Ellie Mears Ward, NNP, is a new Neonatal Nurse Practitioner at the Novant Brunswick location. She received her bachelors of science in nursing in 2013 and her masters in nursing in 2018, both from East Carolina University. She’s had experience at the Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA and Fairfax Neonatal Associates in Fairfax, VA. Welcome Ellie!
Dr. Maura Olcese joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor in Pediatric Emergency Medicine on September 14, 2024.Dr. Olcese received her bachelor degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia in 2008. She earned her medical degree and a masters degree in epidemiology and biostatistics from Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, in 2017. She completed her internship with Ventura County Family Medicine and completed her Pediatric Residency with the Kaiser Oakland Medical Center in Oakland, CA in 2020. She completed a Pediatric Emergency Medicine fellowship with UNC/Wake Med in Raleigh in 2024. Welcome Maura!
Dr. Gross joined the Department of Pediatrics as a board-certified Pediatric Pulmonologist on September 1, 2024. Dr. Gross received her BS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1993. She remained at UNC to complete a PhD in Oral Biology in 1999. She earned her medical degree at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine in 2003. She was a Pediatric Resident at the Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii from 2003 to 2006. She completed subspecialty training in Pediatric Pulmonology at Boston Children’s Hospital 2009. Dr. Gross most recently held an academic appointment at National Jewish Health as Associate Professor of Pediatrics. She has served several years in the Army Reserve and held several military appointments to include Chief Resident of Pediatrics and Deputy Commander of Clinical Services. Welcome back to UNC, Jane!
Kristin Sundy-Boyles, MD, Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellow, and Dr. Eric Zwemer as her primary mentor, have been awarded a Dr. Jacob A. Lohr Research Award for her proposal titled “ACGME Milestone Scores and Pediatric Resident Remediation: How Are We Doing?” Congratulations Kristin!
Maureen Farrell, MD, MS, Pediatric Resident in the Physician Scientist Training Program, and Dr. Kori Flower as her primary mentor, have been awarded the Dr. Jacob A. Lohr Research Award for her proposal titled “Exploring the Effect of a Clinic-Based Childhood Literacy Promotion Program among Medicaid-Covered Newborns at a Residency Continuity Clinic.” Congratulations Maureen!
Dr. Travis Kaufmann joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor with the Critical Care group in the Wilmington Pediatric Specialty division on August 30, 2024. Dr. Kauffman received her Bachelors degree from North Carolina State University in Raleigh NC in 2008. He completed a Masters of Public Health degree from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in 2010. He earned his Doctor of Medicine from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in 2016. He completed residency at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in 2019 and his fellowship in Pediatric Neurocritical Care Medicine from University of Rochester, Rochester, NY in June of 2024. Welcome Travis!
Dr. Jill Kaufmann joined the Department of Pediatrics as an Assistant Professor with the Hospitalist group in the Wilmington Pediatric Specialty division on August 26, 2024. Dr. Kauffman received her Bachelors degree from Meredith College in Raleigh NC in 2009 and earned her Doctor of Medicine from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University in 2016. She completed her residency at the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center. She has had recent experience with the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia and the Christiana Care Hospital in Newark, Delaware, Welcome Jill!
With mixed emotions we announce that Benny Joyner, MD, MPH has accepted a new role at the Medical University of Buffalo as Chair of the Department of Pediatrics and Physician in Chief of John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. His last day at UNC will be January 3rd, 2025. Please join me in wishing him the best on his new journey. UNC will miss you, Benny!
Cynthia M. Powell, MD, MS, FAAP, Professor of Pediatrics, in the Division of Genetics and Metabolism, received the Outstanding Academic Service Award in recognition of her groundbreaking work in genetics and newborn screening as well as her trusted partnership with pediatricians across North Carolina.
Sandeep Dhadvai, MD joined the Pediatric Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine on August 21, 2024. Dr. Dhadvai received his Bachelor of Science degree from Haverford College in Pennsylvania in May of 2011. He earned his MD from the University of Arizona College of Medicine in Phoenix in 2017. He completed his pediatrics residency in 2020 from the University of California Irvine/Children’s Hospital of Orange County and since has been a practicing pediatrician in southern California. Welcome Sandeep!
