Author Archives: Lillian Harbison

Jason Akulian, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine in the UNC Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, will lead research efforts aimed to advance AI-driven lung cancer detection through bronchoscopy.  Researchers at the University of North Carolina will study an AI-based image analysis module for lung cancer through the...

Matthew Painschab ,MD, an assistant professor in the UNC Division of Hematology and Director of Adult Oncology Research for UNC Project Malawi, recently received an NIH DPI Director’s Pioneer Award (NDPA) in the amount of $2,721,250 for his project, “Innovations in diagnosis for lymphadenopathy across HIV Centers of Excellence in...

Katie Barnes is an Administrative Coordinator for the Division of Nephrology. Katie also serves on various SOM committees, and loves Pete the Cat! What’s your role and how long have you been a part of our Department? I am the Administrative Coordinator for the Department of Nephrology and have been...

We are so excited to showcase some of our brilliant UME educators in the department of medicine and across our AHEC sites. For many of us there are certain teachers in our past who left a mark on our lives and are highly valued. For some they may be the...

Meet our APP of the month, Natalie Lappas is a Nurse Practitioner for the Advanced Endoscopy/Biliary Team at UNC Gastroenterology. She received the Anthea Darling Award for Excellence in Clinical Nursing in 2019 and 2021 from the GI Fellows. Natalie  is also an avid reader and traveler, having visited 20...

Stephanie Sweitzer, MD, MSPH, a third-year infectious disease fellow, is passionate about bridging clinical expertise with global health impact. Between working with leaders like Dr. Michael Herce to conducting impactful research in Lesotho, she’s committed to improving lives worldwide. Beyond medicine, you’ll find Dr. Sweitzer and her husband hiking North...

Kiera Scruggs is the Linkage and Retention Coordinator for the Division of Infectious DIseases. Originally from Virginia, she has always has been passionate about connecting her community with health resources. Kiera loves to travel and be in the water, just like her favorite Disney princess Ariel.

  The UNC Internal Medicine Residency Program welcomes the following chief residents who will serve during the 2024-2025 academic year. The administrative chief resident is a position of distinction, professionalism and leadership. These appointed physicians will lead and mentor residents, as they learn to recognize the needs of the department...

I’m originally from rural, small-town Texas. We grew up in humble circumstances and I am the first and only physician in my family. I was fortunate to have had some amazing opportunities in my formal education and training, and several faculty inspired me and helped me along the way at...

Samantha Morrissey, MD, PhD, a UNC Med-Peds resident, has been honored with the prestigious Bondurant-Ehringhaus Award for her groundbreaking research conducted at the UNC McAllister Heart Institute under the guidance of Brian Jensen, MD, a professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology.  The Bondurant-Ehringhaus Award, named in honor of...

The UNC School of Medicines Class of ’24 took to the stage to celebrate the next stage of their medical journey on May 11th. Koyal Jain, MD, MPH, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, was honored with the Professor award bestowed by the senior...