Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/1004438
THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF SAN ANTONIO AND BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE CELEBRATE FIRST GRADUATING CLASS OF PEDIATRIC RESIDENTS AND FELLOWS After three years of hard work in one of the most advanced pediatric residency programs in country, 10 bright young doctors are set to embark on the next chapter of their medical careers. Many of the physicians graduating from the first class of The Children's Hospital of San Antonio and Baylor College of Medicine's residency program have chosen to stay and practice in the San Antonio area. "The families and the patients have taught me so much and I feel very humbled by the experience, and I'm ready to give back and serve the community," says Danielle Ramirez, MD, a graduating resi - dent physician. Dr. Ramirez says she fell in love with the city and its people while taking her undergraduate classes here, and she was excited to join the first class of residents at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. "I'm just ver y grateful and fortunate to have been chosen for this program," Dr. Ramirez added. "It's been a really great experience." The Sunset Station in downtown San Antonio ser ved as the back - drop for the special graduation ceremony, where resident physi- cians and their families celebrated three years of dedicated work with those who trained them. For Michelle Barajaz, MD, Pediatric Residency Program Director, it was a heartfelt moment to celebrate the accomplishments of the class she has mentored for the past three years. "This historic first graduating class has had an incredible impact on the development of The Children's Hospital of San Antonio and has cared for the children of San Antonio with great compassion and excellence during their training," Dr. Barajaz says. The 10 resident physicians trained in a range of pediatric dis - ciplines, including general pediatrics, as well as fellowships in more specific fields of study including intensive care, neonatology and more. This is the first class to graduate from the Residency Program after the hospital formed in 2013 out of a par tnership between Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine and CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System. The new children's hospital provided the foundation for an ultramodern training facility for these enthusiastic doctors who have practiced the most advanced pediatric medicine available. As the graduates of the Pediatric Residency Program embark on the next chapter of their healing mission, faculty and fellow clinicians at The Children's Hospital wish them well, and appreci - ate the residents' contribution in transforming the lives of San Antonio patients. "We are ver y proud of our first group of residents," says Dr. Charles Hankins, President and Chief Medical Officer at The Children's Hospital of San Antonio. "They have established them - selves as dedicated to the care of children. "The legacy this first class has established will accelerate the value of the relation- ship between The Children's Hospital of San Antonio and Baylor College of Medicine." For more information, please visit christushealth.org/santa-rosa/ childrens-hospital-of-san-antonio. Graduating Resident Physicians: JESSE BANALES, MD, neonatology DANIELLE RAMIREZ, MD, general pediatrics EB GHAZALI, MD, pediatric infectious disease MALLORY KENT, MD, Graduating Chief Resident, pediatric intensive care BEN MORESCO, MD, Rising Chief Resident MEG HARLINE, MD, general pediatrics AMANDA PHAN, MD, general pediatrics K ARALIN ROOT, DO, general pediatrics LAUREN SADOVSKY, DO, general pediatrics CRYSTAL CUELLAR, MD, adolescent medicine DIANA VILLARREAL, MD, PHD, general pediatrics Associate Program Director: ADAM WOLFE, MD, PHD 2 0 2 0❱❱❱❱❱ H O S P i TA L R O U N D S