Must have shown an interest in pursuing an academic career in pediatrics as well as an interest in pursuing scholarly activities in the areas of racial/ethnic health disparities, minority child health and development, sociocultural determinants of health, and cultural competency.
With that criteria in mind, with a class of 8 to fill among applicants spanning the nation, the Academic Pediatric Association chose second-year resident Dr. Sonia Morales to be a 2016 New Century Scholar.
The APA New Century Scholars Program was developed to encourage under-represented minority pediatric trainees to consider careers in academic medicine.
“I was actually surprised,” Dr. Morales admits. “It seemed like I would qualify for it, but they only choose eight nationwide.”
Dr. Monica Sifuentes, who wrote Morales’ letter of recommendation, was more confident. “How could she not be a recipient?” she said. “This is perfect for her!”
When Dr. Morales received the email regarding applying to the New Century Scholars Program, she thought it was neat because it is for anyone that is interested in academic medicine or fellowship, specifically for pediatric residents who want to work in underserved communities and interests in health disparities and minority child health.
‘Serving the underserved’ being a Harbor Pediatrics motto, it was fitting. “I had to apply,” she said.
Morales included all of her publications in her application. Among them was the thesis she completed at Charles Drew University School of Medicine and Science which focused on health insurance and how well informed pediatric cancer survivors and their parents were about the need for health insurance in order to receive long-term follow-up care.
A simple statement that is easier said than done. Morales grew up in East Los Angeles and identifies with the Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics population. “My parents only spoke Spanish,” she says. You can often find her on the ward translating Spanish for other physicians. Being in and out of the hospital from the ages of 2 to 14 gave her a great deal of respect for the profession. “That motivated me to become a physician,” she says.
That, and an understanding of the need for advocacy in the hospital setting has molded her. She’s done research and interventions in the past, training parents and patients to ask more questions of physicians, teaching them to be more proactive in their care. As a physician, she carries it with her, telling her patients to question her and giving them relevant handouts.
Advocacy is a major part of Harbor-UCLA Pediatrics. Every resident has a four week Child Advocacy rotation. The rotation consists of clinical, community, and legislative components, culminating in the development of an advocacy project proposal.
As part of the New Century Scholars program, Dr. Morales will be paired with a nationally recognized leader in academic pediatrics, specifically within the areas of health and heath care disparities, social determinants of health, minority child health, and cultural competency. The program also provides ongoing career counseling to the Scholars. There will also be a banquet in celebration of the honor.
Dr. Morales is currently working on measuring obesity among pediatric cancer patients. She is interested in pursuing a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship.