Adult Acute Care

The UNC Health Rehabilitation Services Acute Care Team offers one clinical fellowship position starting early August 2027 for a 54 week program.

  • 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, 2027 through January 31st, 2027 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 interview (on-site preferred) on Thursday February 18th, 2027.

For more information, please contact Kristel Maes, HCS Education Coordinator at  clinicaledreq@unchealth.unc.edu . 

Meet our mentors

Elizabeth Stamm, MA, CCC-SLP Elizabeth 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-SLP Amy 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-SLP Maggie 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 fellow

Sydney Scher, M.A. CF-SLP

Undergraduate school: NC State University Sydney Scher

Graduate school: George Washington University

Professional interest: Speaking Valves, Aphasia, TBI

Why I chose to do a fellowship at UNC: I chose UNC because I wanted to begin my career in an environment that would challenge me clinically while providing strong, structured mentorship. The combination of a large hospital system and this program's established reputation made me confident that I'd be set up with strong skills and proficiencies to excel in my career.

What I like about Chapel Hill: Chapel Hill and the surrounding Triangle area combines the welcoming and friendly community of a suburban town with the exciting atmosphere and possibility for exploration that comes with living in a bigger city.

Meet our Graduates

Aubreanna Funderburk, MS CCC-SLP Aubreanna Funderburk

Employment: UNC Health-Chapel Hill Adult Acute Care

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!

What advice do you have for future fellows: The fellowship program is what you make it! Be curious and don’t be afraid to dive deeper!

Kelly Garrett, MS CCC-SLP Kelly Garrett

Employment: UNC Health-Chapel Hill Adult 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!

What advice do you have for future fellows: Highly recommend as long as you come ready to be a self-starter and dive into patient care quickly!