Overview
I am a pediatric hospitalist and health services researcher with a faculty appointment in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hospital Medicine. The aim of my research is to reduce health inequities in the pediatric hospital setting. Currently, my main projects are around improving racial and ethnic differences in medical team communication and caregiver (parent/guardian) empowerment on family-centered rounds. Additional projects include addressing inpatient caregiver food insecurity, minimizing biased language in patient handoffs, and improving language access for families that use a language other than English in healthcare settings.
Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
·
2026 - Present
Pediatrics, Hospital Medicine,
Pediatrics
Recent Scholarly Works
Variation in Otitis Media Treatment Index by Location and Sociodemographic Groups in Pediatric Urgent Cares.
Journal article J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc · September 18, 2026 BACKGROUND: Antibiotic use is often driven by overdiagnosis. Otitis media is the most common diagnosis for which antibiotics are prescribed in pediatrics. Otitis Media Treatment Index (OMTI) measures the proportion of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) th ... Full text Link to item CiteMedical Team Communication on Family-Centered Rounds and Caregiver Outcomes.
Journal article Hosp Pediatr · August 1, 2026 BACKGROUND: Family-centered rounds (FCR) offer opportunities to partner with families but can be inequitable with variable outcomes. Defining teachable communication practices associated with optimal FCR may improve family experience and engagement. OBJECT ... Full text Link to item CiteExperiences of Past Discrimination and Caregiver Communication During Family-Centered Rounds.
Journal article Hosp Pediatr · April 1, 2026 OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between experiences of past discrimination (ie, discrimination) and caregiver participatory behaviors during family-centered rounds (FCR). METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods cross-se ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
iPediHeart: Interdisciplinary Research Training Program for Pediatric Heart Disease
Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute · 2025 - 2030Pilot testing a Trauma-Informed Clinician Communication Intervention for Family-Centered Rounds
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities · 2024 - 2027Connect and Empower: Reducing Acute Care Utilization for Black Children with Medical Complexity
ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health · 2025 - 2026View All Grants
Education
Stony Brook University, Renaissance School of Medicine ·
2012
M.D.
Stony Brook University ·
2012
M.P.H.