Associate Professor of Pediatrics at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, has dedicated over three decades to advancing pediatric care, education, and community health. A board-certified pediatrician since 1993 and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, recognized for leadership in pediatric asthma care, medical education, and health equity.

Earned a BS in Zoology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and MD from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Completed pediatric residency and chief residency at UT-Houston Medical School.

Clinical expertise spans general pediatrics, pediatric emergency medicine, and pediatric asthma management. Has served as Medical Director at multiple pediatric clinics, including the LBJ Pediatric Clinic, LBJ Pediatric Asthma Clinic, UT Pediatric Asthma Clinic, Northwest Assistant Ministries Children's Clinic and UT Physicians Heights Multispecialty Clinic. 

Have received the Dean’s Excellence in Teaching Award many times, recognized by the AAP for participation in QI projects and received the Champions of Clinical Learning Environment Award. Have mentored generations of medical students and residents.

Have served as an Asthma Faculty Champion for the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) since 2005, training thousands of pediatric providers nationwide on the environmental management of pediatric asthma. Was a Subject Matter Expert and course co-developer for NEEF's online training for healthcare providers and a Reviewer, Manuscript Contributor for the updated version of the NEEF's Management of Pediatric Asthma: Practice Guidelines for Health Care Providers, 2025.

Scholarly contributions include peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, E-learning modules and many regional and national presentations. Have been awarded numerous grants for asthma education from the National Environmental Education Foundation as well as the American Lung Association and the National Asthma Control Initiative.

Have led and participated in multiple quality improvement initiatives, including the AAP’s Safe and Healthy Beginnings Quality Improvement Initiative (introducing the use of the bilimeter for screening hyperbilirubinemia in the nursery and clinic, and promotion of breastfeeding). Other AAP sponsored QI projects include Practicing Safety:  A Child Abuse and Neglect prevention Project Sponsored by the Quality Improvement Innovation Network (introducing the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale to our clinic for screening mothers for symptoms of depression) and the Chapter Quality Network (CQN) Improving Pediatric Asthma Care in Texas. 

Have had decades of volunteer work ranging from disaster relief to pediatric summer camps and public health education. Have also been a media consultant on pediatric health topics for NBC’s “2 Your Health” and other outlets.

I have a deep commitment to compassionate care, evidence-based practice, and the education of future pediatricians. Her work continues to shape the landscape of pediatric health in Texas and beyond.