UNC Children’s in Chapel Hill has been ranked among the nation’s top children’s hospitals, according to U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Children’s Hospitals” report released today. UNC Children’s was ranked as the #2 children’s hospital in North Carolina and nationally ranked in nine pediatric specialties.
Dr. Sherry Ross has been selected as the Faculty Director of Outreach Initiatives with a focus on the UNC SOM, UNC Health, and Novant Health partnership. This initiative is an academic and community health system partnership to improve the health and well-being of the population in southeastern NC.
Join us on October 26, 2024 at the Marble Kids Museum & IMAX Theatre in Raleigh for the Juvenile Arthritis Family Fun Day. This Arthritis Foundation event is for families affected by juvenile arthritis and childhood rheumatic diseases. Join us for a brief educational session and then enjoy connecting with other JA Families in the region. Registration is FREE and includes educational sessions for the adults and fun activities for JA Warriors and their siblings. General admission to the Marble Kids Museum, IMAX movie tickets, and Lunch are provided.
Jennifer Talbot, MSN, RN, CPNP-AC/PC, CPN, joined the Pediatric Division of Critical Care Medicine on October 14, 2024. Jennifer received her BSN from University of Maryland in 2008 and earned her MSN as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Acute Care in May 2015. Subsequently, Jennifer completed a post-master’s certification in Pediatric Nurse Practitioner – Primary Care at the UNC School of Nursing. Since 2018, Jennifer has been working as a bedside Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at UNC Children’s Hospital. Congratulation Jennifer!
Kasey Zawodniak, CPNP joined the Pediatric Division of Critical Care Medicine on October 14, 2024. Kasey received her BSN from St. Louis University in 1997 and earned her MSN from the University of Pennsylvania in August 2004. Over the last 20 years, Kasey has been working as an Advanced Practice Provider at a variety of hospitals including, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in St. Louis, MO, Children’s Health in Dallas, TX, Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, and most recently, at Duke University Hospital. Welcome Kasaey!
Danielle Wood, DNP, joined the Pediatric Division of Critical Care Medicine on October 14, 2024. Danielle received her BSN from OSF Saint Francis College of Nursing, Peoria, IL in 2013 and earned her DNP in Pediatric Acute Care from Rush University, Chicago, IL, in April 2019. Most recently, Danielle has been working as a Pediatric Intensive Care and Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care APP at Levine Children’s Hospital and Duke University Hospital. Welcome Danielle!
Kimberly Fernandez, 4th year UNC Medical Student, has been named the 2024 William Hersey Davis Jr., MD Pediatric Student Scholar. Kimberly stood to the selection committee for her ability to build rapport with patients and her compassion for and commitment to underserved communities. What impressed her preceptors most was “her ability to handle medical complexity while also earning the trust of patients from all communities and backgrounds during the most acutely stressful times of their lives.” Congratulations Kimberly!
We are thrilled to announce that recipients of the 2024-25 Jefferson-Pilot Fellowships are both faculty in the Department of Pediatrics! Dr. Samantha Schilling, Associate Professor Pediatrics, in General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine and Dr. Meghan Rebuli, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, in Allergy/Immunology. Join us in congratulating these exceptional junior faculty, who are most deserving of the recognition that comes with these prestigious awards.
As of November 1, 2024, Dr. Matt Pizzuto will serve as the interim Division Chief of the Critical Care Medicine division in the Department of Pediatrics at UNC. Dr. Pizzuto is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and currently serves as the medical director for the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and physician service leader for the inpatient cardiology service. Please congratulate Dr. Pizzuto on his new role!
Ric Ong, MD, MBA joined the Pediatric Division of Genetics & Metabolism on October 7, 2024. Dr. Ong received his BA from University of Rochester, NY in 1988 and earned his MD from Duke University in 1996. He completed a Residency in Emergency Medicine at Johns Hopkins University in 1999 and a Genetics Fellowship at Duke University in 2020. Dr. Ong was previously board certified in Emergency Medicine and is currently certified in Clinical Genetics. Dr. Ong was a career Army Medical Officer, physician, and clinician until his retirement from service in the summer of 2024. Welcome to UNC, Ric!
