Campbell Med announces geriatrics fellowship program director, family medicine chair

Campbell University Jerry M. Wallace School of Osteopathic Medicine announced Dr. Nicholas Pennings as chair of family medicine.

Pennings has served as vice-chair of family medicine alongside Dr. Charlotte Paolini, the program’s founding chair. Paolini will continue to serve as a member of the family medicine faculty and transition into developing a geriatrics fellowship training program at Campbell.

“Family medicine is integral to Campbell Med’s mission to serve rural and underserved communities, and I am excited and honored for this opportunity to grow the family medicine program at Campbell,” said Pennings. “As founding chair of family medicine, Dr. Paolini has been a terrific champion for family medicine in building the curriculum. She is a wonderful educator and powerfully positive influence on students — she is a major reason why so many of our students are interested in family medicine. She will carry all of this into the development to geriatrics — her first love.”

Paolini, who is medical director for Emerald Health and Rehab Center, said she was excited to transition into developing a geriatrics practice and training program, in conjunction with current sites for geriatrics training and service

“Geriatric medicine has been part of the Campbell Med vision from the school’s founding,” she said. “As the baby-boomer population ages and the average life expectancy grows, geriatric health is increasingly important. A geriatrics department will not only be a valuable addition for our medical education, but it will also provide community services for Harnett County community dwelling elders, long-term care and skilled care.”