Aliese Sarkissian, MD, MBOE

Associate Professor
Rheumatology

Aliese Sarkissian, MD, MBOE was promoted to Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Rheumatology, effective June 1, 2025. Dr. Sarkissian has been a faculty member in Pediatrics since August 2018. Dr. Sarkissian received a BA in Biology from DePauw University in Greencastle, IN in 2006 and a post graduate MS in Biology from Indiana University Purdue University in 2007. She earned her medical degree from Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis in 2012. Dr. Sarkissian completed her Pediatric residency at Michigan State University College of Human Medicine in 2015. A fellowship in Pediatric Rheumatology was completed at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in 2018. She also holds a MBOE from the Ohio State University Fisher College of Business which was earned in 2017.

Congratulations!

Katlin Yokeley, MSN, CPNP-PC/AC

Advanced Practice Provider
General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine

Katlin Yokeley joined the Division of General Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine in May 2025 as the newest member of the Child Maltreatment Team. Elaina received her BS from Appalachian State University in 2008 and her BSN from North Carolina Central University in 2012. She earned her MSN from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2020. She has previously worked as a PICU nurse and has also worked as a nurse practitioner in pediatric neurology. Welcome Katie!

We are excited to announce Dr. Sara Duffus has been named Associate Director of Medical Education in Pediatrics. Dr. Duffus is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology. Her role as associate director will include co-leadership of the Pediatrics Clerkship, recruitment and retainment of outpatient pediatric preceptors, integration of pediatric curricula within the School of Medicine, pediatric career goal advising, and mentorship of trainees interested in medical education.

After earning her undergraduate degree in Biology at Sewanee: The University of the South, Dr. Duffus attended Wake Forest School of Medicine. She then came to Chapel Hill for Pediatrics residency from 2015-2018 and received awards for her outstanding clinical acumen, scholarship, and educational leadership. Her love for Pediatric Endocrinology took her back to her native Tennessee and Vanderbilt University for fellowship. Dr. Duffus served on the faculty at Vanderbilt for two years before returning to ������ in 2023.

As a clinician educator, Dr. Duffus considers medical education a cornerstone of her academic career. Since joining the ������ faculty, she has taught learners in all phases of medical education including students, residents, and fellows. Dr. Duffus is currently a tutor in the Patient Centered Care course for Foundation Phase medical students, the course director for the Individualization Phase Advanced Care Selective in Pediatric Endocrinology, a Career Goal Advisor for students who plan to match into pediatrics, and the ������ Pediatric Endocrinology Resident Elective Course Director.

Dr. Duffus began her new position this spring and joins the Pediatric Education Office alongside the Director of Pediatric Medical Student Education, Dr. William Mills, Associate Director of Pediatric Medical Student Education, Dr. Hannah Coletti, and Pediatric Medical Student Coordinator, Reneva “Ree” Grimsley.

Please help us congratulate Dr. Duffus on her new leadership role.