PGY–3
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!
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!
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!
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–2
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!
PGY-1
Medical School: Foster School of Medicine (TTUHSC El Paso)
Areas of Interest: Primary care, nutrition, access to care, literacy, community health education
Why did you pick LEAD? I chose LEAD because it offers opportunities to engage with and pursue my passions in advocacy, preventive medicine, and underserved communities to serve my future patients. I also love the small program within a big program structure and the support system within LEAD is unmatched!
Favorite thing about Houston: the food, the unique and diverse community, and parks!
Medical School: Baylor College of Medicine
Areas of Interest: Access to care, legislative advocacy, primary care, immigrant and refugee health, business of medicine, nutrition/obesity, mental health, child abuse & human trafficking
Why did you pick LEAD? I chose LEAD because it has the perfect combination of excellent training at one of the nation’s best and largest hospitals as well as incredible experiences in community partnerships, legislative advocacy, and public health with access to so many experts in those fields. I want to use these experiences through my career in primary care to impact patients’ lives beyond our clinic visits, working together with others in our community to set each child up to thrive.
Favorite things about Houston: The people/diversity/community & the food!
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University
Areas of Interest: Primary care, global health, emergency medicine, preventative medicine, advocacy, behavioral pediatrics
Why did you pick LEAD? I picked LEAD because it was one of the few tracks that managed to merge all my passions and areas of interest into one. Its deep focus on community health, advocacy, policy, and underserved medicine was not something I found elsewhere in other pediatric residency programs. The resources that the track offers made me feel like I could curate a training experience that would provide me with the tools to be the best general pediatrician possible, regardless of where I end up in the future.
Favorite things about Houston: This is very cliché, but the food scene is what I love most about the city! Houston is one of the few places where you can literally find any cuisine imaginable within the city borders. From African food, to Thai food, to a fusion of them both, you can find it all here. I also love how deeply rooted the Nigerian community is here. The Nigerian community is pretty robust on the east coast as well, but it has nothing on Houston. Truly feels like a home away from home.
Medical School: University of Houston COM
Areas of Interest: Primary care, adolescent health, menstrual health, social determinants of health, public health, advocacy
Why did you pick LEAD? LEAD leadership conveyed genuine investment in the growth of their trainees, both within the realm of medicine and within the realm of advocacy/community engagement. LEAD residents get the best of both worlds — training at a world-renowned program with emphasis on a curriculum tailored to those interested in primary care, public health, and health disparities. In short, you are well supported and resources abound!
Favorite thing about Houston: The diversity! It truly is so hard to match.
