Skip to main content

Category: Featured APP

  • Featured APP: Laura Blanchard, PA-C, MPAP

    Laura Blanchard, PA-C, MPAP, an Inpatient Supervisor in Hematology, was the first in-patient APP hired within Hematology and has balanced being a wonderful role model and leader within her job and her family! What is your role in the Department and what patients do you serve? Inpatient Supervisor in the division of Hematology caring for adult patients with leukemia, lymphoma and/ … Read more

  • Featured APP: Natalie Lappas

    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 countries! What is your role in the Department and what patients do you serv … Read more

  • Featured Advanced Practice Provider: Becky Sawchak

    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, it’s so rewarding when things work ou … Read more

  • Featured Advanced Practice Provider: William Churchwell

    William Churchwell, PA-C, MHS, helps hospitalized patients with hematologic malignancies navigate their cancer journey. Originally from Kansas City, he has lived in North Carolina for over 20 years. Bill believes laughter is the best medicine and bbq is the best food.  What is your role in the Department and what patients do you serve? I work in the Division of Hematology and wor … Read more

  • Featured Advanced Practice Provider: Candace Kastner

    Candace Kastner, PA-C, is a physical assistant working with the palliative care program. Before arriving in North Carolina Candace worked in New York City. She enjoys spending time with family, including her two year old daughter and new born son, checking out new restaurants, and working out. What is your role in the Department and what patients do you serve? I am an inpatient p … Read more

  • Featured Advanced Practice Provider: Danielle Camastra

    Danielle Camstra, PA, MS is a physician assistant in the Oncology/Hematology Infusion Clinic. As a child she wanted to be a veterinarian and still thinks being a pet photographer would be a great gig. Next year she hopes to attend two medical conferences. 

  • Featured Advanced Practice Provider: Julie Lewis

    Julie Lewis, ANP, cares for general cardiology patients. She is a North Carolina native, UNC School of Nursing graduate and a Swiftie. Julie enjoys baking, cooking and exercises daily. She is also a pizza lover! 

  • Featured Advanced Practice Provider: Kristi Brendle

    Kristi Brendle, MSN, FNP-C, is a nurse practitioner with the UNC Advanced Care at Home program. She is originally from Georgia but has lived in North Carolina since 2000. Kristi is  a proud mom to a junior at UNC Charlotte and stepmom to a pilot with United. Outside of work and family she enjoys hiking, kayaking, reading and cooking! 

  • Featured Advanced Practice Provider: Dwayne Bell

    Dwayne Bell, MSN, APRN, a North Carolina native, works in the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine as a nurse practitioner. Dwayne has grown in his role at UNC since 2003 and enjoys educating patients and their families. Outside of work he can be found cycling, sky-gazing, and plane spotting. If Dwayne was stuck eating only one food it would be yams! 

  • bonnie-alexander

    Featured Advanced Practice Provider: Bonnie Alexander

    Bonnie Alexander, PA-C, RDN, originally from California, is on our Diabetes Care Team. She began her career as a registered dietitian before finding her love for patient care as a physician assistant. Outside of work Bonnie enjoys doing hot yoga, reading, and traveling. Grain bowls are one of her favorite foods! 

  • Featured Advance Practice Provider: Vikki Metheny

    Vikki Metheny, BSN, MSN, ANP, is a Chapel Hill native and has been a nurse practitioner with the UNC Liver Center for over 11 years. Each visit she works to ensure the patient has an understanding of their disease. Outside of work, Vikki is a proud mom of two sons, frequents concerts, and loves Neapolitan style pizza!

  • Featured Advance Practice Provider: Laura Blanchard

    Laura Blanchard, MPAP, PA-C, was the first inpatient APP hired within the hematology division and has helped grow the program into a 10 person team. She is an advocate for the APP profession both at UNC and nationally. Laura is also a mom and a music lover who almost became a trumpeter. Her favorite food is the chick pea salad from Kardia!