Category: Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Drs. Weickert, Shifali, Elected to the Medical Staff Executive Committee
Congratulations to the newly elected at-large members of the Medical Staff Executive Committee. The new members from the Department of Medicine, who will serve a 2-year term, include: Drs. Weickert and Arora Thelsa Weickert, MD Shifali Arora, MD Also, a huge thanks to our departing members whose terms have expired – Cody Deen, MD, and Jennifer Mentee. The MSEC consists of the off … Read more
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!
Gastroenterology Faculty and Fellows Will Present at 2023 Digestive Disease Week
It’s almost Digestive Disease Week! The world’s largest annual gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery, will take place in Chicago, IL on May 6-9. The best and most innovative research in the field of gastroenterology will be showcased and among the presenters are members of UNC Gastroenterolog … Read more
97 Physicians, Advanced Practice Providers Receive 2023 Award for 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, 202 UNC physicians and advanced practice providers received the highest recommendations, which places them in the top quartile nationall … Read more
A Tale of Probiotics and How to Help Your Own Gut Microbiome
Andrea Azcarate-Peril, PhD, associate professor of medicine, discusses her research into the bacterial communities that live inside our guts and offers tips on how you can maintain a healthy microbiome. Lacticaseibacillus casei, a bacterium that is often used to ferment cheese and yoghurt, as seen through an electron microscope. Bacteria have thousands of genes and functions that … Read more
Featured Physician: Andrew J. Gilman
Andrew Gilman, MD, was drawn to UNC Gastroenterology because of the mission, collegiality and “how can we help” attitude. From a rural area in California, Dr. Gilman says it it rewarding to provide care to people from remote areas. Outside of work he enjoys fly fishing, diving and hiking.
What You Should Know about the Lone Star Tick’s Impact on our Gut, Diet
A Lone Star Tick on a leaf. Credit Judy Gallagher An eight-legged brown creature about a quarter inch in size could make you want to skip out on your next cheeseburger. Found in North Carolina, the Midwest and Southern U.S., the Lone Star Tick can transmit the alpha-gal sugar, a sugar present in all mammals except humans, into the blood through its bite. This causes some to becom … Read more
Dr. Baron Receives Rudolf Schindler Award from American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Todd H. Baron, MD, MASGE, has been honored with the Rudolf Schindler Award, the most prestigious award from the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). “The Schindler award is the most prestigious award from the ASGE, and I have been fortunate enough to have worked directly with – and been mentored by – past Schindler Award recipients. I am very proud and honored … Read more
Dr. Dellon Ushers in First FDA-Approved Medication for Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Evan Dellon, MD, MPH, a professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology & Hepatology and director of the Center for Esophageal Diseases and Swallowing, co-leads effort to approve an allergy drug, dupilumab, for the treatment in adults and adolescents with eosinophilic esophagitis. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic condition of the esophagus that is on th … Read more
Welcome New Administrative Leadership
As the calendar year comes to a close, the Department of Medicine has much to celebrate. Congrats to the following individuals who are beginning new administrative positions with the Department. Their expertise and enthusiasm will help us excel in 2023. While others are moving along in their career journey, we are thankful for their contributions and wish them the best in their f … Read more
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Dr. Dellon Ushers in First FDA-Approved Medication for Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Evan S. Dellon, MD, MPH Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an allergic condition of the esophagus that is on the rise throughout the United States. Patients with the condition typically have inflammation throughout their esophagus and trouble swallowing food – known as dysphagia. Without proper treatment, the lining of the esophagus becomes fibrous, and the passage becomes so narr … Read more