October 2024

Hi everyone,


Happy November! Check out the cute pictures from both the NICU and photos of the many people who dressed up for Halloween! (click on the image for a better view).

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I want to congratulate Dr. Cindy Powell on her retirement! She has been with UNC Children’s since 1993, representing over 31 years of service! As a pediatric geneticist, her career has included significant clinical service, leadership roles with the state and university, and research in hearing loss, newborn genetic screenings and rare diseases. She was the lead investigator for Early Check, a research study led by RTI that was designed to identify children early with rare diseases. She also led the Rare Disease Center of Excellence at UNC Children’s that was part of the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). In addition to her efforts in clinic and the research world, she has also been a wonderful mentor and teacher, serving as the Director for our medical genetics residency program for many years. We are going to miss you, Cindy! 

I am excited to share the Children’s CLABSI reduction poster won an award at the Quality Expo! The team received the Carolina Quality award for “the project submission that best exemplifies the Carolina Quality Values.” Below is a screenshot of the poster. Congratulations, Heidi Troxler, Lane Donnelly, Ashley Sutton, Benny Joyner, and others for leading our quality work! (click on the image for a better view)

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NC Children’s Health System planning is continuing to progress! The team is working on site selection and working with the architects to develop a space program. Please see the latest NC Children’s updates here.


A new therapy, teplizumab, to prevent, or delay, Type 1 Diabetes is now available at UNC Children’s! Nina Jain and Ali Calikoglu played a pivotal role, from assisting with clinical trials to the infusion of the first pediatric patient in North Carolina at UNC Children’s.

JAMA released an exciting article published by the investigators who led Greenlight. The article was released to correspond with the presentation at Obesity Week. Congratulations Kori Flower who is a Co-PI on this grant and Sam Schilling who has made major contributions to the work. Very few protocols have demonstrated an office-based intervention that prevents obesity in young children! 

Residency interviews have started for all of our Departments, and fellowship interviews are winding down! Thank you to those who are organizing and/or participating in these interviews. A special shout-out to Lynn West from the pediatrics department who recently retired after serving as the medical student administrative coordinator. She was simply outstanding! We will miss her. Thank you to William Mills for hosting a fun retirement party at his home – check out the great picture!


As always, I am grateful for your commitment to child health!

 

Thankfully,


Please Welcome our New Children's Providers!

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Priscila DaSilva, MD

Assistant Professor

Pediatric Anesthesiology


Dr. Priscila Da Silva (re)joinied UNC Health as a Pediatric Anesthesiologist in October 2024. Dr. DaSilva earned her medical degree from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, followed by a Surgery Internship then Anesthesiology Residency, also at Rutgers. Over the past year, Dr. DaSilva completed a Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellowship, here, at UNC Hospitals.


In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband Kevin, their 17 year old puppy Lola and crazy cat Nibbler – after living apart through most of med school and training. She also enjoys dinner with family, who now live close by, as well as reading and traveling. Congratulations Priscila!


Sydney Stryker, MSN, NNP

Advanced Practice Provider

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Sydney Stryker, NNP, joined the Pediatric Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine on October 3, 2024. Sydney began her nursing career in 2018 in the NICU at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Northern Virginia. With a strong passion for caring for the ELBW population, she was one of the first RNs to help open their Small Baby Unit in 2020. After three years at the bedside, she decided to further her education by enrolling in the University of Virginia’s NNP program and graduated in May 2024. Welcome Sydney!

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Ric Ong, MD, MBA

Assistant Professor

Genetics & Metabolism

Ric Ong, MD, MBA joined the Pediatric Division of Genetics & Metabolism on October 7, 2024. Dr. Ong received his BA from University of Rochester, NY in 1988 and earned his MD from Duke University in 1996. He completed a Residency in Emergency Medicine at Johns Hopkins University in 1999 and a Genetics Fellowship at Duke University in 2020. Dr. Ong was previously board certified in Emergency Medicine and is currently certified in Clinical Genetics. Dr. Ong was a career Army Medical Officer, physician, and clinician until his retirement from service in the summer of 2024. Welcome to UNC, Ric!

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Danielle Wood, DNP, CPNP-AC

Advanced Practice Provider

Critical Care Medicine

Danielle Wood, DNP, joined the Pediatric Division of Critical Care Medicine on October 14, 2024. Danielle received her BSN from OSF Saint Francis College of Nursing, Peoria, IL in 2013 and earned her DNP in Pediatric Acute Care from Rush University, Chicago, IL, in April 2019. Most recently, Danielle has been working as a Pediatric Intensive Care and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care APP at Levine Children’s Hospital and Duke University Hospital. Welcome Danielle!

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Kasey Zawodniak, RN, CPNP-AC

Advanced Practice Provider

Critical Care Medicine

Kasey Zawodniak, CPNP joined the Pediatric Division of Critical Care Medicine on October 14, 2024. Kasey received her BSN from St. Louis University in 1997 and earned her MSN from the University of Pennsylvania in August 2004. Over the last 20 years, Kasey has been working as an Advanced Practice Provider at a variety of hospitals including, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO, Children’s Health in Dallas, TX, Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, and most recently, at Duke University Hospital. Welcome Kasaey!

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Jennifer Talbot, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, CPN

Advanced Practice Provider

Critical Care Medicine

Jennifer Talbot, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, CPN, joined the Pediatric Division of Critical Care Medicine on October 14, 2024. Jennifer received her BSN from University of Maryland in 2008 and earned her MSN as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care in May 2015. Subsequently, Jennifer completed a post-master’s certification in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care at the UNC School of Nursing. Since 2018, Jennifer has been working as a bedside Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UNC Children’s Hospital. Congratulation Jennifer!

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UNC Children’s named to U.S. News’ Best Children’s Hospitals list for 16th straight year

UNC Children’s in Chapel Hill has been ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” report released today. UNC Children’s was ranked as the #2 children’s hospital in North Carolina and nationally ranked in nine pediatric specialties.

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Children’s CLABSI Reduction Wins 2024 Carolina Quality Award

We are thrilled to announce that the Children’s CLABSI Reduction team won an award at the Quality Expo, October 24, 2024. The poster received the Carolina Quality award for “The project submission that best exemplifies the Carolina Quality Values.” The Initiative to reduce CLABSI across UNC Children’s resulted in a 54% decrease in CLABSI in FY24 compared to FY23 – a reduction in 20 CLABSIs.

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National Cancer Institute Touts UNC Lineberger AYA Program

A program at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center has had success at increasing the number of adolescents and young adults with cancer who get recommended care. A new study has shown that a program in place for a decade at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center substantially increased its assistance to AYAs with cancer being treated at the center.

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Kotlyarevska Finalist for Greater Wilmington Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes Award

We are excited to report that Dr. Kateryna Kotlyarevska, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Director, Pediatric Endocrinology, with UNC Health Children’s - Wilmington, is one of three finalists in the Physician category of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal Health Care Heroes awards program.

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UNC Children's Urgent Care Voted Silver Medalist in 2024 Raleigh's Best

Raleigh's Best, a publication of the News & Observer, recently published the 2024 edition of the Best of Raleigh. This magazine is an opportunity to highlight, celebrate, and discover well-loved and exceptional businesses throughout the community. We are thrilled to share that UNC Children's Urgent Care at Raleigh was voted the #2 Urgent Care/Walk-In Clinic in the greater Raleigh area and the only pediatric urgent care to be ranked.

"Our readers and residents are proud of the communities they live in and know the area best. That is why The News & Observer set out to deliver a “best of” program to help the community and support Raleigh area businesses.
Raleigh’s Best has been a great extension of these goals, and we are proud of the voter turnout and engagement from local businesses. Raleigh’s Best had over 4,200 businesses, organizations, and individuals competing to be named in the top three spots of 232 categories."

Congratulations to the UNC Children’s Urgent Care team for all their hard work and service the children and families in our community!

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A New Therapy to Prevent or Delay Type 1 Diabetes Now Available at UNC Children's Hospital

Nina Jain, MD, MBA, professor of pediatric endocrinology, and Ali Calikoglu, MD, retired professor of pediatrics, both at the UNC School of Medicine, played a pivotal role in getting this therapy to the bedside, from assisting with clinical trials to the infusion of the first pediatric patient in North Carolina at UNC Children's.


At this time, UNC Children’s is the only site in the state of North Carolina that is offering this innovative care to pediatric patients.



“The cutting-edge scientists and clinicians at UNC Children’s began participating in clinical trials testing of teplizumab in 2019,” said Stephanie Davis, MD, the Edward C. Curnen, Jr. Distinguished Professor and Chair at the UNC Department of Pediatrics. “This new approach to prevent or delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes has been a great example of the importance of scientific research in creating new treatments to improve health. As the first treatment center in the state, UNC Children’s is leading the way to provide this for the children of North Carolina.”

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Orgel Elected to Leadership Role in SPR


Kelly Orgel, MD, PhD, Carolina Child Health Scholar, & Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellow was elected Chair of the SPR Junior Section, now titled “SPR Emerging to Established Committee.” Congratulations Dr. Orgel!

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Hoekstra Selected for SPR Program


Nadia Hoekstra, MD, Carolina Child Health Scholar, and Pediatric Pulmonology Fellow was selected for the APS SPR Journeys & Frontiers in Pediatric Research Program! Congrats Dr. Hoekstra!!

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Kimberly Fernandez Named Davis Pediatric Student Scholar

Kimberly Fernandez, 4th year UNC Medical Student, has been named the 2024 William Hersey Davis Jr., MD Pediatric Student Scholar.



Kimberly stood to the selection committee for her ability to build rapport with patients and her compassion for and commitment to underserved communities.  What impressed her preceptors most was “her ability to handle medical complexity while also earning the trust of patients from all communities and backgrounds during the most acutely stressful times of their lives.”


The medical student named the William Hersey Davis, Jr., MD Pediatric Student Scholar demonstrates a scholarly approach to pediatric medicine; an exemplary sensitivity, concern and care for children of all backgrounds; a special talent for putting patients and parents at ease; a willingness to both listen and provide clear explanations; a recognizable ability to gain the trust of patients, families, and other medical providers; high moral standards and ethical values; and a passion for enhancing the well-being of children everywhere.


Congratulations Kimberly!

Darville Earns PIDS 2024 Distinguished Research Award

Toni Darville, MD, Denny Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Microbiology and Immunology, was recently awarded the 2024 Distinguished Research Award by the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS). Dr. Darville is a renowned clinician and investigator whose research focuses on the prevention of Chlamydia trachomatis. The research award recognizes the outstanding investigative efforts of a Society member who, throughout their career, has made outstanding contributions with significant impact on the field of pediatric infectious diseases. The award was presented during this year’s IDWeek (October 16-19) in Los Angeles, CA.


Congratulations Toni!

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Levenson Promoted to Professor of Pediatrics

Amy Levenson, MD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective October 1, 2024. Dr. Levenson has been a faculty member in Pediatric Endocrinology since 2016.

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Shea Promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Ryan Shea, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective November 1, 2024. Dr. Shea has been a faculty member in Pediatric Cardiology since 2016. Congratulations!

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Faculty Elected to American Pediatric Society


The American Pediatric Society (APS) council members have formally elected three of our faculty to Active membership with the society:

Active member nominations are accepted for individuals who have distinguished themselves as child health leaders, teachers, scholars, policymakers, and/or clinicians and whose important contributions are recognized nationally and/or internationally, as determined by the Council, and who have well-established credentials as teachers, scholars, policymakers, and/or clinicians and whose contributions have advanced child health. Congratulations!

Schilling and Rebuli Awarded

Jefferson-Pilot Fellowships

We are thrilled to announce that recipients of the 2024-25 Jefferson-Pilot Fellowships are both faculty in the Department of Pediatrics! Dr. Samantha Schilling, Associate Professor Pediatrics, in General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine and Dr. Meghan Rebuli, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, in Allergy/Immunology.


Schilling and Rebuli provided talks about their research programs on October 21st as part of UNC Research Week.


Congratulations!

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Pediatrics Faculty Selected for Passing the Torch in 2024


We are excited to announce that three of our faculty have been selected for the 2024-2025 Passing the Torch cohort!

This is the the 13th iteration of the Passing the Torch: Fostering Medical Humanism through Faculty Role Models program. Passing the Torch is a faculty development program uniquely suited to junior Clinician Educator faculty to develop further patient care and teaching skills with a person-centered model. Supported by the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, the Passing the Torch program strives to equip faculty with a variety of humanistic skills through experiential learning methods. As one of twelve participating program sites, the UNC School of Medicine is part of a larger cohort of medical institutions working toward helping faculty become better role models. Congratulations everyone!

Lupa Elected to SPA Board


Dr, Concetta Lupa, Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics and Anesthesiology Vice Chair of Professional Affairs was named to the Board of Directors for the Society for Pediatric Anesthesiology (SPA).


The mission of the SPA is to advance the health and well-being of children through perioperative care, education, research, advocacy, and collaboration among members, patients, families, and professional organizations worldwide.


Congratulations!

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Levenson Selected for Leadership Program


Dr. Amy Levenson, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, was accepted to attend the AAMC 2024 Mid-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar, taking place from 12/3 to 12/5 in New Mexico.


The seminar covers organizational leadership topics and career advancing strategies that are essential for effective leaders throughout various mission-critical activities.


Congratulations!

Frazer and Vogt Elected to SPR


Congratulations to Lauren Frazer, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and Matthew Vogt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases, on their election to membership in the Society of Pediatric Research (SPR). The Society for Pediatric Research encourages and supports pediatric research endeavors by creating a multi-disciplinary network of diverse researchers to improve child health. Collaboration among SPR members creates meaningful progress for the future of children’s health. Active Members are independent researchers conducting hypothesis-driven research in a field related to pediatrics that have been nominated and seconded by SPR members and approved by SPR Council.

Congratulations Lauren and Matt!

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Bobo Receives ASGCT Career Development Award

Tierra Bobo, PhD, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Genetics and Metabolism and a researcher with the Gene Therapy Center, recently received an award by the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT). Her proposal for Viral Vector Development in the amount of $100,000 was accepted as a Career Development Award.


The American Society of Gene & Cell Therapy is the primary professional membership organization for gene and cell therapy. The Society’s members are scientists, physicians, patient advocates, and other professionals. Our members work in a wide range of settings including universities, hospitals, government agencies, foundations, and biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.


This is a exciting first step in the development of Dr. Bobo’s goals for an independent laboratory. Congratulations on this recognition of such hard work!


Drs. Yazan Alwarawrah and Nancie MacIver – Endocrinology – published: Type I interferon signaling and peroxisomal dysfunction contribute to enhanced inflammatory cytokine production in Irgm1-deficient macrophages. Fee BE, Fee LR, Menechella M, Affeldt B, Sprouse AR, Bounini A, Alwarawrah Y, Molloy CT, Ilkayeva OR, Prinz JA, Lenz DS, MacIver NJ, Rai P, Fessler MB, Coers J, Taylor GA. J Biol Chem. 2024 Oct 10:107883. doi: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107883. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39395806. 

 

Drs Alex Despotes and Stephanie Davis –Pulmonology – published: Added complexity to genotype-phenotype relationships in primary ciliary dyskinesia: TAS2R38 as a gene modifier.

Despotes KA, Davis SD. Thorax. 2024 Oct 16: thorax-2024-222333. doi: 10.1136/thorax-2024-222333. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39414358. 

 

Dr. Andrea Espaillat - Carolina Child Health Scholar, Drs. Ceila Loughlin and Nicole Stephenson – Pulmonology - published: Pediatric pulmonology 2023 year in review: Asthma. Espaillat A, Loughlin CE, Stephenson N. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2024 Oct 16. doi: 10.1002/ppul.27321. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39412413. 

 

Dr. Lauren Herlihy – Allergy/Immunology – presented “Early Peanut Introduction in Infants to Prevent Peanut Allergy” at the UNC Institute for Healthcare Quality Improvement (IHQI) Scholars and Fellows Symposium.

 

Dr. Michelle Hernandez – Allergy/Immunology – published: Atopic dermatitis, food allergy, anaphylaxis, other atopic conditions. Hernandez ML, Bianchi PG, Lockey R, Patil SU. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2024 Oct 19: S0091-6749(24)01068-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.10.011. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39433161.

 

Drs. Corinne Keet and Edwin Kim – Allergy Immunology – published: Omalizumab Implementation in Practice: Lessons Learned from the OUtMATCH Study. Vickery BP, Bird JA, Chinthrajah RS, Jones SM, Keet CA, Kim EH, Leung DYM, Shreffler WG, Sicherer SH, Sinder S, Spergel J, Wood RA.J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2024 Sep 16: S2213-2198(24)00934-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.08.056. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39293782.

 

Dr. Edwin Kim – Allergy/Immunology – published: Community and academic allergists' perspectives on integrating biologics into food allergy care: A qualitative study. Fisher JA, Erol M, Kim EH. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2024 Oct 9: S1081-1206(24)01556-4. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2024.09.020. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39383938.

Also, Dr. Kim presented:

 

Dr. Amy Levenson – Endocrinology – published: Measuring Up: Do Pediatric Endocrinology Fellows' Career Expectations Align with Workforce Reality? Nahata L, Srinivasan S, Roche CI, Leavens KF, Kim MS, Levenson A, Topor LS, Singer K, McCormack S.J Pediatr. 2024 Sep 19:114321. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114321. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39304117. 

 

Dr. Mike O’Shea – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine – published: The impact of COVID-19 school disruptions on children's learning. Blackwell CK, Mansolf M, Deoni SCL, Ganiban JM, Leve LD, Margolis AE, McGrath M, Nozadi SS, O'Shea TM, Sherlock P, Zhao Q, LeWinn KZ. Front Educ (Lausanne). 2024; 9:1295910. doi: 10.3389/feduc.2024.1295910. Epub 2024 Mar 27. PMID: 39380930 

 

Drs. David Peden – Allergy/Immunology – was a guest on The People’s Pharmacy, a nationally broadcast NPR program, discussing seasonal allergies. Check out the episodeShow 1403: Managing Year-Round Allergies with Medicines and Herbs.

 

Drs. Mayuran Ravindran, Edwin Kim, and Wesley Burks – Allergy/Immunology – published: Epicutaneous immunotherapy for the treatment of peanut allergy. Ravindran M, Sampson HA, Kim EH, Bee KJ, Green TD, Burks AW. Allergy. 2024 Sep 28. doi: 10.1111/all.16324. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39340442.

 

Dr. Keia Sanderson - Pediatric Nephrology and Dr. Mike O’Shea – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine – published: The intergenerational metabolic-cardiovascular life course: maternal body mass index (BMI), offspring BMI, and blood pressure of adolescents born extremely preterm. Sanderson K, Oran A, Singh R, Gogcu S, Perrin EM, Washburn L, Zhabotynsky V, South AM, Jensen ET, Fry RC, O'Shea TM. Pediatr Nephrol. 2024 Sep 24. doi: 10.1007/s00467-024-06523-1. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39316152

 

Dr. Peyton Thompson – Infections Diseases – received an award through the Burroughs Wellcome Fund/ASTMH Postdoctoral Fellowship in Tropical Infectious Diseases. The award is designed to stimulate or sustain interest in research in tropical infectious diseases, this unique fellowship provides funding for physician-scientists to conduct research focused on infectious diseases of low and low-middle income countries. 

 

Dr. Matthew Vogt – Infectious Diseases and lab members Garima Singh and Katie McFadden published: A self-amplifying RNA vaccine prevents enterovirus D68 infection and disease in preclinical models. Warner NL, Archer J, Park S, Singh G, McFadden KM, Kimura T, Nicholes K, Simpson A, Kaelber JT, Hawman DW, Feldmann H, Khandhar AP, Berglund P, Vogt MR, Erasmus JH. Sci Transl Med. 2024 Aug 7;16(759):eadi1625. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adi1625. Epub 2024 Aug 7. PMID: 39110777.

 Additionally, the human monoclonal antibodies, initially isolated by Dr. Vogt while in fellowship, have recently entered into clinical trials

 

The Hometown Hero Response to Hurricane Helene

After Hurricane Helene devastated areas of Western North Carolina, Alyssa Tilly, MD, assistant professor of medicine and pediatrics in the UNC Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, helped coordinate a field hospital to provide medical care to some of the most impacted and vulnerable residents.

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left to right: Aliese Sarkissian, Caitlan Pinotti, Jessi Stark, Laura Cannon, Yike Jiang (Duke), Lauren Covert (Duke), Dahima Cintron (Duke)


2024 Walk to End Lupus Now


Duke and UNC Pediatric Rheumatology participated in the 2024 Walk to End Lupus Now on October 19, 2024 at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary. Thanks to everyone who came out!


Walk to End Lupus Now ™ events provide all people affected by Lupus and their families the opportunity to come together for one unified purpose — to end Lupus. It was a great day to enjoy the weather, friends, and an empowering day of hope, support and passion with activities for the whole family to enjoy.

We are happy to announce the newest adorable additions to the Pediatrics family!

Welcome Little Ones!

Grace Fulton

Social/Clinical Research Specialist

Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

Nominators: Drs. Melissa Bauserman & Jackie Patterson


We would like to nominate Grace Fulton for the Unsung Hero Award. Grace has been an invaluable member of our research team. She is always ready to help with projects and her work is top-notch. We credit her creativity, organization and keen eye for details as an essential component for our successful grant applications. Her help with manuscripts and IRBs keep our research projects running smoothly and our work is quickly disseminated. She is an essential part of our team and we are so pleased to work with her. 

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