Program Application and Selection Information

Applications for the 2026-2028 cohort of the Dodd Scholars program are closed.

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria for the program include:

  • Commitment to and aptitude for an academic career
  • Prior academic success
  • A demonstrated aptitude for excellence in teaching and/or service
  • Identification of an appropriate mentor
  • Identification of an appropriate project

Application Process

In order to be considered for the program, applicants must complete the following requirements:

  • Completed application form: Word format | PDF format
  • Letter from Division Director supporting candidate
  • Letter from mentor stating support for the candidate, ensuring resources will be available to complete the project, and describing their track record of prior mentoring
  • Candidate's CV (in Vanderbilt format)
  • Career goals statement
  • 2-3 page description of project, to include budget
    • Budget information: Scholars receive $10,000 each fiscal year for 2 years. This amount does not roll over from one year to the next.
    • Examples of approved budget expenditures: Expenditures directly related to Dodd research project, additional software or educational needs, multi-institutional meetings/task forces

Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Jill Simmons for review of their materials before submission.

All application materials should be addressed to:

Jill H. Simmons, MD, MPH
Vice Chair for Faculty Development
Department of Pediatrics

Submitted by email to:
Amy Nabours
amy.nabours@vumc.org


2026-2028 Katherine Dodd Scholars

 

Jennifer Laws, MD

Jennifer Laws, MD
Division of Critical Care Medicine

Research Project: Optimizing Sedation Management in Pediatric Acquired Brain Injury

 

Mary Keith, DO, MS

Mary Keith, DO, MS
Division of Neonatology

Research Project: Development of a Comprehensive Curriculum on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) for Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Programs

 

Joseph Starnes, MD, MPH

Joseph Starnes, MD, MPH
Division of Cardiology

Research Project: Error in Pulse Oximetry Based on Skin Tone and its Effect on Screening for Congenital Heart Disease

  • 2024-2026 Scholars
     

    Mariana Bedoya, MD

    Mariana Bedoya, MD

    Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonary Medicine

    Research Project
    Improving the Care of Children with Obstructive Sleep Apnea at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

     


    Rachel Sullivan, MD

    Rachel Sullivan, MD

    Division of Pediatric Cardiology

    Research Project
    Pre-Fontan Hemodynamics: Beyond Surgical Candidacy

     


    Jaclyn Tamaroff, MD

    Jaclyn Tamaroff, MD

    Division of Pediatric Endocrinology

    Research Project
    Wearable Technology to Evaluate Glycemia and Activity in Adolescents and Young Adults

     

     


    2023-2025 Scholars
     

    Lauren Klein, MD

    Lauren Klein, MD

    Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

    Research Project
    Prevention of Malnutrition in Children with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Living in Sub-Saharan Africa

     


    Ryan Skeens, MD

    Ryan Skeens, MD

    Division of Neonatology

    Research Project
    Improving the Efficiency and Throughput of Infants with Congenital Heart Diseases Requiring Neonatal Intervention


     


    Julie Stark, MD, MEd

    Julie Stark, MD, MEd

    Division of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

    Research Project
    Just-in-Time Bedside Teaching for Cardiac Critical Care Nursing

     

     

     

     


    2022-2024 Scholars
     

    Aarti S. Dalal, DO

    Aarti Dalal, DO

    Division of Pediatric Cardiology

    Research Project
    Pediatric Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Quality Improvement Initiative

     


    Steven Barron Frazier, MD

    S. Barron Frazier, MD

    Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine

    Research Project
    Delivering Children to the Right Setting for the Right Care: Reducing Early Transfer of Emergency Department Admissions from Acute Care to Critical Care Unit

     


    Jacob Kaslow, MD

    Jacob Kaslow, MD

    Division of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonary Medicine

    Research Project
    Improving Outpatient Care for Pediatric Patients on Chronic Mechanical Ventilation through Development of a Ventilator Care Program
     
     

     


    2021-2023 Scholars
     

    Uchenna Anani, MD

    Uchenna Anani, MD

    Division of Neonatology

    Research Project
    Beyond Medical Facts: Social and Ethical Dimensions of NICU Care

     


    Laleh Bahrami, MD

    Laleh Bahrami, MD

    Division of General Pediatrics

    Research Project
    Curricula for a Culturally Sensitive Approach to Autism Evaluations Within Primary Care

     


    Michael Wolf, MD

    Michael Wolf, MD

    Division of Pediatric Critical Care

    Research Project
    A Personalized Medicine Approach to Cerebral Edema in Diabetic Ketoacidosis

     

     


    2020-2022 Scholars
     

    Daniel Benedetti, MD

    Daniel Benedetti, MD

    Division of Hematology/Oncology

    Research Project
    Ethical Care of Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders

     


    Karishma Datye, MD, MSCI

    Karishma Datye, MD, MSCI

    Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes

    Research Project
    Barriers to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) use in adolescents with type 1 diabetes and diabetes management after CGM discontinuation

     


    Lauren Sanlorenzo, MD, MPH, MST

    Lauren Sanlorenzo, MD, MPH, MST

    Division of Neonatology

    Research Project
    Creating a Center of Excellence for the Care of Infants with Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia at Vanderbilt

     

     

     


    2019-2021 Scholars
     

    Erin Boyd, MD

    Erin Boyd, MD

    Division of Adolescent Medicine and Young Adult Health

    Research Project
    Development and implementation of a resident curriculum for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis education and screening in adolescents and young adults

     


    Sophie Katz, MD

    Sophie Katz, MD

    Division of Infectious Diseases

    Research Project
    Implementation and Evaluation of an Antimicrobial Stewardship Toolkit in Pediatric Outpatient Clinics

     


    George Nicholson, MD

    George Nicholson, MD

    Division of Pediatric Cardiology

    Research Project
    Development and Implementation of an Outpatient Cardiac High Acuity Monitoring Program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt

     


    2018-2020 Scholars
     

    Alexandra Borst, MD

    Alexandra Borst, MD

    Division of Hematology/Oncology

    Research Project
    Identifying Risks for Bleeding in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Patients


    Jonathan Hemler, MD

    Jonathan Hemler, MD

    Division of Allergy, Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine

    Research Project
    A Study of Immunogenetic Associations with Peanut Allergy Utilizing a Novel DNA Repository


    Girish Hiremath, MD, MPH

    Girish Hiremath, MD, MPH

    Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

    Research Project
    Applying Raman Spectroscopy to Advance Diagnosis and Monitoring of Pediatric Eosinophilic Esophagitis

     


    2017-2019 Scholars
     

    Wael Alrifai, M.D.

    Wael Alrifai, MD

    Neonatology


    Jeffrey Hine, Ph.D., BCBA

    Jeffrey Hine, PhD, BCBA

    Division of Developmental Medicine


    Michael O'Connor, M.D., M.P.H.

    Michael O'Connor, MD, MPH

    Division of Allergy, Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine

     

     

     

     


    2016-2018 Scholars
     

    Jim Connelly, M.D.

    Jim Connelly, MD

    Hematology/Oncology

    Research Project
    Development and Application of the Vanderbilt Database and Biorepository for Immunological Research of Rare Diseases

    Mentors
    Carrie Kitko, MD, Simon Mallal, MBBS, Jeffrey Rathmell, PhD


    Dupree Hatch III, M.D., MPH

    Dupree Hatch III, MD, MPH

    Neonatology

    Research Project
    Understanding the Epidemiology of Sedative and Analgesic Medication Use in Mechanically Ventilated Neonates

    Mentor
    Wesley Ely, MD, MPH


    Maribeth Nicholson, M.D., MPH

    Maribeth Nicholson, MD, MPH
    Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition

    Research Project
    Toxin and Zinc Profiles in pediatric Patients with Clostridium Difficile

    Mentor
    Kathryn Edwards, MD
     


    2015-2017 Scholars
     

    Justin Godown, M.D.

    Justin Godown, MD

    Cardiology

    Research Project
    2D Speckle Tracking Echocardiography for Non-Invasive Surveillance of Rejection and Coronary Disease in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients.

    Mentor
    Debra Dodd, MD


    Leigh Howard, M.D., M.P.H.

    Leigh Howard, M.D., MPH

    Infectious Diseases

    Research Project
    Molecular Epidemiology of Human Rhinovirus and Adenovirus infections in Young Andean Children.

    Mentor
    Kathy Edwards, MD, Carlos Grijalva, MD


    Tamasyn Nelson, D.O.

    Tamasyn Nelson, DO

    General Pediatrics

    Research Project
    Residency educational curriculum for standardizing the approach of Pediatric Obesity Counseling using MI

    Mentor
    Shari Barkin, MD
     

     


    2014-2016 Scholars
     

    Maria Christine Krakauer, M.D.

    Maria Christine Krakauer, MD

    Neonatology

    Research Project
    Optimizing Blended Learning in Pediatric Residental Clinical Training
    Motivationally Inspired Resident Electronic Learning (MIREL)

    Mentor
    Tyler Reimschisel, MD


    Christian Rosas-Salazar, M.D., M.P.H.

    Christian Rosas-Salazar, MD, MPH

    Allergy, Immunology, and Pulmonary Medicine

    Research Project
    Urine Clara Cell 16-kDa Secretory Protein and Childhood Asthma after Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Infancy

    Mentor
    Tina Hartert MD, MPH


    Jessica Turnbull, M.D.

    Jessica Turnbull, MD

    Critical Care Medicine

    Research Project
    Parental Experience of Critical Illness in Children with Special Healthcare Needs

    Mentor
    Joseph Fanning, PhD
     


    2013-2015 Scholars
     

    Verena Wyvill Brown, M.D.

    Verena Wyvill Brown, MD

    General Pediatrics

    Research Project
    “Interactions between communities, medical providers, and non-offending parents of physically abused children that lead to earlier reporting and improved outcomes.“

    Mentor
    Ellen Clayton, MD


    William Cutrer, M.D.

    William Cutrer, MD

    Pediatric Critical Care Medicine

    Research Project
    “Enhancing Pediatric Clerkship Student Feedback Using Resident-Performed Structured Clinical Observations.”

    Mentor
    Tyler Reimschisel, MD


    Lindy Fenlason, M.D., P.N.S., M.P.H.

    Lindy Fenlason, MD, PNS, MPH

    General Pediatrics

    Research Project
    Assessment of iron status and its potential for Helicobacter pylori virulence modulation in a high-risk population.

    Mentor
    Doug Morgan, MD
     

     


    2012-2015 Scholars
     

    Alaina Davis, M.D.

    Alaina Davis, MD

    General Pediatrics

    Research Project
    "Determining best practices for  identifying  children with special health care needs in academic primary health care clinics."

    Mentor
    Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS


    Abby Williams, M.D.

    Abby Williams, MD

    Pediatric Emergency Medicine

    Research Project
    "Noninvasive, bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP) utilization in acute pediatric asthma exacerbations."

    Mentor
    Thomas Abramo, MD


    Scott C. Borinstein, M.D., Ph.D.

    Scott C. Borinstein, MD, PhD

    Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

    Research Project
    "Social support and peer mentoring for AYA oncology patients."

    Mentor
    Debra Friedman, MD, Bruce Compas, PhD
     

     


    2011- 2014 Scholars
     

    Kathryn L. Carlson, M.D., FAAP

    Kathryn L. Carlson, MD, FAAP

    General Pediatrics

    Research Project
    "Utilizing quality improvement strategies to improve consistent tuberculosis screening in underserved at risk populations."

    Mentors
    Mary Louise Lindegren, MD, Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS


    Robert F. Sidonio, Jr., M.D., MSc

    Robert F. Sidonio, Jr., MD, MSc

    Pediatric Hematology-Oncology

    Research Project
    "Feasibility Trial using Hydroxyurea for Secondary Prevention of Silent Cerebral Infarct in Children with Sickle Cell Disease."

    Mentor
    Michael DeBaun, MD, MPH


    Mary E. Romano, M.D., MPH

    Mary E. Romano, MD, MPH

    Adolescent and Young Adult Health

    Research Project
    "Development of a web-based curriculum in Adolescent Gynecology."

    Mentor
    Lynn S. Walker, PhD

     


    2010-2013 Scholars
     

    Rebekah Brown, M.D

    Rebekah Brown, MD

    Pediatric Allergy, Immunology and Pulmonary Medicine

    Research Project
    "Creating and Evaluating a Pediatric Subspecialty Fellowship Core Curriculum."

    Mentors
    Leah Harris, MD, Donald Brady, MD


    Stacy Killen, M.D.

    Stacy Killen, MD

    Pediatric Cardiology

    Research Project
    "Fetal Magnetocardiography"

    Mentor
    Frank Fish, MD


    Amy Woodward, M.D.

    Amy Woodward, MD

    Pediatric Rheumatology

    Research Project
    "A Modular Curriculum in Pediatric Rheumatology for Residents."

    Mentors
    Leah Harris, MD, Brent Graham, MD

     

     


    2009-2012 Scholars
     

    Geoffrey Fleming, M.D.

    Geoffrey Fleming, MD

    Pediatric Critical Care

    Research Project
    "Creation and evaluation of an electronic curriculum or pediatric critical care trainees."

    Mentor
    Leah Harris, MD


    Barron Patterson, M.D.

    Barron Patterson, MD

    General Pediatrics

    Research Project
    "Implementation and evaluation of an electronic dashboard to improve immunization rates in a teaching clinic."

    Mentor
    Shari Barkin, MD, MSHS


    Jill Simmons, M.D.

    Jill Simmons, MD

    Pediatric Endocrinology

    Research Project
    "Avoidance of sun exposure in patients with ALL: effect on vitamin D levels and bone turnover."

    Mentor
    Debra Friedman, MD