Calypso native inducted into ECU Nursing Hall of Fame
By From staff reports
Published in News on April 1, 2018 3:05 AM
Deborah Kornegay
Deborah Kornegay of Calypso has been inducted into the East Carolina University College of Nursing Hall of Fame.
The prestigious program honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of nursing through clinical practice, teaching, administration and research.
Kornegay is a 1967 honor graduate of Southern Wayne High School, Dudley.
She received her bachelor of science degree in nursing in 1971 and her master of science degree in nursing in 1981 from ECU.
Kornegay is also a graduate of the first nurse practitioner class at ECU in 1976.
She is still a registered nurse.
Kornegay worked in the neurosurgical ICU at Pitt Memorial Hospital and as a public health nurse with the Wayne County Health Department.
She was a family nurse practitioner at Mount Olive Family Medicine Center and family nurse practitioner and director of health services at Mount Olive College.
Kornegay is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International honor society of nursing.
Kornegay is a past member of the Tar Heel Fine Arts Society.
She taught the first EMT course to the Faison Rescue Squad and is a previous EMT and medical auxiliary member of the Mount Olive Rescue Squad.
She is a past member of the advisory committees for North Duplin Schools and a past member of the board of Carolina East Home Care and Hospice and the ECU Parents Council.
Kornegay is serving her fifth term as an elder at Calypso Presbyterian Church and is currently clerk of session. She is also in the choir.
She is an environmental activist primarily in Duplin and Sampson counties and has served as co-chairman of Citizens for a safe Environment since its inception in 2000.
Kornegay is serving her second term on the Duplin County Planning Board and is a board member for the Duplin General Hospital -- the foundation for Vidant Duplin.
She is a member of the Friends of Joyner Library and ECU Theatre.
She is married to Dr. Hervy B. Kornegay Sr., co-founder of Mount Olive Family Medicine Center.
They have four sons, Dr. Chad Kornegay, medical and pediatric hospitalist at Vidant Duplin; Dr. Todd Kornegay, internist with New Hanover Medical Group; Dr. Jon Kornegay, medical and pediatric hospitalist at Vidant Duplin; and Paul Kornegay, who is on the math faculty at ECU.
All four sons, and daughters-in-law, are ECU graduates and three sons are graduates of the Brody School of Medicine at ECU.
She has three stepchildren and eight stepgrandchilden.
Kornegay is the daughter of Hazel Waters Kornegay and the late Adolph Kornegay.