Alert

Effective Jan. 5, 2026: Temporary Age-Based Visitor Restrictions at UNC Health for all inpatient and waiting areas throughout its inpatient hospitals.

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Adult Acute Care

The UNC Health Rehabilitation Services Acute Care Team offers one clinical fellowship position starting Monday August 17th, 2026  through Aug 27th, 2027 for a 54 week program.

Eligibility criteria:

  • Clinical experience in a trauma level 1 hospital setting with the adult population
  • NC temporary license obtained prior to start date
  • Resident of the US

Program:

  • Sunday-Thursday or Tuesday-Saturday schedule, including holiday coverage
  • Clinical work with adult population
  • Hired through GME with full medical benefit package
  • Didactic curriculum to support clinical learning including wellness and professional development
  • Exposure pediatrics and inpatient rehab

Application process:

Applications open January 1st, 2026 through February 1st, 2026 5PM EST.

1. Complete this survey: https://forms.office.com/r/R21hLXFxW4ubmit 

2. Submit the following to clinicaledreq@unchealth.unc.edu:

  • Resume
  • 1 page cover letter speaking to:
    • Clinical experience that sets you up as a good candidate for this fellowship
    • The reason for applying to UNC Health’s fellowship
    • Professional areas of interest and goals

Label your documents as follow:

Resume: First and Last Name-Academic Program you are attending-Resume

Cover Letter: First and Last Name-Academic Program you are attending-Letter

3.  Ask 1 Clinical Supervisor to complete this recommendation by the above deadline: https://forms.office.com/r/HKRW5F2kW8

We will invite strong candidates for an on-site interview on Tuesday February 17th, 2026.

For more information, please contact Kristel Maes, Therapy Services Educator at clinicaledreq@unchealth.unc.edu. 

Meet our mentors

Elizabeth Stamm, MA, CCC-SLPElizabeth Stamm

Undergraduate school: University of Florida

Graduate school: University of Texas - Austin

Professional Interest: Speaking valve placement on the ventilator

Why I serve as a mentor: Mentorship allows me to share clinical knowledge, foster confidence, and ensure high-quality patient care, while also challenging me to stay up to date on current research and continually integrate evidence-based practices into my own work.

Terra Bellavance, MA/CCC-SLP 

Undergraduate school: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Graduate school: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Professional Interest: Concussion Aphasia Dysphagia

Why I serve as a mentor: I enjoy serving as a mentor to help support exposure, growth, and understanding for graduate students and fellows in adult acute care. The complexity of patients seen in acute care has evolved and students and fellows benefit from valuable clinical experiences during their practicums and/or SEY.

Amy Kujawa MEd, CCC-SLPAmy Kujawa

Undergraduate school: Penn State

Graduate school: North Carolina Central

Professional Interest: Restoration of communication through speaking valve evaluations.

Why I serve as a mentor: I enjoy sharing my knowledge, experience, and our profession with the next generation of SLPs.

Maggie Strickler, CCC-SLPMaggie Strickler

Undergraduate school: Bloomsburg University

Graduate school: UNC- Chapel Hill

Professional Interest: Dysphagia, Tracheostomy, Radiation Oncology, Head & Neck Cancer

Why I serve as a mentor: I very much appreciate the opportunity to help supervise clinical fellows. It is great to work with clinicians entering the field, and exciting to see them learn and develop the skills needed to get them to the next step of their career.

Meet our fellows

Aubreanna Funderburk, M.S. CF-SLPAubreanna Funderburk

Undergraduate school: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Graduate school: Towson University

Professional interest: Dysphagia and voice disorders specifically trach/ vent patients

Why I chose to do a fellowship at UNC: I chose this fellowship program for the opportunity to have support from knowledgeable clinicians that would help develop my clinical skills. I am also able to have new and unique experiences that challenge me and grow my knowledge daily.

What I like about Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill has variety of different food and so many fun local events year-round!

Kelly Garrett, MS, CF-SLPKelly Garrett

Undergraduate school: Davidson College

Graduate school: Vanderbilt University

Professional interest: Dysphagia, tracheostomy care, anything and everything acute care!

Why I chose to do a fellowship at UNC: I am a North Carolina native, and UNC has such a fantastic reputation.

What I like about Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill is a small historic town with a tight-knit community, great opportunities for being outdoors, and great food!