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Category: Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology

  • emily-sickbert-bennett-dom-newsworthy-January-2022

    Newsworthy from the Department of Medicine, Week of October 29 – November 4

    The below clickable headlines link directly to outside media outlets and feature UNC Department of Medicine faculty, starting Friday, November 4, 2021. Emily Sickbert-Bennett, PhD, MS What every parent should know about Halloween safety | Four 2 Five – Dr. Emily Sickbert-Bennett (MSN.com) Food Allergy Families Seek Out Hard-to-Find Immunotherapy – Dr. Edwin Kim (WebMD) Pandemic-r … Read more

  • October-Grants and Funding

    Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: October 1 – October 31, 2021

    Division of Geriatric Medicine John Batsis, MD, was awarded a grant from NC TraCS to study early detection of sarcopenia in collaboration with David Lynch, MBBS. Division of Oncology Lisa Carey, MD, received a grant from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for “Clinical implications of metastatic subtype, microenvironment, and organ of involvement.” Division of Rheumatology, Al … Read more

  • Penicillin Allergy Assessments Expand to Inpatient Areas

    Mildred Kwan, MD, PhD Imagine: You have a patient with a penicillin allergy documented in their chart. Typically, you would prescribe amoxicillin for their infection, but that is not an option because it is a penicillin-class antibiotic. Instead, you prescribe a broader-spectrum antibiotic–not your first choice except for the allergy. But, what if you learned that it is not a tru … Read more

  • leigh-callahan

    The OA Action Alliance, Arthritis Foundation, and CDC Release ‘Action Briefs’ Focused on Osteoarthritis

    Leigh Callahan, PhD Newly released Action Briefs now make it easier for employers, insurers, healthcare systems, policy makers, and leaders in other organizations to take specific, practical actions to support their constituents with osteoarthritis. The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance (OAAA), partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Arthritis Fo … Read more

  • August- Grants and Funding

    Department of Medicine Grants & Funding: August 1 – August 31, 2021

    Division of Infectious Diseases UNC HIV Cure Center led by David Margolis, MD, was awarded $26.2 million over the next five years. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Silvia Kreda, PhD, received a phase two NIH Small Business Innovation Research Grant to continue studies for a novel oligonucleotide therapeutic strategy for treating cystic fibrosis. Division of Rheuma … Read more

  • leigh-callahan

    The Osteoarthritis Action Alliance Receives 5 Years of CDC Funding to Advance National Osteoarthritis Public Health Initiatives

    Leigh Callahan, PhD Thanks to additional support from the CDC, the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance is actively addressing the devastating impact of osteoarthritis on adults and communities through strategic leveraging of partnerships, collaborations, and the resources of its 140+ member organizations. “This is a crucial time, because osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disab … Read more

  • Nicole-Orzechowski-Shruti Chandramouli

    Arthritis, Allergy and Lupus Awareness in May

    Rheumatologists Nicole Orzechowski, DO, and Shruti Chandramouli, MD, examine a patient at the UNC Eastowne Rheumatology Clinic. Arthritis Awareness Month – Osteoarthritis Studies May is Arthritis Awareness Month. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, and researchers at the UNC Thurston Arthritis Research Center are nationally and internationally recognized for … Read more

  • edwin-kim

    Being a Food Allergy Dad Makes Him a Better Allergy Doctor

    Edwin Kim, MD Edwin Kim, MD, shares his experience and expertise on food allergies in the podcast “Being a Food Allergy Dad Makes Him a Better Food Allergy Doctor.” Kim is the associate professor of medicine and pediatrics, and division chief of pediatric allergy. The podcast offers a wealth of information about food allergy testing and diagnostics. Kim’s discusses how his patien … Read more

  • Medscape Survey Suggests 50% of Rheumatologists Experience Burnout

    Beth Jonas, MD The Rheumatologist reports on a new Medscape survey that found rheumatology has the second-highest burnout level among the 29 specialties included, with 50% of the rheuma­tology respondents saying they’re experiencing “burnout.” “I was quite surprised by this,” said Beth Jonas, MD, the Reeves Foundation Distinguished Professor of Medicine and chief of the division … Read more

  • leigh-callahan

    Callahan Appointed to NIAMS Advisory Council for Three-Year Term

    Leigh Callahan, PhD Leigh Callahan, PhD, has a long history of serving in multiple leadership and advisory positions with the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Skin Diseases (NIAMS) for the past 30 years. Some of these roles have included serving on the National Research Plan development, the National Arthritis Data Workgroup, and numerous Special Emphasis Grant … Read more

  • Sofija Volertas

    You Can Work Out Before Your COVID Vaccine, But It Won’t Necessarily Boost Immune Response

    Sofija Volertas, MD Sofija Volertas, MD, assistant professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology, was interviewed for a Pop Sugar article about working out before getting a vaccine. Volertas recognized that allergists don’t have a definitive answer for someone being 100 percent clear to work out pre-vaccine. But aside from the COVID-19 vaccine, the … Read more

  • Dr. Saira Sheikh

    Sheikh Offers Tips For People With Allergies During Pollen Season

    Saira Sheikh, MD A Charlotte Observer report on the spring pollen haze over North Carolina recognizes that  many people suffer from itchy eyes and a runny nose when going outside.  Saira Sheikh, MD, associate professor of medicine in the division of rheumatology, allergy and immunology offered tips for avoiding the worst impacts of the annual event. “Pick a time of the day when t … Read more