The Top 10 stories of 2011

As we approach 2012, take a look back at the top 10 stories from UNC Health Care this year based on visits to our newsroom.

The Top 10 stories of 2011
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Yi Zhang, PhD, senior author of the study at UNC that discovered the seventh and eighth bases of DNA.
The Top 10 stories of 2011
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UNC Health Care's 2011 Great 100 nurses from left on bottom row: Grace Schmits and Marilyn Hanson. Top row from left: Sue Upchurch, Heather Tuttle, and Billy Bevill.

In addition to the top 10 stories below, you can also view our top 10 videos from 2011 here.

  1. UNC researchers identify seventh and eighth bases of DNA
    July 21, 2011
    For decades, scientists have known that DNA consists of four basic units -- adenine, guanine, thymine and cytosine. In recent history, scientists have expanded that list from four to six. Now researchers from the UNC School of Medicine have discovered the seventh and eighth bases of DNA. View the full story.
  2. Five UNC nurses listed among Great 100
    Aug. 17, 2011
    Five UNC Health Care nurses are listed among the “Great 100 Nurses” of North Carolina for 2011. Our great 100 recipients are: Billy Bevill, Marilyn Hanson, Grace Schmits, Heather Tuttle, and Sue Upchurch. View the full story.
  3. Match Day 2011
    March 22, 2011
    On March 17, 148 fourth-year medical students found out where they'll be spending the next few years of their medical training. The UNC Medical School graduates will be in residency programs across 29 states. 53 of the students will stay right here in North Carolina. View the full story.
  4. UNC Hospitals breaks ground on Hillsborough campus
    April 20, 2011
    On April 20, UNC Hospitals hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for a new physicians' office building and hospital in Hillsborough, NC. View the full story.
  5. Inexpensive infection control measures could save thousands of lives, billions of dollars
    Sept. 8, 2011
    A new study by UNC researchers finds that an inexpensive set of infection control measures could potentially save many thousands of lives and billions of dollars. View the full story.
  6. 59 UNC physicians named among "America's Top Doctors"
    Feb. 4, 2011
    The doctors were chosen by their peers, based primarily for their excellence in patient care through Castle Connolly's surveying and research methods. View the full story.
  7. 27 UNC physicians named ‘top regional doctors’
    June 15, 2011
    Castle Connolly regional top doctors are those physicians who have been nominated by their peers - and deemed appropriate by Castle Connolly’s physician led research team - as being among the very best – the top 10 percent - of physicians in their specialty within their region. View the full story.
  8. UNC ranks #1 among UHC Hospitals in Patient Centeredness - A message from Gary Park
    Nov. 2, 2011
    I’m happy to report that UNC Hospitals ranks #1 overall for “Patient-Centeredness” in the University HealthSystem Consortium’s (UHC) 2011 Quality and Accountability Performance Scorecard. View the full story.
  9. Family House Diaries: A New Heart + A New Kidney = A New Life
    May 18, 2011
    A new heart and a new kidney give a 28-year-old Wilson woman, unwell since age 7, a second chance at life. Crystal Sharpe becomes the 11th recipient of a heart and kidney transplant at UNC Hospitals. View the full story.
  10. A second chance for Jakeina
    July 14, 2011
    UNC heart surgeon Dr. Andy Kiser reflects on the remarkable story of one of his patients, Jakeina Sutton of Rose Hill, N.C., a 16-year-old who recently received a heart and kidney transplant. For Jakeina, this was her second heart transplant. View the full story.