Please review the LEAH program requirements.
Check out our latest Region 6 BCM-TMC LEAH Quarterly Broadcast Webinar! Speaker: Dr. Sharonda Alston-Taylor. Read Dr. Alston-Taylor's bio. See a PDF of the presentation.
Save the Date!
25th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care, Houston, Texas, Oct. 10–11, 2024. Register online.
Meet Our Fellows
Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Psychology, Public Health, and Social Work Fellows.
Program Description
- Clinical Rotation sites: Covenant House, Baylor Teen Clinic, Texas Children's Hospital WOW Clinic, Texas Children's Hospital Adolescent Medicine
- The Baylor College of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Leadership Education in Adolescent Health (BCM-TMC LEAH) training program has been awarded a five-year grant totaling $2.3 million dollars. It is one of seven such training programs funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB).
- The purpose of the program is to prepare diverse leaders in adolescent and young adult health through didactic, experiential, and research-based interdisciplinary education and training in core health disciplines of medicine, nursing, nutrition, psychology, social work and public health.
- The LEAH program is the premier federally-funded training program for preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals to become leaders in adolescent and young adult care.
Meet Our Faculty
The Project Director and Associate Project Director of the BCM-TMC LEAH training program are Dr. Albert C. Hergenroeder, Chief, and Dr. Connie Wiemann, Director of Research, in the Division of Adolescent Medicine and Sports Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, BCM, based at Texas Children’s Hospital.
The BCM-TMC LEAH program is a collaboration with:
- Dr. Diane Santa Maria, Dean and Professor in the Department of Research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Cizik School of Nursing along with Dr. Sydnee Lucas, Assistant Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner Track Co-Coordinator.
- Dr. Christine Markham, Department Chair for Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences and Deputy Director for the Texas Prevention Research Center at University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health.
- Anastasia Deeter, Licensed Clinical Social Work Supervisor, is the Clinical Specialist in Behavioral Health with Texas Children’s Hospital Social Work Department. Anastasia is also Certified as an Oncology Social Worker and Advanced Palliative & Hospice Social Worker.
- Additional LEAH faculty.
Quotes from our LEAH Fellows
- Grecia Zamora (2022-2023 Nursing Fellow): “I think the most impactful thing I learned was how to communicate with different disciplines as well as learning about how to communicate with adolescents in a culturally sensitive way,” Zamora said. “I really learned about working in an academic setting, and I feel like I will always have that academic backbone to look into the literature, question articles, and have a curious mindset.”
- Hannah Zeller (2023-2024 Nursing Fellow): “I want to specialize in adolescent eating disorders,” Zeller said. “I believe this fellowship will impact the way I research, the way I work, and the way I study,” said Zeller. “It will help me to see behind the scenes and help me bridge the gap on what I can do for my dissertation and after I graduate.”
Testimonials from our LEAH graduates:
- "I loved the interdisciplinary experience and learning from all of the lenses of the other professions. I believe my skills were stretched and greatly expanded from this experience."
- "All of the faculty/mentors were excellent preceptors. They were so kind, answered all our questions, and made us feel so welcome in the clinic."
- "I learned a lot about the conditions affecting adolescents today, how to advocate for them, and how to talk to adolescents, as they are very sensitive. Being a part of LEAH helped me decide that I do want my career to be in an academic setting, as it can be so impactful by contributing to research and helping underserved individuals. Overall, I think LEAH has provided me with a lot of great tools and also things to keep working on."
- "I feel more prepared for leadership roles and navigating professional realms with multiple professions and disciplines."
- "I feel like I have a better understanding of what adolescent health is, my future role in shaping adolescent medicine, and how I can be an effective leader of an organization that serves young people. This fellowship was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am so grateful to have participated this year."