Division Director

As the director in the Division of Physical Therapy, it is my primary responsibility to facilitate communication among the educational, research, and clinical components of our Division and to ensure that each has the support it needs to be successful. I have secondary roles in teaching and research but spend the majority of my time doing what I enjoy most – connecting our people with the resources they need to accomplish our collective mission and realize our collective vision.

Karen Erickson, Ph.D. is the David E. and Dolores “Dee” Yoder Distinguished Professor of Literacy and Disability Studies in the Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Karen is also the Director of the Center for Literacy and Disability Studies and a Professor in the Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences. Karen is a former teacher of students with significant disabilities. Her current research addresses literacy and communication assessment and intervention for students with extensive support needs, as well as the supportiveness of augmentative and alternative communication in interaction. Recent projects have focused on creating open-source professional development and implementation supports such as those available in Project Core and Tar Heel Shared Reader.

Dr. Moon is a faculty member and Director of the Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, where she has taught and mentored students since 2002. She teaches and directs courses in Immunohematology and Research Methods and oversees the Immunohematology rotation, Education Practicum, and Capstone I and II. Her research interests include diagnostic testing for cystic fibrosis, immunohematology and transfusion medicine with a focus on ABO blood groups, lifespan studies, and massive transfusion protocols, as well as issues related to the CLS workforce and education. Dr. Moon actively contributes to faculty governance at the University and serves on several committees that support academic and institutional initiatives. In addition, she is an Associate Editor for the Clinical Laboratory Science journal, Secretary for the North Carolina Association of Blood Bankers, and Faculty Advisor and Intellectual Development Chair for the Epsilon Chi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at UNC Chapel Hill.

In the Division programs, my teaching is in understanding patient disease and injury states that require medical imaging and/or specific patient care and assessment during imaging. Other topics are in students understanding the clinical practice environment and the legal and ethical issues related to practice.

State and nationally, I am involved in efforts to set standards for education and certification to ensure a safe, optimized, efficient, cost-effective medical imaging experience for our patients and healthcare system.

My primary areas of interest include supporting children and families with hearing loss and developmental disabilities and healthcare access. I serve as a LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Related Disabilities) faculty member and provide clinical services at the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities on two multidisciplinary teams; the School Age Team and the Hearing and Development Clinic.

Since joining the faculty at UNC in 2018 I’ve lead an interprofessional health professions service learning trip to eastern North Carolina working with community partners to address health disparities and rural healthcare access. Additionally, I serve of the UNC Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice(IPEP) Advisory Board.

My profession service includes work with CAPCSD, AAA and the NC-EDHI Advisory Committee.