Onslow Memo­r­i­al Hos­pi­tal Names Crys­tal Bryan as New Chief Nurs­ing Officer

Onslow Memorial Hospital (OMH) is pleased to announce the addition of Crystal Bryan, MSN, RN as the new Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). Mrs. Bryan has been a leader within the organization for many years, successfully leading multiple teams and departments and championing several patient-focused and quality-focused programs. As CNO, Mrs. Bryan will set direction for the hospital’s nursing department, enhance teammate engagement, and promote improvements in patient care.

Mrs. Bryan has spent the majority of her healthcare career at Onslow Memorial Hospital, serving residents of Onslow County and the surrounding areas. She began her nursing career at Coastal Carolina Community College, completing the majority of her clinical rotations at OMH. She later earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and currently holds a Master of Science in Nursing, both with a concentration in Leadership and Administration. She went on to hold multiple leadership roles throughout the nursing division, including Director of the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU), Interim Director of Maternal Child Services- Labor and Delivery, and Director of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Cardiac Cath Lab, and Cardiac Telemetry.

“We are thrilled to welcome Crystal Bryan as our new Chief Nursing Officer,” said Dr. Penney Burlingame Deal, RN, FACHE. “As a proud member of our community and someone who has dedicated her nursing career to Onslow Memorial, she brings not only exceptional leadership and clinical expertise, but also a deep understanding of the values and needs of the people we serve. Her commitment to compassionate, high-quality care makes her the perfect choice to lead nursing services at OMH.”

Mrs. Bryan has demonstrated exceptional leadership and innovation in advancing patient care and operational excellence. Her initiatives include achieving primary stroke certification through The Joint Commission, expanding Intermediate Care Unit capacity, and supporting recent Emergency Department patient flow and experience improvements. She has championed safety and efficiency through programs such as the hospital-wide Patient Safety Companion initiative, predictive analytics for high-risk readmissions, and zero catheter-associated urinary tract infections in the ICU. Recognized across the UNC Health System for her expertise and compassionate approach, Crystal has represented the organization in multiple quality and care continuity workgroups and earned honors, including a “Healthcare Hero – Kindness is Contagious” nomination and international speaking engagements. Her commitment to improving patient experience and clinical outcomes continues to set a high standard for nursing leadership.

“It is an incredible honor to serve as Chief Nursing Officer at Onslow Memorial Hospital,” said Crystal Bryan. “The community and this hospital have shaped my nursing career, and I am committed to supporting our teams as we continue to deliver safe, compassionate, and innovative care. Together, we’ll continue to elevate the patient experience and set new standards for clinical excellence.”