Martin and Melissa Anderson, longtime supporters of the ECU Health Foundation, are making a difference in the lives of others through their commitment and passion for philanthropy and service. Through the years, the Andersons have supported the efforts of James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at ECU Health Medical Center and the College of Nursing at East Carolina University. Most recently, Martin and Melissa established a $250,000 endowment to benefit pediatric cardiology patients and clinicians at Maynard Children’s Hospital.
The Anna-Gray Anderson and Family Pediatric Cardiology Endowment, named in honor of their daughter, Anna-Gray, will provide programmatic and capital support with funding priority given to support Camp WholeHeart, a weekend camp designed for children living with congenital heart defects. Anna-Gray herself was once a pediatric cardiology patient at Maynard Children’s Hospital and, today, is a healthy 27-year-old living in Colorado.
Filled with gratitude for the lifesaving care and compassion their family received more than two decades ago, the Andersons created this endowment as a way to give back and ensure other children and families across eastern North Carolina receive the same specialized care and support that meant so much to them. Their gift reflects not only their appreciation, but also their deep commitment to advancing pediatric health care in the region they proudly call home.
As a Jersey Mike’s franchise owner, Martin has also demonstrated his commitment to giving back through the company’s annual Day of Giving campaign, held each year on the last Wednesday in March, during which 100% of sales are donated to local charities. Wanting to honor the exceptional care his daughter received at James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital, Martin designated the hospital as the beneficiary for all of his franchise locations in North Carolina. What began as a deeply personal commitment has since resulted in more than $1 million raised to support sick and injured children across eastern North Carolina.
The Andersons’ spirit of generosity and service is deeply rooted in the example set by their parents, who devoted decades to caring for and strengthening eastern North Carolina communities. Melissa’s father, the late Dr. William Monroe, lived a life defined by compassion, service and dedication to others. He began his medical career serving as the only physician for his battalion during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Bronze Star for Merit and the Combat Medical Badge for his service and sacrifice.
Following his military service, Dr. Monroe established his ophthalmology practice at Greenville Eye Clinic in 1969, where he faithfully cared for patients for nearly 40 years. Guided by a lifelong commitment to serving others, he also volunteered as the eye doctor for ECU Athletics for almost 35 years. In honor of his enduring legacy, the Anderson family, including her sister, Christina Teague, established the $25,000 Dr. William Monroe Medic to Nurse Endowment, supporting ECU’s College of Nursing medic-to-nurse pathway, helping future nurses continue a tradition of compassionate care. As a Pirate™ Nurse herself who worked at ECU Health Medical Center’s Pediatric ICU for 27 years, Melissa treasures the opportunity to help future nurses establish the same commitment to care demonstrated by her father.
The Andersons’ commitment to philanthropy has also been inspired by their mothers, both proud East Carolina University alumnae who shared a deep love for their community and a belief in the power of education and service. To honor their mothers’ legacies and invest in the future of eastern North Carolina, Martin and Melissa established the Blanche Kammer Monroe & Frankie Martin Carstarphen Anderson Endowment for faculty support at East Carolina University. Through this $25,000 endowment, they hope to strengthen opportunities for future generations in the College of Nursing by supporting teaching stipends, research and student assistance, in gratitude for the region and institutions that have played such an important role in their family’s story.
Not only does Melissa give back through philanthropic support, but she also invests her time and expertise through service. She currently serves on the American Heart Association of Greenville Heart Ball executive leadership team, the ECU Health Patient and Family Advisory Council and the College of Nursing DAAB (Dean’s Advisory and Advancement Board), which advances the dean’s strategic vision for nursing education in eastern North Carolina.
For more than 57 years, the Anderson family’s connection to ECU and ECU Health has remained a constant thread in their lives, shaped by care received, relationships built and a deep sense of belonging to the community. That enduring connection continues to inspire their commitment to giving back. As Melissa and Martin reflect, “we are just so grateful to be able to give back to the hospital and university that have given so much to our family.”