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DOM Digest April 2025

We celebrate 109 Department of Medicine providers recognized for excellence in patient care through the 2025 Carolina Care Awards. Learn about the appointment of Cassi Frank as the new Director of Quality and Safety, bringing leadership to our departmental improvement initiatives. Plus, meet the newest group of incoming Internal Medicine residents as we welcome the Match Day 2025 cohort.

DOM Digest March 2025

Drs. Derebail, Tilly, and Vavalle are honored with the 2024 Medical Staff Physician Clinical Excellence Award. Hear insights from Dr. Anil Gehi on wearable health tech in a featured podcast. Explore the powerful history revealed by the Black Alumni Experience Project, and meet the newly selected 2026–2027 Internal Medicine chief residents. Also, read about Dr. Bynum’s election to a national council, and leadership changes within the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Hospitals Heart & Vascular Service Line.

DOM Digest February 2025

This February, Dr. Gerald Hladik has been named Vice Chair for Faculty Development, while Dr. Millie Long steps into the role of Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. We welcome a new class of fellows following a successful subspecialty Match. Updates continue on the Chair of Medicine search. Learn about the restructuring of interdisciplinary rounding teams, the rollout of Abridge Ambient AI documentation, and a new educational video series on membranous nephropathy featuring Dr. Koyal Jain.

DOM Digest January 2025

To kick off the new year, Dr. Millie Long has been named Chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, bringing global recognition and IBD expertise to the role. We also welcome a new group of fellows to the Department following the 2024 subspecialty Match. Plus, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Medical Center has launched a new model for interdisciplinary rounding, aligning physicians and care managers to improve collaboration and patient outcomes.

2024 Year in Review

Check out our highlights from each department in 2024 in this magazine-style year in review!

DOM Digest December 2024

As the year ends, we celebrate over 40 Department of Medicine faculty ranked among the world’s top research experts on Expertscape. We spotlight the Division of Endocrinology’s impactful work during Diabetes Awareness Month and highlight the DOM Physician-Scientist Training Program, designed to support the next generation of academic research leaders

DOM Digest November 2024

We remember and honor the life of Lucy Menefee, a beloved nurse practitioner and advocate for patient care in nephrology. Dr. Alyssa Tilly is recognized for her heroic response to Hurricane Helene, helping lead field care efforts in her hometown. Plus, congratulations to Drs. Mildred Kwan and Louise King on their new roles as Medical Directors at the Eastowne clinics, following years of dedicated leadership by their predecessors.

DOM Digest October 2024

Dr. Millie Long receives the prestigious Sherman Prize for her groundbreaking work in IBD care and research. We celebrate the winners of the DOM Teammate Council’s STEP-tember Challenge, promoting wellness and camaraderie. Meet the outstanding faculty educators shaping the Internal Medicine Residency Program, and join us in congratulating Kelsey Haywood on her Clinical Dean’s Performance Award.

DOM Digest September 2024

Dr. Jennifer Flythe has been appointed Chief of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, following Dr. Gerald Hladik’s transition to Vice Chair for Faculty Development. Several Department of Medicine faculty and residents were honored at the ´óÏó´«Ã½â€™s Fall Convocation Awards. Plus, look for a special photo of a Wimbledon trophy!

DOM Digest August 2024

We warmly welcome our new residents and fellows, including twenty-eight categorical residents, two Physician Scientist Training Program residents, and six Medicine/Pediatrics residents. Drs. Shannon Carson and Brad Drummond are leading a transformative global initiative to improve pulmonary research through the American Thoracic Society’s MECOR China Program. Plus, catch an insightful COPD podcast with Dr. Ron Falk and Dr. Drummond, along with a special reel featuring Matthew Kretzschmar from Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine.

DOM Digest July 2024

The Academy of Educators honors our Department of Medicine faculty and trainees for their achievements in curricular innovation and educational leadership. We also celebrate the impact of Dr. Nicholas Shaheen, who transitions from Division Chief of GI & Hepatology to lead the NC TraCS Institute. Plus, enjoy a special podcast on Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) with Dr. Ron Falk and Dr. Emily Chang. Be sure to check out the heartfelt photos of our graduating fellows, marking a significant milestone in their journey.

DOM Digest June 2024

Dr. Victoria Bautch reflects on her incredible 30-year journey at ´óÏó´«Ã½ and her impact as co-director of the McAllister Heart Institute, as she prepares to step down. We also included a picture the recent IM residency basketball game against Duke residents. Plus, the Department of Medicine Teammate Council introduces a new wellness resource hub for staff, and we welcome the new chief residents for the 2024-2025 academic year. Updates on the TEC 2.0 curriculum also reveal exciting changes, and Dr. Ron Falk invites Dr. Evan Dellon to discuss Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE) in a new podcast.

DOM Digest May 2024

We celebrate 95 Department of Medicine physicians and advanced practice providers who earned the 2024 Carolina Care Excellence Award, ranking among the top quartile nationally for patient recommendations. Additionally, Drs. Keisha Gibson and Katie Westreich, along with the Health Equity Teams, are leading efforts to reduce disparities in kidney transplant access for Black communities. Be sure to check out pictures of staff enjoying the eclipse and explore video profiles of our outstanding faculty members.

DOM Digest April 2024

Match Day 2024 was a memorable occasion for 28 new categorical residents, two Physician Scientist Training Program (PSTP) residents, nine preliminary residents, and six Medicine/Pediatrics residents who learned where their residency journeys will take them. The DOM Teammate Council also kicks off with a Welcome Lunch on April 9 to foster collaboration and engagement. We also celebrate Dr. John Vavalle, newly appointed Director of the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program, alongside Dr. Anthony Mazzella, the new Associate Program Director. Additionally, Dr. Lee Berkowitz has published his book Equal Care: Health Equity, Social Democracy, and the Egalitarian State, and Drs. Batsis, Busby-Whitehead, Umegaki, and Hanson gathered for a special dinner with Professor Hiroyuki Umegaki from Nagoya University.

Join us in honoring the legacy of Dr. Eugene Bozymski, a revered figure in the medical community. The Department introduces its Teammate Council designed to improve the working life of staff. Dr. Evan Dellon details the progress made in eosinophilic esophagitis treatments, one of our fellows gears up to run the Tokyo Marathon, three residents took home 1st place in the NC Doctor’s Dilemma Competition, and more.

The Department cares for over 130,000 patients a year and performs around 27,000 procedures. Explore all the areas our teams provide expert care in this month’s newsletter. Additionally, our gastroenterologists explain how intestinal ultrasound has the potential to change how patients with IBD manage their treatment and ´óÏó´«Ã½ was designated as a Scleroderma Research and Treatment Center. Four members of medicine  also share their work responsibilities, passion for their job and interesting facts about themselves.

With heavy hearts we remember Dr. Ada Adimora, a brilliant and compassionate physician scientist, who left an indelible mark on our department and the broader medical community. View fellows who matched to department subspecialties. We share how Dr. Vavalle is mentoring and inspiring NC School of Science and Mathematics students. Get information about the next Tar Heel Boot Camp, Grand Rounds and upcoming photo sessions.

Dr. Keisha Gibson speaks about her role as the Chair of the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee as well as her personal connection to the University. A novel study, co-authored by Dr. Mirnela Byku, revealed LVAD patients benefit from an aspirin-free regimen, cutting major bleeding events by 34%. Six faculty were featured in video profiles and internal medicine residents participate in an Instagram reel while celebrating fellowship match.

The Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program received the status of an Accredited Comprehensive Care Center. Our Sickle Cell Program raised awareness and $10K during their first annual basketball competition. A new underserved pathway for medicine-pediatric residents was announced. Read about over a dozen faculty who were honored with awards and a clinic dedicated to patients with alcohol-related liver disease.

Thanks to a generous patient, a room in Roper Hall was named in honor of Ellen Parker Wilkes, a nurse practitioner. ´óÏó´«Ã½ joined an important osteoporosis clinical trial and two researchers are leading a community resource referral program to address kidney health disparities. Dr. Ross Boyce was awarded a $4.4 million, five-year (R01) grant. Dr. Debra Bynum was involved in a study that examined associations between impostor syndrome and holding leadership positions in medicine.

We recognize Dr. Scott Commins as the newly established William J. Yount, MD Distinguished Professor of Medicine. Dr. Chang’s dog gets featured on a beer can. Four new faculty members are welcomed and four doctors are featured in video profiles. It was a big month for grant announcements and various awards were collected. Learn more about and register for educational events coming up in the near future.

Meet the talented trainees who joined us this summer. Dr. Drummond receives the Solovy Award for his COPD research. Five docs and an APP joine the Department. Watch a short faculty development video and multiple faculty speak about their roles, passions and hobbies. Many providers are featured in outside media articles this month.

Meet our featured staff member of the month who has been with the Department for 28 years, Kathy James. Say hello to seven new faces and watch new video profiles from six of our providers. Many Department of Medicine faculty and trainees were recognized for their exceptional teaching and dedication to the AOE. Drs. Martinez and Klein were also selected for the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Physician Scientist Training Program and the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Hypertension Clinic received Comprehensive Hypertension Center Accreditation by the American Hearth Association.

In this issue of DOM Digest Dr. Janet Rubin is recognized for her dedication to mentoring junior faculty. Learn how a nephrologist is using artificial intelligence to promote his journal club. Our internal medicine residency program celebrates the interns transitioning to upper level residents and welcomes the new chiefs! Explore the dozens of articles featuring the Department’s experts and the local cultural events happening in June.

Dr. Cristin Colford is introduced as the new Executive Vice Chair of the Department of Medicine. Dr. Deepa Kirk is appointed Associate Vice Chair for Outpatient Services. Nearly 100 physicians and advanced practice professionals receive the 2023 Award for Carolina Care Excellence. For the first time at the University of North Carolina, cardiologists were able to implant a percutaneous transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement device. Learn about all this in April’s edition of DOM Digest.

Faculty receive recognition from internal medicine residents, a gastroenterologist discusses the allergic reaction to red meat known as alpha-gal syndrome and we announce the residents who matched to our Internal Medicine Residency Program, all in this edition of DOM digest. Additional throughout March, ten individuals received awards, including Dr. Loeser who received a $2 million NIH grant, and over 20 were featured in outside media publications.