Michael Kappelman, MD, MPH, a professor of pediatrics and epidemiology at the UNC School of Medicine, has been awarded the $100,000 Sherman Prize for his work in improving care and treatment for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Sherman Prize is given annually by the Bruce and Cynthia Sherman Charitable Foundation to clinicians, surgeons, researchers, or academics who have made significant contributions to IBD care.
Dr. Kappelman is recognized for his efforts to address key questions in pediatric IBD treatment. He has focused on advancing standardized care and identifying effective treatments. His research has highlighted variations in pediatric IBD treatments across different centers. As a result, he collaborated with others through ImproveCareNow—a network of over 100 pediatric IBD care centers nationwide—to standardize best practices and increase remission rates among children.
A major part of Dr. Kappelman’s work involves evaluating how medications approved for adults can be adapted for children. He played a role in establishing anti-TNF therapy as a standard treatment for pediatric Crohn’s disease. In the COMBINE trial—the largest randomized study conducted in pediatric IBD—he demonstrated that adding methotrexate to certain anti-TNF therapies improved outcomes compared to using anti-TNF therapy alone.
Currently, Dr. Kappelman is leading research on newer biologic drugs and advanced therapies that are often used off-label in children with IBD. His COMPARE-Pediatric IBD study aims to rigorously compare these medicines.
He also served as co-principal investigator on a CDC-funded epidemiology study that provided comprehensive data on both pediatric and adult IBD populations in the United States. This research revealed important insights into the diversity of patients affected by IBD and factors contributing to health inequities.
Pediatric IBD prevalence is increasing in the U.S., ranking among the highest globally. Many patients are diagnosed during childhood or early adulthood and must manage symptoms throughout their lives.
Charlotte Ayers, one of Dr. Kappelman’s patients who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age seven, shared her experience: “My healthcare journey has been so intertwined with my daily life, and I am thankful every day for having Dr. Kappelman as my doctor,” Ayers said. “I have never once felt anxious or nervous about my care, which has made dealing with chronic illness far less of a burden. Not only has he been a fantastic doctor, he has been an amazing presence in my life.”
Dr. Kappelman plans to continue focusing on how best to use available tools—whether medications, nutrition strategies, surgery, or diagnostic tests—to improve patient outcomes through collaboration among patients, clinicians, researchers, and families.
“We can only change the future of IBD if we work together—patients, clinicians, researchers, and families,” said Kappelman. “The best part of my job is knowing that every study, every conversation, every connection might help children with IBD live healthier and happier.”
Further information about Dr. Kappelman’s interview regarding the Sherman Prize can be found here: https://shermanprize.org/laureates/michael-kappelman-md-mph/. His biography is available here: https://www.med.unc.edu/medicine/gi/directory/michael-kappelman-md-mph/.
