Fellows | Emory School of Medicine

Third Year Fellows

Zachary Barbara, DO

Medical School: Campbell University

Residency: University of Florida Shands Children’s Hospital

Academic Interests: Learning and teaching about POCUS, anything regarding MedEd and resident education, improving understanding and utilization of palliative care services in pediatrics.

Personal Interests: Figuring out ways for my dog Carl to love me more, hiking/biking/climbing/generally unsafe outdoor activities.

Kathleen Cao, MD

Medical School: University of South Carolina School of Medicine

Residency: University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Academic Interests: Sepsis, Quality Improvement, Medical Education

Personal Interests: Discovering new restaurants/breweries, growing hot peppers, hanging out with my husband while preparing for the arrival of our new puppy!

Margot Hillyer, MD

Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine

Residency: New York Presbyterian - Columbia University

Academic Interests: Quality and Patient Safety

Personal Interests: Trying new restaurants around Atlanta, petting other people's dogs, and spending time with my nieces and nephews!

Nadine Najjar, MD, MPH

Medical School: University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Academic Interests: Healthcare disparities and outcomes in the pediatric ICU

Personal Interests: Cooking and trying new restaurants, travel, my family, my dog Teddy

Blake Vander Wood, MD

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia

Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Academic Interests: Clinical informatics, EMR workflows

Personal Interests: Racing cars, carpentry

Second Year Fellows

Jordan Dent, MD

Medical School: Medical University of South Carolina

Residency: Rush University Medical Center

Academic Interests: Simulation specifically surrounding multi-disciplinary team dynamics and psychological safety in the critical care setting

Personal Interests: Perfecting a shot of espresso for a great latte, CrossFit, and exploring the restaurants and breweries along the beltline. In our time off, my husband and I enjoy traveling around with our dog Finn in our self-converted camper van.

Ingrid Frydson, MD

Medical School: Universidad de Guayaquil

Residency: Baylor College of Medicine- San Antonio Program

Academic Interests: Medical Education - program development, global health

Personal Interests: hiking, swimming. I love eating plantains and tres leches (actively seeking the best Latino cuisine in Atlanta!)

Hope VanCleve, DO

Medical School: Lincoln Memorial University DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Kentucky
Academic Interests: I am interested in quality improvement projects focused on situational awareness in the PICU and improving timely recognition and treatment of pediatric sepsis.

Personal Interests: Spending time with my dogs (Mumford and Ellie) and my husband, Alex, ideally while doing something outdoors. I also love cooking!

Tahira West, MD

Medical School: Medical College of GA at Augusta University
Residency: Advocate Children's Hospital - Oak Lawn
Academic Interests: Palliative Care; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Personal Interests: Dancing, African drumming, spoken word, brunching

Caroline Young, MD

Medical School: Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Residency: University of Tennessee Health Science Center

Academic Interests: Healthcare administration and policy; quality and patient safety

Personal Interests: Exploring Atlanta through finding fun food and drink spots, coffee shops, and farmers markets; handwriting calligraphy; yoga

First Year Fellows

Alexandra Himes, DO

Medical School: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Georgia Campus

Pediatrics Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Academic Interests: Medical education, sepsis

Personal Interests: Anything involving the Beltline, traveling and spending time with my friends and family (including my nieces & nephew), and football season (go packers!)

Lujain Al-Omari, MD

Medical School: University of Jordan Faculty of Medicine

Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch

Kaydeen Morris-Whyte, MBBS

Medical School: University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences, Jamaica

Residency: Memorial Healthcare System/Joe Dimaggio Children’s Hospital

Maansi Malhotra, DO

Medical School: University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Residency: Emory University School of Medicine

Max Tarica, MD

Medical School: Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University

Residency: Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital