Three Department of Medicine faculty have been awarded with the second annual Medical Staff Physician Clinical Excellence Award.
This award recognizes UNC Hospitals clinical physicians who embody the qualities of a truly great patient service provider. These physicians are technically skilled, compassionate to patients and families and work collaboratively with colleagues. Nominations were submitted by fellow providers and reviewed by the Medical Staff Executive Committee.
Vimal Derebail, MD, MPH, FASN
Dr. Derebail, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, is focused on the care of patients with glomerular diseases and vasculitis. He is involved with the Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE), a cohort charged with understanding the molecular pathways driving Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), Minimal Change Disease (MCD), and Membranous Nephropathy (MN) in patients.
As co-chair of the NEPTUNE Match Study, Dr. Derebail leads efforts to match patients with clinical trials based on their molecular phenotypes and assess outcomes.
An award nominator wrote: “Dr. Derebail embodies a true academic physician and a caregiving spirit. He is internationally renowned in his research and academic career; he is an astute clinician and humanistic partner to patients he encounters; he understands patients’ disease in depth but just as importantly, he knows about his patients’ lives, careers and families and often takes the time to understand and advise junior faculty or fellows.”
Alyssa Tilly, MD
Dr. Tilly is an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of General Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology. She is an attending physician in the UNC Palliative Care Program, serving on both the Inpatient Adult Palliative Care Team and the Children’s Supportive Care Team. Dr. Tilly has a passion for supporting underserved populations and communities, dedicating time to care for palliative care patients in Africa through UNC Project Malawi. She is currently building an interventional research program focused on advancing oncology palliative care in the area.
When Hurricane Helene devastated the western part of the state in the fall of 2024, Dr. Tilly’s calling devotion to service became evident. Taking what she learned in a global health setting, Dr. Tilly traveled to her hometown of Spruce Pine, NC and became involved in the operations and logistics of a field hospital at the Burnsville Fire Department. In the weeks to follow, the team of providers cared for hundreds of patients and advocated for essential resources. Mountain Strong, a local non-profit, has turned the once field hospital into a free medical clinic.
“One of Dr. Tilly’s most remarkable qualities is her ability to connect with others. This is evident in her clinical care, education, administrative duties, and research. Her listening and communication skills enable her to meet people where they are and guide them through some of the most challenging times in their lives. Her ability to connect and support her colleagues and students has been invaluable,” a nominator wrote.
John Vavalle, MD
Dr. Vavalle, an associate professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology, is renowned for his expertise in percutaneous structural and valvular heart disease interventions, as well as coronary interventions.
He has been instrumental in the creation of the UNC structural health program. Dr. Vavalle successfully performed the first TAVR procedure at UNC in 2014. He has continued to be involved in many of the rapid advancements in the field of interventional cardiology. The efforts of him and his team played a key role in the recent approval of the EVOQUE Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement System. In 2024, they performed their first transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement in the clinical setting, a first in North Carolina. This is a revolutionary treatment for patients living with a common type of heart valve disease.
One of his nominators wrote: “Dr. Vavalle’s bedside manner is second to none. He gets to know patients and listens to their concerns. He knows how to explain complex pathologies and procedures He takes care of his patients like they are part of his own family. He updates the entire care team about a patient several months down the line. The patient’s win isn’t just his win – it’s the team’s win and Dr. Vavalle makes sure that we all know it.”