University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina officially became Vidant Health Wednesday.
The name change, which has been hotly debated by the public, took effect with new signs going up at the many hospitals and facilities in the East under the Vidant umbrella.
Pitt County Memorial Hospital is now Vidant Medical Center.
Vidant Health Chief of Operations, Dave McRae says, "The name is important, it's symbolic, regardless of the name, it's about the people, that built this hospital and system, the system of care for the whole region."
Vidant Medical Center President Steve Lawler says, "We've moved from being a county hospital to a world class medical center that first and foremost cares for our county and the people in Pitt county, but also has a responsibility to the eastern third of NC too."
