Annual Pediatric Fellows Research Symposium

The Department of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School holds an annual research symposium each May, showcasing the scholarly contributions of subspecialty fellows to pediatric research, which is one component of the trifold Department mission.

The Department of Pediatrics prides itself on exceptional patient and family-focused, state-of-the-art medical care; outstanding educational opportunities for faculty, subspecialty fellows, residents, and students; and innovative research to improve the health of infants, children, and adolescents.

This year’s 13th Annual Pediatric Fellows Research Symposium was held on May 23rd at the Hermann Conference Center in the Memorial Hermann Hospital Atrium. This year’s event incorporated two categories. The first was an abstract submission in which PGY5 and PGY6 fellows were required to submit a summary of their research. The two PGY5 fellows who ranked the highest received a prize. The top 16 ranking PGY6 fellows were invited to present at the symposium and compete for 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd place. A variety of specialists judged the event. Below are this year’s winners and judge acknowledgments.

Special thanks from the Pediatric Symposium Planning Committee to all those who volunteered, presented and attended the 13th Annual Pediatric Fellows Research Symposium.

Morning Session Judges:

• Tina O. Findley, MD – Associate Professor, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
• Essam M. Imseis, MD- Associate Professor, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
• Samhar Al Akash, MD – Professor, Pediatric Nephrology & Hypertension
• Joyce P. Samuel, MD, MS – Associate Professor, Pediatric Nephrology & Hypertension
• Bibek Bista, MD, MPH – Assistant Professor, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

Afternoon Session Judges:

• Bibek Bista, MD, MPH – Assistant Professor, Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
• Lindsay Holzapfel, MD, MS – Associate Professor, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, and the Institute for Clinical Research and Learning Health Care
• Mona A. Eissa, MD, MPH, PhD – Professor, Adolescent Medicine
• Allison Davidson, DO – Associate Professor, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine

2nd Year Abstract Submission Winners:

• 1^st Place: Dr. Aman Jain – Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
• 2^nd Place: Dr. Ramya Ramakrishnan – MD Anderson Hematology/Oncology

3rd Year Presentation Winners:

• 1^st Place: Dr. Ginny Claire Kim – Division of Adolescent Medicine
• 2^nd Place: Dr. Zeina M. Saleh – Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition
• 3^rd Place: Dr. Erini Gamal Kostandy – Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition