virtual cafe header

Virtual Cafe 

On Demand: 2021 Virtual Cafes

Breathe Easier: Covid and Respiratory Therapy

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Caring for Covid patients is a team effort. Working alongside the doctors, nurses and other specialists is a dedicated team of respiratory therapists (RTs) whose work is critical to patients who depend on them to breathe. UNCW respiratory therapy faculty discussed how Covid-19 affects the respiratory system and how they treat patients. They explored how masks really do prevent the spread of the coronavirus and debunked some mask myths that can put you at risk.

Featuring Program Coordinator Jamy Chulak, Director of Clinical Education Thomas Nietman, Clinical Assistant Professor Karen Blain, Clinical Assistant Professor Tina Frazier and Clinical Associate Professor Michele Pedicone.

Watch recording here »

Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus
with Sabrina Cherry, PhD, assistant professor of public health in the School of Health and Applied Human Sciences

Monday, October 25, 2021

Dr. Sabrina Cherry is featured in a new PBS documentary entitled Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus, produced by Chris Schueler, an Emmy Award-winning producer. The documentary aims to help address vaccine concerns by explaining the history of vaccinations in addressing public health outbreaks; vaccination hesitancy; and why addressing vaccine misinformation is so critical to eliminating health disparities. Join us to hear from Dr. Cherry and Mr. Schueler about vaccine efficacy, as well as hesitancy, and how misinformation can spread almost as rampant as a virus.

Dr. Cherry has worked for nearly 20 years within the field of public health. Her professional experience started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa. Dr. Cherry's primary research interests are the intersection of health disparities and social justice, as well as qualitative research. 

Watch recording here »

Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus Segments:

Stream the PBS documentary

Vaccination from the Misinformation Virus is now available on the PBS video portal and also through the PBS Video app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast and Samsung Smart TV.  

Or watch here »

The Evolution of SARS-CoV-2: Variants of Concern 
with Julia Buck, PhD, assistant professor UNCW Department of Biology & Marine Biology 

Monday, September 20, 2021

Dr. Julia Buck explains how and why viruses mutate, why the Delta variant is so worrying, and how to protect yourself. In April 2020, Dr. Buck presented on mathematical models of infectious disease transmission. Now she will update us on what has changed and the likely path toward normalcy.

Dr. Buck’s interests include disease ecology, parasitology, and mathematical modeling. She teaches a course on the Ecology of Infectious Diseases in the Biology Department. View Dr. Buck’s April 2020 Virtual Café here.

Watch recording here »