Dear friends,
Happy 2025! I hope everyone had time to relax and enjoy time with family and friends over the holidays. Check out the cute holiday pictures from our NICU babies!
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NC Children’s planning continues to progress! The team is working on site selection and master planning. Thank you to those who are participating in the user group activities as we plan space needs for the campus. Please see the latest NC Children’s updates here.
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The Children’s Service Line is launching. A search committee, led by Dr. Jim Sanders, has started the search for the Physician and Administrator leads for the service line. More details will be forthcoming. This system service line will be important to align children’s specialties and prepare us for the free-standing hospital and campus. | |
Residents in Pediatrics and other specialties in children’s care matched into great fellowships for next year! Please see the fellowship match results for both our residents and our fellowship programs. Congratulations to all! | |
Incoming Pediatric Fellows:
- Hunter Smith – Allergy & Immunology
- Collette Tilly – Allergy & Immunology
- Evan Meiman – Pediatric Critical Care
- Alison Woods – Pediatric Critical Care
- Katie Downes – Pediatric Endocrinology
- Raven Beck – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Eliza Briscoe – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Ryanne Corder Buckley – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Karen Hawks – Pediatric Hospital Medicine
- Paige Lester – Pediatric Hospital Medicine
- Steven Papas - Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology
- Logan Webb – Nephrology
- Alicia Grant – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
- Shannon Isennock – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
- Kaitlin Tillman – Pediatric Pulmonology
- Noman Khan – Pediatric Radiology
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Where Residents Matched:
- Emily Anderson - Vanderbilt Univ Med Ctr Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Alex Card - Cincinnati Children's Hosp Med Ctr Pediatric Hospital Medicine
- Kayla Corbett - University of Virginia Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
- Maureen Farrell - University of Utah Health Pediatric Cardiology
- Jake Faultersack - Children's Hosp-Philadelphia Pediatric Cardiology
- Caitlin Green - Thomas Jefferson Univ/Nemours Children's Health Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
- Sara Hunt - Medical University of South Carolina Pediatric Cardiology
- Rohit Jaswaney - Stanford Health Care Pediatric Hospital Medicine
- Alexia Kessler - Mayo Clinic School of Grad Med Educ Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Jake Kluver - University of Utah Health Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Rim Mehari - Baylor Coll Med-Houston Pediatric Endocrinology
- Kathleen O'Hara - EVMS Old Dominion University Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Carrie Shropshire - Northwestern McGaw/Lurie Children's Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
- Emma Bick - UNC Hospitals Pulmonology/Critical Care (Adult)
- Ryanne Corder - UNC Children's Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
- Michaela Squire - Pediatric Epilepsy fellowship in University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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Please congratulate Dr. Keisha Gibson who has been named Senior Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for the Department of Pediatrics. In this role, she will oversee all inpatient and outpatient clinical care within the Department. Additionally, she will be the medical leader for UNC Children’s partnering with leaders from surgery and other specialties. Dr. Benny Joyner recently served in this role but has now officially started as the Chair of Pediatrics at the University of Buffalo!
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In addition, please congratulate Dr. Sara Pittenger who has been named as the inaugural Vice Chair of Clinical Integration within the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Pittenger will help lead the alignment and integration of clinical services that cross the sixteen academic departments that are home to children’s specialists. These tangible efforts to broaden multidisciplinary care and improve integration will help to set the foundation for the success of the Children’s Service Line and, eventually the North Carolina Children’s Health System.
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| | Finally, please congratulate Dr. Ilona Jaspers who recently accepted a position as a Senior Investigator at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, and Chief of the NIH-wide Center for Climate Change and Health Research. She has led the Center for Environmental Medicine, Asthma, and Lung Biology (CEMALB) as part of the Allergy and Immunology division since 2020. Ilona directed the Curriculum of Toxicology & Environmental Medicine program, and led the Respiratory Health section at the UNC Center for Environmental Health and Susceptibility. She is a past recipient of the Department of Pediatrics' Mentoring Award, the Society of Toxicology's Educator Award, and the UNC Jeffrey Houpt Innovator Award. Her research interests have focused on understanding mechanisms and modifiers of pollutant-induced respiratory health effects. Her research program has contributed greatly to our understanding of how the use of e-cigarettes and vaping devices can impact respiratory health. Congratulations, Ilona!
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As I reflect on 2024, I am grateful for the exceptional faculty and staff who serve children and families at UNC. When I came in 2018 as chair, a dream was to build a free-standing campus that will serve the state and the region. Thanks to the incredible hard work of system leadership, faculty, and staff, this dream is becoming a reality. Together, we are transforming care and inspiring hope for children!
With sincere gratitude,
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Welcome Our Newest Clinical Providers! | |
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Candice Ryan-Supples, FNP
Advanced Practice Provider
General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
We are thrilled to welcome Candice Ryan-Supples, FNP to the division in her new role on the Youth Behavioral Health medical team. She brings a wealth of skills and experience in primary care and emergency care. Welcome Candice!
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Frank Kern, MD
Professor
Pediatric Anesthesiology
Dr. Kern recently joined UNC as a Pediatric Anesthesiologist. Dr. Kern earned his medical degree from University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Pediatrics Residency at Baylor and an Anesthesia Residency at the University of Pennsylvania. He completed a Pediatric Anesthesia & Critical Care Fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Welcome Frank!
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Campbell Named Director of the UNC Beacon Child Maltreatment Team
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Andrew Campbell, a Hospitalist and Assistant Professor of Medicine, has been named the Medical Director of the Beacon Child Maltreatment Team at UNC. In this capacity, he oversees clinical services for the inpatient and outpatient teams. We welcome Dr. Campbell into this role and thank him for his many ongoing contributions to leading and improving our child maltreatment services.
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Dr. Rachel Levy - Fellow
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Rachel was selected as the Vice Chair for the Advocacy section of the AAP Trainees and Early Career Neonatologists. TECaN advocates for patients, families and neonatologists through advocacy campaigns and collaboration with policy makers.
Well Done!
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Dr. Emily Cox - Fellow
Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
Emily was selected as an American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)/Vermont Oxford Network Scholar, which recognizes future leaders in neonatology who exemplify dedication to data-driven quality improvement in the care of infants and families. Congratulations!
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Dr. Maureen Farrell - Resident
Physician Scientist Training Program
We are happy to report that Maureen has matched at the University of Utah to continue her training as a Pediatric Cardiology fellow.Congratulations!
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Hochhalter & Murugan- Fellows
Gastroenterology
We are happy to share that Drs. Christian Hochhalter and Anushree Murugan both recently passed their General Pediatrics Board exams. Excellent News!
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Moran Elected AAAAI Committee Chair
Dr. Tim Moran, Associate Professor of Pediatrics in Allergy/Immunology, was elected Secretary of the Mechanisms of Asthma and Allergic Inflammation (MAAI) Interest Section of the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, effective March 3, 2025.
Interest section committees are associated with the seven interest sections of the AAAAI. The purpose of the Mechanisms of Asthma & Allergic Inflammation Interest Section is to advance the cellular, molecular, genetic and biological processes that are involved in the pathogenesis of allergy, inflammation and asthma.
Congratulations!
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Leong Promoted to
Associate Professor
| Elisabeth Leong, DO, MSCR was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective December 1, 2024. Dr. Leong has been a faculty member in Pediatric Cardiology since 2014. Congratulations! | | | |
Boyd Promoted to
Professor
| Jenny Boyd, MD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Boyd has been a faculty member in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine since 2009. Congratulations! | | | |
Walker Promoted to Associate Professor | Tracie Walker, MD, MPH was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Walker has been a faculty member in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine since 2019. Congratulations! | | | |
Zargham Promoted to Associate Professor | Shiva Zargham, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective January 1, 2025. Dr. Zargham has been a faculty member in Pediatric Emergency Medicine since 2019. Congratulations! | | | |
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Each month, we share summaries of recent Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network (RDCRN) grant-funded publications. Catch up on the latest RDCRN research collaboration between Duke and UNC Pediatric Pulmonology. | | | |
Dr. Bianca Allison – General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine – published:
Evaluation of a Pregnancy Options Counseling Curriculum for Pediatric Residents. Kirkpatrick L, Bell LA, Borcky T, Boutros-Khoury H, Hooven-Davis J, Rankine J, Robbins C, Syed T, Szoko N, Allison BA.J Adolesc Health. 2024 Dec 14:S1054-139X(24)00555-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.11.003. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39674945.
Contraception Choice Beyond Efficacy. Wilkinson TA, Hoopes AJ, Allison BA.JAMA Pediatr. 2024 Nov 25. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.4997. Online ahead of print.PMID: 39585708.
Dr. Sahal Thahir – Infectious Diseases & Carolina Child Health Scholars PSTP Program, and Dr. Peyton Thompson, Infectious Diseases – published: Promoting Antiviral Access and Adherence in the Expansion of Hepatitis B Prevention Programs: Insights From the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thahir S, Morgan CE, Ngimbi P, Kashamuka MM, Ntambua S, Matondo J, Tabala M, Mbendi C, Kaba D, Yotebieng M, Parr JB, Banek K, Thompson P.J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2024 Nov 21;13 (Supplement_5):S148-S152. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piae081.PMID: 39570895.
Dr. Christian Hochhalter - Gastroenterology & Carolina Child Health Scholars PSTP Program and Sabina Mir, Gastroenterology - published: A 13-year-old with dual pancreatic rests.
Hochhalter C, Edelson C, Mir S. JPGN Rep. 2024; 1-2.
Dr. Melissa Bauserman – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine – published:
Intrapartum and postpartum antibiotic use in seven low- and middle-income countries: Findings from the A-PLUS trial. Saleem S, Yasmin H, Moore JL, Rahim A, Shakeel I, Lokangaka A, Tshefu A, Bauserman M, Mwenechanya M, Chomba E, Goudar SS, Kavi A, Derman RJ, Krebs NF, Figueroa L, Mazariegos M, Nyongesa P, Bucher S, Esamai F, Patel A, Waikar M, Shivkumar P, Hibberd PL, Petri WA, Billah SM, Haque R, Carlo WA, Tita A, Koso-Thomas M, Hemingway-Foday J, McClure EM, Goldenberg RL.BJOG. 2025 Jan;132(1):72-80. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.17930. Epub 2024 Aug 14.PMID: 39140197.
Anthropometric and sociodemographic variables, but not preconception or prenatal maternal nutrition supplementation, predict neurodevelopment in offspring of the 'Women First' trial.
Waldrop S, Chowdhury D, Westcott JE, Biasini F, Garcés A, Figueroa L, Tshefu A, Lokangaka A, Bauserman M, Saleem S, Ali SA, Goldenberg RL, Goudar SS, Dhaded SM, Derman RJ, Kemp JF, Koso-Thomas M, Das A, Hambidge M, Krebs NF; Women First Preconception Nutrition Trial Study Group.Matern Child Nutr. 2024 Oct;20(4):e13703. doi: 10.1111/mcn.13703. Epub 2024 Jul 23.PMID: 39044360.
Dr. Jackie Patterson – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine – has been awarded funding from the Laerdal Foundation for the project Making Every Birth a Learning Event.
Dr. Katie Paul – Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine – published: County-Level Structural Vulnerabilities in Maternal Health and Geographic Variation in Infant Mortality. Murosko DC, Radack J, Barreto A, Passarella M, Formanowski B, McGann C, Nelin T, Paul K, Peña MM, Salazar EG, Burris HH, Handley SC, Montoya-Williams D, Lorch SA.J Pediatr. 2025 Jan;276:114274. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2024.114274. Epub 2024 Aug 30.PMID: 39216622.
Drs. Priyanka Rao, Kori Flower and Katherine Jordan – General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine – published: Pediatric Vision Screening. Rao P, Flower KB, Jordan KA.Pediatr Rev. 2024 Dec 1;45(12):726-728. doi: 10.1542/pir.2024-006428.PMID: 39616128.
Dr. Emily Vander Schaaf - General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine - as part of the leadership team for the Carolinas Collaborative, has been awarded funding from The Duke Endowment to expand the capacity of the community pediatrics training initiative. The team intends to address equity issues related to pediatric mental health care in the Carolinas over the next three years.
Dr. Yamini Virkud – Allergy/Immunology – published: Immunomodulatory metabolites in IgE-mediated food allergy and oral immunotherapy outcomes based on metabolomic profiling. Virkud YV, Styles JN, Kelly RS, Patil SU, Ruiter B, Smith NP, Clish C, Wheelock CE, Celedón JC, Litonjua AA, Bunyavanich S, Weiss ST, Baker ES, Lasky-Su JA, Shreffler WG.Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2024 Nov;35(11):e14267. doi: 10.1111/pai.14267.PMID: 39530396.
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Dr. Misty Good and the Titus Strong Foundation | Check out this incredible video from Dr. Misty Good on her research and how she is partnering with the Titus Strong Foundation to see a world with NO MORE NEC. #TitusStrong #NOMORENEC | | | |
Please join us in welcoming the newest additions to the Pediatrics family! | |
Kelley Ward, MD, Assistant Professor in Hospital Pediatric Medicine, and family welcomed their newest baby boy, Crew. Congratulations! | |
Paul Schieffelin Berger, son of Katie Paul, MD, Assistant Professor in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and Aaron Berger, was born in November. Congratulations! | |
Rielee Bramley, NNP, APP in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and Mitch Bramley welcomed their daughter Elise June Bramley, who was born on December. Congratulations! | |
Cheryl Crawford, PNP. DNP & Jennifer John, FNP
Advanced Practice Providers
Youth Behavioral Health Team
Nominated by Dr. Kori Flower
Cheryl and Jennifer are wonderful nurse practitioners who have helped us launch the Youth Behavioral Health medical team. In less than a year, they have managed the start-up of a comprehensive, holistic model of care in collaboration with psychiatry. Every day, at this facility in Butner, they care for a range of concerns, from youth who develop respiratory illness and minor injuries while there, to youth with complex and intersecting medical and psychiatric needs. We are so grateful for their passion, energy, and dedication!
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