Category: People

The Department of Orthopaedics at UNC Health is pleased to announce that David Berkoff, MD, has been elected President of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM), one of the nation’s leading professional organizations dedicated to advancing sports medicine and the care of active individuals. Dr. Berkoff’s election reflects...

Paul Marini, MHA, Associate Chair of Administration for the Department of Orthopaedics was recently featured on The Growth Edge Leadership Podcast with Laurie Baedke. In his interview, Marini explores why many high-performing professionals resist networking and how that mindset can limit leadership growth. The conversation reframes networking from a transactional or...

David Berkoff, MD, Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations in the Department of Orthopaedics at UNC School of Medicine, has been selected for the 2026 ACC Academic Leaders Network. Dr. Berkoff is one of five faculty members from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill chosen...

Three faculty members from UNC Orthopaedics are preparing for a unique journey that blends adventure with scientific discovery. Drs. David Berkoff, Anthony Garzone, and Greg Summerville will soon travel to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania as part of a research effort examining how sleep quality impacts performance at high altitude. High-altitude environments...

Even before Lindsey Vonn’s injury at the Olympics, people were questioning whether it was appropriate to compete with a torn ACL. Our department’s Dr. Samantha Tayne spoke about the considerations of elite athletes and returning to play with UNC Health Talk. Elite athletes sometimes compete through serious injuries, like Lindsey...

Paul Marini, MHA, FACHE, Associate Chair for Administration in the UNC Department of Orthopaedics, has been elected 2026 President-Elect of the American College of Healthcare Executives of the Triangle and Eastern North Carolina (ACHE-TENC). He will serve as President of the chapter in 2027, helping guide one of the nation’s...

UNC Health orthopedist Dr. Michael Seifert spoke with The Independent on the use of weighted vests during workouts.

UNC Orthopaedics is celebrating a series of major milestones led by Dr. Joe Hart, whose recent accomplishments reflect both personal achievement and the department’s growing national presence in musculoskeletal research. In September 2025, Dr. Hart was awarded a $500,000 in partnership with Novant Health (New Hanover County) to establish a...

UNC Orthopaedics proudly welcomes Dr. Brian Phelps, a spine surgeon specializing in adult spinal deformity care. Born and raised in North  Carolina, Dr. Phelps returns home with a mission to improve lives through advanced surgical techniques and patient-centered care. Dr. Phelps was drawn to spinal deformity because of its unique...

The Department of Orthopaedics is thrilled to celebrate Abby Noschese (Executive Assistant) and Manal Khan (Research Project/Program Manager) for receiving the Dean’s Performance Award, one of the highest honors given by the UNC School of Medicine. Each year, only eight staff members across the School are recognized for their outstanding...

June: Scoliosis Awareness Month Scoliosis, a condition that causes an abnormal curvature of the spine, affects people of all ages but is most diagnosed in children and adolescents. Each June, Scoliosis Awareness Month brings attention to the importance of early detection and access to specialized care—something the UNC Department of...

The Department of Orthopaedics is proud to announce the promotion of J. Megan Patterson, MD, to Professor, effective May 1, 2025. This historic milestone makes Dr. Patterson the first woman in the department’s history to achieve this prestigious rank. Dr. Patterson has been a vital member of the department since...