Student Health Services is staffed by a team of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, radiology technologists, medical lab technicians, health  educators, and certified substance abuse counselors. Our staff is committed to being recognized as student health care specialists by providing individualized health and wellness services to the students at UNC Charlotte.
 
Karen H. Blackwelder, PA-C                                            
Physician Assistant
    

Karen completed her undergraduate degree at Cornell University in Ithaca, NY in 1994, receiving a Bachelor's of Science in Biology with a concentration in Neurobiology and Behavior.  Karen attended Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant program in Atlanta, GA, where she received a Master's of Medical Science and Physician Assistant certification in 1998.  She worked for five years in family practice in Belmont, NC prior to joining UNC Charlotte Student Health Services. Karen specializes in family medicine and women's health issues.

Dr. Genevieve Brauning Hawgood, MD
Physician
       

Dr Brauning completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in 1999 receiving a bachelor's degree in French Language and Literature.  She went on to complete medical school at the University of Virginia in 2003.  She did her residency in the specialty of Family Medicine at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.  She began working at the UNCC Student Health Center in 2006.  Dr Brauning lives in South Charlotte with her husband, step-son, and daughter.  She enjoys art, sewing, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends.  She is interested in women's health, preventative medicine, mental health issues, and developing positive patient relationships. 

Stevan M. Clifton, PA-C
Physician Assistant
        

Steve was awarded a B.S. in Physician Assistant from George Washington University.  His work experience includes orthopedic surgery, adult outpatient medicine, college health, PA house officer, hospital department head, cancer screening manager, cardiovascular surgery, and family practice. Steve served in the U.S. Army as a medic in Europe.  His clinical interests include men's health issues, Safe Zone, patient education, mental health issues, minor surgery, and general student health.
 

 

Andy is nationally board certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners.  He received his Master of Science Nursing here at UNC Charlotte in 2002.  He received his BSN from Gardner-Webb University in 2000, and his Associate of Science in Nursing from the University of South Carolina-Aiken in 1987.  Andy has previously worked as an RN and Paramedic in emergency services and critical care; he spent 4 years on a helicopter flight team in the 1990’s. Andy also serves as an officer in the Navy Reserve, assigned as a Nurse Practitioner for U.S. Marines.  His special interests include health promotion and patient education. He frequently publishes articles in medical journals and speaks at conferences on the topic of using personal computing devices and medical software in clinical practice.  Andy is married with 2 daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time  with his family, playing drums and percussion instruments, learning bass guitar, and running for fitness.  Andy ran the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2008, finishing in 4:55:50.

Dr. Robert L. Jones, MD                                                         
Medical Director
 

Medicine.  Dr. Jones currently serves on the faculty
of the Family Medicine Residency Program at Carolinas Medical Center, where he has served as Director of Residency Recruitment and continues to serve as Coordinator of Sports Medicine.  He also continues to see
patients on a part-time basis in the Department of Family Medicine.  Dr. Jones has served as a consultant in sports medicine with UNC Charlotte Student Health Services since 1998 and as a team physician with the Department of Athletics since 2001.  Dr. Jones has held a faculty appointment with Stanford University School of Medicine and currently holds appointments with UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine and UNC Charlotte Department of Health Promotion and Kinesiology. 

Carolyn Mahony Talluri, PA-C
Physician Assistant
   

Carolyn completed her undergraduate degree at Appalachian State University in 1996 with a Bachelor's of Science in Pre-Professional Biology and a minor in Chemistry.  She then attended Emory University School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program in Atlanta, GA and received a Master's of Medical Science and Physician Assistant Certification in 2001.  She worked for 3 years in internal medicine prior to joining the UNCC Student Health Center  in 2005.


Dr. Shastra Solomon, MD                                                         
Physician

Dr. Solomon is a native New Yorker and completed her undergraduate degree at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut in 1987 receiving a bachelor's degree and Honors in Chemistry.  She went on to complete medical school at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine and Dentistry in 1992.  She did her residency training in the specialty of Family Medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  She was in private practice in Hamilton, New Jersey from 1995 to 2008 and happily relocated to beautiful North Carolina with her family and became a new member of our UNC Charlotte Student Health Center family in January, 2009.

Dr. Renita Eason MD                                                         
Physician


Dr. Eason attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a bachelor's degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Spanish.  She then completed medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN.  Her residency training occurred in Charlotte at Carolinas Medical Center where she specialized in Family Medicine.  She joined the staff at UNCC Student Health Center in August, 2009.  Dr. Eason lives in South Charlotte and relishes her free time spent reading, watching movies, cooking and relaxing with friends.

Martha G. Smith, MD
Psychiatrist


Dr. Smith attended the University of South Carolina where she graduated with a B.A. in French and a Master of International Business Studies.  After working in the business field for several years, she attended the Medical University of South Carolina for her Medical Doctorate.  She completed an internship and 2 years of residency in Psychiatry at Bowman Gray.  The last year of residency was spent at a unique program developed by the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry and the Mecklenburg County Center for Mental Health.  Dr. Smith joined UNCC as a part-time Psychiatric consultant in 1994 and joined our staff full time in July 2007.  Dr. Smith's interests include Mood and Anxiety Disorders, PTSD, Sleep issues, and Women's Issues.