Dr. Gregory Receives Funding for STAR Project

Patricia Gregory, MD, assistant professor in the UNC Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, has received two grants for her Stroke Telemedicine Access Recovery (STAR) Project.

The project, for which Dr. Gregory will be the primary investigator (PI), has received a three-year grant from the Duke Endowment Fund for $349,995. Co-investigators are Sharon Williams, PhD, assistant professor in Allied Health, and Ana Felix, MD, assistant professor in Neurology.

The STAR Project will pilot a stroke telemedicine video-conferencing consult service with a rural community hospital in Robeson County. This part of the state has the highest stroke prevalence, but limited stroke recovery services. Dr. Gregory will provide consult recommendations on secondary stroke prevention, stroke rehabilitation and caregiver support during the acute hospital stay, and at 30 and 90 days post stroke. For more about the program, see our two-page STAR educational flyer.

“This opportunity is exciting because it provides improved access to an underserved community of the state,” says Dr. Gregory.

Also related to the STAR Project, Dr. Gregory has received a five-year mentored clinical scientist development (K08) award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to obtain a master of science degree in clinical research in the Gillings School of Global Public Health. Her primary mentor will be Timothy S. Carey, MD, MPH, professor of medicine and director of the Sheps Center for Health Services Research. Other co-mentors are Peggye Dilworth-Anderson, PhD, professor of health policy and management and director of the Center for Aging and Diversity, Gillings School of Global Public Health, and Pamela W. Duncan, PhD, professor in the Division of Physical Therapy, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Duke University Medical Center.

Dr. Gregory also is supported by funding from the Dean's Office (Simmons Scholar Program) and the Center on Aging and Health. Additionally, she has been supported with pilot funding from both the ECHO Pilot Program (Sheps Center) as well as the Center for Aging and Diversity.

The mission of the Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation is to optimize health and function through excellence in rehabilitation. Browse our complete web site for more information.

Media Contact: Jennifer Satinsky