I have always been a “math and science” kind of girl, being MVP of the math team in high school and studying biomedical engineering in college. Born in New York City and raised on Long Island, I didn’t have exposure to medicine until I was 20 years old, when I visited my aunt, who was a neonatologist in Texas. I fell in love and quickly found my calling after observing tiny babies not only survive but thrive.
I studied and trained all over the country before returning to New York for fellowship, and came to NYU Langone in 2017 immediately after finishing my training. During my medical journey, I developed an interest in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), which helps support the most critically ill babies who have heart or lung failure. I was part of the team that developed and grew the ECMO program at NYU Langone, and have been involved with the treatment of over a hundred babies and children who required ECMO at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone. My engineering background has helped me to understand and successfully employ this technology, and I enjoy working on the large multidisciplinary team that is required to collaborate for ECMO to be successful.
Education is another passion of mine. I have had so many mentors and educators who were pivotal in my career success (starting with my aunt in Texas!), so I strive, in turn, to be a mentor and educator for those following in my footsteps. I have been the associate program director of the neonatal–perinatal medicine fellowship since 2020, and have contributed to the continued growth and improvement of our fellowship program. Nothing makes me prouder than seeing our fellowship graduates flourish in their careers as neonatologists. I am also very involved in the pediatrics residency program, and serve and an academic advisor, interviewer, and core faculty member to the residents. I especially enjoy mentoring residents with an interest in neonatology.
My research interests include ECMO, medical education, and neonatal respiratory failure. I am currently participating in the Association of Pediatric Program Directors LEAD (Leadership in Educational Academic Development) Program, a nationally recognized program which provides me with the opportunity to learn educational leadership skills from experts in the field of pediatric education.
I love what I do. Every day is different, every day is a challenge, and every day I am inspired by the babies and children I care for, by the families I interact with, and by the residents and fellows I teach.
