A Legacy of Care: Honoring Dr. Josh Alexander
More than 30 years ago, when the UNC Pediatric Rehabilitation Program was just beginning, a handful of patients posed for simple polaroid photos. Small snapshots of the lives that would come to define a physician’s career.
Those photos have remained in Dr. Josh Alexander’s office ever since.
Now, as Dr. Alexander prepares to retire this summer after more than three decades of service, those early images tell the story of time passed, relationships built, and the steady presence he has been in the lives of so many patients.
For Joan Franson and her son Peter, Dr. Alexander guided them through years of complex medical care.
“From the very beginning, he was incredibly thorough,” Joan shared. “What really stood out was how encouraging he was to Peter and to our whole family. When you have a child with spina bifida or other complex conditions, there are so many things to manage. Dr. Alexander always took the time to answer every question we had and help in any way he could.”
Over the years, Peter underwent 28 surgeries, including a major spinal fusion. Through every stage, Dr. Alexander remained a steady presence.
“One of the things he told us that stuck was, ‘If you have no goals, you’ll reach them,’” Joan said. “We took that to heart. In 2023, after everything Peter had been through, he got his driver’s license. That was a huge moment for our family.”
For Tiffany Kennedy Staley, Dr. Alexander’s role in her life began almost from birth.
“I’ve been going to him since I was born until I turned 18,” she said. “Even when I was a kid, he always made sure he listened to me. Most doctors only talk to the parent, but he made me feel like my voice mattered. It made me feel like he truly cared about what I had to say.”
As Tiffany grew older, Dr. Alexander encouraged her to take responsibility for her own health.
“He wanted me to feel confident making decisions and asking questions,” she said. “He even told me that my mom wouldn’t always be around to make those choices for me. That meant a lot.”
Now married and raising a young son, Tiffany still hopes to bring her child to meet the doctor who helped guide her through childhood.
For Amrutha Nandam, Dr. Alexander has been part of her life since she was six months old.
“He’s really been important to me,” she shared. “He always took so much pride in my progress and cared about how I was doing, not just medically but personally too. He always knew how to put a smile on my face.”
Now 24 years old, Amrutha finds it hard to sum up decades of care in just a few words.
“I’ve known him for so long, there’s so much I could say,” she said. “I just want to congratulate him on this well-deserved milestone and tell him how much I love him.”
Stories like these reflect the heart of Dr. Alexander’s career, one rooted in long term relationships, careful listening, and comprehensive care for children with complex rehabilitation needs.
Under his leadership, the Lee Fitch Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation Program has grown into a vital resource for patients across North Carolina. The program recently surpassed an extraordinary milestone, raising more than $5 million to support pediatric rehabilitation services, research, and patient-centered care.
As Dr. Alexander’s retirement approaches on July 1, 2026, UNC Health Foundation invites the community to honor his legacy by supporting the Lee Fitch Comprehensive Pediatric Rehabilitation Program Fund.
A gift in his honor helps ensure that future patients continue to receive the same thoughtful, compassionate care that has defined Dr. Alexander’s career.
With the countless milestones reached during his career, Dr. Alexander’s impact will continue well beyond his final day in practice.
For information on how to give in Dr. Alexander’s honor, please contact Mary Gard, Executive Director of Development, UNC Health Foundation, at [email protected] or (978) 549-8815.
