Meet Our Team
Executive Director for Student Health Services
C. LaShae’ Wilson 
C. LaShae’ Wilson joined the health center staff in November 2010 and is the Executive Director of Student Health Services. She earned her BS in Microbiology from North Carolina State University. After completing her undergraduate degree, she joined the Pirate Nation to pursue the Alternate Entry MSN program. Ms. Wilson was certified as an Adult Nurse Practitioner through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Her interests include Women’s and Preventative Health. Ms. Wilson sees patients in both Triage Care and in the general clinic.
Medical Director for Student Health Services
Joseph Armen
Dr. Joseph Armen received a BS in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University (1994) and his medical degree from the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (1998). He completed a Family Medicine Residency at Carolinas Medical Center (2001) and a Sports Medicine Fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2003). He is a member of both the American Academy of Family Practice (AAFP) and the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine (AMSSM). He serves as the Medical Director for ECU Student Health Services, Team Physician for ECU Department of Athletics, Physician Supervisor for the CRW Athletic Training Staff and is the Program Director of the Sports Medicine Fellowship at East Carolina University. Dr. Armen provides Sports Medicine related care in the general clinic.
Associate Director for Clinical Operations
Ellen Goldberg
Ellen Goldberg joined the health center staff in October 2003 and is a proud Pirate nurse, holding both her MSN and BSN from ECU. She has served as Associate Director for Clinical Operations since 2013, supervising the Nursing staff and the Health Promotions Project Manager. Ellen directs key programs in infection control, safety, and emergency preparedness, and plays a crucial part in strategic planning and policy development. She frequently collaborates with campus departments and represents SHS through presentations and accreditation preparations. Her role also includes maintaining the SHS website and patient publications, organizing outreach events, coordinating Gender Affirming Care services, and directing the Campus EMS program.
Director of Business Services
Kristal Ransome
Kristal Ransome joined the health center staff in September 2021 but has been in the healthcare industry for over twenty years. She holds a Master of Business Administration from ECU and holds two certifications in medical coding. Over the course of her professional and educational experience, she has developed a love for research, strategic planning, and data analytics. She attributes her work ethic to her maternal grandfather, who taught her this saying, “If a task is once begun, never leave it till it’s done. Be thy labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”
Director of Pharmacy
Matthew Turnage
Dr. Matthew Turnage joined the health center staff in 2017 and is the Director of Pharmacy. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy from Campbell University. He worked locally in eastern North Carolina in a retail pharmacy for many years before joining Student Health. Born and raised in eastern North Carolina, Matthew has continued to work in our area and is passionate for the students who call ECU home.
Front Desk Supervisor
Selena Anderson
Selena Anderson joined the health center staff in December 2014. She began as part our Appointments staff and has recently moved into a new role as Front Desk Manager. She has 26 years of experience in the medical field. She is well-versed in student insurance and waiver process, as well as immunization requirements for students here at ECU. Selena is a native to the Pitt County area and thoroughly enjoys helping ECU students.
Laboratory Supervisor
Brina Speller
Brina Speller joined the health center staff in February 2024. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from Winston-Salem State University. She has been a Medical Laboratory Scientist since 2013. She is certified by American Medical Technologist. She oversees the functions of the medical laboratory at SHS on the main campus and at health sciences.
Nursing Supervisor
Aundria Batts
Aundria Batts joined the health center staff in August 2018 and brings 20 years of dedicated service in the nursing field and a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as the Nursing Supervisor at SHS. Specializing in Obstetrics & Gynecology, Women’s Health, Pediatrics, College Health, and as a BLS Instructor, Aundria has consistently demonstrated commitment to patient care and clinical excellence. Her career journey reflects her passion for enhancing women’s health and supporting the unique needs of pediatrics and the student population. As a Nurse Supervisor, Aundria combines her clinical expertise with strong leadership skills to foster a supportive and efficient healthcare environment. She is dedicated to mentoring and guiding her team and is committed to her profession and her patients.
Provider Staff
Info coming soon
Megan Anderson joined the health center staff August 2023. She received her BSN from East Carolina University in 2008. She received her MSN in Nursing Education from East Carolina University in 2019. She received a Post-graduate certificate as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Duke University in 2021. She is a board certified FNP by AACN. Her experience includes Family medicine, pediatrics and health promotion. She also is a full-time faculty member with the ECU College of Nursing. Ms. Anderson sees patients in the general clinic.
Ashli Clark joined the health center staff in the summer of 2015. She earned her BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2003. She later earned her MS in Physician Assistant Studies from East Carolina University in 2010. She is board certified by NCCPA. Her interests include Health Promotion and Prevention. Ms. Clark currently sees patients in both Triage Care and in the general clinic.
Dr. Matthew Drake joined the health center staff in January 2024. He received his BS in Neuroscience from The College of William & Mary and his MD from the Brody School of Medicine at East Caroline University. He completed his Family Medicine Residency at ECU Health and is board certified in Family Medicine. Special interests include LGBTQ Health and Gender Affirming Care. He is currently on faculty at ECU Family Medicine. Dr. Drake sees patients in the general clinic.
Dr. David Faro II joined the Psychiatry department of East Carolina University in 2023. He earned his Medical Degree (MD) from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) in 2018. He then completed his Psychiatry residency at Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC) in West Virginia in 2022. Dr. Faro is a Psychiatrist certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) and North Carolina Medical Board (NCMB). Dr. Faro has been providing outpatient mental health care for students at Student Health services since 2023. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Faro also provides education for Medical Students and Residents at ECU health.
Jeanne Finney
Jeanne Finney joined the health center staff in the fall of 2015. She obtained her BS in Zoology from North Carolina State University in 1999, followed by her MS in Dietetics in 2005, and an MS in Counselor Education from ECU in 2019. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Registered Dietitian, and certified Body Trust provider. Her areas of interest include anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship issues, eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns.
Dr. House completed his Family Medicine Residency and Sports Medicine Fellowship at Albany Medical Center in upstate New York. He is on faculty at ECU Family Medicine and core faculty for the ECU Sports Medicine Fellowship Program. Some of his professional interests include the nonsurgical treatment of acute and chronic injuries, ultrasound, and the general care of active individuals.
Ashton Johnson
Dr. Ashton Johnson graduated with her BS in Health and Exercise Science from Wake Forest University in 1995, and received her medical degree from Brody School of Medicine in 2002. She is Board Certified in Family Medicine and spent nearly 10 years on faculty in the Department of Family Medicine at ECU prior to joining the staff at Student Health in February 2015. She is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Johnson has a special interest in preventive health and wellness and loves primary care medicine. She sees patients in both Triage Care and in the general clinic.
Mary Keel joined the health center in the fall of 2013. She earned her BS in Nursing from East Carolina University. She later attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she earned her MSN. She is a certified ANP by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and also a certified Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP) by the NCC. Her interests include Women’s Health and Health Promotion and Prevention. Ms. Cherry currently sees patients at the Health Sciences SHS.
Dr. Katie Kinderwater joined the health center staff in September 2023. She received her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Berkeley and her medical degree at St. George’s University School of Medicine. She completed both her Family Medicine residency and Sports Medicine fellowship at ECU. She is board certified in family medicine and sports medicine. Dr. Kinderwater sees patients in the general clinic.
Erin Manning joined the health center staff in March 2024. She holds a BS in Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill (2000) and a BS in Biology from ECU (2003). In 2007, Erin earned her MS in Physician Assistant Studies from ECU. She is board certified by NCCPA. Her interests include preventive care and wellness promotion. Mrs. Manning sees patients in both Triage Care and the general clinic.
Helene Reilly joined the health center staff January 2023. She received her BSN from Mercy College in New York. She received her MSN-FNP and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from East Carolina University. She is a board certified FNP by AACN. Her experience includes cardiovascular disease, health promotion, and women’s health. She also is a part-time faculty member with the ECU College of Nursing. She sees patients in the general clinic.
Donna Roberson
Donna Roberson joined the health center staff in May 1999. She earned her BSN and MSN from East Carolina University College of Nursing. She also has her PhD in nursing from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. She is a certified FNP by the ANCC. Her interests include Women’s health, HIV and STI prevention. Along with seeing patients in the clinic, she also maintains a joint position with the ECU College of Nursing as a faculty member. She sees patients in the general clinic.
Leslie Sexton joined the health center staff in the Spring of 2024. She earned her BS in Physics from the University of North Carolina Asheville. After a career in materials science, she received her Masters in Physician Assistant Studies at East Carolina University. She is board certified by NCCPA and obtained a certificate of qualification in psychiatry. Her interests include wellness promotion and mental health. She sees patients in the general clinic and in the CAPS clinic.
Sravanthi Utpala joined the health center in 2022. She received her medical degree from India and moved to US to pursue a career in psychiatry. After fellowship training at UNC Chapel Hill, Dr. Utpala came back to ECU as faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and started a dual diagnosis clinic to serve population of eastern NC and to train the future generation to be able to provide latest and evidence-based treatments in the field of addiction. Her goal is to provide compassionate, non-stigmatizing and nonjudgmental care for patients with mental health and substance use disorders. Dr. Utpala is a member of American society of addiction medicine (ASAM) and American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry (AAAP); she is fluent in English and can speak and write Hindi, Urdu and Telugu. Dr. Utpala sees patients in the CAPS clinic.
Hannah Varney joined the health center staff in the fall of 2005. She earned her BS in Exercise Physiology from East Carolina University as well as her MS in Physician Assistant Studies. Her clinical interests include Women’s health, preventative health, and wellness promotion. Ms. Varney sees patients in both Triage and the general clinic.
Dr. LaNika Wright joined the health center staff in July 2004 and is the Associate Vice Chancellor of Health and Well-Being. She earned her BS in Nursing at East Tennessee State University. She later attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned her MSN and was certified as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner through the National Certification Corporation for the Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing Specialties. She received her PhD from East Carolina University in 2014. Her interests include Women’s Health, STI counseling and Health Promotion and Prevention. Dr. Wright sees patients in the general clinic and is also a forensic nurse examiner.