LEAD Residents

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 premier 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: UTMB Galveston

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: UTMB Galveston

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 and Memorial parks, the incredible food scene, and lots of museums and 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: The diversity in all aspects: people, cultures, activities, and most importantly, FOOD! 

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 and 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 College of Medicine

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.

Medical School: McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Areas of Interest: Disability advocacy and policy, literacy, immigrant and refugee health, school health and policy

Why did you pick LEAD? As a native Houstonian, being involved in advocacy and outreach within my home community meant so much to me during medical school. I chose LEAD because its unique structure gives me the opportunity to continue growing as an advocate while caring for a community that I love, while also equipping me to become a more well-rounded pediatrician wherever my career may take me. I also value the opportunity to train at and have access to the resources of such an outstanding academic institution, while also having the support of my smaller LEAD family!

Favorite Thing About Houston: All of my family is in Houston, so it will always be home to me, but I especially appreciate how diverse the city is! There are always so many different people to meet, foods to try, and activities and places to explore!

Medical School: UT Southwestern Medical School

Areas of Interest: Health communication/education, legislative advocacy, adolescent medicine, mental health access, and pipeline programs

Why did you pick LEAD? I chose LEAD because I wanted to train in an environment where the curriculum, faculty, and residents aligned with my interests and would support my growth while allowing me to make a meaningful impact in underserved communities. I also appreciated the opportunity to be part of a smaller cohort within a larger residency program, which provides both the resources of a large institution and the protected time and mentorship to engage in advocacy and pursue passion projects!

Favorite Thing About Houston: The Houston Museum of Natural Science and the diversity of food and people! 

Medical School: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine  

Areas of Interest: Primary Care, DEI, Underserved Populations, Immigrant Families, Youth Education, Immunization Education, LGBTQ+ Youth, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Why did you pick LEAD? LEAD had the perfect combination of everything I wanted to be. I wanted to push myself to grow into a physician who's prepared to show up for children who grew up like me and were aware of their disadvantages but didn't have the resources to do anything about them. While I grew up in a Nigerian immigrant home, I know my story resonates with children across many differing backgrounds today. I chose LEAD so I could combine a strong primary care foundation with my advocacy interests to learn to use my position for good.

Favorite Thing About Houston: I love the people. Not only do you get so many different cultures, languages, and foods coming together, but you get to see just how grounded and committed the people are to building up strong, lively, and welcoming communities.

Medical School: McGovern Medical School

Areas of Interest: Urban planning and health, environmental justice, immigrant and refugee health, and care for medically complex children

Why did you pick LEAD? I chose the LEAD program because it aligned with my long-term goal of practicing primary care in urban communities facing significant healthcare disparities. I was also drawn to the opportunity to train at Texas Children's, a world-renowned children's hospital system that cares for an exceptionally diverse patient population, both demographically and in terms of pathology. Beyond the outstanding clinical training, I am especially excited about the close mentorship from faculty, the close-knit community from my co-residents, and the opportunity to pursue an advocacy project focused on improving health outcomes for the communities I hope to one day serve.

Favorite Thing About Houston: The warm weather, diversity, and amazing restaurant scene!