PHM Fellows

Dr. Miriam Ahmad

Hometown: Fresno, CA

About Me: I grew up and did most of my schooling in the Fresno area and have been away for medical training and work for almost eight years now, and am excited to return to the Valley!

Why I chose Valley Children's: Being originally from the area, I was familiar with Valley Children's and wanted to come back to a place that had a large diverse patient population, large network of resources, and an enthusiastic program that was invested in its trainees. 

Hobbies: Exploring the city and appreciating the outdoors, reading fiction/nonfiction and current events, making (and eating!) tasty food, crafting/painting/DIY projects

Advocacy/Interests/Accomplishments: I am drawn to hospital medicine for the breadth of practice: the combination of both simple acuity and longitudinal complex care as well as the ability to combine clinical work with external interests in leadership, global health, and QI/research.

Healthcare disparities and access to care are a specific area of interest. 

Care Philosophy: Providing effective care for hospitalized children does not happen in a vacuum, and I believe treating all parts of the child as a whole and working synergistically with all members of the care team provides the best outcomes for our patients.

Scholarly Project: Distance Traveled to Pediatric Inpatient Care Over a Decade in California

Dr. Emma Schumacher

Hometown: Longmont, CO

About Me: I grew up in Colorado with my parents and two brothers who still live there. Growing up, I spent a lot of time in the mountains and have always enjoyed the outdoors. I studied engineering at CU Boulder but decided I ultimately wanted to pursue a career in the medical field. I moved to Iowa for medical school and then to Indiana for pediatrics residency. Outside of medicine, I enjoy exploring wherever I'm living and spending time with my friends and family. 

Why I chose Valley Children's: I am thrilled to be joining Valley Children's as a PHM fellow! I was immediately drawn to Valley Children's by the people working there. I loved how invested everyone was in strong, comprehensive patient care. I look forward to continuing to build my clinical skills to become a better hospitalist and focusing on my interests in medical/family education, patient advocacy, and global health while I learn more about and become a part of the Valley Children's community!

Hobbies: Anything outside (hiking, camping, etc), travelling, reading, board games, going to concerts/theatre/etc., exploring local restaurants and breweries

Advocacy/Interests: Medical education, patient advocacy, global health

Care Philosophy: I want to be a hospitalist because I like taking care of all aspects of a patient. I enjoy thinking critically about the medical needs of patients while fitting their needs into the larger picture of their lives. I am also passionate about teaching both learners in the hospital setting and helping patients and families understand their own care. 

Scholarly Project: Current Opinions and Perceptions of Parents and Care Givers on Language used in Medical Documentation

Dr. Nicholas Garza

Hometown: Fresno

About Me: I am native to the Central Valley and completed my undergraduate and medical school education at UC Davis as well as a post baccalaureate program in health sciences at CSULA. Having lived in various places throughout southern and northern California, I am excited to be close to family and friends while I continue to pursue my career goals in a place that has always felt like home. 

Why I chose Valley Children's: I grew up admiring VCH as a beacon of health in the Central Valley. I had the opportunity to gain valuable experiences with the hospital first as a patient, then a volunteer, and most recently resident. Throughout my residency at VCH, I valued the opportunities for growth and learning from the wide geographical range and socioeconomic diversity of the community they serve. Though my roles have changed, the passion for pediatrics from everyone at the hospital has always been consistent and I seek to continue to grow with the hospital to better serve our community. 

Hobbies: In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, attending live music events, staying active through fitness and snowboarding, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, and immersing myself in true crime podcasts and sci-fi/fantasy audiobooks.

Advocacy/Interests/Accomplishments: I am drawn to pediatric hospital medicine due to the diverse range of medical conditions encountered, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in both acute illnesses and complex chronic care. The variety of the medicine ensures there is never a dull moment. Alongside my interest in hospitalist medicine, I am equally passionate about integrating pediatric palliative care and hospice into my career goals. I have always taken an interest in using scientific research to drive advancements in medicine and aim to improve on these skills throughout fellowship and beyond to enhance patient care. 

Care Philosophy: My care philosophy is grounded in a deep commitment to supporting hospitalized children and their families during some of their most challenging times. I believe that while medical knowledge is crucial, compassion and empathy are equally essential for providing effective care. By fostering a trusting relationship through transparent communication and aligning medical interventions with the values and preferences of those I serve, I strive to enhance the faith our community has in health care. In every aspect of my practice, I aim to blend my passion for pediatrics with a dedication to empathy, transparency, and continuous professional development. My ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for each child and family I have the privilege to support.

Scholarly Project: Impact of Pediatric Hospice and Concurrent Care on Reducing Hospitalizations and Inpatient Resource Utilization
 

Dr. Hye-Yin (Helen) Kim

Pediatric Residency: 
Kaiser Permanente, Southern CA

Medical School: 
University of California, Davis, School of Medicine 
 

Dr. Carolyn Ferlic

Dr. Henry-Robert Tomas, MD

Hometown: Elmont, New York

About Me: I was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to the suburbs of Elmont, NY at three years old. Most of my schooling was completed in NY and then I wanted to broaden my horizons by pursuing my medical education in Chicago and my residency training in Miami, FL. Outside of medicine, I like basketball and cooking. 

Why I chose Valley Children's: I chose Valley's Children's as it was similar to my residency training where I would be serving many underserved populations who are in the most need of our care and compassion. It was also an opportunity to tailor my education toward my interests in pediatric hospital medicine in a supportive environment that would challenge me to sharpen my clinical skills while being a well-rounded physician. 

Hobbies: Basketball, Cooking

Advocacy/Interests/Accomplishments: Health Disparities and  Access to Care

Care Philosophy: Every patient has a story and the different threads of that story is imperative to understand in the care we provide. Optimizing our role within the health care team allows us to facilitate the most efficient, cost effective and compassionate care to the children and families we care about. I strive to be one of many people who can take care of the whole patient and their needs within reason so they can continue living the healthy and productive lives we as a community envision for them.

Scholarly Interests:  Health Disparities, Access to Care

Goals for fellowship: Improving my clinical reasoning, efficiency and research background, all of which will be important in building my future practice