Virginia Wolfe, OTD - UNC Hospitals Ancillary Services at ACC

I chose to become a physical therapist because it combines my interest in wellness/exercise with helping patients navigate challenging periods in their life due to pain and/or injury. I believe that a strong patient-clinician relationship is built by mutual trust, open communication, and collaborative goal setting. I utilize exercise and movement to facilitate recovery and increase patients’ participation in their valued activities. When I am not at work, I enjoy going on walks, being in nature, spending time with my partner, and exploring new cities.

I am a board-certified neurosurgeon currently serving on active duty under the established military-civilian partnership between the United States Army and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. My academic interests include cranial/spine neurotrauma along with pathologies of the skull base. This has led to numerous publications that have been both locally and nationally recognized by the Florida Neurosurgical Society, the National Injury Prevention Foundation, the American Academy of Neurological Surgeons, and the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. My military career began in 2012. My most notable duty station was at Tripler Army Medical Center where I became the Chief of Neurosurgery, Section Chief of Skull Base Neurosurgery, and the Neurosurgery Trauma Liaison. I have been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and the Overseas Service Ribbon. As the treatment of neurosurgical diseases can be frightening at times for the patient, I will not only bring surgical expertise, I will also provide genuine compassion and empathy to my patients and their family members. I look forward to the privilege of managing your care.

My journey to becoming a physical therapist started with a childhood love for fixing and repurposing things. As I grew older and studied biology in college, I became fascinated by the body’s ability to heal when given the right conditions. This passion eventually led me to pursue a career in physical therapy. I understand that people are complex, and their physical health is influenced by many factors. My goal is to help the person as a whole, not just address the pathology they may be facing. I strongly believe in the principle shared by John Maxwell: “People don’t care what you know until they know that you care.” Building genuine connections with my patients is central to my practice, as it lays the foundation for effective, compassionate care. My clinical interests include geriatrics, post-operative recovery, return-to-run and return-to-sport programs, chronic pain management, and general wellness. I enjoy tailoring treatment plans to help my patients reach their unique goals and improve their quality of life. Outside of work, you can find me in the woods, mountains, or on the water. I love exploring nature and going off-trail to discover new places.