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Give Now Alumni Information Update

  • Stephen Hooper, PhD

    Professor

    Academic Office: 919-516-3209
    Email: stephen_hooper@med.unc.edu

    My work has focused on the neuropsychological topography and associated factors in pediatric chronic illness, neurological disorders/conditions, genetic disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and intellectual/developmental disabilities. Additionally, my work has extended into interventions programs that have spanned educational, cognitive, and pharmacological types of treatment across various childhood conditions.

  • Vanessa Jewell, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

    Associate Professor, Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

    Adjunct Associate Professor, Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism

    Office: 919-843-4463
    Email: vanessa_jewell@med.unc.edu
  • Claire Greer, PhD

    Assistant Professor

    Academic Office: 919-966-8566
    Email: claire_greer@med.unc.edu

    Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor whose research focuses on interdisciplinary, applied approaches to literacy and communication for students with extensive support needs. Her work explores how collaborative, cross-disciplinary efforts can lead to deeper understandings of educational challenges and the development of sustainable, evidence-based solutions that translate into real-world practice.
    Dr. Greer began her research career at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where she worked on alternate assessments based on alternate achievement standards (AA-AAS), the measurement of achievement growth, and the alignment of special education instruction with state standards and assessments. This foundational experience continues to inform her current work, particularly in the development of instructional resources in both literacy and mathematics.
    At the University of North Carolina, she has co-led several research initiatives aimed at improving communication, literacy, and mathematics outcomes for students with extensive support needs. Her current work as co-Principal Investigator includes the development of a technology platform and implementation model to support data-based decision-making among educators and related service providers. This project is designed to enhance student engagement and literacy development through accessible, research-driven strategies.
    In addition, Dr. Greer contributes to projects that equip educators with a comprehensive suite of training and support resources for teaching reading, writing, language, and communication as integrated components of literacy instruction. Across all of her work, she is committed to creating tools and models that are not only grounded in rigorous research but also designed for long-term use in educational settings. Her overarching goal is to support teachers and schools in improving instructional practices and outcomes for students with extensive support needs through research that is both innovative and practical.

  • Valerie Tan, MPA

    Associate Chair for Administration

    Academic Office: 919-843-4828
    Email: vtan@med.unc.edu

    The Associate Chair collaborates closely with the Sr. Associate Dean and Chair to guide the Department’s strategic direction and ensure its mission is fulfilled. The Associate Chair for Administration (ACA) leads key areas including financial planning, clinical operations, human resources, sponsored programs, marketing, and governance.

  • Hilary Till, MS, OTR/L
    Email: hilary_till@med.unc.edu
  • Lisa Johnston, PT, MS, DPT

    Associate Chair, Clinical Services

    Assistant Director for Professional Education

    Academic Office: 919-843-5723
    Email: Lisa_Johnston@med.unc.edu
    As the Assistant Director for Professional Education, Dr. Johnston coordinates day-to-day operations of the DPT Program. This includes leading faculty in the development and maintenance of the program’s curriculum, operations, program assessment, and accreditation. As the Associate Chair for Clinical Services, Dr. Johnston leads the Department of Health Sciences clinical efforts across five clinical locations. She supports faculty clinical providers and patients by monitoring and improving clinical operations, including the revenue cycle. Dr. Johnston also assists the DPT Program clinical education team as a Co-Director of Clinical Education by providing support to students and clinical sites.
    In addition to her leadership roles, Dr Johnston is actively involved in classroom teaching, and in providing professional development workshops for practicing providers particularly in the area of clinical education. She is actively engaged in service through her service on the NC Board of Physical Therapy Examiners, and as an on-site reviewer and Reaffirmation panelist for the Commission on the Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE). Her scholarly interests are in the areas of clinical education and DPT education program assessment.
  • Jeffrey O’Laughlin, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

    Assistant Professor

    Director of UNC Orthopedic PT Residency Program

    University Physical Therapy Hillsborough: 919-732-6600
    Email: jeffrey_olaughlin@med.unc.edu
    My work at UNC is multifaceted with my primary workload split between clinical and education components. Clinically, I see patients in our faculty practice in Hillsborough treating patients with orthopedic or sports related injuries. I really enjoy the one on one time with the patients I serve.
    Beyond the clinical work, I teach throughout the DPT program and am the Director of our post professional Orthopedic PT Residency Program. The content I am responsible to teach to our DPT students, include Musculoskeletal content to our first year students, Applied Manual Therapy to our second year students, and Advanced Patient Management to our third years.
  • Dani Shirey, ME

    Executive Assistant to the Chair

    Office: 919-966-9040
    Email: dani_burkhart@med.unc.edu
  • Khalilah Johnson, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA

    Assistant Professor

    Email: Khalilah_Johnson@med.unc.edu

    Khalilah R. Johnson, PhD, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA (she/her/hers) is an Assistant Professor of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy in the Department of Health Sciences at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is also owner and operator of #SlayingAcademia™, LLC and co-host of Dr. thOTs Podcast. Broadly, Dr. Johnson’s research sits at the intersection of critical qualitative methodologies, intellectual and developmental disabilities, anti-racism, health services, and disability justice.

    Dr. Johnson is a decorated scholar having received awards including the 2024 Roster of Fellows from the American Occupational Therapy Association, the 2022 Hortense McClinton Outstanding Faculty Award by the UNC Black Alumni Reunion, the 2021 MLK Unsung Hero by the UNC Office for Diversity and Inclusion and UNC Office of the Provost, as well as recognized by the Brenau University Alumni Hall of Fame to name a few. She sits on the editorial boards of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy and Autism in Adulthood. She also serves on the Scientific Advisory Council of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation and the national leadership team of the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity.

  • Timothy Eckard, PT, DPT, PhD

    Director, Division of Physical Therapy

    Academic Office: 919-843-7326
    Email: timothy_eckard@med.unc.edu

    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.