PGY–3
Hometown: Northbrook, Ill.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Legislative advocacy, gun safety, mental health
Why did you pick LEAD?
I picked LEAD because I wanted to have dedicated time to work on advocacy and community engagement while in residency. I knew I would likely go into a pediatric subspecialty and I wanted to learn more about health disparities and find ways to work in advocacy and public health that can be applied to whichever field I end up choosing.
Favorite thing about Houston: Tie between the food and the warm weather!
Hometown: Atlanta, Ga.
Undergraduate Institution: University of Georgia
Medical School: Morehouse School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Primary care
Why did you pick LEAD?
I chose LEAD because I felt that this program had all the tools and resources that could help me become the pediatrician I always envisioned myself to be. I have always aspired to work with underserved populations and continue to serve in advocacy work; I felt that LEAD would open doors and opportunities for me to explore these paths as a physician and as a community member. Also being within such a large residency program, I knew LEAD would serve as a smaller close-knit community with others who have similar goals and passions.
Favorite thing about Houston: The diversity!
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: Rice University
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Public health, child development, nutrition, obesity prevention, primary care, sports medicine
Why did you pick LEAD?
Given my MPH background, I wanted a residency-training program that incorporated more public health education and would prepare me for a career in primary care. I also wanted more training in advocacy work, ranging from community collaboration to legislative advocacy. I really liked the idea of a smaller track within a much larger program at one of the nation's best children's hospitals to experience the best of both worlds. As a BCM medical student, several of the LEAD residents and LEAD faculty had a profound influence in my decision to stay and do LEAD.
Favorite thing about Houston: The diversity and culture!
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: Boston College
Medical School: Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin
Areas of Interest: Nutrition, obesity, immigrant and refugee health, access to care, business of medicine
Why did you pick LEAD?
LEAD allows you to be part of an intimate group of likeminded individuals while getting to experience the vast resources and learning that Texas Children’s has to offer. I was drawn to the curriculum with a different advocacy focus each year - including community advocacy, legislative advocacy, and public health. The curriculum allows you to continue to build on skills you learn in prior years.
Favorite thing about Houston: The diversity in culture and food
PGY–2
Hometown: West Lafayette, Ind.
Undergraduate Institution: Wheaton College, Illinois
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Immigrant and refugee Health, mental health access, child abuse prevention
Why did you pick LEAD?
I wanted to be in a program that taught me about concrete ways to advocate for my patients. The emphasis on primary care, seemingly infinite resources, and robust connections with community organizations, diversity, and large underserved patient population made LEAD an easy decision when deciding on residency.
Favorite thing about Houston: The international food scene here is incredible!
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: UT Dallas
Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston
Areas of Interest: Injury prevention, child abuse/neglect, nutrition
Why did you pick LEAD?
I wanted to contribute to my community in a bigger way during residency and have opportunities to positively influence my patients affected by health disparities, especially in the primary care setting.
Favorite thing about Houston: The diversity of the people who live here and endless things to do!
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
Medical School: McGovern Medical School
Areas of Interest: Immunizations, healthcare policy, firearm safety
Why did you pick LEAD?
I picked LEAD because of the opportunities to advocate alongside community and state partners, develop scholarly projects addressing health disparities, and work in primary care settings that primarily serve vulnerable and underserved populations in Houston. I was drawn to the ability to belong to a smaller family within our large pediatrics residency program!
Favorite thing about Houston: The diversity!
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Undergraduate Institution: Texas A&M University
Medical School: Texas A&M School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Primary care, underserved and vulnerable populations
Why did you pick LEAD?
I chose LEAD because as an aspiring primary care doctor looking to work with underserved and vulnerable populations, I want to learn more and be active in addressing barriers facing our pediatric patients. I love learning about how I can be a greater advocate for the population I am serving and be a voice for them when they are not heard. Not only do I want to grow as an advocate, I love the community collaboration aspect of LEAD. I am looking forward to working with others to help improve healthcare policy. Through LEAD, I am able to combine my interest and learn how to apply what I have learned as I progress in my career to becoming a general pediatrician.
Favorite thing about Houston: The many different food options! You are bound to find something you like in any cuisine.
PGY–1
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Areas of Interest: Juvenile Justice Advocacy, School Health, Community Health Education and Programming
Why did you pick LEAD?
The LEAD Program offered the perfect blend of primary care, advocacy, and global health opportunities all housed at one of the premiere pediatrics institutions in the world. The program structure is truly one of a kind, and it allows me the space to pursue all of my professional interests within a supportive family of co-residents with similar goals. After completing an away rotation here and interacting with the residents and faculty, I was completely sold on both Texas Children's and this specific program.
Favorite thing about Houston: My favorite thing about Houston is its diversity. It is really the core of the city's identity and can be seen in the many food options, arts festivals, cultural activities, and even in the patient population we serve. There’s always something to do, so it becomes very easy to build community and make yourself feel right at home.
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Communication and minimizing health barriers, community health and education, increasing minority representation in healthcare, adolescent medicine, mental health, firearm safety
Why did you pick LEAD?
I wanted a program that emphasized advocacy and addressing health disparities - LEAD checked all of the boxes for me. I know that I want to work in and with the community to address health needs and I believe LEAD will equip me with the tools I need to meet these goals.
Favorite thing about Houston: Because Houston is so diverse, there is an incredible variety of people and of food! The community is amazing and so welcoming! And there are so many incredible restaurants to try!
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch John Sealy School of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Rural health, child abuse & human trafficking, mental health & suicide prevention, injury prevention
Why did you pick LEAD?
The LEAD program offers unique opportunities to have increased exposure in primary care, engage with underserved communities, strengthen advocacy skills, and bond within a smaller group of residents who are all passionate about child advocacy! I chose LEAD because aligned so well with my values, passions, and career goals, and it also offered a smaller group experience within a large residency program.
Favorite thing about Houston: Herman & Memorial parks, the incredible food scene, and lots of museums & concerts
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: My areas of interest include underserved populations, medical education, community engagement, pipeline programs, access to care
Why did you pick LEAD?
I picked LEAD because it perfectly blends my passions for advocacy, preventative medicine, and care for vulnerable populations. LEAD allows me to enhance my learning experiences as a resident by teaching me the tools I need to make a difference inside and outside the clinical exam room. In this program, I address the personal, legislative, and community aspects of children's lives, promoting a comprehensive approach dedicated to improving their outcomes. Lastly, the wonderful people in the LEAD program are the best you'll find!
Favorite thing about Houston: Favorite thing about Houston: The diversity in all aspects: people, cultures, activities, and most importantly FOOD!
