Adrienne grew up in rural Pennsylvania and later studied medical anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh. She traded the rolling hills for the endless sunsets of Phoenix to attend A.T. Still University School of Medicine in Arizona & to complete her pediatric residency training at Phoenix Children's. Longing for rivers and forests, Adrienne set out for middle Tennessee to complete her fellowship in pediatric endocrinology with her husband, Roger the cat, and a backseat full of houseplants!

Here at Vanderbilt, she is funded by a T32 grant to investigate the impact of sex hormones on lipid metabolism and completed the LGBTQ+ Health Certificate Program in 2024. She spends much of her spare time tending her vegetable garden & indoor jungle, as well as taking both outdoor & culinary adventures with her loved ones.

Rachel is from Powder Springs, Georgia, and she graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a B.S. degree in Biology. She then received her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. From there, Rachel went on to complete her pediatric residency at University of South Carolina in Columbia, South Carolina. She has a special interest in PCOS, obesity, and diabetes, and her current research is focused on genetic testing in pediatric obesity.

In her free time, Rachel enjoys weight-training, reading sci-fi novels, and exploring new creative pursuits like painting. She particularly loves to sing and enjoys exploring the music scene in Nashville.

Areas of Interest: Clinical and translational research, prediction and targeted prevention and treatment of severe acute respiratory illness in children

Presentations and Publications from Residency Projects:

Publications

• Quertermous BP, Hawkins HJ, Schlotman AA, Wang H, Kemme S, Pai A, Jitwongwai S, Angkathunyakul N, Pongpaibul A, Mohammad S. A novel genetic variant associated with progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 3: A case series. JPGN Rep. 2024 Sep 3;5(4):538-541. doi: 10.1002/jpr3.12119. PMID: 39610430; PMCID: PMC11600367.
• Quertermous BP, Williams DJ, Bruce J, Sekmen M, Zhu Y, Grijalva CG, Antoon JW. Incidence of Influenza-associated Neurologic and Psychiatric Complications Requiring Hospitalization in Children Ages 5-17 Years. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2024 Oct 1;43(10):959-962. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004424. Epub 2024 Jun 13. PMID: 38869312; PMCID: PMC11408088.
• Quertermous BP, Williams DJ, Bruce J, Sekmen M, Zhu Y, Grijalva CG, Antoon JW. Serious Neurologic Events with Seasonal Influenza in Young Children. Academic Pediatrics. 2025 Feb 12. 25(4): 102801. Doi: 10.1016/j.acap2025.102801

Presentations

• Quertermous BP, Williams DJ, Bruce J, Sekmen M, Zhu Y, Grijalva CG, Antoon JW. “Incidence of Influenza-Associated Serious Neurologic Events in Young Children” April 24-28, 2025. Pediatric Academic Societies Conference. Honolulu, Hi.
• Quertermous BP, Gebretsadik T, Snyder B, Milne G, Chappell J, Anderson L, Peebles S, Hartert T, Rosas-Salazar C. “Urine F2-Isoprostanes: A Potential Biomarker for the Severity of Viral Acute Respiratory Infections in Infancy” April 23-27, 2026. Pediatric Academic Societies Conference. Boston, Mass.

Awards

• David Karzon Award 2025 – presented annually to the pediatric housestaff to the resident best exemplifying Dr. Karzon’s natural curiosity, love of science, and dedication to research
• Society of Pediatric Research Prosper Award 2026 – in recognition of Research Achievements in Academic

Personal Interests: Outside of the hospital, I enjoy group exercise, gardening, cooking, reading, and traveling.

Why I Chose Vanderbilt: Vanderbilt is the perfect combination of academic rigor and down-to-earth people. I have excellent mentors who are invested in my career progression and have given me many opportunities on my journey to become a physician-scientist. I also enjoy caring for the diverse patient population we serve. I am constantly learning on the wards and in my research endeavors.