{"id":32989,"date":"2020-12-11T13:59:51","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T18:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/?p=32989"},"modified":"2021-01-05T11:45:20","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T16:45:20","slug":"32989","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.med.unc.edu\/healthsciences\/2020\/12\/32989\/","title":{"rendered":"Department Overview 2020"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some of this content was produced prior to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Stephen<\/a>
Stephen Hooper, PhD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Our world has seen many changes this year, and the Department of Allied Health Sciences at UNC School of Medicine is no exception. What has not changed, however, is our steadfast commitment to our mission of exemplary teaching, innovative research and person-centered clinical care.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014Stephen R. Hooper, PhD<\/p>\n

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Division of Clinical Laboratory Science<\/h3>\n

Neil Patel\u00a0\u201918\u00a0trained as a clinical laboratory scientist,\u00a0but never imagined he\u2019d work with a team of scientists and researchers to fight the spread and intensity of the global pandemic<\/a> caused by COVID-19. A former Susan Lanning-Taylor Clinical Laboratory Science Program Endowment Fund scholar, Patel worked with other researchers this spring to specifically test which antibodies in combination will be the most potent to combat the virus. \u201cThere are some great people all over who are either working on the cure or helping conduct trials to repurpose current drugs,\u201d Patel said. “I think everyone is hopeful that either Regeneron, or any of the other pharmaceutical companies, will create something to help a lot of people.\u201d<\/div>\n

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\"Neil<\/a>
Neil Patel ’18<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Division of Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling<\/h3>\n

Stephens Whitehurst, a second-year master\u2019s degree student, found a passion for studying autism while an undergraduate. The Wilmington, North Carolina, native said funds are tight as she pursues employment, but that scholarship funds from the Kimberly Floyd-Flood Scholarship in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling have helped. “I am truly so grateful for this scholarship which is allowing me to focus more on my studies as opposed to my financial situation. This scholarship is helping me to finish the program strong in order to graduate this spring.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\"Stephens<\/a>
Stephens Whitehurst<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences<\/h3>\n

Patricia Johnson (\u201913 AuD), has offered\u00a0practical advice to\u00a0clinicians, patients, and communities when it comes to communication while wearing a mask<\/a>. Johnson teaches Doctor of Audiology students at the UNC Hearing and Communication Center.<\/p>\n

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Physician Assistant Studies<\/h3>\n

Emily Wilkins, a second-year Physician Assistant Studies student from Rutherfordton, North Carolina, is a\u00a0William\u00a0R.\u00a0Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust scholar. When the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily put student clinical rotations on hold,\u00a0Wilkins decided her experience as a paramedic prior to PA school would be beneficial to rural communities<\/a>. “Since working as a paramedic again, I feel like I am helping my community in the best way that I can,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n\n\n