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People Profiles

We’re highlighting the faculty, staff and volunteers who help make a difference in the lives of our patients and further the mission of UNC Lineberger and the N.C. Cancer Hospital.

Want to nominate someone to be profiled? Please email Bill Schaller with their name, title, email address and a sentence about why this person should be featured.
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    A few minutes with Katie Morgan, PharmD

    Katie Morgan, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist working with neuro-oncology and genitourinary-oncology patients at the N.C. Cancer Hospital. It was during her father’s four-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer, that she found her calling in pharmacy. To honor her father and others who are fighting brain cancer, Morgan is running in the Head for the Cure 5K, which will be held Sept. 8 in Chapel Hill. Through her team, Ron’s Space Rangers, she is working to raise money for brain cancer research.

  • Ken Johnson sits on a green sofa in a room in the N.C. Cancer Hospital

    A few minutes with Ken Johnson

    North Carolina native Ken Johnson knows what hard work looks like. He grew up on a dairy farm milking more than 50 cows multiple times a day, joined the Army right out of high school and has been fighting multiple myeloma for the past 20 years. We recently sat down with Johnson to talk about how he made a connection with UNC Lineberger, his involvement with the Patient and Family Advisory Council and why he feels volunteering is something everyone should do.

  • Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN

    A few minutes with Deborah Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN

    There are more than 15 million survivors in the United States, and this population is growing due in part to advances in prevention and treatment strategies. Although she is busy preparing for UNC Lineberger’s Cancer Survivors Day on Saturday, June 9, Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN, director of cancer suvivorship at UNC Lineberger, took a few moments to discuss how she became involved in the field.

  • UNC Lineberger's Simon Khagi, MD, is director of the University of North Carolina Brain Tumor Program.

    A few minutes with Simon Khagi, MD

    Simon Khagi, MD, aspired to be a cardiologist when he was starting his medical training, but a clinical rotation in oncology during his residency changed his focus. Now, he says he can’t imagine not being a neuro-oncologist and having the opportunity to care for his patients and conduct research into new therapies for brain cancer.

  • Stephen and Susan Frye. Credit: Rachel Frye.

    A few minutes with Stephen Frye, PhD

    After a 20-year career in the pharmaceutical industry, Stephen Frye, PhD, joined the UNC faculty in 2007 with the goal of partnering with physician-scientists to develop new cancer therapeutics. We recently sat down with Frye to talk about his love of chemistry, his interest in writing, and his desire to break the 50 mph barrier on his bicycle. He also shared that he and his wife will ride 60 miles on a tandem bicycle to support Team UNC Lineberger in The Victory Ride to Cure Cancer this May.

  • Headshot of Melissa Mack

    A few minutes with Melissa Mack

    During the last two decades, Melissa Mack has had a hand in planning just about every major research event at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center as well as helping with the operations of the main administrative office. Her passion for UNC Lineberger is infectious. Though she isn’t planning to leave anytime soon, she said her love for cooking could lead her to opening a café one day.

  • Linda Woodard worked for 34 years at UNC and now volunteers at the N.C. Cancer Hospital as a patient registration navigator.

    A few minutes with Linda Woodard

    Linda Woodard is best known as the friendly face who helps patients find their way around the N.C. Cancer Hospital, UNC Lineberger’s clinical home — but many may not know what an incredible history she has at Carolina.

  • Meghan Fox, LRT/CTRS, CCLS, has a true passion for supporting our pediatric patients and their families.

    A few minutes with Meghan Fox, LRT/CTRS, CCLS

    Meghan Fox, LRT/CTRS, CCLS, is a psychosocial support coordinator and child life specialist for the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at the N.C. Cancer Hospital, UNC Lineberger’s clinical partner. She has a true passion for supporting our pediatric patients and their families.

  • DJ Amatuli, ACSM CPT, is a senior trainer at UNC Lineberger's Get REAL & HEEL.

    A few minutes with DJ Amatuli, ACSM CPT

    DJ Amatuli, ACSM CPT, is a senior trainer at Get REAL & HEEL, UNC Lineberger’s cancer after-care program. He and the rest of the Get REAL & HEEL team develop individualized exercise plans that help cancer patients and survivors manage treatment-related symptoms and increase chances of survivorship while increasing their quality of life.

  • Headshot of Regina Jones

    A few minutes with Regina Jones

    A desire to give back has led breast cancer survivor Regina Jones to volunteer at the N.C. Cancer Hospital, UNC Lineberger’s clinical home. Jones is a member of the Patient & Family Advisory Council, or PFAC, which is composed of patients, family members, survivors, caregivers and staff who work together to ensure that patients receive the highest level of care.

  • Chad Pecot, MD, is a UNC Lineberger member and an assistant professor in the UNC School of Medicine.

    A few minutes with Chad Pecot, MD

    Chad Pecot, MD, has a unique perspective on cancer. As a physician who specializes in treating lung cancer, he sees the impact cancer and its treatment can have on people and their loved ones. As a scientist, he understands cancer at its most basic level. As a cancer survivor, he knows the challenges of living with a serious health issue.

  • Matthew Milowsky, MD, is the co-director of the urologic oncology program at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

    A few minutes with Matthew Milowsky, MD

    Matthew Milowsky, MD, is a dedicated clinician who treats patients with cancer of the bladder, prostate, kidney, and testes.

  • In retirement, Hank Lewis has dedicated his time to volunteering at the N.C. Cancer Hospital.

    A few minutes with Hank Lewis

    You’ve likely spotted volunteer Hank Lewis serving refreshments and sweet treats around the North Carolina Cancer Hospital — but his true talent is helping patients feel more at ease.

  • Vickie Bae-Jump, MD, PhD, is focused on advancing knowledge about gynecologic cancers in the lab and clinic.

    A few minutes with Vickie Bae-Jump, MD, PhD

    In time for Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, we sat down with UNC Lineberger’s Vickie Bae-Jump, MD, PhD, a researcher and physician in the UNC School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Bae-Jump will be speaking Oct. 11 at the She ROCKS luncheon in Wilmington that raises money for ovarian cancer research.

  • Kelly Kivette, LRT/CTRS, developed the Healthy Heels program to help UNC Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program patients who have recently undergone transplants stay active.

    A few minutes with Kelly Kivette, LRT/CTRS

    Kelly Kivette, LRT/CTRS, is a senior recreational therapist at the N.C. Cancer Hospital and she’s on a mission to help people stay active while undergoing cancer treatment.