About

Zach Willis, MD, MPH, joined UNC in 2016 as a physician scientist specializing in the field of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Willis has particular interest in studying antibacterial resistance and promoting antimicrobial stewardship. Antimicrobial overuse is prevalent in human and veterinary medicine, and complications can include adverse drug events, Clostridium difficile infection, and subsequent infection with antimicrobial-resistant organisms. In particular, his research focuses on educating medical professionals about appropriate use of antimicrobials for children in outpatient and inpatient settings. This includes prescribing, preparing, administering and monitoring use of antimicrobials through quality improvement measures as well as developing effective, low-cost strategies to address antimicrobial misuse. Dr. Willis is also studying antibacterial resistant infections and associated complications, as well as antibiotic overprescribing trends in common pediatric conditions, like acute otitis media.

He serves as the Medical Director of the Pediatric Antibiotic Stewardship Program for UNC Children’s. He uses quality improvement methods to optimize the care of children in the hospital with infections such as pneumonia, influenza, and COVID-19. As the physician leader of the UNC Children’s CLABSI Prevention Workgroup, he also works to prevent hospital-acquired infections. He is also interested in prevention and treatment of infections in kids with compromised immune systems, such as children receiving treatment for cancer.