Category: Accolades, Awards and Appointments
Whelan Selected as SOM CAP Course Director
Karin Whelan, MD Karina Whelan, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, has been selected as the new CAP course director. Dr. Whelan brings extensive experience in undergraduate medical education, a deep understanding of the Application Phase curriculum, and a strong commitment to continuous course improvement and student … Read more
Accolades, Awards and Appointments Archive
Congratulations to department faculty who received the following accolades, awards and appointments July 1 – July 31, 2026. Raquel Reyes, MD, MPA, has been promoted to Professor of Medicine. Michael Craig, MD, MPH, has been promoted to Professor of Medicine. Tony Mazzella, MD, FHRS, FACC, received a $300,000 donation to support his work and other EP related priorities. Anil Gehi, … Read more
Alex Duncan Named Vice Chair of Research in the UNC Department of Medicine
Once Alex Duncan, MD, PhD, got a taste of being a Tar Heel, he never left. First joining the department as a resident in 2001, followed by fellowship training in infectious diseases, he has now attended on the Infectious Diseases Consult Service for 20-years while also building an exceptional career as a physician-scientist. Dr. Duncan will now bring his skillset to his new role … Read more
David Hemsey Named Vice Chair for Inpatient Operations in the UNC Department of Medicine
For the last 10 years, David Hemsey, MD, has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the Chief of the Division of Hospital Medicine. Under his guidance, the division experienced remarkable growth, expanding from 33 faculty and 4 APPs to 62 faculty and 12 APPs. Now, Dr. David Hemsey will bring his extraordinary leadership to his new position as Vice Chair for Inpatient Operations i … Read more
Chest Pain Program Reaccredited by American College of Cardiology
UNC Hospitals has earned recertification as a Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology. This recognition acknowledges the organization’s continued commitment to providing high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing acute coronary syndromes. The Chest Pain Center is a collaboration o … Read more
Loeser Receives $2.2 Million NIH Award to Study Mechanisms Driving Joint Tissue Destruction in Osteoarthritis
Richard F. Loeser, Jr., MD, Director of the Thurston Arthritis Research Center and Joseph P. Archie, Jr. Eminent Professor of Medicine in UNC’s Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, received a $2.265 million, 4-year, award from the National Institute on Aging for his project, “Integrin Signaling in Osteoarthritis.” Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and c … Read more
Somasundaram Receives 2026 Lustgarten Clinical Accelerator Initiative Grant
Ashwin Somasundaram, MD, assistant professor of medicine with the division of oncology, received a Dr. Robert F. Vizza Lustgarten Clinical Accelerator Initiative (CAI) grant from the Lustgarten Foundation. His study, “A randomized, phase II study of subjects with advanced basal-like pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with a KRAS G12D inhibitor and erlotinib versus gemcitabine and … Read more
Kunal Patel Named Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in Office of Medical Student Education
After years of dedication to advancing the UNC School of Medicine’s educational mission, Kunal Patel, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, has been named assistant dean for student affairs in the Office of Medical Student Education. He will begin work for the new role on July 1, 2026. Dr. Patel brings a strong commitment to medical … Read more
Cristin Colford Named Vice Dean for Education for UNC School of Medicine
Since joining the UNC Department of Medicine in 2005, Cristin Colford, MD, FACP, has demonstrated an exceptional ability to connect with learners at every stage while also advancing innovative educational programs that can strengthen the future of academic medicine. Now, she will be taking these special talents into a new chapter as the vice dean for education at the UNC School o … Read more
128 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers Awarded 2026 Carolina Care Excellence
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, 128 Department of Medicine physicians and advanced practice providers received the highest recommendations. We are honored to recognize … Read more
DOM Researchers Receive UNC Center for Health Innovation Pilot Awards
Since 2013, the UNC Center for Health Innovation has come together annually to offer pilot funding for selected project proposals that demonstrate clear dedication to improving patient care, strengthening the healthcare system, and meeting the mission of the center as a whole. Projects that receive funding come from a broad area of interests including: Cassi Frank, DrPH, MMSc, PA … Read more
University of North Carolina Earns Pulmonary Embolism Center of Excellence Accreditation from The PERT Consortium
As the first accredited center in the state, this recognition highlights UNC’s leadership in multidisciplinary pulmonary embolism care and commitment to improving patient outcomes. The University of North Carolina has been officially designated as a Comprehensive Care Pulmonary Embolism Center of Excellence™ by The Pulmonary Embolism Response Team (PERT) Consortium®. This nationa … Read more