Organizing free health fairs helped Dr. Kelsey Kirkman discover a passion for working with children from underserved areas. She’s focused on being an advocate for young patients and, because of these values, is the recipient of the Pediatric Society of Greater Dallas Award for Excellence in Pediatric Medicine.

Dr. Kelsey Kirkman

What this award means: After years of hard work, it feels amazing to finally see my dream of becoming a pediatrician come true. I am committed to working in underserved communities because there are too many areas where children have poor access to health care and health education. Receiving this award encourages me to continue educating, serving, and advocating for children.

Mentor comment: Kelsey’s eyes were opened to the inner workings of the medical system from a young age. She is simply a gem. Her passion for primary care makes her an ideal candidate for this recognition from our local society of primary care pediatricians. – Dr. Soumya Adhikari, Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Background and family: I am from San Antonio and a first-generation doctor. My dad owns a small marketing business and my mom works in health care communications. My family is my biggest support system and means the world to me.

What led to your career path: Growing up, my mom worked in corporate communications at University Health System in San Antonio. Hearing story after story about the medical miracles that would make the news spurred my interest in medicine. Then, when my equestrian trainer’s daughter was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, I saw her go through radiation and an enucleation. This made me realize that, by becoming a pediatrician, I could work to prevent or cure diseases so that maybe one day fewer children would have to suffer or undergo terrifying procedures.

College: I graduated summa cum laude from Trinity University with a B.S. in biochemistry and molecular biology. I served as a peer tutor, was elected Service Chair for the premed honor society, and conducted organic chemistry research for three years.

UTSW activities: As the Pediatric Interest Group’s Health Fair coordinator, I co-organized several events for children in underserved areas in D/FW. I was Co-President of Helping Augment Neonatal Development (HANDs) and was a manager of the student-led free clinics. I also served as a tutor for MS1s. With Dr. Darryl Miles at Children’s Medical Center Dallas (also Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at UTSW), I helped design and implement a clinical trial to noninvasively assess for elevated intracranial pressures in children via an ultrasound measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter.

Surprising fact: I competed in hunter/jumper equestrian riding since I was 10 years old and only recently sold my horse, Hazel.

Future plans: I am excited to start my pediatric residency at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. I look forward to discovering what kind of pediatrician I will become, as I strive to focus on medical education and advocacy over the next three years.

About the award: The award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has the personal character and dedication to serve as well as be an advocate for children.