Category: Hematology
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
Save the Date: UNC Sickle Cell Fundraiser Set for September 15
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 for September 15th and join the UNC Comprehensive … Read more
Christine Hill Receives School of Medicine Staff Development Grant
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 for the 2024 program. The awarde … Read more
95 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers Awarded 2024 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, 205 UNC physicians and advanced practice providers received the highest recommendations, which places them in the top quartile nationall … Read more
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: February 1 – February 29, 2024
The UNC Department of Medicine ranked 23rd in the country in total National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding for federal fiscal year 2023 and 8th among peer public universities, according to a new report published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. Division of Rheumatology, Allergy & Immunology Saira Sheikh, MD, Vimal Derebail, MD, MPH, and Tessa Englund rece … Read more
Monroe, Fager Publish “Stopping the bleed when platelets don’t stick”
Dougald Monroe, PhD, professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology and the UNC Blood Research Center, co-authored an article with Ammon Fager, MD, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at Duke University titled, “Stopping the bleed when platelets don’t stick” in Nature Cardiovascular Medicine. The commentary discusses a novel bifunctional antibody that brings factor VIIa to … 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
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: January 1 – January 31, 2024
Division of Oncology Lisa Carey, MD, received a $225K grant titled, “Clinical implications of metastatic subtype, microenvironment, and organ of involvement.” Joannie Ivory, MD, was granted $240K for her project, “Participant Enrollment in a Multi-Site Randomized Clinical Trial of Endocrine Therapy Adherence Support.” Yara Abdou, MD, was awarded $240K to investigate molecular res … Read more
2024 Fellows Match to the Department of Medicine
The Department of Medicine is honored to welcome new Tar Heel trainees! The National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) released results for the 2023 Medicine and Pediatric Specialties Match on November 29. More than 7,000 applicants matched to advanced training positions. After a successful Match, the following fellows will join Department subspecialties in July 2024. Division of … Read more
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: November 1 – November 30, 2023
Division of Hematology Rafal Pawlinski, PhD, and Brandi Reeves, MD, were awarded a one-year $75,000 UNC School of Medicine Phase 2 Translational Team Science Award (TTSA) for their project, “evaluating the role of hypoxia inducible factors in endothelial and hematopoietic cells in myeloproliferative neoplasms.” Division of Endocrinology & Metabolism Emily Pfaff, PhD, spoke ab … Read more
UNC Hemophilia Treatment Center hosts 6th NC HTC Pharmacy Summit
Clinicians and staff from Hemophilia Treatment Centers (HTC) across the state, the Hemophilia Alliance, and UNC HTC Pharmacy recently joined together at the University of North Carolina for the 6th NC HTCPharmacy summit. The meeting provided networking and educational opportunities as well as a platform to discuss ways patient care can be improved for the bleeding disorder … Read more
Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: October 1 – October 31, 2023
Division of Infectious Diseases Edward P Browne, PhD, received a: R61 grant from the NIDA to examine the impact of cannabinoids in HIV infected humanized mice. This is a five year, $3,465,157 grant. R21 grant from the NIAID to examine post therapy changes in CD4 T cells by single cell RNA sequencing. This award is $427,625. Nicholas Piazza, MD, received a $350,351 grant to intro … Read more