Category: Cardiology

UNC Children’s celebrated the opening of its new 13-bed Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit on May 18. The dedicated unit brings together specialized teams, advanced technology, and expanded capacity to care for children with complex heart conditions. The milestone reflects continued investment in high-quality, family-centered pediatric care across North Carolina.

Robert Hartman, MD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective August 1, 2021. Dr. Hartman has been a faculty member in Pediatric Cardiology since 2018. Congratulations!

Dr. Atkins joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in the division of Pediatric Cardiology on August 11, 2025. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2011 at Vanderbilt University, a Master’s in medical sciences at University of South Florida in 2012, and earned is...

Dr. John Cotton, Professor of Pediatrics, has been named the Associate Vice Chair of Outreach Initiatives for the Department of Pediatrics. Dr. Cotton has been a Pediatric Cardiologist at UNC Children's since 1996, practicing in multiple sites across the state.  He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago,...

Elisabeth Leong, DO, MSCR was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective December 1, 2024. Dr. Leong has been a faculty member in Pediatric Cardiology since 2014. Congratulations!

Ryan Shea, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective November 1, 2024. Dr. Shea has been a faculty member in Pediatric Cardiology since 2016. Congratulations!

We are excited to recognize our faculty and trainees for their recent Academy of Educator (AOE) accomplishments.  We are so grateful for their enthusiasm, dedication, and talents as UNC AOE educators. Founded in 2006, the Academy of Educators is designed to emphasize teaching and support faculty development both in Chapel...

Dr. Cara Beth Carr, Assistant Professor in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Dr. Clara Hildebrandt, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Genetics & Metabolism, Dr. Elisabeth Leong, Assistant Professor in Pediatric Cardiology, and Dr. Lindsay Marszal, Assistant Professor in General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine have been selected to be a part of the 2023-2024 Passing...

Karen Jones, MSN, CPNP-AC/PC joined the Pediatric Division of Cardiology on October 2, 2023. Karen will be primarily working in the Catheterization Suite as well as seeing outpatients in several of our offices. She has had extensive experience at Children’s of Mississippi (Congenital Heart Surgery) and at Duke Children’s Hospital...

Diagnosed with a congenital heart condition while still in utero, Suzi Leahy’s unborn son, Jett, was given “little chance of survival,” yet he beat the odds thanks to the life-saving care of the N.C. Pediatric Heart Center at UNC Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.