The UNC Center for Health Innovation is pleased to announce the awardees of the 13th Annual Innovation Pilot Awards. Proposals were sought from across UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine faculty and employees for innovations across a spectrum
of areas including care delivery, workforce development, new technology, advanced analytics, and more.
Four projects were selected from the many applications received. The selected proposals demonstrated dedication to improving care for our patients and strengthening our health care system and meeting the mission of the UNC Center for Health Innovation.
The selected teams include:
Artificial Intelligence Enhanced Electrocardiography for Identifying and Addressing Premature Cardiac Aging
PI: Faisal Syed BSc (Hons), MBChB (Division of Cardiology)
Cardiac proteins released into the blood as novel biomarkers of NSTEMI in the Emergency Department
PI: Ming Ding ScD, MBBS (Department of Emergency Medicine)
Co-PI: Jessica Zegre-Hemsey PhD, RN (School of Nursing)
Co-PI: Michelle Meyer PhD (Department of Emergency Medicine)
Improving hospitalization experience for patient with Parkinson’s disease at UNC Health
PI: Nina Browner, MD (Department of Neurology)
Piloting the Use of Advanced AI for Physical Therapy Treatment
PI: Rachelle Alpern MBA, MHA (UNC Health Advanced Care at Home)
Co-PI: Brian Trabulsi MPT, COMT (UNC Health Therapy Services)
Co-PI: Dierdra Ricks (UNC Health Acute Care and Hospital Based Outpatient Services)
Co-PI: Janet Prvu Bettger, ScD, MSc, FAHA (UNC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)
“Innovation is a driving force that shapes the future of healthcare, pushing us to reimagine what’s possible for our patients and communities,” said Lesley Hall, Director of UNC Health Enterprises. “The Innovation Pilot Awards exemplify this spirit by providing a launchpad for bold ideas that can lead to meaningful change. These projects not only spark new approaches to care but also accelerate our commitment to advancing medical research and improving outcomes. I commend all of this year’s applicants for their creativity and courage, and I look forward to the transformative impact the 2025 winning projects will bring.”
Descriptions of the selected applications from this and previous years can be found online.
We are very grateful to all of the 2025 applicants for their interest and dedication, and to the volunteer Innovation Pilot Award Review Committee. Congratulations to the 2025 award recipients!
Established by UNC Health Care and the UNC School of Medicine, the Center for Health Innovation initiates, evaluates and supports the adoption of disruptive, patient-centered innovations in the delivery and financing of health care. The Center strives to provide rapid assessment, coordinated facilitation, program management, partnership development and funding for innovation. To learn more about the Center, visit www.med.unc.edu/innovation.