Jesse Hart, MD joined the Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine on July 17, 2023. Dr. Hart completed her pediatric residency at UNC and has provided pediatric primary care at WakeMed, where she was also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics. Dr. Hart has been very involved in student and resident medical education, including serving as the Co-Director of the Community Based Longitudinal Curriculum for the Raleigh campus. Dr. Hart will provide primary care, alongside Dr. Rao, at UNC Panther Creek, and will spend one day a week in our UNC Children’s Primary Care Clinic at Carolina Pointe II, supervising our pediatric residents. Welcome back Jesse!

Bianca A. Allison, MD MPH, an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics, sought to examine the awareness and knowledge that adolescents have about the legal landscape of abortion and how these changes might affect them and their communities. The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, found that many adolescents – across a diversity of ages, genders, and geographies – are aware of and concerned about the potential impacts of abortion restrictions.

Tisu Mvalo, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective June 1, 2023. Dr. Mvalo has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since 2016. Dr. Mvalo practices at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi. He also provides on-the-ground mentorship for the rotating learners and is the PI for several ongoing research studies at UNC Project Malawi.

Dr. Williams joined the Department of Pediatrics as faculty on May 1, 2023. Dr. Williams received her BS from Virginia Tech in 2007 and completed her medical degree at the Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University in 2012. She was a Pediatric Resident at UNC from 2012 to 2015. Since graduating, she has practiced as a General Pediatrician in New Hampshire. Dr. Williams will be working with the team at UNC Pediatrics at Pittsboro. Welcome back Heather!

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.

Kenya McNeal-Trice, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, has been selected to join the second class admitted to the National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics (NADEP). Members are selected after careful peer review. Reviewers congratulated Dr. McNeal-Trice on the depth and breadth of her educational experiences, expertise, and contributions to the field.

Molly Berkoff, MD, MPH, Professor of Pediatrics, Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine and Medical Director, Child Medical Evaluation Program, School of Medicine, was recognized with the faculty Bryan Award for significant contributions to creating high-quality services for North Carolina children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

The UNC Department of Pediatrics is pleased to announce that Jasmine Weiss, MD, MHS, FAAP, has been named as a UNC School of Medicine Simmons Scholar. Since its launch in 1994, the Simmons Scholars Program has offered support to faculty members from groups traditionally underrepresented in medicine, while also placing an emphasis on building a community of scholars that spans multiple disciplines.

Martha Perry, MD was promoted to Professor of Pediatrics effective February 1, 2023. Dr. Perry has been a faculty member in General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine since 2017. She is the Director of Outpatient Quality and Safety for UNC Children’s Hospital where she identifies and prioritizes strategic enhancements to outpatient quality and safety.

Emily Vander Schaaf, MD, MPH was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective February 1, 2023. Dr. Vander Schaaf has been a faculty member with the Department of Pediatrics since 2016.