Dr. Alexandra (Alex) Coward represented the NC Jaycee Burn Center last week to champion burn injury prevention at the NC General Assembly. She joined other members of the North Carolina Fireworks Safety Coalition at a NC House committee hearing in order to oppose a proposed bill (H.B. 98) aimed at legalizing the sale of more powerful–and more dangerous–fireworks directly to consumers. Nearly half of all fireworks related injuries are to innocent bystanders–many of them children, and when legislation similar to H.B. 98 has passed in other states, serious fireworks injuries have increased by 75%. Dr. Coward spoke to just how devastating fireworks injuries can be, especially to our most vulnerable patients: “Kids should be able to grow up using both their hands and their vision, and not spending a year of their life in my burn unit.”

Dr. Coward was joined from the Burn Center by Courtney Wright, Nurse Educator, and Derek Miller, Burn Outreach & Prevention Educator. Dr. Coward’s comments to NC House committee members were followed by moving testimony from other allies in opposition to the proposed bill: Captain Don Johnson, the Community Risk Reduction officer for Garner Fire-Rescue, and Robin Shannon, a longtime community advocate for fireworks safety whose 3-year-old son Michael was killed by a faulty firework. After hearing from Dr. Coward and others, the committee did not vote to pass the proposed bill. The Burn Center team will continue its mission to promote fireworks safety and burn injury prevention.

Read more…

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The event brought together many of the people who make survival stories like Liz’s possible — including 911 operators, fire service personnel, EMS teams — many of whom brought their own families – and our own Burn Aftercare and Burn Outreach staff. These dedicated professionals play a vital role in every step of a burn survivor’s journey, from the moment of rescue to long-term recovery.

Thanks to the efforts of our burn center staff, Liz was able to express her deep gratitude in person. She presented Save-a-Life awards to her rescuers.  The emotional reunion was more than a thank-you — it was a symbol of healing, resilience, and the life-changing work that happens every day at our hospital.

Liz was joined by fellow burn survivors Erin Moran, Lori Tooley, and Trudy Evans, along with their family members, who stood in support and solidarity. Their presence underscored the deep bonds formed through shared experiences of survival and recovery. 20+ year survivor Trudy Evans expressed to Liz: “I want you to be encouraged.”

“It is an honor to do this type of work,” said Aftercare Coordinator Michele Barr, reflecting the deep purpose that drives everyone involved in burn care. Liz’s ongoing survivor journey and her gratitude for her rescuers show the ongoing healing we support.  We remain committed to providing that care — and to walking alongside our patients every step of the way.

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UNC Burn Center Donation Event. Photo by Josh Conner, Feb 2025.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the NC Electric Cooperatives for their generous contributions of $170,486.31 and $2,200 to the Burn Center on February 12, 2025. Their ongoing support plays a vital role in advancing care, treatment, and recovery for burn patients.

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It gives me great pleasure to announce that Dr. Felicia Williams will assume the position of Director, NC Jaycee Burn Center effective immediately. Her tireless work and dedication to the burn center is greatly appreciated and I know she will be an impactful leader. I will remain the Division Chief of Burn Surgery and will assume a new role as Director, Complex Wound Program. This is a very exciting time with many positive changes that will secure a bright future for our Burn Center and Division. As always, thank you all for the great work you do every day to make our mission successful. ~ Dr. Booker T. King

Read more about Dr. Williams’ career, achievements, and approach to patient care at her webpage.

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The NC Jaycee Burn Center is pleased to announce that it has once again achieved American Burn Association (ABA) Burn Verification for adults and pediatrics. 

The ABA burn verification provides a true mark of distinction for a Burn Center indicating the center provides high quality patient care to burn patients from time of injury through rehabilitation. To achieve verification, a Burn Center must meet the rigorous standards for organizational structure, personnel qualifications, facilities resources, and medical care services set out in the in the ABA verification criteria.  The NC Jaycee Burn Center has successfully achieved this distinction for over a decade.

NC Jaycee Burn Center’s Medical Director, Dr. Booker King credited this year’s successful ABA site visit to the Burn Center staff and their outstanding care, support, hard work, and commitment they provided for burn patients, their families, and the community over the past three years.

More about the American Burn Association verification here 

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UNC Surgery is pleased to announce Booker King, MD, FACS has been elected to the Fellowship of the Southern Surgical Association.  Dr. King is the Director of UNC’s Division of Burn Surgery and Interim Director of the Division of Acute Care & Trauma.  He is also a decorated Colonel, having served more than 20 years in the Army.

Read more about Dr. King’s career, achievements, and approach to patient care at his webpage.

About the Southern Surgical Association

The Southern Surgical Association is a fellowship of more than 800 accomplished professionals actively practicing in surgery or one of its sub-specialties. Since 1887, we have hosted an annual venue dedicated to the dissemination of research and discovery of superior surgical techniques, better outcomes and applicable knowledge.

Today the Southern Surgical Association is held in high esteem by professionals in surgical and related fields globally. Throughout its rich history, it has been regarded as an institution of expedience and integrity in its reports of surgical innovation. The subsequent and relatively rapid adoption of hundreds of ground-breaking concepts in surgery can be attributed to their presentation and publication by the association. Adapted from: www.southernsurg.org

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Seven Burn Center nurses earned the distinction of being among among only 165 of the very first certified burn nurses (CBRN) in the world.  Nurses Lauren Alcorn, Paul Bradley, Ashley Kamiya, Morgan Karlok, Derek Miller, Susanna Shelton, and Courtney Wright. 

The Certified Burn Registered Nurse (CBRN) validates advanced knowledge and expertise across the burn care continuum—including pre-hospital and initial management, critical and acute care, patient and family support, rehabilitation and reintegration, and injury prevention education.

Congratulations! We are fortunate to have many caring, talented, skilled nurses as part of our multidisciplinary team.

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Congratulations to Char-Norie Poteat, BSN, RN-BC, named UNC Health’s 2023 Nurse Manager of the Year. 

Char is the Nurse Manager for inpatient unity 5 East Memorial Hospital, part of the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center.  She leads a talented and caring team of nurses and collaborates across our multidisciplinary burn team as a model for all.  

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