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PI: Ming Ding ScD, MBBS (Department of Emergency Medicine)<\/strong>Co-PI: Jessica Zegre-Hemsey PhD, RN (UNC School of Nursing)<\/strong>Co-PI: Michelle Meyer PhD (Department of Emergency Medicine)<\/strong><\/p>\nAcute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of death and the main cause of cardiovascular (CVD) death worldwide. Due to the time-sensitive nature of AMI, a rapid and effective diagnosis is critical to its treatment and prognosis. Non-ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) is a type of heart attack where there’s a partial or incomplete blockage of a coronary artery. This pilot study\u2019s goal is to identify novel proteins as early biomarkers of NSTEMI using a proteomics approach.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Improving hospitalization experience for patient with Parkinson\u2019s disease at UNC Health <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Nina Browner, MD (Department of Neurology<\/strong>)<\/p>\nHospitalized people with Parkinson\u2019s disease (PwP) often experience delayed medication administration, contraindicated treatments, and care from providers unfamiliar with their specific needs\u2014leading to worsened symptoms, prolonged hospital stays, and increased mortality. This project combines EHR-based tools, interdisciplinary teamwork, and targeted staff education to address these challenges for PwP, serving as a replicable model to improve patient outcomes and experiences during hospitalization.<\/p>\n
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\n\n \n Piloting the Use of Advanced AI for Physical Therapy Treatment <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Rachelle Alpern MBA, MHA, UNC Advanced Care at Home<\/strong>Co-PI: Brian Trabulsi MPT, COMT, UNC Health Therapy Services<\/strong>Co-PI: Dierdra Ricks, UNC Health Acute Care and Hospital Based Outpatient Services<\/strong>Co-PI: Janet Prvu Bettger, ScD, MSc, FAHA, UNC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation<\/strong><\/p>\nAdherence to prescribed physical therapy can significantly improve patient outcomes but is difficult to achieve due to a limited number of insurance-approved sessions, expense, distance, inability to monitor adherence, and a limited number of therapy providers to serve the number of people with rehabilitation needs. The team will pilot and evaluate a novel AI-driven physical therapy platform in multiple acute and ambulatory settings to address these problems and understand impact to clinical outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2024<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\n \n A pilot feasibility study of a small group professional coaching intervention to decrease burnout and improve well-being among UNC Health physicians <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Katherine Chan, MD, MPH (Department of Urology)<\/strong>\n\n
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\n\n \n A Specialized Feeding Clinic for Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Partnership Between the UNC Pediatric Feeding Team and the UNC TEACCH\u00a9 Autism Program <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Krisi Brackett, PhD, CCC-SLP, C\/NDT (Rehab Services- UNC Feeding Team)<\/strong>Co-PI: Carmen Caruthers, PhD, BCBA (Psychiatry-TEACCH)<\/strong><\/p>\nAutistic children are at elevated risk for Pediatric Feeding Disorders (PFDs) and often require a team approach utilizing specialized intervention. This specialized care is difficult for families to access and requires an extraordinary commitment of time, travel, expense, and therapy. This project will pilot a feeding clinic and therapy services specializing in PFDs and autism via a novel collaboration between the UNC Feeding Team and a TEACCH\u00a9 psychologist specialized in autism and behavioral feeding strategies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Active identification and dedicated outpatient treatment for recurrent c. difficile infection <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Thomas Holowka, MD, PhD (Division of Infectious Diseases)<\/strong>Co-PI: Luther A. Bartelt, MD (Division of Infectious Diseases)<\/strong><\/p>\nClostridioides difficile is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections nationally. Many affected patients develop recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI), which drives hospitalizations and costs. Novel therapies effectively interrupt recurrent infection, but timely access is limited by inefficiencies in existing care models. This project will implement new workflows to proactively track rCDI and expedite patient access to novel therapies in a dedicated ambulatory setting in order to decrease the overall system burden of this debilitating disease.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Applications of clinical microbial whole genome sequencing <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Tessa M. Andermann, MD, MPH (Division of Infectious Diseases)<\/strong>Co-PI: David van Duin, MD, PhD (Division of Infectious Diseases)Bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global public health crisis, responsible for more than 2.8 million infections in the US and 1.3 million deaths globally each year. Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR Kp) is a top pathogen in NC. Locally, AMR rates are high and are further increased in vulnerable patients. The project aims to significantly improve the sensitivity and accuracy of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detection using Nanopore long-read technology, to enhance patient treatment and outcomes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n INSIGHT (Intelligent, Safe, In-home Gravity Halo Traction) <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Sean Zeller, MBA, MSPO, CPO (Orthopedics \/ Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation)<\/strong>Co-PI: Gregory Buckner, MSME, PhD (Biomedical Engineering UNC\/ NCSU)<\/strong><\/p>\nGravity halo traction is a treatment used to improve the outcomes of children with severe scoliosis, however it involves months in the hospital at significant cost. Current treatment approaches lack standardization and are inherently imprecise and prone to failure. INSIGHT will improve the safety and reliability of these systems while producing a system intended for use at home resulting in better care, lower costs, and children at home with their family and friends.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/h3>\n<\/h3>\n2023<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\n \n Wearable sensors for continuous blood pressure monitoring of obese women in labor <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Alexandria Kraus, MD, (Obstetrics and Gynecology)<\/strong>Co-PI: Elizabeth Stringer, MD, MSc, (Obstetrics and Gynecology)<\/strong><\/p>\nObese women face an increased risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, a leading cause of maternal mortality. Thus, accurate blood pressure (BP) monitoring is essential for the clinical management of obese patients, particularly during labor and delivery. Current methods to monitor BP of pregnant patients during delivery may produce unreliable results or come with other drawbacks. This project will be the first to assess whether a wireless wearable device is a reliable method for monitoring blood pressure of obese patients during labor.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Use of Digital Inhaler Technology to Improve Outcomes in Asthma: A Feasibility Project and Clinical Study <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Stephen Tilley, MD (Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine)<\/strong>Co-PI: Stephen Schworer, MD, PhD (Medicine\/Rheumatology, Allergy\/Immunology)<\/strong><\/p>\nAsthma currently affects about 8% of the NC population with some of the highest rates found in minority communities and socioeconomically and geographically deprived populations. Inhaled pharmacotherapies are essential to manage asthma, but inhaled medicine adherence and technique is suboptimal. Digital inhalers have been shown to improve adherence, decrease healthcare utilization, and potentially help teach proper inhaler technique. This pilot project aims to determine the feasibility of deploying digital inhalers into routine clinical care within an adult asthma clinic. The project will also assess the technology\u2019s ability to guide proper inhaler technique and will determine its accuracy in measuring lung function by comparing inspiratory flow rates and volumes measured by the digital device compared to lung function measured by spirometry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2022<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\n \n Utilizing Built in LIDAR Cameras on iOS Devices to Provide Continuous Stereotactic Navigation for Emergent Neurosurgical Procedures <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Dr. Andrew Abumoussa, MD, MSc (Neurosurgery)<\/strong>Co-PI: Dr. Sivakumar Jaikumar, MD (Neurosurgery)<\/strong><\/p>\nExternal ventricular drain placement, a common life-saving procedure performed by neurosurgeons, involves the insertion of a catheter through the skull into the ventricular system to alleviate elevated intracranial pressure. These procedures are often performed in an emergent setting without the support of operative navigation (due to time, space and equipment constraints) which can frequently result in misplacement, increasing patient morbidity and mortality. UNC Health aims to create a native mobile application that leverages an iOS device’s built-in camera and LIDAR scanner with a 3-D printed tracking device to provide surgeons real-time navigation with continuous registration to assist in placing the catheter. This low-cost solution will improve the safety and reliability of the procedure reducing the potential for related complications.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Virtual Reality Patient Safety Training to Enhance the Holistic View of the Culture of Patient Safety and High-Reliability Organizations <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Dr. Lukasz Mazur, PhD (Radiation Oncology)<\/strong><\/p>\nOver 4,000 preventable surgical errors occur each year in the US, each causing varying degrees of physical, emotional, and financial harm. These errors are frequently tied to systemic problems within a health system, including the absence of necessary policies\/procedures, an obstructive cultural hierarchy, and communication breakdown between staff. UNC Health aims to help address these issues by developing a training program that promotes a culture of patient safety and high reliability. A team from Radiation Oncology will leverage cutting edge virtual reality technology to help staff of all levels better understand the contributing factors behind patient safety events and improve the reporting of events within the UNC Department of Surgery.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Social Media Designs to Reduce Cancer Misinformation <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Dr. Allison Lazard, PhD (Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center)<\/strong><\/p>\nCancer misinformation exerts a heavy burden on cancer patients, survivors, and care networks, potentially leading to psychological harm and poor clinical outcomes. Social media exacerbates this issue, where misinformation represents a 30-70% of all cancer information shared. UNC Health will develop a simulated social media platform with curated prompts that encourage community intervention on misinformation. This platform will then be tested with real caregivers and patients to understand the effectiveness of the prompts and how the participants perceive their role in controlling cancer misinformation on social media networks.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Investigating the Effects of Bupropion (Wellbutrin\/Zyban) On Aortic Aneurysm Development <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Thomas Caranasos, MD (Surgery) <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nNo effective medical therapy exists for aortic aneurysms, an increasingly prevalent condition and major cause of morbidity in the US. Current research primarily focuses on the development of new drugs and biologics to treat this condition, an expensive and time-intensive endeavor, yet little to no effort is placed in discovering new applications for approved compounds. UNC Health will study Bupropion, an FDA-approved antidepressant, as a means to prevent aneurysm progression. The results aim to support the use of Bupropion as a readily available, cost-effective medical treatment for aortic aneurysms and reduce the need for dangerous surgeries.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2021<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\n \n Stroke Management Training and Inpatient Rehabilitation Discharge Education: The STRIDE Program <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Dr. Jessica Cassidy, PT, DPT, PhD (Physical Therapy), Co-PI: Dr. John M Baratta, MD, MBA (Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)<\/div>\n
Stroke is one of the leading causes of long-term disability in the United States and establishing healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as physical activity and social interaction, have been shown to improve recovery and overall patient wellness. However, many gaps exist during the period between hospital discharge and the commencement of outpatient therapies, contributing to the development of complications and higher likelihood of readmission. UNC Health will test the use of an innovative education program that targets this gap, providing physical and social support via a care coordinator and virtual peer-to-peer sessions to post-stroke patients preparing for discharge.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Investigating Survivin as a new target to improve outcomes of breast cancer in Black women <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: <\/strong>Dr. Yara Abdou, MD (Medical Oncology)\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of female cancer mortality in the United States. While recent research and treatment advances have significantly lowered breast cancer mortality rates, the decline in mortality in Black women continues to lag behind as death rates are 41% higher in Black women than White women. Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis protein, has been identified as being strongly correlated with poor breast cancer prognosis and is expressed differently in Black versus White women. UNC Health aims to better understand the differences in survivin expression across racial groups to improve prediction of breast cancer recurrence and survival, potentially resulting in improved treatment strategies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2020<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\n \n Intermittent Theta Burst Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for Adolescent Major Depressive Disorder <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Dr. Shahzad K Ali, MD (Psychiatry), <\/strong>Co-PI: Dr. Robert K McClure, MD (Psychiatry)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Adolescent depression due to untreated or undertreated Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a common and serious medical condition affecting many North Carolinian teens. Between 2008-2017, the youth suicide rate nearly doubled, becoming the second most frequent cost of death for 10-17 year-olds. UNC Health will test the use of intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), a low-burden yet highly effective treatment for adults recently approved by the FDA, to help youth struggling with MDD.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n OneSCD UNC: Improving Care for People with Sickle Cell Disease in North Carolina <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Dr. Jane Little, MD (Medicine), Co-PI: Dr. William Scheidler, MD (Psychiatry)<\/div>\n
With an emerging population of adults coping with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), there is an increased need for expert management of the disease and its related factors to improve health outcomes and quality of life. However, many adults with SCD live in areas without subspecialty expertise, an issue acutely affecting the ~6,000 North Carolinians dispersed throughout the Piedmont and coastal regions. UNC Health aims to standardize screening, improve adherence to guideline-based care, and build personalized care plans by developing and implementing an integrated care model for SCD.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2019<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\n \n A Novel Drug-Delivery System for the Treatment of Vestibulodynia <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Erin Carey, MD (Obstetrics and Gynecology), Co-PI: Rahima Benhabbour (Biomedical Engineering) <\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Vestibulodynia (VBD) is a very common cause of sexual pain of reproductive aged women in the United States. One of the first-line treatments for VBD, topical lidocaine 5% ointment, cream or gel, is difficult to apply due to the content and lack of a directed delivery system. Innovative vestibule medication delivery systems are needed to permit longer, directed therapy. This project will be the first to apply a specialized thin film technology to the vulvar vestibule.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Translation of an Effective Gene Therapy Research Product for Treating Patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIA <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Haiyan Fu, MD (Pediatrics), Co-PI: Joseph Muenzer, MD (Pediatrics)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The aims of this project are to obtain IND approval and develop assays to support Phase 1\/2 clinical trials for a gene therapy treatment for Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) IIIA. MPS IIIA is a devastating genetic disease with profound neurological disorders leading to early death and no effective treatment exists. The added value of successful gene therapy approaches to this disease will be extremely meaningful for affected families. The assays developed by this project are essential for subject recruitment, safety and outcome assessment of MPS IIIA gene therapy clinical trials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Pursuing the Quadruple Aim through Pocket Point-of-Care Ultrasound <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Ria Dancel, MD (Internal Medicine and Pediatrics), Co-PI: Catherine Coe (Family Medicine)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
This project proposes to develop and implement a standardized Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) elective for residents in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, and Pediatrics. Success of this project will pave the way for further widespread, interdepartmental and interdisciplinary efforts throughout UNC Health Care and a more robust curriculum for the UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Implementing the Collaborative Care Model for Inflammatory Bowel Disease <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Spencer Dorn, MD (Gastroenterology), Co-PI: Nate Sowa, MD, PhD (Psychiatry)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common, costly chronic disease that can cause significant suffering. Those with IBD are up to twice as likely to suffer from anxiety and depression. Likewise, IBD patients with coexisting mental illness experience more severe illness and incur higher health care costs. This project aims to implement the Collaborative Care Model (CoCM) within the UNC Multidisciplinary Center for IBD to better integrate medical and behavioral\/psychological care for these patients. This is the first time that CoCM is being applied to the IBD population. If successful, it could serve as a model for and developing the capabilities necessary to spread CoCM to other specialty practices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\n \n Innovative Model to Disrupt Blood Pressure Management to Improve Quality, Cost and Patient\/Provider Satisfaction in the Ambulatory Setting <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Ashley Rietz, MD (Family Medicine), Co-PI: Vinay Reddy, MD, MPH (Family Medicine)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Hypertension is the most modifiable risk factor associated with deaths from cardiovascular disease. This project is designed to introduce a new, patient-centered model of care for hypertension management, including more accurate blood pressure readings at the point of care as well as leveraging new technologies for home-based monitoring.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
2018<\/h3>\n\n\n
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\n\n \n A Novel Steroid-Eluting Esophageal String for Treatment of Eosinophilic Esophagitis <\/button>\n\n <\/h4>\n\n <\/div>\n\n \n\n
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PI: Evan Dellon (Medicine\/Gastroenterology), Co-PI: Rahima Benhabbour (Biomedical Engineering), Co-PI: Anthony Blikslager (School of Veterinary Medicine\/NCSU)<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
This team aims to be the first to apply drug-eluting technology to a string release system and the first to apply it to the esophagus. The incidence and prevalence of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) are rapidly rising and current treatments are rudimentary. Drug-eluting string technology is an innovative approach to delivering medication along the entire length of the esophagus for an extended period of time. The pilot award will be used to develop the technology and test its pharmacokinetics in a porcine model.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n <\/div>\n \n<\/div>\n\n