Author Archives: dkimmel

Throughout his 29 years in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at UNC School of Medicine, John Hammond, PhD, knew that one person stood at the center of everything he learned about leadership, integrity, and building something that lasts: Dr. William “Bill” McLendon. To honor his former vice chair...

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Distinguished Medical Alumni Awards! The awards are presented to alumni whose outstanding professional service and achievements bring esteem to the UNC School of Medicine. This year’s winners were celebrated at a awards celebration on December 10, which also honored UNC Health teammates who...

Each year, Alumni Affairs solicits nominations for our Distinguished Alumni Awards Program and our Medical Alumni Council. We are pleased to have the opportunity to honor outstanding alumni each year and hope you will consider submitting a nomination for either opportunity by February 18, 2026. Distinguished Medical Alumni Awards Program...

Kierra Peak’s introduction to UNC-Chapel Hill was attending Project Uplift as a rising high school senior. “I think I want to go here,” she thought after her first time on campus. A year later, she made Carolina home and enjoyed her undergraduate experience, majoring in anthropology. After receiving a master’s...

David L. Kelly Jr. was one class shy of earning a Carolina undergraduate degree in spring 1955. He hoped to attend medical school. UNC’s School of Medicine was admitting qualified students through an accelerated program, so he applied. He was accepted and became an accomplished neurosurgeon. Now 90, Kelly ’59...