Message from Program Leadership
The Chairman’s and Program Director’s Statement
Congratulations on your decision to become a Pediatrician!
The field of Pediatrics is at a wonderful time in its development. With the continued advances in the scientific basis of Pediatrics, better understanding of the unique needs of children in our changing society, and increased focus on Pediatrics as a primary care specialty, there are more opportunities than ever before to make a difference in the lives and health of children.
The Department of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School is committed to training outstanding Pediatricians in the art and science of the care of children. Our graduates practice in many different venues, including community practice, subspecialty fellowship training, hospital medicine, and a variety of academic careers. Our faculty are innovative and dynamic, and dedicated to providing an educational environment which motivates a resident to excellence. Your responsibilities as a resident will keep you busy, but will still allow you time for outside interests, friends, and family.
Our program is based in the Texas Medical Center, an extraordinary and diverse medical campus and the largest medical center in the world. Our principal inpatient sites are Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, a private children’s hospital, and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) General Hospital, a county hospital serving a primarily indigent population. Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is a hospital within the larger Memorial Hermann Hospital, and blends the unique features of a hospital for children with the resources of a large, sophisticated tertiary care general hospital. These include the full range of medical care for children and adults, sophisticated personnel and equipment in the ICUs, intermediate and general services, a Trauma Center, and the Life-Flight air ambulance and ground transport. Other affiliated institutions include the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center; The University of Texas Schools of Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, Health Information Sciences, Nursing and Dentistry; and the Texas Medical Center Library. We are also affiliated with many community clinics to expand your experience beyond the Medical Center.
Our Pediatric residency program provides diverse experiences designed to permit our residents to develop into well-rounded general Pediatricians and provide a foundation for those transitioning into subspecialty training. Our residents work in public and private institutions, both inpatient and outpatient. Our socially and culturally diverse patient population will expose you to the full spectrum of general Pediatrics, from well-child care to the complex diagnosis and management of critically ill patients.
Thank you for considering our program for your pediatric training. We look forward to getting to know you.
Mary E. Aitken, MD, MPH
Chairman of Pediatrics
Emma A. Omoruyi, MD, MPH
Residency Program Director
Message from the Chiefs
Welcome from the Pediatric Chiefs of 2023-2024! We are excited to be a part of your journey to Match Day 2024.
From all of us here at UT Houston McGovern Medical School Pediatric Residency Program, welcome to our website! We are thrilled to have you here and hope to be able to give you a glimpse into what life is like here at UT Houston.
As chief residents, we believe our program to be one of the best training environments to begin your career in pediatrics. After having completed our training now, we can all attest to the fact that UT Houston’s diverse patient population, overwhelming faculty support, and the abundance of academic opportunities is nothing short of exceptional.
Our experiences here have taught us that this program is not only a place that instills in its residents all the skills needed to become well-rounded pediatricians, but also a place that provides support, camaraderie, and understanding of each individual’s goals and needs. It was our home away from home! We are proud to represent this program and all there is to offer here. Please do not hesitate to reach out to any of us at any time to learn more about our program, we look forward to meeting and hearing from you soon!
— Mary, Adriana, Nicola, and Alyssa
Mary K. Rouse, MD
Adriana A. Torres, MD 
Nicola M. Harris, DO
Alyssa M. Short, DO
Pediatric Chief Residents 2023-2024