Performing the role of Director of Pre-Clinical education by supporting faculty and student education in the UNC Physician Assistant Program. Course director for Clinical Medicine and Fundamentals of Surgery. Focusing on improving access and education of Point of Care Ultrasound.

I’m an orthopedic physical therapist who treats a wide range of orthopedic conditions, including spine and extremity injuries that are acute, chronic, or post-surgical. In the clinic, I also assist with student clinical education and experiences for students in the UNC Doctor of Physical Therapy Program and the Orthopedic Physical Therapy Residency Program as a mentor. Also, I’m passionate about patient advocacy for physical therapy via direct access.

I am driven to train Physician Assistant students to prepare for the realities and challenges of providing care for all North Carolinians. I like to emphasize the joy that comes from successful partnerships with patients and the sense of accomplishment in giving back to the communities that raised us.

I strive to make my classroom an open and welcoming space where frank, multifaceted conversations lead to higher understanding of healthcare in North Carolina and beyond.

In this role, I support the Director of Clinical Education in coordinating student clinical placements, ensuring that all compliance documentation is accurately maintained and aligned with accreditation standards. I oversee a range of administrative and financial functions such as accounts payable, travel coordination, supply procurement, inventory management, and the planning and execution of key events, including orientation and graduation. Serving as a program liaison, I facilitate effective communication and collaboration between the program, the department, the School of Medicine, clinical preceptors, and the affiliated clinical sites.

Joseph Sircar is a clinical psychology fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. His research is focused on expanding mental healthcare access, including through community-delivered models of care and digital mental health. Clinically, he provides psychological testing and intervention through clinics within the Department of Psychiatry, including the Taking Care of Our Own program.