I'm a researcher and physician specializing in general pediatrics and adolescent mental health. My research interests center around adolescent mental health and how to support adolescents as they navigate those particularly challenging teenage years. I am interested in how an adolescent's ecological environment (family dynamics, school setting and community) contributes to their mental health outcomes.

I've always wanted to support children's ability to have a fun, rewarding, fulfilling childhood. One of the best ways to do that is to keep kids healthy. While working with children in multiple settings during my youth, I witnessed the joy of childhood and how a strong foundation can positively impact a person. I hope that illness, be it physical or mental, does not interfere with a child's ability to grow, develop or experience the essential fun of a rewarding childhood.

After caring for children and adolescents in Wisconsin for five years, I developed an interest in adolescent mental health. I came to Cincinnati Children's to research this further. My goal is to determine the best approaches to creating a supportive environment for all adolescents with mental health needs and discover the best routes to address those needs in the context of a maturing teenager.

I am honored to have received several awards during my career, including:

• Alumni Award, Cincinnati Children's Alumni Association
• Joseph L. Rauh Adolescent Medicine Award, Cincinnati Children's Department of Adolescent Medicine
• Robert Schaengold Award, Cincinnati Pediatric Society – Annual award to a "third-year pediatric resident who has shown a dedication to the care of the underserved"
• Outstanding Resident Award, Cincinnati Pediatric Society