As the World Health Organization pushes to eradicate the Hepatitis B virus (HBV) by 2030, preventing vertical transmission is key, says Peyton Thompson, MD, MSCR, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. But despite widespread availability of effective childhood vaccines, HBV remains endemic throughout sub-Saharan Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Catherine O’Connell, PhD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective March 1, 2024. Dr. O’Connell has been a faculty member in Pediatric Infectious Diseases since 2013. Dr. O’Connell received her BA in Microbiology from Dublin University in 1987 and received her PhD in Microbiology from Dublin University in 1993. She joined us at UNC in 2013 as an Assistant Professor from the University of Arkansas Department of Pediatrics.

Tom Belhorn, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases, has been selected by UNC School of Medicine Medical Alumni to receive the 2024 UNC School of Medicine Distinguished Faculty Award. This award recognizes Dr. Belhorn’s decades of leadership within pediatric infectious disease and his commitment to training the next generation of providers. Congratulations Tom!

Xiaojing Zheng, PhD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective February 1, 2024. Dr. Zheng has been a faculty member in Pediatric Infectious Diseases since 2013. Dr. Zheng received her BS in Medicine from Tongji Medical School in Wuhan, China in 1995 and completed a MS in Nephrology from Tongji Medical School in August 2001. She completed a PhD in Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh in June 2007 as well as a PhD in Biostatistics at the University of Pittsburgh in May 2012.

Congratulations to Corinne Keet, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Allergy/Immunology, and Vice Chair of Clinical and Translational Research, and Peyton Thompson, MD, MSCR,
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases, on their election to membership in the Society of Pediatric Research (SPR).

The Society for Pediatric Research encourages and supports pediatric research endeavors by creating a multi-disciplinary network of diverse researchers to improve child health. Collaboration among SPR members creates meaningful progress for the future of children’s health. Active Members are independent researchers conducting hypothesis-driven research in a field related to pediatrics that have been nominated and seconded by SPR members and approved by SPR Council.

Congratulations Corinne and Peyton!

Tom Belhorn, MD, PhD, Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases, has been selected by UNC School of Medicine students to be the Fall Convocation and Award Ceremony Lecturer for the 2023 Fall Convocation and Awards Ceremony. Dr. Belhorn will provide a presentation at the ceremony planned for August 16th at 12:30 pm at MBRB building.

Indriati Hood Pishchany, MD, PhD joined the Pediatric Division of Infectious Diseases on July 31, 2023. Dr. Hood Pishchany received her BS from Houghton College in Houghton, NY in 2006. She completed her PhD in Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology in 2012 and medical degree in 2014, both from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. She was a Pediatric Resident at Boston Children’s Hospital and Medical Center between 2014 and 2016. She completed her subspeciality training in Infectious Diseases at Boston Children’s in 2020. She will have a significant research focus to pursue basic and translational projects in addition to her clinical work. Welcome Indriati!!
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Zachary Willis, MD, MPH was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective May 1, 2023. Dr. Willis has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since 2016. Dr. Willis is a specialist in pediatric infectious disease with particular interest in studying antibacterial resistance and is the Director of the Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Program.

We are excited to congratulate Pediatrics department members recently inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA). Election to Alpha Omega Alpha signifies a lasting commitment to scholarship, leadership, professionalism, and service. Membership in the society confers recognition of someone’s dedication to the profession and art of healing. Many congratulations to Laura Rachal, MD, Alhaji Mohammed, MD, and Chris Okorieocha, MD.

Join Sepsis Alliance for the fifth annual Pediatric Sepsis Week, April 16th to 22rd, to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of sepsis in children, recognize the 75,000 children who develop sepsis each year in the U.S, and honor those who have passed. This annual observance will be held the third week of April.