Meet Our Fellows

Luma Essaid, MD

I grew up in Cary, North Carolina and am a proud Tar Heel. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I studied the effects of obesity on the microenvironment in basal-like breast cancer. As a medical student, my interest in pediatrics and outcomes after neonatal cardiac surgery sparked, and I evaluated variations in cost and length of stay throughout the United States in children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. During residency, I came to love the fast paced and innovative environment of critical care medicine. Subsequently, I spent two years as a hospitalist in The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. There I was able to complete research on risk factors associated with lack of neurodevelopmental evaluation following neonatal cardiac surgery. As I start the next chapter in my career, I hope to continue this work and improve neurodevelopmental outcomes in high-risk patients.

Outside of medicine, I enjoy spending time with friends and family, baking pastries, playing board games, traveling, running and anything outdoors. 

Jessica Hsueh, MD

I was born and raised in the South San Francisco Bay Area to first generation Taiwanese immigrants. I went to UC San Diego for college where I majored in biochemistry and minored in global health with a medical anthropology focus. In La Jolla, I met my husband, a surfer named Sean, while working at Scripps Research Institute and promptly moved him to Chicago for medical school at Northwestern University. We loved the cold so much, we decided to stay in Chicago while I pursued my internal medicine and pediatrics (MedPeds) residency, chief residency and a medical education fellowship at the University of Illinois in Chicago. During this time, I helped implement our new X+Y schedule, created a multidisciplinary medical education track, revamped curricula on resident mistreatment and self-advocacy, and worked with both the pediatric and adult critical care teams to develop resuscitation simulation bootcamps. I am especially curious about the evolution of expertise and belonging over the course of training, particularly as it pertains to critical care response teams, resuscitation leadership, and underrepresented groups in medicine. Luckily, I will have plenty of time to explore these big topics during my combined adult and pediatric critical care fellowship at Stanford!

As the oldest of three sisters, I was the first person in my extended family to pursue a career in medicine (...and will still be the last one to finish training)! My middle sister Janet is a fashionable and worldly New York City corporate lawyer who specializes in biotechnology. My youngest sister Jennifer is an incredible emergency medicine resident at Beth Israel; she has endured many late-night calls when my cooking goes awry! My less dangerous hobbies include gardening, crocheting, running, and event planning. I am a proud cat mom (zero fatalities) and less successful plant mom (too many fatalities to count).

Tommy O'Gorman, MD

Medical School: University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

Residency: Lurie Children's

Hi, I'm Tommy. I'm from Charlotte, North Carolina. I did my undergrad at Vanderbilt University (go 'Dores) and my medical school at the University of North Carolina (go Heels). I came up to Chicago for residency at Lurie Children's Hospital and stuck around for a chief resident year. While in medical school and residency, I fell in love with medical education and simulation and developed longitudinal scholarly tracks for our residency program.

When I'm not at work, I enjoy cooking, photography, working out, trying new restaurants, and playing board games with my fiancée. I can't wait to say goodbye to Chicago winters and join the Stanford community!

Mäité Van Hentenryck, MD

Hi, I’m Maïté! My family is from Belgium but I grew up mostly in Rhode Island. I studied neuroscience at Brown University for undergraduate, then spent a year in France working in a bacterial meningitis lab and getting a masters in developmental cell biology. I followed my brother and sister-in-law to California for medical school and have been very grateful to stay for pediatrics residency and now fellowship. I have an interest in medical education, palliative care, and disability inclusion, as well as improving transitions of care for patients who use languages other than English.

Outside of work, I love to open water swim, bike, woodwork, read, and spend time with my family and friends. I am excited to join the Stanford PCCM family for the next chapter!

Erin Williams, MD

I was born and raised on Long Island, NY with my three younger brothers. I received my B.A. in Neuroscience and Biology from the Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Queens College. I then moved to Philadelphia where I worked as a restaurant server while working on my Master in Bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania. After finishing my master’s degree, I moved down to Baltimore to work at the Berman Institute of Bioethics at Johns Hopkins University where I completed several studies related to the care of children with chronic critical illness. During this time, I became really interested in pediatric critical care and children with medical complexity. I returned to New York for medical school at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University and then pediatrics residency at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) at Northwell Health in Queens, NY. In medical school, I completed several research projects about caring for long-stay patients in the PICU and hope to continue this research in fellowship. While at CCMC, I was elected “intern of the year” by my co-residents and recognized by the nursing staff with an award in pediatric clinical excellence. I’m excited to continue to develop my clinical and leadership skills in fellowship and hope to find a new home in the Stanford PICU community! 

When I’m not working, you can find me at the beach, going to as many concerts as I can afford (last show was general admission at The Rolling Stones), or hanging out with my dog, Ghost, at the dog park! 

Jeff Yang, MD

I was born and raised in Southern California, mostly in the Orange County area. I went to UC Berkeley (Go Bears!) for bioengineering and UCSF for medical school. Before medicine, I participated in a Biodesign Immersion Experience at Berkeley and worked with a medical device start-up. After medical school, I trained at Stanford for my pediatric residency and cardiology fellowship, where I found my love for ICU and cardiac medicine, especially when they intersect!  My research interests lie in optimizing the usage of clinical monitoring systems both to enhance patient care and reduce provider alarm fatigue.

I was just married a little over a year ago in Sonoma to my wonderful wife, Tiffany. We have a 3-year-old golden doodle named Theo who loves to cuddle. In our free time, we love to travel, play sports, cook, explore new food spots, and visit wineries/breweries. Excited to eat, drink, and explore with everyone. 

Katie Carome, MD

I grew up in Washington, DC and wanted to be in medicine for as long as I can remember—though it took quite a while to realize the PICU is where I belong. I attended Boston College where I earned a B.S. in Biology. Outside of lecture halls/labs, I was a member of Boston College's gospel choir, Voices of Imani, and volunteered as an EMT with Boston College EMS. After college, I spent my gap year working in the Division of Neonatology as a research assistant. I attended New York Medical College for medical school. I entered medical school planning on being a neonatologist and my research in the NICU at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital was in breastmilk medicine. I have spent the last 3 years in Chicago at Northwestern/Lurie Children's Hospital, where I realized the right ICU for me was in fact the PICU. Outside of my clinical interests I am interested in palliative care, bioethics, communication, and breastfeeding medicine. I completed a bioethics concentration in medical school and am completing a bioethics certificate at Northwestern this spring. In residency, my research project has been part of a breaking bad news curriculum for pediatric residents. I hope to continue to study and improve communication training for residents, fellows, and attendings throughout my career. I also hope to become a certified lactation consultant.

Outside of the hospital, my husband Kevin and I love taking our rambunctious husky, Rocket, on walks and are looking forward to being able to go on proper hikes again as we leave the flat Midwest. My favorite thing to do when I'm stressed is bake, and I firmly believe calls are better when there are baked goods. Some of my favorite things to bake include creme brûlée, macaron, cupcakes of all flavors, and anything maple. 

Kevin Doré, MD

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, I am a proud Midwesterner. I completed my undergraduate work at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and graduated with dual degrees in Biology and History. After college, I worked as a Teach For America corps member in Chicago, where I taught seventh and eighth grade science and social studies on the city’s South Side. My teaching experience was deeply rewarding and ultimately led me to a career path in medicine. After teaching, I moved to New Hampshire to attend medical school at Dartmouth and subsequently finished my residency at Weill Cornell/New York-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. I am now thrilled to continue my training at Stanford!

My long-term goals involve building a career at the intersection of clinical medicine and healthcare policy. I also have academic interests in simulation and initiatives to help improve the utilization of blood products in the critical care setting.

On a personal level, I love staying active through sports such tennis and golf, reading fantasy and science fiction books, indulging in Thai Food, and cheering on the Chicago Bulls. 

Hannah Ford, MD

I grew up just outside of New York City. After receiving my Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies from Columbia University, I spent several years working as an elementary and middle school teacher in Chicago. I then returned to Columbia University for medical school where my love of teaching and working with children led me to Pediatrics, especially the care of critically ill children, and the field of medical education. During my residency at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, I grew my interest in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine and completed supplementary training in medical education. In the year prior to fellowship, I remained at CHOP as a hospitalist in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and General Pediatrics, engaging in research on neurologic outcomes of critically ill children with sepsis as well as gaining experience with simulation facilitation for trainees.

I am incredibly excited to embark on the next step of this journey as a Pediatric Critical Care fellow at Stanford! My academic interests include medical education, particularly the use of simulation as an educational and QI tool, and sepsis. When not in the hospital, I enjoy theater, board games, dancing (lindy hop/fusion), reading for pleasure, hiking, and traveling. 

Anna Brzezinski, MD

I moved from Toronto to Cleveland at a young age where I learned that “Cleveland Rocks!” I cultivated an interest in medical technology in high school and ultimately studied Bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania. I was awarded a patent for an add-on device for electrocautery that I developed during my undergraduate training. I subsequently returned to my hometown to perform research in Cardiothoracic Surgery as a Research Fellow at Cleveland Clinic for two years before moving to Chicago for my medical training. While at the University of Illinois at Chicago, I completed the Innovation Medicine program, which supplemented the medical curriculum through co-curricular and interdisciplinary activities to provide a systemic approach to innovation in clinical practice. As a Pediatric resident at Stanford, I participated in Quality Improvement projects related to medication reconciliation.

I am excited to continue my training at Stanford and further explore the area! While outside of LPCH, I enjoy cooking, eating, tasting at local wineries, hiking, art museums, and traveling.

John Grunyk, MD

Medical School: Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania
Residency: McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University

I'm originally from Chicago proper, but my family made many exotic moves throughout the Chicagoland area while I was growing up. I attended Yale University where I earned a B.A. in History and was a member of the Lightweight Rowing Team. After college, I spent three years in New York City working at a brand strategy consulting firm. Desiring a more tangible, hands-on connection to my work and a focus on advocacy, I decided to make a career change and pursue medicine. I moved to Philadelphia, where I completed a Postbaccalaureate and then attended medical school at the University of Pennsylvania. I returned to Chicago for my residency in Pediatrics at Lurie Children’s Hospital and fell in love with Critical Care Medicine. Academically, I am interested in how we can better identify patients at risk of decompensation, enhance hospital efficiency, and improve interdisciplinary communication. 

Outside of work, I love to be outdoors as much as possible (hiking, skiing, running, biking, or any new challenge someone proposes), traveling, attending concerts, lifting, and eating anything I can find. 

Allison Henning, DO

Medical School: Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center

I am originally from Idaho but was recruited to swim at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. I received my Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Engineering and have worked as an engineer on various projects ranging from hazardous waste management to redesigning disability accessible classrooms to analyzing the kinematics of post-surgical knee replacements. I attended medical school at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed my residency at Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center in combined Internal Medicine/Pediatrics.

My love of the outdoors prompted me to pursue fellowship training in Wilderness and Austere Medicine.  I hope to use that fellowship, combined with my critical care training, to help hospitals and health systems prepare for natural disasters and mass casualty events. 

Outside of work I enjoy skiing, paddle boarding, fishing, competing in triathlons and long-distance running, and participating in any adventure comes with good food and good friends!

Alicia Lew, MD

Medical School: USF Health Morsani College of Medicine
Residency: University of South Florida

I was born and raised in the small rural town of Okahumpka, Florida. I received my B.S. in biology at the University of Florida (go GATA!) and medical degree at the University of South Florida (USF). I couples matched with my significant other at USF where I completed my pediatric residency training and chief resident year. USF became my home where I found my love for the ICU and my passions for teaching, leadership, and clinical research. During my chief year, I developed a research mentorship track and longitudinal simulation curriculum for my residency. I love this specialty because it is a team sport that requires curiosity, collaboration, and communication to care for the sickest children in the hospital. I have special research interests in respiratory pathology and critical asthma management in the ICU. I am excited to spread my wings and venture over to the west coast to join the Stanford family and pursue an academic research career in pediatric critical care medicine!