I am interested in using clinical informatics and dissemination and implementation (D&I) research to investigate ways to improve patient care across a variety of diseases, primarily in the pediatric emergency department (ED) but also in the primary care and inpatient setting.

I have worked extensively to improve adolescent reproductive healthcare in the ED and primary care setting. I primarily have used computerized self-risk assessments with integrated decision support and real-time connections to the electronic health record to improve care for adolescents at risk for sexually transmitted infections.

I have also worked extensively with the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN), the leading peds EM research network in the United States, on several multi-center studies. I have recently worked to derive a clinical prediction rule to better identify pediatric trauma patients at risk for cervical spine injury and am working to implement this new rule across multiple healthcare systems. 

As a pediatrician, pediatric emergency physician, and informaticist, my clinical interests range far and wide. While my clinical care is delivered within a pediatric ED, I have interest in improving the care of children in a wide range of topics and across the spectrum of the healthcare system. 

I spend time working to improve the personal financial knowledge of medical trainees. I led creation of a personal finance/business of medicine lecture series for the residents in pediatrics and internal medicine at WashU and have led or co-led studies related to personal finance education for trainees. Additionally, I have given many talks on these topics to trainees at other institutions.

I served as six years as Coursemaster for PEMRAP, an undergraduate class which brings students onto the medical school campus and teaches didactics around the conduct of clinical research, and has students spend time working in the St. Louis Children’s ED working as research assistants enrolling for active studies. 

Mentoring and providing support to colleagues and trainees is an enormous part of my job. I provide clinical research mentorship to numerous faculty and trainees/students at all levels. I also recognize I am also always learning an a mentee myself, looking to improve myself by learning from others, regardless of their training or experience level. I’ve learned the ups and downs of mentoring, better understood my own limits, and taken great joy in seeing mentees succeed.

To provide better support for my colleagues, I have taken on a role as Director of Wellness for pediatric emergency medicine. I have also received formal training as a health and wellness coach, which is different skillset from mentoring, and which I integrate into my regular work.