Meet Our Newest Residents & Fellows

When did you first know you wanted to pursue dermatology as a specialty? Why?  

Since I was a child — seriously! I’ve always been fascinated with skin. A friend I haven’t seen since middle school recently asked if I fulfilled my dream of becoming a dermatologist and I was so grateful to be able to answer yes. 

There are so many reasons I love this field. Dermatology allows me to treat a broad range of pathologies affecting the skin, hair and nails from a diverse patient population. What other field allows you to go from treating nail fungus to injecting spots on the scalp with hair loss to cutting out skin cancers? Dermatology is different from other medical specialties in that most of the time patients and others can see the disease. This can influence patients’ perception of their skin and consequently their self-esteem and self-image. I understand that when patients come into the clinic these are some of their most vulnerable moments. The honor of being able to diagnose and treat them is not one I take lightly and I am grateful for the opportunity to do that within the field of dermatology. 

What are your thoughts on residency now that you’re two months in? 

The road is easier when you travel it with great people. I’m blessed to have the support of my family, friends, peers and attendings. They have been a constant source of encouragement — from sending text messages to check in and surprise grocery deliveries to sharing funny TikToks when they know I am having a difficult time. I can confidently say I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

I understand that when patients come into the clinic these are some of their most vulnerable moments. The honor of being able to diagnose and treat them is not one I take lightly.

Folawiyo Babalola, first-year dermatology resident 

When did you first know you wanted to pursue neonatal-perinatal medicine as a subspecialty? Why?  

I knew I was interested in pediatrics when starting medical school partly due to my experiences working with children with special needs while in college. However, my interest in neonatal-perinatal medicine didn’t really unfold until my intern year in residency. Stepping into the neonatal intensive care unit as a resident was definitely daunting, as you find yourself dealing with some of the most fragile patients in the hospital. Although initially intimidating, I fell in love with it. I attribute that love to multiple things, including the pathophysiology affecting neonates, the multidisciplinary efforts to optimize care, the mentors I had in residency, and more importantly the role we play in the lives of each baby and their families.  

What drew you to Dell Med? 

The people. The neonatal-perinatal program is one of the newer programs at Dell Med, and the excitement I felt from everyone I talked to during my interview was palpable. The people within the program are phenomenal and bring a wide breadth of experiences and expertise that I feel will help shape us into future leaders. They also value a healthy work-life balance, which I find important, especially when working in a high-pressure specialty. I’m excited to be a part of this growing program and am looking forward to what’s to come.  

What is your medical mission?  

Advocating for marginalized communities has always been one of the primary drivers in my pursuit of a medical career. I grew up in the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas and had first-hand experiences with the challenges medically underrepresented populations may face including language barriers, access to health care, and cultural differences. Although this initially fueled my desire to pursue medicine, in my journey, I worked with so many other communities that have shaped the idea of who I hope to be as a physician. These include working with children with special needs while in college, communities struggling with food insecurity in Appalachia while in medical school, and immigrant families while in residency. These experiences have defined what my medical mission is, which is to be a physician who will advocate for marginalized populations and my patient’s best interests both in the hospital and in the community. 

Why pediatric hospital medicine? 

As a resident spending many hours in the hospital, I was drawn toward gastroenterology, pediatric hospital medicine and the pediatric intensive care unit. I loved the procedures in gastroenterology and the acuity and rush of adrenaline in the PICU, but pediatric hospital medicine was the best of both worlds, and I decided to pursue this subspecialty in my third year after lots of self-reflection. I love that I have the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary team to ensure an evidence-based and value-conscious approach to the hospital stay and that I get to form relationships with patients and their families.  

Now that you’re here, what are you most looking forward to in this experience?  

I’m excited to have more time dedicated to research, mentorship and professional development. As a chief resident, I had the opportunity to develop longitudinal curricula for residents based on my experiences as a resident. Now, I am lucky to be a part of this fellowship to undergo formal teaching about adult learning and proper curriculum development.  

The path to medicine is long and challenging. What, or who, has been your greatest inspiration along the way?  

My youngest sister had chronic health issues growing up, and for the longest time, the excellent care (and even the subpar care) she received inspired me to be a well-rounded, thoughtful, caring physician. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been more involved in my parents’ and grandmother’s health issues, which have reminded me of what is important when taking care of patients: the patient. Going to the hospital and doctor’s appointments as a family member of a patient, rather than a doctor, has given me insight into how I can improve my own patient relationships. I find myself spending more time in rooms with patients and their family members explaining testing results, the treatment plan and anticipatory guidance for when they return home. I’ve been challenging myself to pause amid the busy workday and allow families space to ask questions.