Author Archives: Morgan Duerden

Daniel Song, MD, majored in chemistry, biochemistry and music at the University of Virginia. Dr. Song has examined the use of music to explore death and dying. He has also reviewed literature supporting music’s impact on healthcare and medical education. In his free time, you guessed it, Dr. Song enjoys...

As health care shifts from reimbursement based on numbers of patients seen or procedures performed, to reimbursement based on quality of care, the infectious diseases specialty is challenged to accurately reflect the complex, expert care that ID physicians provide. One way could be outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy, or OPAT, which monitors...

Becky Sawchak, RN, MSN, AGPCNP-C, cares for patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, but also chronic leukemias and Myelodysplastic Syndrome. Professionally, Becky is most proud of the clinical trial she opened here at UNC. Outside of work Becky often finds herself baking French Macarons— "they’re difficult to make, but just like medicine,...

The UNC Sickle Cell Program proudly hosted its first fundraiser, the ‘Full Court Press for Sickle Cell’ basketball tournament, in 2023. With over 250 attendees and 90 players competing for the championship, the event successfully raised $10,000. This year, the fundraiser is returning with even more excitement! Mark your calendars...

As this year’s medical students look towards graduation, faculty members continue to inspire and set them up for success. During Pearls Day, students gathered to listen to educators speak on topics or issues they may face. Being selected as a Pearls Day speaker is an honor as they are nominated...

Christine Hill, MHA, CRA, business officer for the UNC Blood Research Center received a $3,300 School of Medicine Staff Development Grant. The grant covers professional education and training and can be used for credit and non-credit courses, conferences, certificate programs or similar instructional opportunities. In total, 133 grants were issued...

April is Minority Health Month, a month to raise awareness about the need to reduce health disparities and improve the health of minority communities. The UNC Health Center for Transplant Care team and UNC Health nephrologists recently increased equitable access for the Black community by addressing and fixing a disparity...

John P. Vavalle, MD, MHS, FACC, and Matthew A. Cavender, MD, MPH, FACC, interventional cardiologists and their collaborative team in the Structural Heart Disease Program at UNC, have performed their first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in the clinical setting, a revolutionary treatment for patients living with a common type of...

Each year, UNC Hospitals administers the Press Ganey Medical Practice survey to solicit feedback from patients. The survey asks our patients about their likelihood of recommending their provider’s practice to their friends and family. This year, 205 UNC physicians and advanced practice providers received the highest recommendations, which places them...

Andrew Moon, MD, MPH, published “Biochemical Safety of SBRT to Multiple Intrahepatic Lesions for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.” Sasha Deutsch-Link, MD, was featured in a New York Times article about alcohol-related liver disease. The Lancet published a tribute for Adaora “Ada” Alise Adimora.  Andrea Coviello, MD, discussed what happens if you top taking...

We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the DOM Teammate Council on April 1st and sincerely appreciate your enthusiasm to foster a more collaborative and fulfilling work environment. Teammate Council chairs, teammates and advisors, please join us on Tuesday, April 9 from 11am-1:15pm for a shared meal, where...

Emma Healy, MD, is from New Hampshire and attended Columbia University for medical school. She has interest in  narrative and humanism in medicine activities. Dr. Healy has hiked Nüümü Poyo (the JMT) and the northern half of the Appalachian Trail.