A Week of Groundbreaking Insights: UNC School of Medicine Faculty Make Waves in Health and Research

What a week it’s been for the brilliant minds at the UNC School of Medicine! Our faculty members, true titans in their respective fields, have been making headlines far and wide, sharing their cutting-edge research and insightful perspectives on some of today's most pressing health topics. It’s truly inspiring to see Carolina's commitment to advancing health reflected so prominently across various platforms.

Starting us off, Dr. Joseph Piven, a true luminary in the field, was spotlighted in ScienceInsider for his pivotal role as an investigator in the NIH's expansive autism initiative. It’s inspiring to see UNC at the forefront of such crucial research, really pushing the boundaries of our understanding of autism spectrum disorders.

Have you ever considered what might be subtly irritating your gut? Well, researchers Dr. Shehzad Z. Sheikh and Dr. Anna Salvador from UNC dove deep into this very question. They uncovered something quite remarkable: dietary oxalate, often found in everyday foods like spinach and almonds, can actually be a hidden culprit behind gut inflammation, especially for those battling conditions like IBD. Their crucial findings made waves, gracing publications like Newswise, Business News This Week, and even MSN.com, highlighting just how much impact our diet can have.

Speaking of diet, Dr. Thomas Keyserling and Dr. Carmen Samuel-Hodge contributed to fascinating studies featured in US News and MSN.com. These studies explored the power of Mediterranean-style eating – not just for weight loss, but for genuinely improving overall diet quality. What’s even better? They even looked at how to tailor this healthy eating pattern specifically for our friends in the Southeast. It really shows a dedication to practical, localized health solutions.

Our faculty's expertise isn't limited to physical health; mental wellness is also a huge focus. Dr. Tyler Beauchamp offered a unique perspective in MedCentral, exploring what the superhero narrative of 'Spider-Man' can actually teach us about burnout – a very relatable struggle for many. Then, Dr. Crystal Schiller brought her profound insights to NBC News, delving into the complexities of postpartum psychosis, especially in the context of the challenging Lindsay Clancy trial. And on the topic of eating disorders, Dr. Cynthia Bulik graced Medscape, emphasizing that the genetics of these conditions extend far beyond simple BMI measurements, urging us to look deeper.

Shifting gears to healthcare systems and policy, Dr. Matt Ewend made news in Becker's Hospital Review for UNC Health's innovative move to unify academic and community physicians under a single compensation model. This kind of structural change is a big deal, aiming to streamline and improve care delivery. Meanwhile, Dr. Seth Berkowitz's research into Medicare Advantage and its impact on health outcomes and chronic care was highlighted in MarketWatch, Newsweek, and Econostrum.Info, providing crucial data for future policy discussions.

With COVID-19 still a reality, Dr. David Wohl shared timely insights with The Charlotte Observer regarding the rise in cases across North Carolina and the potential for a back-to-school surge. His expertise helps us stay informed and prepared. And in the realm of rare diseases, Dr. Nigel Key weighed in on the monumental 'once in a lifetime' choices facing candidates for gene therapy, a truly frontier area of medicine, as featured in HemAware. Dr. Evan Zeitler also offered guidance in Everyday Health on managing fatigue associated with C3 Glomerulopathy (C3G), bringing practical advice to those living with challenging conditions.

It's not just about faculty, though. We also had Indriati Hood-Pishchany sharing her personal and incredibly valuable experience on testing the vaginal microbiome with Health, underscoring the importance of patient perspectives in understanding health. On the institutional front, we're eagerly anticipating the opening dedication of Roper Hall, a significant new space for the UNC School of Medicine. Plus, the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, in collaboration with OHSU, received a fantastic $4 million grant to break down barriers to cancer screening across North Carolina and Oregon. And a huge congratulations to UNC for being awarded a $13 million grant from PCORI to explore innovative symptom management interventions for rare cholestatic liver diseases – truly impactful work!

What a productive and impactful week for UNC Health and the School of Medicine. Our faculty and researchers continue to push the boundaries of medical knowledge, offering solutions and insights that truly make a difference in people's lives. It’s a testament to the dedication and brilliance thriving right here in Chapel Hill.