CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (October 20, 2025) – The Carteret County Health Department has been recognized as the 2025 Dr. Sarah Taylor Morrow Health Department of the Year by the North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA). This award is presented annually to one small and one large county health department for outstanding programs, leadership, and measurable impact on community health.
“We are so fortunate to have exceptional employees at the Carteret County Health Department. Their focus is to provide the best service and care to our clients and to our community. Their hard work and dedication are so appreciated,” said Public Health Director, Nina Oliver.
The department provides a wide range of services that protect and improve the health of Carteret County residents, from maternal and child health programs to environmental health, communicable disease control, and community education. While all of these services contribute to the department’s success, the application process required highlighting one program. Carteret County chose to showcase the Post Overdose Response Team (PORT), which has quickly become a model across the state.
PORT launched in August 2023 to provide immediate, trauma-informed support to overdose survivors. The team is staffed by a full-time manager and five certified peer support specialists whose lived experience enables them to connect with clients in ways traditional clinical care sometimes cannot. PORT receives real-time alerts from the county’s 911 system and responds alongside emergency medical services and law enforcement. Team members meet survivors at the scene or in the hospital, then follow up within hours to offer continued assistance and connections to treatment and recovery services.
Carteret County’s overdose death rate fell from 41.7 to 12.9 per 100,000 residents, a 69 percent decline over two years, highlighting the significant impact of the county’s efforts. Emergency room overdose visits have been cut in half. The number of clients entering treatment nearly tripled in 2024 compared with the prior year. Follow-up contacts increased from 343 to more than 1,150, and more than 80 percent of identified clients have engaged with PORT services.
“Carteret County is proud of the health department and everything they do to keep our community healthy,” said County Manager Sharon Griffin. “Whether it’s the everyday services families rely on or innovative programs like PORT, their team shows how public health can make a real difference in people’s lives.”
This recognition highlights the collective work of the Carteret County Health Department and affirms its role as a leader in public health innovation. Building on this success, the department will continue expanding programs that protect health, prevent disease, and improve quality of life for all residents.
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