We have been busy welcoming new faculty and staff to the UNC Department of Radiology family over the past few months!
Assistant Professor John Tobben, MD, joined the Department’s Musculoskeletal (MSK) Imaging division in January 2021. Dr. Tobben is one of six MSK Imaging clinical faculty members working under the direction of Division Chief Dr. Daniel Nissman. 
Dr. Tobben obtained his MD at Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC) in 2014. He completed his Diagnostic Radiology Residency at Indiana University (Indianapolis, IN), and his one-year fellowship (Musculoskeletal Imaging) at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA).
Dr. Tobben stated, “I chose Musculoskeletal Radiology due to its balance of both advanced diagnostic imaging and procedural intervention. As an avid hiker, runner, and fan of sports, joint imaging also intersected with some of my passions outside of the reading room. Having trained at a two large academic medical centers, I feel confident that my skills and knowledge will transfer seamlessly to my role here at UNC. I look forward to all of the opportunities afforded by a career in academics, but am most excited to be involved in teaching residents.
Clinical Research Assistant Kacee Little, MS, joined the Department’s Clinical Research Division in December 2020, working under the direction of Associate Director of Clinical Research Operations Terry Hartman and Lead Clinical Research Assistant Markeela Lipscomb. In this role, Ms. Little’s scope of duties includes patient recruitment, building a REDCap database, data entry and knowledgably responding to questions about UNC Radiology’s clinical research operations. 
Prior to joining UNC Department of Radiology, Ms. Little worked as a Chiropractic Assistant at University Chiropractic in Durham, NC and as a Real Estate Agent at Red Door Company in Durham, NC. She received a B.A. in Kinesiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a M.S. in Biotechnology from the University of Maryland.
Ms. Little stated: “Prior work skills, such as database entry and creation, patient interaction, sales and marketing skills, and attention to details, are serving me well in my new role and are benefitting the work of the Clinical Research Division. With the help of my co-workers as well as my supervisory support, I have been able to learn how to work efficiently in my new position. They have helped me to understand the steps needed to start up studies and eventually get to the end goal with optimal results and details.”
Data Abstractor Beverly Gross, BS, CCRP, joined the Department’s Epidemiology Research Division’s Carolina Mammography Registry (CMR) in February 2021, working under CMR Director Dr. Louise Henderson and Project Manager Katie Marsh. As a Data Abstractor, Beverly reviews mammography screening radiology reports and abstracts data for the CMR and assists with other project needs.
Prior to joining UNC Department of Radiology, Beverly worked in Clinical Research in several roles to include Clinical Records, Study Start-Up, Clinical Trial Associate and Project Coordination. Her experience includes Global Phase I-IV studies over a wide range of therapeutic areas working at various CROs. Beverly’s educational background includes a BS in Materials Engineering with a minor in Biomedical Engineering, as well as Clinical Trials Research Associate Professional Certification.
Beverly stated: “I’m excited to work as a Data Abstractor and feel my background in Clinical Research will help me to apply the training, experience and skills developed to benefit the work of the CMR. While we haven’t been able to meet in person due to the pandemic, I have been welcomed by the CMR team. Through regular meetings with the team and support from Katie, Louise and Sarah, I have been able to get started within the Data Abstractor role and have received great support and guidance from them. I’m happy to have joined the team and am looking forward to working with everyone!”
Research Assistant Angel Gonzalez joined the Epidemiology Research Division’s North Carolina Lung Screen Registry (NCLSR) in March 2021, working under NCLSR Director Dr. Louise Henderson and Project Manager Lindsay Lane. As a Research Assistant, Mr. Gonzalez reviews lung screening radiology reports and abstracts data for the NCLSR.
Prior to joining UNC Department of Radiology, Mr. Gonzalez worked for three years in patient registration and in appointments/labs scheduling for multiple Duke University Medical Center specialties, including Radiology, Neurology, Endocrinology and Pulmonology. During his time with Arc of The Triangle Chapel Hill, Residential Services Inc., and Chapel Hill Rehabilitations and Healthcare, Mr. Gonzalez additionally assisted individuals with disabilities in group homes, as well as Alzheimer’s patients in rehabilitation facilities. Mr. Gonzalez completed his Associate’s degree of Arts at Durham Technical Community College in 2015 and thereafter transferred in 2016 to North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he is working toward obtaining his BS in Exercise Sports Science.
Mr. Gonzalez noted: “When the pandemic hit during my time at Duke, we began to institute best practices, including telehealth appointments, social distancing, and PPE utilization in order to keep staff and patients safe. The pandemic taught me how to navigate the rigors of our ‘new normal.’
Since I’ve joined UNC Radiology, Lindsay [Lane] and the rest of the [NCLSR] team and other Department members have been knowledgeable and helpful during my onboarding and training. We have used Zoom and WebEx and worked closely with IT to keep data and information secure. I look forward to learning more and applying my knowledge and skills in a research setting and to interacting with patients and providers during patient enrollment, data collection and analysis.”
Research Assistant Derek Lamb, BS, joined the Epidemiology Research Division’s North Carolina Lung Screen Registry (NCLSR) in March 2021, working under NCLSR Director Dr. Louise Henderson and Project Manager Lindsay Lane. As a Research Assistant, Mr. Lamb reviews lung screening radiology reports and abstracts data for the NCLSR. 
Prior to joining UNC Department of Radiology, Mr. Lamb worked as a medical scribe with Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at UNC and as a clinical research assistant at Osteopathic Medical Arts. Mr. Lamb graduated from North Carolina State University in 2019 with a B.S. in Biology.
Mr. Lamb stated: “While I’ve only been with the NCLSR for a short time, I’ve already seen firsthand the excellent cooperative environment that the NCLSR team has built. Virtual meetings have provided excellent opportunities to familiarize myself with the work of the NCLSR and further develop my skills. I’m familiar with the process of creating clinical documentation, so I’m excited to apply that knowledge to data abstraction.
Human Resources Consultant Trent Hopper joined the UNC School of Medicine’s Human Resources (HR) Community team in April 2021 and will dedicate 100% of his efforts to UNC Radiology. In this new role, Mr. Hopper will work alongside UNC Radiology’s HR Specialist Cherie Price to support the Department in all facets of HR management.
Prior to joining UNC Radiology, Mr. Hopper worked as the Director of Administrative Services for the UNC School of Nursing (SON) for almost two years. In this role, Trent oversaw the School’s HR process and HR team, as well as all State and Trust funding, and their building’s facilities.
Mr. Hopper noted: “I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with all facets of the HR process at the University – Performance Management, Class/[Compensation], Employee and Management Relations … you name it. I’m excited to join such a well-respected School and in particular the Department of Radiology. Hopefully I can be of assistance from Day One.”