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.

Jennifer John, FNP joined the Department of Pediatrics in the Adolescent Medicine section of the Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent in November 2023. Ms. John worked as a nurse in multiple settings for 17 years, including as a School Nurse in Onslow County, before obtaining her FNP degree. Since then, her experience has included working at the Murdoch Developmental Center, a state-run residential facility for people with intellectual disabilities. She will be onsite at the new Youth Behavioral Health Facility. Welcome Jennifer!

Jordan Lewis, NNP, joined the Wilmington Peds group in Neonatology as a Nurse Practitioner in November 2023. Jordan has been an RN in the NICU since 2018 and just recently graduated with her Master’s from East Carolina University. She will be primarily assisting the team at Novant New Hanover. Welcome Jordan!

Beginning November 10, 2023, physicians, local leaders, and members from Novant Health, UNC Health and the UNC School of Medicine attended a two-day conference to focus on the partnership between the organizations. Kody Kinsley, North Carolina’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, spoke at the conference where participants refocused on the common goals of advanced clinical research, academic development, and clinical services. The clinical care partnership has been focused on children’s specialty care. We’ve been transforming access and availability of children specially care so that families who need some special consultation for their kids don’t have to drive to the triangle to get that. UNC Children’s and Novant are now able to offer that such specialty care locally now and with short-term appointment times, less than 2 or 3 weeks for new appointments.

Analyses led by Corinne Keet, MD, PhD, at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, of two longitudinal studies reveal how an increased level of an antibody called immunoglobin (IgE) to cow’s milk is associated to cardiovascular-related death.

David Peden, MD, MS, has been named chief research officer of the UNC School of Medicine Clinical Research Alliance. He will begin his work in the role immediately. He also serves as interim director of the CRA.

Dr. Chop joined the Department of Pediatrics as faculty in October, 2023. Dr. Chop received her BS from the University of Maryland in 2011, completed her medical degree at Saint James School of Medicine, Anguilla in 2016, and earned a master’s in public health at Walden University, Minnesota in 2017. She was a Pediatric Resident at the Vidant Medical Center at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC from 2017 to 2020. She completed subspecialty training in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine at Nationwide Children’s Hospital/The Ohio State University in 2023. Welcome Yvette!