Sheryl Zimmerman featured in UNC Research Stories

    We are proud to celebrate Dr. Sheryl Zimmerman — a true pioneer in aging and long-term care research, and a cornerstone of the Sheps Center community. As co-director of our Program on Aging, Chronic Illness, and Long-Term Care, and executive director of CEAL@UNC, Sheryl has helped shape UNC into a national leader in… Read more »

New Blog Post: How has RN Retention in North Carolina Changed over Time?

North Carolina is projected to face a shortage of approximately 12,500 registered nurses in 2033 (NC Nursecast). Our latest blog summarizes findings from an analysis of registered nurse retention and exit from the NC workforce between 2016 and 2023 using licensure data collected by the North Carolina Board of Nursing. Authors: Caroline Spencer, Abhi Joshi, Evan… Read more »

Mark Holmes named as Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Affairs

The Sheps Center is proud to announce that Dr. Mark Holmes has been appointed as the Senior Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Affairs at the Gillings School of Global Public Health. This esteemed position highlights Dr. Holmes’ exceptional leadership and his commitment to career development. Dr. Holmes has been a pivotal figure at the… Read more »

Dr. Lombardi and Moore present to NCIOM Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program

On January 27th, Program Co-Director Dr. Brianna Lombardi and Sheps Workforce NC/HPDS Director Dr. Catherine Moore presented at the 2025 North Carolina Institute of Medicine Legislative Health Policy Fellows Program. The program brings together legislative assistants to learn from health policy experts about key health issues facing the state. Drs. Lombardi and Moore presented about the… Read more »

Sheryl Zimmerman on Animatronic Pets: A Comfort for Aging Adults

In a recent article by The Washington Post, Sheryl Zimmerman, co-director of the Program on Aging, Chronic Illness, and Long-Term Care at the Sheps Center and Professor in the School of Social Work, offered insights into the growing use of animatronic pets to support older adults. These lifelike robotic companions, designed to mimic the behaviors… Read more »

Ty Ridenour Named Specialty Chief Editor for Adolescent Mental Health Interventions

In an exciting development for the Sheps Center’s Child & Adolescent Health Services Program, researcher Ty Ridenour has been appointed as the Specialty Chief Editor for Interventions for Adolescent Mental Health. This role recognizes Ridenour’s significant contributions to the field and his dedication to advancing mental health interventions for adolescents. Ridenour’s appointment is a testament… Read more »

UNC Partners with Emory University and Other Leading Institutions to Launch National Dementia Care Initiative

In a groundbreaking effort to advance dementia care across the United States, researchers from the Sheps Center at UNC-CH have partnered with Emory University, the University of Minnesota, Johns Hopkins University, Brown University, and the Alzheimer’s Association to establish the State Alzheimer’s Research Support (StARS) Center. This initiative, funded by a $17 million grant from… Read more »

Carolina researchers awarded $11M to strengthen physician and dental training programs in underserved areas

The Health Resources and Services Administration funding will expand existing UNC-Chapel Hill initiatives that support the development of residency programs to improve North Carolinians’ access to health care. As part of its strategy to improve access to healthcare, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded a contract to the University of North Carolina… Read more »

Sheryl Zimmerman Appointed to be Core Leader in NEXT STEPs Project

Sheryl Zimmerman, PhD, MSW has been appointed as the leader of the Recruitment and Retention Core and Johanna Hickey, MSW as the Core Coordinator of the NEXT STEPs project, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at increasing the inclusion of nursing home residents in clinical trials. The project, led by research scientists from the Indiana University School… Read more »

Mark Holmes named UNC Lambeth Distinguished Chair in Public Policy

Mark Holmes has been named the UNC Lambeth Distinguished Chair in Public Policy, a role that highlights his expertise and leadership in public health and policy. As the director of the Sheps Center for Health Services Research at UNC, Holmes is recognized for his contributions to health services research, focusing on improving healthcare systems and… Read more »

Sheps announces new HPDS Director: Catherine Moore, PhD, MSN, RN

  Catherine Moore, PhD, MSN, RN joined the Program for Health Workforce Research and Policy in April. Dr. Moore joins the team as the Director of Sheps Health Workforce NC and the North Carolina Health Professions Data System (NC Health Workforce – North Carolina Health Professional Supply Data). She will lead state health workforce initiatives… Read more »