Casey Dutton, BSN, RN, NE-BC – 2026 40 Under Forty Honoree

Name: 

Casey J. Dutton, BSN, RN, NE-BC

Current job & city you reside in: 

Manager of Patient Care Services for the Children’s ED at ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville, NC

Degrees awarded by ECU and years received: 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 2016

What does it mean to you to be selected as a 40 Under Forty honoree? 

Being selected as a 40 Under Forty honoree is deeply meaningful to me, not just as a personal milestone, but as recognition of the people and communities that shaped me. I was born and raised in Eastern North Carolina, and my family’s roots here run deep. ECU represents opportunity, service, and pride in this region. To be recognized by the university that helped form my values and career feels like a full‑circle moment. It affirms my belief that investing your work back into your home community matters and makes a difference.

Looking back, what moment during your time at ECU had the biggest impact on your career path? 

One of the most impactful realizations during my time at ECU came through my clinical experiences in rural parts of Eastern North Carolina. Caring for patients in communities with limited resources and access highlighted how profoundly systems, staffing, and support structures influence outcomes. Those experiences made it clear to me that high‑quality care depends not only on individual clinicians, but on strong, well‑supported teams. Training in a region with significant healthcare disparities also reinforced my commitment to building my career here so I could help strengthen care delivery for children and families across Eastern North Carolina.

Is there a professor or mentor at ECU that still influences you today? 

Frances Eason was one of the College of Nursing faculty members who had the most lasting impact on me. As our final instructor before graduation, she not only ensured we were prepared to pass the NCLEX—something she has successfully done for generations of ECU nursing students—but also helped shape my professional identity at a critical moment. She set the standard for what it means to be a knowledgeable, prepared, and respected nurse, and she gave me a clear picture of the kind of clinician and leader I aspired to become. Her influence continues to guide how I approach nursing practice, lifelong learning, and leadership today.

What accomplishment in your career are you most proud of so far? 

I am most proud of the work I’ve done to support and advocate for safe, high-quality pediatric emergency care in Eastern North Carolina. As a leader in a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center, I’ve had the opportunity to build and support resilient teams, improve processes, and advocate for the resources to prioritize both patient safety and nurse well-being. Knowing that this work directly impacts the care children receive, often on the worst day of their lives, is something I carry with great responsibility and pride.

What does leadership look like to you?

To me, leadership is service, rooted in a genuine responsibility to the people who trust you. It’s shaped by showing up consistently, especially in difficult moments, and understanding that your decisions directly affect both teams and the families they serve. Leadership begins before any titles; it’s built through trust, accountability, and a willingness to listen and learn alongside others. In healthcare, that means advocating for your team, making hard decisions with compassion, and never losing sight of the children and families at the center of the work. I believe the best leaders grow other leaders and leave systems stronger than they found them.

Service and social responsibility are central to the 40 Under Forty recognition. How do you strive to make a positive impact in your community? 

I strive to make a positive impact by investing my time, energy, and leadership back into Eastern North Carolina. This includes supporting ECU nursing students through clinical experiences and mentorship, advocating for pediatric-specific resources and staffing, and actively engaging in professional networks that strengthen nursing leadership in our region. My focus has always been on sustainability—building teams that will continue to serve children and families well, long after any one individual steps away.

What advice would you give current ECU students who want to create meaningful impact in their careers and communities? 

My advice would be to stay rooted in purpose and place. Don’t underestimate the impact you can make by serving your home community, or one like it. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you, seek mentors who challenge you, and remember that leadership starts long before you have a title. Most importantly, stay connected to the people you serve. When your work is grounded in service and relationships, the impact will follow.