UNC Department of Surgery | Department of Surgery

Latest News

5 Years of Best Clinical Clerkship!

For the 5th year in a row, Luigi Pascarella, MD, Clerkship Director, along with Drs. Barnhouse and Klipstein won an award from the UNC School of Medicine Student Government. Their course… Read more

Dr. Meredith Kugar Wins Cefalo House Officer Award

Congratulations to Meredith Kugar, MD, Plastics PGY5, for receiving the Robert C. Cefalo House Officer Award, which recognizes members of the Hospitals’ house staff. Dr. Kugar was selected based on her… Read more

Spanheimer Receives SOM Physician-Scientist Award

Dr. Philip Spanheimer is one of six scholars who will receive support from the UNC School of Medicine Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP). This program is a pipeline to recruit,… Read more

Lux, Libertas! Letter to UNC Board of Trustees

The following letter was sent to Richard Y. Stevens, UNC Board of Trustees Chair, on June 21, 2021. Dear Mr. Stevens: We write this letter in response to the call… Read more

Watch Our Graduation Video!

The Department of Surgery graduated 6 fellows and 10 residents at a ceremony on Friday evening. Our congratulations go to Dr. Staci Aubry, Dr. Lauren Daugherty, Dr. Stephanie Gray, Dr…. Read more

Joshua Herb Receives Pope Clinical Trainee Award

Dr. Joshua Herb, General Surgery Resident, was honored with a prestigious Pope Clinical Trainee Award, given to senior fellows who demonstrate excellence in cancer research and clinical care. Nominations for… Read more

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Providing a Carolina Blue Warmth

Our People

Matthew Eckert, MD

I’m keenly aware while I’m on active duty what my job is, whether I’m in a hospital in the United States or whether I’m overseas; to provide the best care possible in the worst circumstances that you can probably imagine. That is my motivation to do better every day.

The second thing that motivates me is the people. The folks that I work with within my unit are extraordinarily talented and motivated. The people we take care of are awe-inspiring. So, it’s a constant drive and motivation to maintain a diverse set of very high standards that most surgeons don’t have to deal with. Most surgeons aren’t worried about maintaining a seven-minute mile run pace, carrying a hefty backpack, and being able to operate and maintain cutting edge knowledge of what’s going on in surgery and medicine, as well as being able to jump out of an airplane. That’s always at the forefront of my mind, keeping all those skills and capabilities as sharp as possible.

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Surgical Specialties

Check out our specialties, or divisions, which contain information for patients, referring physicians, and prospective student.

Patient Stories

Jett Leahy

Little Chance of Survival

Diagnosed with a congenital heart condition while still in utero, Suzi Leahy’s unborn son, Jett, was given “little chance of survival,” yet he beat the odds thanks to the life-saving care of the N.C. Children’s Heart Center at UNC Children’s Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC.

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Quick Facts

85
TRAINEES

76
FACULTY

14,000+
SURGICAL CASES

$4,454,787
TOTAL RESEARCH GRANT DOLLARS

$1,285,771
CLINICAL TRIAL DOLLARS

224
PUBLICATIONS

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Committing to Your Education

Our surgical residency and fellowship opportunities have been developed with one goal in mind… to help train outstanding clinical surgeons who are dedicated to providing the best possible patient care.

Educating the
Next Generation
of Surgeons

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Welcome Video