Relations program in 1973. Subsequently, she earned a PhD at The Ohio State University and received a Kellogg Grant to work and serve in Africa. After serving in Africa, Dr. Johnson began working at NC State University. Dr. Nash Love and Dr. Mel Markowski actively recruited her to come back home to Greenville and ECU. After returning to ECU and serving as faculty, she was then elected to be Department Chair. While serving as a department chair, Dr. Johnson spearheaded many innovations including the development with the Medical School of the Medical Family Therapy PhD program. She is both a distinguished alumna, former faculty member and former Department Chair who is extremely worthy of this honor.

Suzanne Sparrow

Suzanne serves as the UMCIRB Director. Suzanne’s service allows for exemplary service by providing the leadership of an exceptional IRB that is accessible to researchers, understands community-engaged research, and provides efficient determinations of applications and amendment. Suzanne is fair and concise across the board not only for HHP, but for the entire ECU campus. With her leadership, Suzanne has assisted in improving research for HHP faculty, helped HHP retain and recruit new faculty, and facilitate research projects that advance our mission, which has allowed HHP to become second in the university, only behind the Brody School of Medicine, in generated grant dollars and research.

Jennifer Harrell

Ms. Jennifer Harrell. Jennifer is a business officer in the Academic Affairs administration. Jennifer is dedicated and supports HHP daily as the college navigates personnel actions with Academic Affairs compliance. With the multitude of personnel actions HHP has navigated this past year, steady, consistent, and friendly support from Jennifer has allowed us to continue to maintain successful compliance and complete these actions with as little revision as possible. While this may be within her daily operations, we acknowledge that timely and informed support is critical to the success of our college.