Start Year: 2022
Basics
Hometown
Narragansett, RI
Where did you attend medical school?
Universidad Nuestra Señora de La Paz in La Paz, Bolivia
Where did you complete your residency?
Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi, Texas
Who is your mentor?
Dr. Kamlesh Athavale
What are your research and career interests?
I published a review article on the use of probiotics in premature infants for the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis that was published in NeoReviews in April 2024. I am currently working on a follow-up analysis on outcomes related to antibiotic use among preterm infants in the Neonatal Research Network (NRN). I am involved in many interdisciplinary quality improvement projects including those focused on optimizing bedside procedures in the NICU, care for patients with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome, hyperbilirubinemia management, and my main project is on standardizing delayed cord clamping for which I’ve presented the data at various conferences and plan on publishing.
Reflections on the Duke program
What were you looking for in a fellowship program?
A place that allowed enough autonomy to gain confidence in clinical decision making and skills, as well as a cordial and positive work environment.
What are the strengths of the Duke program?
Incredible network and resources for research opportunities within pediatrics (tons of guidance with research mentorship and grant applications, courses that prepare you for publication, and access to data within the Neonatal Research Network and Pediatrix database); a strong patient safety and quality program (you can participate in the GME quality council, the Duke Pediatric’s Improvement Science Leadership Course is a 9-month program to train you to be a leader in quality improvement, growing interest in quality improvement efforts within neonatology and other divisions); and within the neonatology fellowship you get a high level of graduated autonomy (no attendings in-house at night) that truly prepares you for a neonatology career at the top level IV NICU in the Southeast.
About Duke University and Durham
What’s your favorite part about living in Durham and the Triangle?
Beautiful parks and lots to do with my family (Duke Gardens, Museum of Life and Science, DPAC) as well as amazing food options!
Personal interests
What do you like to do outside of work?
Lots of family activities with my two young children (Museum of Life and Science, Marbles Children’s Museum, various parks around the Triangle), walking my dog in Duke gardens, cooking, watching sports