Sports Medicine Staff

• Professional/Educational Background: BS in Biochemical Engineering, Columbia University; MD, New Jersey Medical School.
  Dr. Mario Ciocca has served as a team physician at the University of North Carolina since 1996 and was appointed Director of Sports Medicine in January 2010. He is currently the head primary care physician for football, baseball, and men’s soccer teams. He is board certified in internal medicine and has a certificate of added qualification in sports medicine. He is an active member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine. Dr. Ciocca is also an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Orthopedics at UNC and is involved with the lecturing of students and residents at the undergraduate school as well as the medical and nursing school.
• Family:  Dr. Ciocca and his wife Cindy have four children, Luke, Jack, Michael and Gabrielle.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: He has authored journal articles and book chapters on subjects including cardiac conditions, concussions, creatine, medications and supplements, psoriatic arthritis, pneumothorax, heterotopic ossification, and vascular conditions in athletes.
• Joined Campus Health: January 2010

• Originally from/hometown: Colorado
• Family:  He is married and has a son and a daughter.
• Hobbies/Sports: His hobbies include soccer, fishing, boating, and wakeboarding.
• Pets: Tony has 2 Shelties and 2 cats

• Professional/Educational Background: Medical Degree from UNC School of Medicine, dual-specialty residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics also at UNC.
• Originally from/hometown: Chapel Hill, NC 
• Family:  Wife and son
• Hobbies/Sports: Dr. Berkowitz enjoys ultimate frisbee and being outside.

• Professional/Educational Background: BS in Biochemistry, St. Joseph’s College; Medical school, Medical College of Ohio; residency in Family Practice at the Toledo Hospital in 1990.
  Dr. Brickner is board certified in Family Medicine, with a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. He also has specialized training in diving and cold weather medicine. He currently serves as the head team physician for men’s basketball, wrestling, tennis and golf, women’s soccer, field hockey, crew, softball and gymnastics.
• Family: Dr. Brickner and his wife, Beth, have three children, Emily, Amanda and Ben.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: After completing his residency, Brickner served five years in the US Navy, including over two years as chief physician and medical department head for the United States Antarctic Program. Following the Navy, he completed a fellowship in primary care sports medicine at the Northwest Ohio Center for Sports Medicine.
• Joined Campus Health: 1996

• Professional and Educational Background: College – DeSales University, Med School – PCOM, Residency – Wake Forest, Fellowship – UNC
• Originally from: Horsham, PA (outside Philadelphia)
• Family: Wife (Aly), 2 children (Jack and Lily)
• Hobbies/Sports: Family time, exploring Chapel Hill, watching UNC/Philadelphia sports
• Who has influenced you the most when it comes to how you approach work? Working with the other terrific sports medicine physicians here at UNC as a fellow

• Professional/Educational Background: B.A. in Psychology & Exercise Sports Science, UNC; M.S. in Sport Psychology, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.Ed. in Professional Counseling, University of Georgia; Ph.D. in Professional Counseling, University of Georgia.
• Originally from/hometown: High Point, NC
• Hobbies/Sports: His favorite book is Failure of Nerve by Edwin Friedman and he enjoys the podcast Finding Mastery by Mike Gervais.
• Pets: He has two greater Swiss mountain dogs, named Æsir and Odin
• Joined Campus Health: Fall 2019

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Athletic Training, University of La Verne; M.A. in Kinesiology, San Diego State University
• Originally from/hometown: Cerritos, CA
• Family: Dad (Aaron), mom (Ruth), older sister (Emerald)
• Hobbies/Sports: running, disc golfing, big fan of track and field
• Joined Campus Health: July 2022

• Professional and Educational Background: UNC – B.A. in Exercise and Sports Science; UNC – Doctorate of Physical Therapy; Sports Residency at ATI Physical Therapy.
• Originally from: Fayetteville, NC.
• Family: Husband – Matthew, Sister – Diana, Parents – Alisa and Hank.
• Hobbies/Sports: Traveling, attending or watching athletic events, supporting the arts, and trying new (to me) restaurants.
• Who has influenced you the most when it comes to how you approach work? My parents.
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of? I was awarded an Emerging Leader Award by the American Physical Therapy Association.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? I was a contestant on the Wheel of Fortune.

• Professional and Educational Background: UNC-CH – B.A. Ole Miss – M.S.
• Preferred Name: Issy.
• Originally from: Chapel Hill.

• Professional and Educational Background: Athletic Trainer.
• Preferred Name: Sash.
• Originally from: Honolulu, HI.
• Family: Mother – Gwendolyn, Sister, and Niece (Leila) and Nephew (Zavier).
• Hobbies/Sports: Jigsaw Puzzles.
• Pets: Dog – her name is Skye.

• Professional/Educational Background: B.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences, Seton Hall University; M.S. in Athletic Training, Seton Hall University. Before coming to Chapel Hill, Cunningham spent the previous 5 years at Seton Hall University with it’s baseball and volleyball teams. Prior to Seton Hall, Cunningham did 3 years as a resident athletic trainer at Boston College.
• Originally from/Hometown: Bethlehem, New Hampshire
• Hobbies/Sports: Anything outdoors, reading and exploring new cafes and bookstores
• Who has influenced you the most when it comes to how you approach work? All the amazing mentors and teachers I’ve had.
• Joined Campus Health: August 2022

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Physical Therapy, UNC. After graduating from Carolina, he worked as a physical therapist at Danville Memorial Hospital in Danville, Va., from October 1974 to May 1975. He began his current tenure on the sports medicine staff at Carolina in July of 1975.
• Originally from/hometown: Wilmington, NC
• Family: Davis is married to the former Paula Gee. They have one daughter, Irma Consuelo.
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?: He was the recipient of the award for the outstanding physical therapist of the year for 1998 by the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: He has been a part of Tar Heel national championship teams in each of the last three decades.
• Joined Campus Health: 1977

• Professional and Educational Background: Previously worked at Northeastern University for the last 10 years. BS from Springfield College and MS from Texas State University in Athletic Training.
• Originally from: Boston, MA.
• Hobbies/Sports: Golf.

• Professional/Educational Background: Bachelors, Gardner Webb University; Masters, University of Alabama.
• Originally from/hometown: Lilburn, Georgia
• Hobbies/Sports: She enjoys running marathons, hiking, watching football, and eating.
• Pets: Kelly loves dogs and has one named Lady.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: She ran in the Boston Marathon.
• Joined Campus Health: Summer 2018

• Professional and Educational Background: University of Missouri – BHS Athletic Training. University of North Texas – M.S. Sport and Exercise Psychology. Howard University – Master of Social Work.
• Originally from: Houston, TX.
• Family: It’s just me and my mom. She’s my best friend.
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re proud of? I recently passed my social work master’s exam!

• Professional/Educational Background: Bachelors, University of South Carolina; Masters, North Carolina State University
• Originally from/hometown: Elgin, SC
• Family: Alex has a Mom named Jennifer, a Stepfather named Rusty, her Dad is named Gary, her Stepmother is named Sally, and she has a Brother named Tyler.
• Hobbies/Sports: Alex enjoys hiking and being outside, Burn Bootcamp, trying new foods, and breweries.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: She traveled around the country with a Drum and Bugle Corp as an intern ATC.

• Professional/Educational Background: B.A. in Exercise and Sport Science, UNC; M.A. in Exercise and Sports Science, UNC
  Doug Halverson joined UNC’s Sports Medicine staff in 2005 and is currently serving as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Men’s Basketball and JV Basketball program.  He joined the men’s basketball staff in 2013 after spending 8 years working as a staff athletic trainer for the football (2007-2013), women’s lacrosse (2005-2013), field hockey (2005-2007), and men’s and women’s golf (2006-2007) programs. Halverson returned to UNC after working at Georgia State University, where his primary responsibility was coverage of the women’s basketball team and supervising graduate athletic trainers in coverage of spring sports (2004-2005).
• Originally from/hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?: He has been an NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) since 2002 and has been an NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) since 2005.
• Joined Campus Health: 2005

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S.N., UNC. She has a public health background with disease intervention.
• Originally from/hometown: Asheville, NC
• Family:  2 daughters
• Hobbies/Sports: She enjoys playing golf, watching football, watching basketball and fishing.  Her favorite movies are the Star Wars Franchise. 
• Pets: She has 2 dogs, a Yorkie named Mighty Jo and a Husky named Luna Ghost.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: Kristen played basketball at UNC Asheville.
• Joined Campus Health: August 2021

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Physical Therapy, University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse; M.S. in Human Movement Science, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Chris Hirth has been providing rehabilitation services for UNC students and athletes since 1996. He has served as the head athletic trainer for many UNC Varsity programs over a 21 year period of time including: Men’s Soccer, Gymnastics, Track and Field, Swimming and Diving, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Lacrosse. He had the privilege of being the head athletic trainer for 3 NCAA National Championship teams including 2001 Men’s Soccer, 2009 Men’s Basketball and 2016 Women’s Lacrosse.

• Originally from: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

• Originally from/hometown: Alamance County, NC
• Family: Married (Alan) with two children (daughter and son) Jessica and Nicholas, 3 grandchildren: Reagan, Wyatt, Raylan
• Hobbies/Sports: crafts, walking, spending time with family and friends and watching UNC
• Pets: Yellow lab named Moseley
• Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?: Parents

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Physical Therapy, Medical College of Virginia; M.S. in Educatio, University of Southern California; Ph.D. in Education, UNC.
  Dan Hooker has served the University of North Carolina as an athletic trainer and physical therapist since 1972. He is presently the Associate Director of Sports Medicine. He has provided athletic training coverage for most of the Tar Heel sports teams and was the program director for the Graduate Athletic Training Curriculum from 1975-1979.
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?: He has contributed to several textbooks providing chapters on the rehabilitation of the spine, electrical modalities, compression devices, and traction. Hooker is involved in the research activities of the Exercise and Sports Science department providing consultation and data collection on a study of back pain in retired NFL players and consultation on several studies on concussions in football athletes. He received the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer award in 2002.

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S in Athletic Training, Brigham Young University; M.A. in Exercise and Sports Science, UNC.
  Christian Hunt joined the UNC Sports Medicine family as a staff member in Aug, 2018. His primary clinical responsibilities are with the men’s soccer and men’s tennis teams. He also serves as a clinical preceptor for the UNC graduate and undergraduate athletic training programs.
• Family: Hunt lives in Carrboro with his wife Jennifer and their daughter Grace.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: He has been an NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) since 2014 and a Performance Exercise Specialist (PES) since 2016.
• Joined Campus Health: August 2018

• Preferred Name: Quilla                                                                                                                 
• Professional and Educational Background: Previous mental health therapist.
• Originally from: Goldsboro, NC
• Family: I am a loving sister and daughter.
• Hobbies/Sports: I enjoy playing tennis and learning new crafting skills.
• Pets: I have 2 beautiful fur babies, named Bell & Roc.
• Who has influenced you the most when it comes to how you approach work? My family.
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of? I am currently trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy, as this is a great trauma therapy.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you? I love to travel.

• Professional and Educational Background: Athletic Trainer at UNCW for the past 8 years. BA Athletic Training, UNCW. MA ETSU in Kinesiology.
• Originally from: Reading, UK but moved to Chapel Hill at age 11.
• Family: Wife: Mikaela. Kids: Will and Libby.
• Hobbies/Sports: Rugby, golf, and playing with the kids.
• Pets: Burmese Mountain dog named Goose.

• Professional and Educational Background: Bachelors in Athletic Training, Western Carolina University. Doctorate in Physical Therapy, Duke University. Sports PT Residency, University of Cincinnati.
• Originally from: Raleigh, NC.
• Hobbies/Sports: Reading, Pilates classes, trying new recipes.

• Professional/Educational Background: Janis took charge of Sports Medicine administratively in summer 2008 after her predecessors (both with over thirty years of experience) retired. She has worked part-time for over thirty years with UNC Athletics Operations supervising the south side of the football stadium and the basketball court.  She was self employed for 20 years as a sports official, clinician and assignor of officials for high school and college volleyball and softball.

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Athletic Training, Central Michigan University; M.S. in Sport Management, California University of Pennsylvania.
  Before coming to Chapel Hill, Miller spent the previous year at the University of Louisville working with its field hockey program.
• Originally from/hometown: Monroe, Michigan
• Hobbies/Sports: Golf, road biking, trying new food
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: I have been stung by a jellyfish
• Joined Campus Health: August 2022

• Professional/Educational Background: Bachelors, University of South Carolina; Masters, UNC. He was in a fellowship at the University of Colorado before coming to UNC.
• Originally from/hometown: Madison, WI
• Hobbies/Sports: He enjoys hiking, canoeing, and mountain biking.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: David competed in Curling when in high school.
• Joined Campus Health: 2017

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Athletic Training, Duquesne University; Ed.M. in Athletic Training, Boston University. She was in an advanced post Athletic Trainer program at Stanford.
• Originally from/hometown: Baltimore, MD
• Family: Shannon’s family all live in Baltimore and one sister lives in New York City and she has one Golden Doodle named Cali.
• Hobbies/Sports: Shannon played Lacrosse at Duquesne but currently enjoys running, reading, and eating good food. Her favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, favorite move is The Sound of Music or anything Disney or Pixar.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: Shannon ran the Pittsburgh half marathon.
• Joined Campus Health: 2019

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University; Masters in Athletic Training, UNC. Scott Oliaro was named head athletic trainer and associate director of sports medicine in 2013. In addition to his role as the associate director, he also serves as the head athletic trainer for field hockey, men’s and women’s golf and softball teams.
• Originally from/hometown: Lansing, Michigan
• Family:  He and his wife, Jeri, reside in Chapel Hill with their daughter, Mia Katherine, and son, Tyler Michael.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: In 1996, he worked the Olympic Games in Atlanta.
• Joined Campus Health: 2013

• Joined Campus Health: August 2023
• Professional/Educational Background: BA in Psychology from The University of California, Davis; MA in Clinical Psychology from UNC
• Originally from: San Diego, California
• Hobbies: Cooking, reading, and traveling

• Professional/Educational Background: Bachelors, The College of Wooster; M.A. in Athletic Training, UNC; Ph.D. in Biomechanics, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
  Dr. Petschauer teaches Biomechanics, Emergency Care of Injuries and Illness, General Medical Conditions in Athletes, and Therapeutic Exercise. In addition to her responsibilities with the athletic training program she is the Director of the Undergraduate Honors Program for EXSS and serves as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Women’s Gymnastics team.
• Family: She and her husband Greg have two children, Madison and Grant.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: Her research interests include prehospital care of the cervical spine injured athlete specifically considering lacrosse and ice hockey equipment.
• Joined Campus Health: 1996

• Professional/Educational Background:
  REMINGTON is part of a litter born June 13th, 2014 to paws4people®, Inc., a nonprofit organization that raises, trains and places Assistance Dogs. paws4people taught REMINGTON to have confidence and be well mannered and social by 16 weeks old. In the paws4prisons program, based in 5 West Virginia Correctional Facilities, REMINGTON learned obedience and disabilities skills as well as over 100 commands, laser retrieval, and “reading” written commands from flash cards. In summer 2016, REMINGTON underwent more than 80 hours of training. He passed a series of certification tests given by paws4people before being placed with Terri Jo and joining the team. 
• Originally from/hometown: Wilmington, NC
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: REMINGTON assists with treatments, rehabilitation and emotional support for the athletes and is a source of joy for the team and the fans. You’ll see him standing with the team and holding his hat or a glove during the National Anthem, carrying water to umpires and offering up fist bumps and high fives to players. Find REMINGTON on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 
• Joined Campus Health: 2016

• Professional/Educational Background: Bachelors, Springfield College; M.A. in Exercise and Sports Science, UNC
• Originally from/hometown: Granby, CT
• Hobbies/Sports: Lauren enjoys cooking & grilling, volleyball and biking.
• Pets: She has two cats, Pumpkin and Phoenix.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: In 2018 Lauren was inducted into the Connecticut Women’s Volleyball Hall of Fame.
• Joined Campus Health: Fall 2019

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Athletic Training, Boston University; M.A. in Exercise and Sports Science – Athletic Training, UNC. He serves as a staff athletic trainer for football, fencing, and cheerleading.
• Family: Ross and his wife Megan reside in Durham.
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?: He is a proud NATABOC certified athletic trainer (ATC).
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: Ross returns to UNC after spending four season’s as the assistant athletic trainer for football at the University of Connecticut. Prior to his time at UConn, he also completed a year-long athletic training internship with the Carolina Panthers.
• Joined Campus Health: 2013

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Physical Education Teaching, Athletic Training, and Physical Therapy, University of Wisconsin – La Crosse; M.A. in Exercise and Sport Science – Athletic Training, UNC. Rucinski worked in Milwaukee, Wisc., at Froedtert Sports Medicine until she returned to the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, in 1994, to pursue her physical therapy degree.
  Terri Jo Rucinski is the staff athletic trainer for the baseball team. In addition to her athletic training duties, Rucinski also serves as the supervisor of the Fetzer Athletic Training Room and is a staff physical therapist at the James A. Taylor Campus Health Service.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: She is also a Strength and Conditioning Specialist, receiving her certification in 1998. Prior to Rucinski’s return to UNC, she worked in Madison Wisconsin, at the UW-Health Sports Medicine Physical Therapy Clinic and was also the head athletic trainer at Madison Area Technical College. Rucinski also assists the education program as a lecturer for both the undergraduate and graduate athletic training programs, with emphasis on the prevention and rehabilitation of shoulder injuries. She has been involved with the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers for the past 18 years and has served on several examination development committees.

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S., Michigan State; M.S., Oregon
• Originally from/hometown: Cleveland, OH
• Family: Her family includes her dad (Cletus), mom (Rhonda), and brothers (Al and Chris).
• Hobbies/Sports: She likes disc golf, bar trivia, and cooking.
• Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?: Jodi has been influenced by every colleague, student-athlete, and coach that she has been fortunate to work with.
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?: She is proud of this job. It is like the Yankees of College Sports Medicine!  
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: Jodi has lived in both states that you could not pump your own gas (Oregon and NJ).
• Joined Campus Health: Fall 2020

• Professional/Educational Background: B.A., University of Arizona; M.Ed. and Ph.D., University of Missouri
• Originally from/hometown: Phoenix, AZ
• Family: Jeni has a husband named Eric and a son named Oliver.
• Hobbies/Sports: Jeni likes yoga and running/triathlons. Her favorite movie is Forrest Gump.
• Pets: She has two dogs, both of which are German Shepherds.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: All of her nieces and nephews live in Australia/New Zealand. Jeni has a goal of visiting all the National Parks, and in fact she will be running a half marathon in the Shenandoah National Park this Spring.
• Joined Campus Health: Spring 2017

• Originally from/hometown: Chapel Hill, NC
• Family: My sons, Malik & Jamir
• Hobbies/Sports: Basketball, watching Football and Softball
• Who has influenced you most when it comes to how you approach your work?: My Mother Cynthia & Kim McCown
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?: Greeting people with a smile and my positive attitude about work
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: I’m afraid of heights
• Joined Campus Health: First time 2001, Second time 2021

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S. in Athletic Training, Boston University; M.A. in Exercise and Sports Science – Athletic Training, UNC.
  Nina Walker, MA, ATC, LAT, is a staff athletic trainer at Carolina. Her primary clinical responsibilities are with the men’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s cross country/distance teams. She also serves as a clinical instructor for the UNC graduate and undergraduate athletic training programs. She is the director of the undergraduate observer program and currently lectures on topics related to manual therapy, electronic medical records and biofeedback.
• Originally from/hometown: New York
• What’s a work-related accomplishment that you’re really proud of?: She has been an NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) since 1999 and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) 2004-2012.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: She also volunteers for committees designed to promote the field of athletic training, such as the BOC Role Delineation Study Committee, NC Athletic Trainers Board of Directors. Her research interests include emergency management, lacrosse helmet removal and spineboarding. She also serves as Co-founder of the Lacrosse Athletic Trainers Society (LATS). She has a strong interest in manual therapy and has lectured nationally on Positional Release Therapy (PRT) and regionally on lacrosse helmet safety. She has also obtained Graston Technique M1 training.
• Joined Campus Health: 2006

• Professional/Educational Background: B.S., Duke University; M.D., UNC.
  After completing a residency in Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, she returned to Chapel Hill for her Sports Medicine fellowship which she completed in 2001.
  Dr. Waicus is the primary team physician for volleyball, men’s and women’s swimming and diving, women’s tennis, women’s golf, women’s lacrosse, men’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s fencing, and cheerleading.
• Originally from/hometown: Moorestown, NJ
• Family: She is married to Tom O’Connell and has two daughters, Kelsey and Caroline.
• What’s one thing most people don’t know about you?: She is board certified in Pediatrics and has a certificate of added qualification in Sports Medicine.
• Joined Campus Health: 2005