UNC Program Connects Adolescents and Young Adults to Quality Cancer Care. From puberty to leaving home, starting a career, and navigating adult relationships, adolescents and young adults can feel like they’re facing a seemingly unending stream of challenges. Now imagine adding cancer to that mix. Every year, almost 90,000 of these adolescents and young adults (AYAs)—generally defined as people between the ages of 15 and 39—receive a cancer diagnosis. And this group of patients often needs extra help navigating the complexities of cancer care. A new study has shown that a program in place for a decade at the University of North Carolina (UNC) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center substantially increased its assistance to AYAs with cancer being treated at the center.

We are excited to welcome to the newest group of fellows/subspecialty residents to UNC Children’s! Our fellowship programs are committed to fostering the development of future generations of physicians and scientists who will go on to improve the health of children in North Carolina and across the globe.

Alexandra Borst, MD joined the Pediatric Division of Hematology/Oncology on August 1, 2024. Dr. Borst received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Pomona College in Claremont, CA in 2005. She earned her MD from Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York, NY in May 2010. Dr. Borst completed her residency in pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2013 and her fellowship in pediatric hematology & oncology at Duke University Medical Center in 2017. Most recently, Dr. Borst has been working in the Division of Hematology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a Clinical Assistant Professor. Welcome Alexandra!

Emily Greengard, MD joined the Pediatric Division of Hematology/Oncology on July 31, 2024. Dr. Greengard received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Madison, WI in 1999. MD from St. Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO in 2004. Dr. Greengard completed her residency in pediatrics at Children’s Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University in 2007 and her fellowship in pediatric hematology & oncology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in 2010. Most recently, Dr. Borst has been working in Pediatrics at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine as an Associate Professor. Welcome Emily!

Justin Sperlazza, MD joined the Pediatric Division of Hematology/Oncology on July 31, 2024. Dr. Sperlazza received his MD from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, in May of 2018. He also received his Bachelor of Science degree with highest honors from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC in May of 2009, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy with a focus in Human & Molecular Genetics from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, in October of 2015. He completed both his Pediatric Fellowship and Residency with UNC Pediatrics. Congratulations Justin!

Michael Winstead, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective March 1, 2024. Dr. Winstead has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since 2017. Dr. Winstead received a BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in May 2006 and received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago in May 2010. He completed his Pediatric Residency at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque in June 2013. A fellowship in Pediatric Hematology-Oncology was completed at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland in June 2016. Dr. Winstead completed his fellowship in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC in 2017.

Yasmina Abajas, MD was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics effective January 1, 2024. Dr. Abajas has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since 2016. Dr. Abajas received her medical degree from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in May 2009. She completed her internship and Pediatric residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital/Jackson Health System Program/University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in June 2012. A Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship was completed at UNC Chapel Hill in June 2015 followed by a year as a Postdoctoral Research Associate with UNC Pediatric Hematology-Oncology.

Two Pediatrics faculty members were recently awarded distinguished professorships by vote of the Board of Trustees for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Appointment to a distinguished professorship is one of the highest faculty honors the University can bestow. Faculty recognized with distinguished professorships have shown distinction and leadership in their field or across disciplines. Distinguished awards allocate funds and an honorary title to the recipients. Congratulations Dr. Joyner and Dr. Savoldo.

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.

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.