About Us
UNC Family Medicine provides patient-centered primary care, conducts groundbreaking research, and trains the best and the brightest young doctors. We aim to support and improve the health of the communities we serve, with a special commitment to the underserved, mothers and children, the elderly and other populations at risk in a time of rapid changes in the organization of health care. We are concerned with both current needs and future generations.
Our Vision
To be the leading department of family medicine, transforming care and growing leaders to improve health.
Our Mission
Promote the health of the people of North Carolina and the world through leadership and innovation in clinical practice, medical education, research, and community service.
Meet our Chair
It is a privilege to provide our patients with excellent care in a nationally recognized department of family medicine.
- Margaret Helton, MD
Margaret Helton, MD is the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine.
“Dr. Helton has been an outstanding leader for the Department over the last two years and especially through the challenges of COVID-19. I’m very excited for her to continue her leadership as Chair and look forward to proudly supporting the work of the Family Medicine faculty as they improve the health of North Carolinians and train our next generation of physicians,” said Cristy Page, MD, MPH, Executive Dean of the UNC School of Medicine and former Chair of Family Medicine.
Helton’s administrative appointments with the UNC Department of Family Medicine include: Vice Chair for Clinical Excellence, Associate Chair for Faculty Affairs, Director of Career Development Fellowship, Director of Operations, and Director of Maternal and Child Health. Helton currently serves as the medical director for Carol Woods Retirement Community. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Medical School and completed her family medicine residency and fellowship in geriatrics at the University of North Carolina.
“It is a privilege to provide our patients with excellent care in a nationally recognized department of family medicine,” says Dr. Helton. “Everything we do – from clinical innovation to teaching to research – is in the service of improving both individual and population based health care.”