Dr. Joniqua Ceasar

Combined Medicine-Pediatrics Resident, PGY-4

"I had the privilege of participating in an away rotation in Pediatric Hematology during my fourth year of medical school. It offered a wonderful opportunity for me to be introduced to the Hopkins culture, which I quickly learned promotes clinical excellence, intellectual curiosity, humility and inclusiveness. Everyone was eager to get to know me as a person, while also helping me to become a better clinician. Knowing that I was interested in Med-Peds, the leadership made sure I was able to explore both interests by arranging shadowing opportunities within Medicine, Pediatrics and Med-Peds.

"When I returned to Hopkins for my interview, I felt like I was back home. It was great to reconnect with familiar faces and feel like I already had a family here. I remember chatting with the program directors and knowing Hopkins was the place I wanted to train. I knew this program would support my career goals and help me become an excellent clinician who could advocate for her patients and engage in health policy. I could not have imagined a better program. I am excited to learn more about Baltimore, a city that has captured the heart of so many, and consider it home for the next four years."

Dr. Tai Hairston

Health Equity Track Alum, Johns Hopkins Pediatric Hospital Medicine Fellow and 2024-2025 Chief Resident

“When I was an undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins, I mostly stayed on campus and didn’t really engage with the larger city of Baltimore. When I returned to Baltimore as a medical student, I started to explore different neighborhoods in the city and really fell in love with its “charm.” I also began to learn more about the intense needs we have in Baltimore, whether it is for housing, education, employment, or especially, healthcare. I also struggled with what kind of doctor I was going to become and how I was going to give back to the city that gave me so much.

“I truly found a 'home' in the Pediatrics Department at Johns Hopkins as a medical student. Many attendings and residents I had a chance to work with not only taught me the skill of observation needed in pediatric medicine but also how to identify and combat the social determinants of health in the children we cared for. They always encouraged me to learn at the bedside, to round with a family-first attitude, and challenged me to think about the health of children holistically and not just focusing on pathophysiology. It was no surprise that I jumped on the chance to come back as a resident, and now I have had the privilege to train on the Urban Health/Health Equities track. I’m excited to serve this city by caring for its children alongside world class faculty and my co-residents, who even in the first few months of residency have become dear friends!"

Dr. Elizabeth Lee

Categorical Alumnus, Johns Hopkins Neonatology Fellow and 2024-2025 Chief Resident

“I was fortunately able to experience some insight into Hopkins pediatrics as a visiting medical student prior to my interview day as a part of an away rotation. It was during these experiences that I could firsthand see the authentic passion and genuine care that attending physicians, fellows, and residents demonstrated to not just the patients, but to me as well. I was truly inspired by the commitment to a practice of evidence-based medicine that I saw on a consistent basis, along with the dedication to teaching clinical information whenever possible to improve medical practice in all areas and levels.

“During my time, I also had the fortune of witnessing the diversity of the Greater Baltimore area and of the people that travel all the way to Hopkins from various corners of the world to receive this level of medical care. Such a widespread appreciation and respect for this institution, along with my experiences, assured me that I would be prepared for any opportunity during and post residency, all of which was reaffirmed on my interview day. I am beyond thankful to join the Hopkins pediatrics team and look forward to contributing to patient care in any way that I can. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cuddling my dog Papito, and exploring Baltimore and cooking with my fiancé."

Dr. Tolulope (Tolu) Fatola

Categorical Resident, PGY-3

“During medical school, I was fortunate enough to complete a virtual elective at Johns Hopkins through the Health Equity Scholars Program. As a scholar, I was able to network with other students and participated in group discussions and lectures exploring topics relating to health equity and the social determinants of health. Ultimately, I was immersed in information focused on topics I am passionate about, while also surrounded by students and faculty who shared the same interests as me. The program connected me with residents from the Diversity Council, who reached out to me throughout the entire interview cycle! I knew that Hopkins was the right program for me based on my subsequent interactions with faculty members, residents and the program directors. I always felt welcomed and recognized like I was already a part of the Harriet Lane family!

“As an intern, I am most impressed with how engaged the hospital is with the community it serves.  Johns Hopkins is very proactive when it comes to recognizing the needs of its patients and providing resources that directly address these needs. For example, through Hopkins Community Connection, the Harriet Clinic Clinic screens all patients and their families for food insecurity and can provide food, diapers or formula for families in need! I also appreciate how the program directors and chief residents are constantly asking residents for feedback and allow themselves to be accessible. I find it fascinating how my co-residents all come from such diverse backgrounds and unique experiences but have similar goals when caring for and being an advocate for their patients.  Likewise, senior residents and fellows are very passionate about teaching and have also been an advocate for me as an intern! It is often difficult transitioning from being a medical student to being an intern, and I am truly grateful of how supportive my co-residents, seniors and program leadership have been!”

Dr. Anthony Spellman 

Categorical Resident, PGY-2

Never did I think I would end up at Hopkins, such a long shot but with much encouragement from my family I applied. My uncle attended as an undergraduate and raved about his experience in Baltimore and faculty interactions. Located an hour away from my home in McLean, VA I had always been intimidated by the university name. I was desperate to return to the DMV area for Residency as I found myself previously moving further and further away from home with training.

My interview day occurred at peak of November following Thanksgiving, Nicole (the program director) commented on my impressive mustache and I felt immediately welcomed. Determined to be nothing more and nothing less than myself, appropriately nervous, I was comforted by associate program directors and faculty interviewers. I knew at the end of interview day they would be my number one choice. I wanted a program where I knew I would gain the best training when coming out on the other side of residency. I know I would have every opportunity offered to me to assist with the course of my career, whatever that may have been at the time. The program itself is the ideal size; large enough to provide ample coverage and friends, while small enough to not get lost in the crowd.

On a first name basis with all the program directors, attendings I’ve worked with, fellows and our seniors it’s a welcoming and nurturing environment. Specifically the relationships you develop with your 3rd year seniors as an intern is unparalleled. Hopkins establishes a teaching pipeline where gradual responsibility is gained with each new year, in our second year we begin senioring in the NICU at night, ED, and STAG hospital. As third year the majority of our rotations involve some component of senioring which is the ideal teaching experience. 

What I love about Hopkins? Besides the people? You can learn and I continue to learn from every person you encounter. Obviously the attendings, but also the nurses, respiratory therapists, echo techs, vascular access team, social workers, case management, chaplains, the list goes on. Education is woven into the framework of this institution and it shows in everyone’s commitment to the cause of caring for kids!

 

Kristin Torroella 

Categorical Resident, PGY-1

"I chose Johns Hopkins because I wanted the opportunity to train at a pediatric hospital that serves both an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse patient population and works hard to connect with their community. I was also happily surprised by how warm and welcoming everyone at the program was during my interview day. I knew this was the place for me when I noticed how well my passions aligned with the program, and also when I saw how much of a family the residents in the program were to each other. 

As an Intern, my favorite part of residency so far is my continuity clinic at Yard 56 across from the Bayview Medical Center. There, I get to meet, serve, and work with the most wonderful Spanish speaking families which has been incredibly rewarding. I have loved getting to know all my amazing co-residents and am grateful for how supportive everyone continues to be on this journey! For fun, I love reading, cooking and catching up on Netflix shows. I have also loved exploring and getting to know the DMV area.”