Category: 2021
Featured Resident: Sam Sugimoto
Sam Sugimoto, MD, is currently an IM resident. He is interested in teaching patients and families about the importance of nutrition and fitness. Passionate about cooking and music, he has published a cookbook and produced to albums.
Cavender Discusses Study Showing Cangrelor Reduces Ischemic Events Versus Clopidogrel Early After PCI
Treatment with the IV P2Y12 inhibitor cangrelor reduced the number of early ischemic events after PCI, primarily MI and stent thrombosis, compared with oral clopidogrel, according to the results of the CHAMPION PHOENIX trial. “Patients undergoing PCI are at risk of activation of the clotting process, formation of intravascular thrombus and subsequent myocardial infarction,” said … Continued
Would a 4th Dose of COVID Vaccine Wear Out Your Immune System? No, and Here’s Why Not
A CBS-17 report recognizes a hospital in Israel studying the safety and effectiveness of a second booster dose for some medical workers who got their last shot at least four months ago. One of the key concerns raised by the fourth-dose concept is that it might cause more harm than good by wearing out the immune system. But doctors say this shouldn’t be much of a concern at all. “ … Continued
NC Shatters Record High COVID-19 Daily Positivity Rate, Tweens Have the Highest Case Rate, a New Drug to Prevent COVID, and What to Know As Omicron Spreads
Faculty from the division of infectious diseases were featured in the following COVID news stories the week of December 24 – December 30. NC shatters record high COVID-19 daily positivity rate in first metric update since holiday weekend – Dr. David Wohl (ABC11) Tweens, 10-14, have highest COVID case rate in the state – Dr. David Wohl (WRAL) It took a major effort to deliver the … Continued
VCAG Calls For 2023 Project Applications
The Value-Care Action Group (VCAG) is currently accepting applications for high-value care improvement projects across the Department of Medicine. Faculty with questions should contact darren_dewalt@med.unc.edu, john_vargus@med.unc.edu or scott_keller@med.unc.edu. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2022. The Department of Medicine’s Value-Care Action Group develops reco … Continued
Weber, Wohl Answer Media Questions About Omicron, Testing, Herd Immunity and Preparations By Local Universities
Do the fully vaccinated need a COVID test if exposed or sick? David Weber, MD, MPH, and David Wohl, MD, answered this question and more during the week of December 17-23. The following clickable headlines link directly to outside media outlets. Arkansas’ low vaccination rate setting up omicron surge, experts say – Dr. David Wohl (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette) Some COVID-19 treatment … Continued
Commemorating MLK, Jr., Remembering the Holocaust, and Celebrating Black History Month
January 17 – Martin Luther King, Jr., Day UNC’s 2022 MLK, Jr. Celebration includes a campus-wide initiative to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., his legacy and his ideals. Carolina began its celebrations of King’s life and legacy long before there was a federal holiday. In fact, UNC is the only university ever awarded the “Making of the King Holiday Award” by the former MLK Fede … Continued
Clinical Challenges: Using MRD in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Management
For patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), minimal residual disease (MRD) has emerged as a highly sensitive indicator of disease burden during and at the end of treatment, and has correlated with time-to-event outcomes. Use of MRD has shown promise for guiding duration of treatment for CLL patients on time-limited therapy. “MRD measurement is not necessarily standard o … Continued
Jones Awarded Funding For “Critical Care Advanced Practice Provider Support Program”
Honey M. Jones, DNP, ACNP-BC, MBA, FAANP, FCCM, Assistant Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, has been awarded funding from the Clinical Investment Committee for the “Critical Care Advanced Practice Provider Support Program” (CCAPPS), developed in collaboration with members of the Advanced Practice Provider Center’s critical care workgroup. The CCAP … Continued
New Approaches to Hemophilia Treatment: ‘Our Cup Runneth Over’
In a session titled “Hemophilia Update: Our Cup Runneth Over,” presented at the 2021 annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH), experts in the treatment of bleeding disorders discussed the optimal use of factor concentrates in people with hemophilia, new and investigational alternatives to factor concentrates, and the promise of long-time control or even cure wit … Continued
High GI Spending Reveals Research, Public Health Need
MD Edge, Internal Medicine reports GI, liver, and pancreatic diseases cost the U.S. health care system about $120B per year and account for approximately 250,000 annual deaths, according to a “conservative” estimate from a recent analysis. These figures emphasize the need for more research funding in the area, along with additional clinical and public health initiatives, says lea … Continued
Medicine Introduces “Rapid Outpatient Specialty Support Program”
The Department of Medicine predominantly serves individuals with complex, chronic diseases. Although sometimes this care can happen entirely within a single clinical specialty, it often requires clinicians from different disciplines, sometimes quickly. The Department is now implementing an organized approach to rapid specialty care. Now, Department faculty, trainees, and APPs can … Continued