UNC School of Medicine students completed a half marathon in Durham in early December and donated their race medals to pediatric patients at the UNC Hospitals Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic. The students are part of a new student organization, Medals4Mettle.
Yazan Alwarawrah, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology, was recently selected to receive a UNC-Chapel Hill Junior Faculty Development Award. Congratulations Yazan!
Morgan Such, PNP, joined the Wilmington Pediatric Hospitalists group as a Nurse Practitioner on December 11, 2023. Most recently, Morgan has been a Nurse Practitioner the PICU at ECU Health and was previously a nurse with UNC Children’s on the Hem/Onc/Bone Marrow Transplant service. She received her Master’s degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2022 and her BSN from Clemson University in 2016. Welcome Morgan!
Katie Jordan, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Genny Taylor, MD, Assistant Professor in the Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and Arshiya Ahuja, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Hospital Pediatrics, were recently selected to receive grants to participate in the 2024 AAMC Early-Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar.
Congratulations Katie, Genny, and Arshiya!
Macrina Liguori, MD, a fellow in the Division of Neonatal Perinatal Medicine, received the 2023 Emonson Award. Julie Blatt, MD, Professor in Hematology/Oncology received the 2023 Faculty Emonson award, and Nicole Willson, RN received the 2023 Nurse Emonson award. The Emonson Awards, established in 2006, annually recognize the nurse, resident, and faculty member who best represent the mission and spirit of UNC Children’s.
Cheryl Crawford, CPNP DNP joined the Department of Pediatrics in the Adolescent Medicine section of the Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent in November 2023. Ms. Crawford has cared for children and adolescents in multiple outpatient settings, initially as a pediatric nurse for 6 years, and as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner since 2005, most recently with UNCPN through the UNC Pediatrics at Forest Pines Wakefield office and the UNC Rex Hospital Newborn Nursery. She also earned her DNP degree in 2022. Welcome Cheryl!
COVID, the flu and RSV are often referred to as the trifecta of seasonal illnesses. But one of the viruses is spreading faster around the Cape Fear than the others. Doctors say they are seeing more patients with RSV than any other illness this time of year. A new preventive antibody to protect newborns against RSV is a step toward a healthier future. “The goal is to try and minimize how many babies are hospitalized,” said Dr. Lauren Rust, pediatric medical director for Novant Health and Assistant Professor with UNC Department of Pediatrics. But the new vaccine called Beyfortus, is in short supply. Rust says for now, the vaccine will be prioritized for high-risk patients. Those are newborns with underlying conditions, pregnant mothers and newborns six months or younger.
Maureen Farrell, MD, MS, Pediatric Resident in the Physician Scientist Training Program was awarded the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference Resident Roundtable Award. The award which supports medical residents to attend the annual meeting on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, providing opportunities to learn about advances in CF care and research as well as to network with leading investigators in the field.
Congratulations Maureen!
Tina Greeson, an Advanced Practice Practitioner in the Division of Gastroenterology, recently successfully defended her doctoral dissertation! Tina earner her doctorate in nursing while working her full time clinical job with Pediatrics. She is a wonderful example of what a nurse practitioner can do in an academic setting. Congratulations Dr. Greeson!
Pediatrics Faculty, Ian Davis, MD, PhD in Hematology-Oncology, and Kori Flower, MD, MPH, MS, in General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, named among The American Pediatric Society’s new members for 2024.
