Pediatrics

Fellows

3rd Year

Kelly Feldman, MD, MS, MBA

Hometown: Cape Town, South Africa

Undergraduate: UCSD

Graduate School: UCSD – MS in Molecular Biology, UC Irvine – MBA

Medical School: University of Miami

Residency/Chief: UC Irvine/Children’s Hospital Orange County

Fun Fact: I’m a former ballerina turned hip-hop dancer. My favorite food is Mom’s Baked Mac & Cheese.

The least interesting thing about me is…that I can eat the same breakfast almost every day.

I never leave home without…a small Aquaphor Tube.

Research Interests: Machine Learning for clinical decision-making support and to improve resource utilization

Tyson Hekking, MD

Hometown: Mclean, VA

Undergraduate: Brigham Young University

Medical School: University of Virginia

Residency: University of Maryland

Fun Fact: I enjoy birding and hiking (so I can see more birds). I love making and eating homemade pasta and sausage. I am also often engaged as a referee in wrestling matches between my son and dog.

The least interesting thing about me is…that I enjoy birding.

I never leave home without…a sense that I've forgotten to do something.

Research Interests: I work in Dr. Peyman Benharash's Cardiac Outcomes Research lab, using national databases to look at critical illness outcomes for pediatric patients.

Madhuri Kashyap, MD

Hometown: Manipal, India/ Pembroke Pines, FL

Undergraduate/Medical School: Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, India

Residency: University of Miami

Fun Fact: I went to 13 different schools (elementary through high school) in 3 different countries. My favorite food is Ramen and Cortadito. I love to read, travel, and sing.

The least interesting thing about me is…I do not like doing laundry.

I never leave home without…my phone.

Research Interests: Reducing sternal skin infections in patients with open chests; racial/ethnic disparities in pediatric oncologic admissions to the PICU

2nd Year

Jhoanne Cana, MD

Hometown: North Ridgeville, OH

Undergraduate: University of Akron

Medical School: Northeast Ohio Medical University

Residency/Chief: Loma Linda University

Fun Fact: I lived in 3 different countries before the age of 5! My favorite food is everything! I am happy to try any new food or boba shop you can find. I also built my own gaming PC during chief year, and I love playing different video games on it!

The least interesting thing about me is…I grew up in Ohio (lol).

I never leave home without…my “emotional support water bottle.” If I don’t have it, I will not drink water.

Research Interests: I’m interested in pursuing a career and research in medical education, particularly the use of new age technology or media platforms such as artificial intelligence or social media.

Brianna Manes, MD

Hometown: Garden Grove, CA

Undergraduate: Pepperdine University

Medical School: UC Riverside

Residency: Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Fun Fact: I love to find local bookstores on days off, and travel to national parks on vacations!

The least interesting thing about me is…I drink coffee in the morning.

I never leave home without…wearing SPF! (Phoenix does that to you)

Research Interests: Translational – I am hoping to study cell signaling or transcriptome analysis during critical illness

Angela Zeigler, MD, PhD

Hometown: Clemson, SC

Undergraduate: Furman University

Graduate School: University of Virginia – PhD in Biomedical Engineering

Medical School: University of Virginia

Residency: Yale

Fun Fact: I like anything outdoors: running, hiking, biking, paddleboarding, skiing.

The least interesting thing about me is…that I have a cat named after Rosalind Franklin.

I never leave home without…headphones so I can escape the world.

Research Interests: Cardiac fibrosis and inflammation

1st Year

Cynthia Enriquez, MD, MBA

Hometown: Riverside, CA
Undergraduate: University of California, San Diego
Graduate School: University of California, Irvine
Medical School: University of California, Irvine
Residency: Children’s Hospital Los Angeles
Fun Fact: I was clarinet section leader in high school, and I marched in the 2007 Rose Parade and our marching band had a small scene in the movie Valentine's Day. I love Mexican and Thai food and trying new restaurants/bars. I also love anything sports.
The least interesting thing about me is…I need a minimum of 2-3 cups of coffee every day. Black coffee, hot - no matter how hot it is outside.
I never leave home without…my phone and ChapStick
Research Interests: I am interested in pursuing a career and research in medical education, most likely in the area of high value care/lowering medical costs or financial literacy

Kassie Gibbs, MD

Hometown: Bridgewater, MA
Undergraduate: Brandeis University
Medical School: University of Vermont
Residency: University of Massachusetts
Fun fact: I love spending time outdoors—running, hiking, backpacking, or reading.
The least interesting thing about me is... when I lived on the East Coast, I always drank iced coffee. Now, living on the West Coast, I only drink hot coffee.
I never leave home without... my hiking shoes (for impromptu adventures) and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (for emergencies).
Research interests: Utilizing machine learning to inform clinical decision-making and incorporating primary palliative care education into residency and PICU fellowship training.

Abe Isak, MD

Hometown: Pleasantville, NJ
Undergraduate: Stockton University
Medical School: Howard University
Residency: Children’s National Medical Center
Fun Fact: Before matching at UCLA, I have never been to the West Coast.
The least interesting thing about me is... I have no interest in ever having any pets.
I never leave home without... tapping all my pockets to make sure I have my Phone/Wallet/Keys/Gum
Research Interests: Medical Education, Healthcare Administration

Natalia Perecki, MD

Hometown: Romulus, Michigan
Undergraduate: Brown University

Medical School: Wayne State University

Residency: Michigan State University/ Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
Fun Fact: I love to spend all of my free time outside including hiking and running or hammocking with a good book. My vacations are usually to the National Parks and one day I will visit them all.
The least interesting thing about me is... I don't drink coffee or really much caffeine. Maybe fellowship will finally change that.
I never leave home without... my phone and headphones.
Research Interests: ARDS and inflammation pathways using animal models