The UNC Kidney Center welcomes new trainees Shannon Mahoney, MPH, MD, Monica Reynolds, MD, and Elizabeth Upton, MD, who began their nephrology training this month.
Shannon Mahoney, MD, MPH
Education
B.S.: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
University of Florida, 2007
MPH: University of North Carolina, 2011
MD: University of North Carolina, 2012
Internal Medicine Residency
University of North Carolina, 2015
Hometown
Originally from Toronto, and moved to Cary at the age of 8
Hobbies and Interests
Outdoors activities like hiking and backpacking, running, triathlons, and reading. I love to travel and recently spent 3 weeks in Chile taking Spanish classes.
Why did you choose nephrology?
I went to med school here and really enjoyed the second year nephrology class, so I rotated on the Med B service during my third year. I found nephrology really interesting and ended up doing some research during an MPH year.
What are you looking forward to during your fellowship time here?
I’m looking forward to working with all the amazing people in the department here and about learning more about nephrology.
What do you like best about Chapel Hill?
I love the weather in North Carolina. The campus is beautiful, especially in the spring and fall, and I try to get outside when I can. I prefer the mountains to the beach but like having both close by.
I love all the fun things to do in the Triangle and having Carrboro, Durham, and Raleigh nearby is a big plus- great restaurants and lots of craft breweries, fun weekend events, the tobacco trail, Eno and Umstead, DPAC, etc.
Welcome to the UNC Kidney Center, Shannon!
Monica Reynolds, MD
Education
B.S.: Chemistry
University of Illinois, 2007
MD: Rush Medical College, 2012
Internal Medicine Residency
University of North Carolina, 2015
Hometown
Peoria, Illinois- Once the whiskey capital of the world and now home to Caterpillar’s international headquarters.
Hobbies and Interests
I am the youngest of seven kids along with my twin brother. My husband Tim and I just celebrated our four year anniversary. Our current hobbies include chasing around our 15 month old, Jack. I also love the outdoors, reading, Pilates, soccer and checking out new restaurants in the Triangle.
Why did you choose nephrology?
To quote from one of my all-time favorite movies, A League of Their Own, “If it wasn’t hard everyone would do it. The hard… is what makes it great.” Nephrology doesn’t come easy to me but it’s the challenge that makes it so rewarding. The field combines pathophysiology and clinical care unlike any other. The patients are complex and often very sick so to serve as their guiding physician is an honor.
What are you looking forward to during your fellowship time here?
I’m looking forward to learning from and working with the best Nephrologists in the country. I want to build long term relationships with my patients and be their advocate as they navigate the medical field.
What do you like best about Chapel Hill?
The restaurants are incredible! We live in Durham and love to try new places throughout the area. Coming from the Midwest, we also love the weather!
Welcome to the UNC Kidney Center, Monica!
Elizabeth Upton, MD
Education
B.A.: Classics and Chemistry
Williams College, 2008
MD: University of North Carolina, 2012
Internal Medicine Residency
University of North Carolina, 2015
Hometown
I am a Raleigh native.
Hobbies and Interests
I am always up for adventure. I enjoy SCUBA diving, hiking, trying new foods, and traveling.
Why did you choose nephrology?
I chose nephrology because I like the complexity of all the patients. It is a specialty in which general medicine and subspecialty training is used every day. I also love chemistry and solving acid-base disorders.
What are you looking forward to during your fellowship time here?
I am especially excited to work with such talented faculty, staff, and co-fellows. The amount of knowledge and wisdom they have to impart is phenomenal.
What do you like best about Chapel Hill?
It’s close to my family and it’s in between the beach and the mountains, making a weekend getaway to either easy.
Welcome to the UNC Kidney Center, Liz!