Category: News
Accolades, Awards and Appointments Archive
Congratulations to department faculty who received the following accolades, awards and appointments September 1 – September 30, 2026. John A. Batsis, MD, has been awarded the 2026 George L. Blackburn Award for Excellence in Obesity Medicine. Christopher Jensen, MD, MSCR, received the prestigious Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Career Development Award. A study led by … Read more
Faculty & Staff in the News through September
The clickable links below navigate directly to outside media articles which featured Department of Medicine faculty and staff throughout the month of September 2026. David Weber, MD, MPH, spoke with WRAL about a rare “brain-eating amoeba” after a reported case in North Carolina. C. Adrian Austin, MD, was an author of a commentary exploring the integration of pharmacogenomics and … Read more
Dr. Laura Hanson to Join ‘Music and Mind’ Panel
Dr. Laura Hanson On Wednesday, October 14, 2026, celebrated soprano Renée Fleming will bring her Music & Mind initiative to UNC’s Memorial Hall. Presented in partnership with the School of Medicine, this event explores the relationship between music and human health. Alongside Fleming, a panel of UNC neuroscientists and practitioners will explore ways the arts can help inform … Read more
Laura Blanchard Announced as Inaugural Department of Medicine Advanced Practice Provider Consulting Director
The UNC Department of Medicine is excited to announce Laura Blanchard, MPAP, PA-C, as the inaugural Department of Medicine Advanced Practice Provider Consulting Director. Laura brings 13 years of clinical and leadership experience at UNC Health to the role, with a career focused on advancing APP workforce development, strengthening clinical operations, and improving patient care. … Read more
Jensen Receives Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Career Development Award
Christopher Jensen, MD, MSCR, recently received the prestigious Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Career Development Award. The highly competitive, two-year award supports the career development of early-career physician-investigators through advanced training, mentorship, and leadership in clinical trials. This award program seeks to improve patient participation in … Read more
Julie Mullikin Recognized with UNC Hospitals Melainie Bolick Program Coordinator Award
Each year, UNC Hospitals recognizes the outstanding achievements of a program coordinator with the Melanie Bolick Program Coordinator Award. This year, the department’s very own residency coordinator Julie Mullikin was the recipient of this high honor. Julie is a pillar of the UNC Internal Medicine Residency Program, always deeply committed to the success of every resident, staff … Read more
UME Faculty Spotlight: Sandy Whitlock, MD
Meet Dr. Sandy Whitlock the Associate Dean and Program director for the UNC School of Medicine Asheville Campus. Tell us a little about how got interested in education and your background (including any formal training)? During my fellowship in Hospice and Palliative Care, I was fortunate to have fantastic mentors who emphasized the importance of becoming effective teachers (for … Read more
Shana Ratner Named as New Chief of UNC Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology
Shana Ratner, MD, FACP, has been named the new chief of the UNC Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology. Having been on faculty with the department since 2011, she has served as Assistant Medical Director for Quality Improvement, Medical Director of the Internal Medicine Clinic, Vice Chief for Education and Clinical Practice, and, since July 2025, Interim Division … Read more
C. Barrett Bowling Named as Chief for the UNC Division of Geriatric Medicine and Director of Center for Aging and Health
C. Barrett Bowling, MD, MSPH, has been named as the new Chief for the UNC Division of Geriatric Medicine and Director of the Center for Aging and Health, effective November 2. Dr. Bowling is nationally recognized for his design of patient-centered care focusing on optimizing function and quality of life over traditional disease-based approaches. He is also a national leader in re … Read more
Dr. John Batsis Awarded 2026 George L. Blackburn Award by Obesity Society
John Batsis, MD Dr. John A. Batsis was recently recognized by The Obesity Societywith the 2026 George L. Blackburn Award for Excellence in Obesity Medicine. Dr. Batsis will be formally honored at the Society’s 44th annual meeting this November. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Batsis has dedicated himself to caring for older adults. In his role as a clinician-researcher, h … Read more
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Faculty & Staff in the News through August
The clickable links below navigate directly to outside media articles which featured Department of Medicine faculty and staff throughout the month of August 2026. Karina Whelan, MD, published the article “Improving the Ambulatory General Internal Medicine Experience in Undergraduate Medical Education: a Call for Action” has been published online in Journal of General Internal Med … Read more
Deepa Kirk, MD, Named Vice Chair for Ambulatory Services in the UNC Department of Medicine
Dr. Kirk brings more than a decade of leadership in ambulatory care across the department. From 2014 to 2024, she was Medical Director of the Endocrinology Clinic, and since 2019, she has held the role of Vice Chief for Clinical Affairs in the Division of Endocrinology. In 2023, Dr. Kirk expanded her departmental leadership as Associate Vice Chair for Outpatient Services. Dr. Kir … Read more