Meet the Fellows

What drew you to this field

I was drawn to pediatric GI for a variety of reasons. I was always interested in the physiology and pathophysiology involving the GI tract. There is so much variety and so many important connections to other important organ systems. Additionally, the day to day is always varied and I enjoy the procedural aspect of the specialty. 

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?

I’m still figuring out what my clinical interests are! But I started fellowship with an interest in Celiac. 

What are your research interests

I’m not sure yet what my research interests are! But I have always enjoyed going medical education work and I would love to incorporate Med Ed research into my research work in the future. 

Why did you choose Lurie?

The faculty seemed amazing. The fellows seemed smart and hard working and fun! Also Chicago is a great city. I came here because I thought it would be a great environment and a great education.

What do you do for fun or to relax?

Reading. I love reading, fiction mostly. But I also recently moved to Chicago and have been exploring the city in my free time. There are so many great neighborhoods and restaurants to explore.

What do you love most about Chicago?

The summer! Chicago in the summer is great. There are so many awesome outdoor activities just steps away from wherever you live.  

What drew you to this field
I saw Pediatric GI as a field with opportunities to build long-term relationships with patients and families while navigating the brain-gut interactions that contribute to many of our patients’ experiences of illness. Also, it has a great balance of inpatient, outpatient, chronic disease, acute illness, procedures, and research so no two days feel the same.

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?
I am still deciding what I will focus on after fellowship but I started fellowship with a particular interest in pediatric liver transplants and throughout my first year of fellowship have developed increased appreciation for advanced endoscopy procedures.

What are your research interests?
I am academically interested in exploring existing health disparities and trialing interventions to achieve health equity in pediatric gastroenterology and hepatology. I think every area of medicine has opportunities to advance equity, and one area that is specific to our field is outcomes after pediatric liver transplantation.

Why did you choose Lurie?
I applied to GI fellowship looking for an institution that would nurture my passions for diversity, equity, and inclusion alongside my broad undecided clinical interests in gastroenterology and hepatology. I chose Lurie as a learning environment that would support those needs while being in an amazing diverse city.

What do you do for fun or to relax?
I enjoy exercise, cooking, reading, traveling, and exploring Chicago with my partner and my friends.

What do you love most about Chicago?

Chicago is an amazing and diverse city. I love exploring the different neighborhoods which each have their own culture, meeting new people and eating all the amazing food in this city. Summers in Chicago cannot be beat with all the festivals and farmers markets!

What drew you to this field?
I have always been interested in nutrition and how it can be used to help manage diseases. As I learned more about GI, I knew this field was perfect for me. I love how GI intertwines my interest in nutrition, and also has a nice balance of acuity and interesting pathophysiology allowing me to take care of patients across many other subspecialties.

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?
My clinical interests are in nutrition, obesity, and hepatology. Prior to medical school, I became a registered dietitian, so nutrition has always been a passion of mine. However, throughout training, I discovered my interest in caring for acutely ill patients, especially patients undergoing liver transplants. I enjoyed being a part of their healing process and seeing them well in clinic later on.

What are your research interests?
I’m still undecided exactly what research area I want to focus on during fellowship, but my interests are in nutrition and liver disease.

Why did you choose Lurie?
I chose Lurie because I was interested in training at a large children’s hospital with a variety of clinical complexity, patient diversity, and great research opportunities. I was also very impressed by the camaraderie of the fellows I met on my interview day. They all seemed very happy and genuine, and spoke highly of all the attendings, which were all important qualities to me.

What do you do for fun or to relax?
Outside of work, I like to travel, spend time with my husband and our dog, and try new restaurants. When I have a long weekend off, we enjoy going to northern Wisconsin or Michigan to spend time with our families on the lakes.

What do you love most about Chicago?
So far, I’ve come to enjoy the unique personalities of all the neighborhoods in Chicago! I’m also really excited to spend time walking/running on Lake Shore trail and trying new restaurants. Looking forward to finding my new go-to restaurant in our neighborhood!

What drew you to this field?

I love the pathophysiology of gastroenterology and the diversity of organ systems to learn from in one field! I used to TA for nutrition classes, and I liked how nutrition is something that I could counsel my patients whether they are sick or healthy. And of course, Pediatric Gastroenterologists are some of the most fun, cool people to work with!
What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?
One of my first GI mentors was in medical school. She is a IBD specialist, and she was one of the first people to get me excited about GI as a specialty, specifically through IBD. Since then I’ve done IBD research, but I’m interested in seeing what Hepatology has to offer.

What are your research interests?
I’m curious about Hepatology, but I’m going into fellowship with an open mind. I’m also interested in medical education, and I’m interested in seeing how I can incorporate that into my research.

Why did you choose Lurie?
The fellows and faculty were some of the nicest and welcoming people I met on my interview trail. It also helps that Lurie is a well-known institution on both coasts and that I couldn’t help but see Lurie faculty pop in children’s hospitals all over.

What do you do for fun or to relax?
I love keeping up with movies and television. Whenever possible I’m always on the lookout for new restaurants as well. I enjoy climbing and working out, for fun, stress relief, and to offset too much eating out at restaurants.

What do you love most about Chicago?
The food scene was what first drew me to Chicago, so much so I flew to Chicago for my medical school graduation dinner.

What drew you to this field

I am always impressed by the immense range of pathology, acuity of care, and patient populations that pediatric GI offers. I was always drawn to the O.R. during medical school, and the wide range of procedural opportunities available in this field helps to scratch that itch.

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area?

I am trying to go into fellowship with an open mind (I’m indecisive) but have always had a strong interest in advanced endoscopic procedures. I enjoy procedures and working with my hands, so gastroenterology was a natural fit.

What are your research interests

The first thing that comes to mind would be trying to bring a focus on equity of care and social determinants of health outcomes for our patients, but I also have interests in quality improvement and clinical research opportunities.

Why did you choose Lurie?

I made the trip up to Lurie for a GI rotation during medical school and was so impressed by the culture of the department, the faculty/fellows, and the hospital as a whole. That experience stuck with me through residency and pulled me back in! I also have some close connections to Chicago, so the city has always felt like home away from home.

What do you do for fun or to relax?

I spend most of my time relaxing with my significant other and our goofy boxer, Lucille. When we aren’t busy spoiling the pup, I enjoy exploring the city, trying to stay in shape, reading a good book, and being hyper invested in Virginia Tech sports (Go Hokies!)

What do you love most about Chicago?

Where do I start! The city has a vibrant atmosphere that is hard to beat. Each neighborhood has such a unique culture, and the opportunities for exploration and new experiences are endless. I’m also just a sucker for a good Saturday afternoon hot dog at Wrigley.  

What drew you to this field?

Since medical school back in Ecuador, I was always amazed at how the GI system works, and how it can impact the whole-body system. Since we did not have many doctors practicing pediatric gastroenterology in Ecuador, I decided to pursue an observership in Miami. During my observership, I fell in love with the field, and I learned how much I did not know about it, and mostly how much more I wanted to learn from it in the future.

What are your clinical interests? How did you become interested in this area? 

My clinical interests are Hepatology and advance procedures. I became interested in these areas during my residency in New York while I was exposed to a wide variety of patients having these pathologies.

What are your research interests?

I am interested in Hepatology and advanced procedures but have an open mind regarding other areas. During my first year as a fellow, I will have more exposure and I will have a better judgment about the topics and type of research that I would like to pursue.

Why did you choose Lurie?

I studied for my steps in Chicago and lived close to Lurie. I always dreamed about working here! Now, I have achieved this goal!

Lurie has a comprehensive GI program that will expose me to all the bread and butter of GI as well as rare diseases. During my interview, I was able to see the workflow and the fellows-attending working relationship at the hospital. I think that kind of work dynamic will help me to thrive during my fellowship!

What do you do for fun or to relax?

I like dancing and playing sports. I play soccer, tennis, and basketball. I enjoy Salsa and Reggaeton dancing. I also enjoy spending time with friends and family.

What do you love most about Chicago?

I think Chicago is one of the best cities in the US. I like that you can do everything from water sports or boating in the summer to skiing or snowboarding in the winter. Chicago’s architecture is amazing, and its food is excellent.