Please review the LEAH program requirements.
Save the Date!
- 2026 Pediatric Obesity Symposium, March 28, 2026, register here.
- 27th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability Conference: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care, Oct. 22-23, 2026. Check out our past conferences here.
Meet Our Fellows
Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Psychology, Social Work, and Public Health Fellows.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page to check out our Alumni!
Program Description
- Clinical Rotation sites: Covenant House Texas (Medical Clinic, Meet Dr. H), 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.
“Adolescents make up about 20% of the U.S. population yet account for disproportionate rates of mortality from accidents, homicides, suicide and other conditions related to mental illness,” said Dr. Hergenroeder. “The goal is to train and prepare healthcare professionals to assume leadership roles in the development and improvement of the system of care for adolescents and young adults locally, in Texas, in HRSA Region 6 (Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana), and nationally.”
Since some of the issues facing adolescents and young adults are complex, for example, mental health, medical, nutritional, and behavioral problems, Hergenroeder says the interdisciplinary approach used within the LEAH training program is a great model for addressing adolescent and young adult health issues where there is unlikely to be a simple solution.
“There has been an increased urgency during the last few years of the need to address adolescent health problems, such as suicide, eating disorders and violence in adolescents,” he said. “These problems require solutions for populations as well as individuals. For example, an individual patient with an eating disorder will require treatment with an interdisciplinary team of physicians, psychologists, nurses, dietitians, and social workers yet for a population, the expertise of researchers and public health experts should look at what broader interventions might be used in the prevention of eating disorders. LEAH is designed to give comprehensive training in all aspects of the threats to adolescent and young adult health in the U.S.”
Pre- and post-doctoral students, medicine fellows, and residents in the program work with faculty in a multitude of related specialized fields. They then go into communities prepared to focus on the emotional, behavioral and physical problems adolescents and young adults are facing. This program goes beyond just physical and mental health, to teach healthcare professionals how to identify ways to improve access to care and incorporate technology into healthcare to best suit this group.
“The comprehensive training experience also includes a focus on skills to conduct and disseminate research to promote practices and policies that impact adolescents and young adults in a variety of settings. All trainees will learn tools to engage stakeholders and identify opportunities to improve systems of care. In this way, all disciplines play an important role in improving the health and well-being of this population. And healthcare administrative training is incorporated into the LEAH program so that LEAH trainees will be able to successfully execute great research, clinical, teaching and advocacy programs to improve adolescent and young adult health,” said Dr. Wiemann.
This is the fourth time BCM has been awarded a LEAH training grant since 1997.
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."
Alumni
Elysia Chandler, MPH, LEAH Fellow, September 2024 – May 2025
UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Ph.D. candidate. Dissertation: Conflict and Communication in Adolescent Relationships: Bullying, Harassment, and Consent in Digital and In-Person Contexts.
Caroline Gonynor, Ph.D., LEAH Fellow, September 2024 – May 2025
Pediatric Psychologist, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Daneeka Hamilton, MPH, LEAH Fellow, September 2024 – May 2025
Instructor, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Ph.D. candidate. Dissertation: The Impact of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Preconception Health in Reproductive-Age Women with Obesity and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Rachel Ng, MPH, RDN, LD, LEAH Fellow, September 2024 – May 2025
Clinical Dietitian I, Texas Children’s Hospital, Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Woodlands, Texas, Passed Registration Examination for Dietitians, October 2025, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, MPH, Health Promotion and Health Education, Dietetic Internship Program, May 2025 (graduated).
Margaret (Beverly) Painter, BS, LEAH Fellow, September 2024 – May 2025
The University of Texas Medical Branch, Master of Science in Nutrition & Metabolism, December 2025 (graduated).
Allison Rogan, DNP, FNP-C, LEAH Fellow, September 2024 – May 2025
Staff Registered Nurse, The Outpatient Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Clinic, Texas Children’s Hospitals, Received 2025 Excellence in Nursing Award, UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing Practice, August 2025 (graduated).
Jordan Schueler, Ph.D., LEAH Fellow, September 2024 – May 2025
Psychologist, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia.
Caelyn Caivano, MS, RDN, LD, LEAH Fellow, September 2023 – May 2024
Registered Dietitian, Texas Children's Hospital (Main Campus), Houston, Texas.
Chelsey Kanipe, MS, LEAH Fellow, September 2023 – May 2024
Research Coordinator I, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Ph.D. candidate. Dissertation: An Analysis of State Policies on the Timing and Duration of Sex Education and their Association with Adolescent Sexual Behavior.
Hailey Park, LMSW, MT-BC, LEAH Fellow, September 2023 – May 2024
Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Cheung, M., Minor, K., Adams, E. M., & Park, H. A. (2025). Transracial Adoption Among Asian Youth: Transitioning Through an Integrative Identity. Adolescence, 5(4), 65.
Hannah Zeller, RN, BSN, CPN, LEAH Fellow, September 2023 – May 2024
Registered Nurse, Texas Children’s Hospital (Main Campus), Houston, Texas, UTHealth Houston Cizik School of Nursing, Ph.D. candidate, December 2027 (anticipated graduation).
Ashton Lejano, MSW, LEAH Fellow, September 2022 – May 2023
Victoria Kwentua, MPH, CPH, LEAH Fellow, September 2022 – May 2023
Graduate Research Assistant, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, Ph.D. candidate. Dissertation: Sexual Reproductive Health Education and Intervention Opportunities for Preventing Pregnancy and Supporting Healthy Parenting Among Youth with Foster Care Experience.
Caroline Klatt, MPH candidate, LEAH Fellow, September 2022 – May 2023
Dietetic Intern, UTHealth Houston School of Public Health.
Olivia DiCarlo, MS, RDN, LD, LEAH Fellow, September 2022 – May 2023
Registered Dietician, Nutritionist, Texas Children’s Hospital, Sugar Land, Texas.
Grecia Zamora, DNP, PMHNP-BC, LEAH Fellow, September 2022 – May 2023
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.