Trailblazing Women of the Department More than 17,000 women are enrolled at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill today, making up more than half of the student body. But that wasn’t always the case. It wasn’t until 1877 that women began first enrolling at Carolina for summer sessions. It was another two decades later … Read more

Tamari Papidze, MD, is currently an IM resident and originally from Tchiatura, Georgia. She graduated high school as an exchange student in the U.S. and returned during medical school to rotate as an Acting Intern. Dr. Papidze enjoys Latin dance, playing the piano, fashion design, photography, and ice skating. 

Dr. Debra Bynum discovered her interest in Geriatric Medicine as a resident. During that time, she realized her love for working with older patients. “I loved the complexity of care,” she says, “and the patients themselves I found to have such amazing stories.” In addition, she also met Dr. Jan Busby-Whitehead and Dr. Andrew Greganti … Read more

Pulmonologist Kunal Jakharia, MD, has always been passionate about a career in medicine. He grew up in India where his father is a family physician. Dr. Jakharia enjoys gardening, traveling and trying new cuisine, and cooking. He also speaks English, Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi.

The Washington Post recently quoted Dr. Margaret Drickamer in an article on hospice care. As the Associate Medical Director of Inpatient Hospice, Dr. Drickamer, deals with tough choices on a regular basis. She says, “it can be upsetting for family members and patients who have prepared for death, only to be told the patient has … Read more

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute renewed the Jensen Lab’s R01 funding for 5-years at $2.48 million for its project, “Metabolic mechanisms of cardioprotection through alpha-1A adrenergic receptor activation.” The grant will support ongoing investigation of the adaptive effects of alpha-1A adrenergic receptors on mitochondrial function in the heart. The proposed work also will seek … Read more

Cassi Frank, MMSc, PA-C, works with the benign hematology group at UNC Eastowne as a physician assistant. She is also a graduate student and mother who enjoys reading, playing the piano and all things chocolate! 

Drs. Janet Rubin and Maya Styner were among the women scientists recognized in a thematic issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine for their paper, “The Skeleton in a Physical World.” Both women were acknowledged as leaders dedicated to advancing the scientific knowledge of their field and inspiring the next generation of female scientists. 

Watch an interview with Dr. Shakira Grant and Jiona Mills on Barriers to Participation in Hematology Trials at the 2022 ASH conference.

Kenichi Okuda, MD, PhD, has been awarded a $2.83M, five year, grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for his project, “Mucociliary innate defense mechanism in the human distal airway.” “Airway mucociliary clearance is a regionally coordinated critical innate defense system for maintenance of lung health, with failure of this system being … Read more