The Pediatric Emergency Medicine Fellowship at Boston Medical Center has been proudly molding excellent PEM physicians with a diverse array of interests since 1988. We aim to train and develop physicians who, in addition to possessing exceptional clinical skills, will grow their unique expertise in areas such as research, health equity, education, and administrative leadership. We accept 1 fellow per year for a total of 3 fellows at a time.
The BMC ED is New England's largest level I trauma center and is a major safety net hospital in Boston. The Pediatric Emergency Department has 22 bed spaces plus a trauma/resuscitation suite. We see approximately 25,000 visits per year.
Highlights of our fellowship program include:
- Excellent fellowship education. Our fellows have the opportunity to work closely with our PED team in a graduated autonomy model, working up to solo shifts in their third year. Our fellows additionally benefit from a close relationship with our very busy adult ED, as well as from rotations at other Boston hospitals including Mass Eye & Ear and Boston Children's Hospital.
- Individualization and flexibility. As a small program, we take pride in our ability to individualize curriculum to each fellow's unique interests and needs.
- Working within a mission driven, diverse hospital setting. BMC plays a major role in the care of children in Boston, especially from communities traditionally underserved by the healthcare system. Our Pediatrics Department is a leading force in ambulatory pediatrics nationally and an incubator of innovative programs that address pediatric healthcare needs as a comprehensive, multi-faceted challenge. Programs addressing housing, literacy, violence, and other issues that affect child health have all been developed in our department. Caring for our community is at the core of what we do. We are excited to offer a new health equity track within our fellowship (link to health equity page here)
- Fantastic colleagues. Our faculty and interprofessional team love to work with our fellows and consider them an integral part of our team, and of our BMC PEM family.
Thank you for your interest in our fellowship program!
Ariel Hoch, Program Director
Hannah Barber Doucet, Assistant Program Director
Meet the Fellows
2021-2024
Joseph Shapiro, MD
Hometown: Washington, DC
Undergraduate: Cornell University
Medical School: George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Residency: Children’s National Hospital, Washington DC
Academic Interests: bioethics, health policy
Post- Fellowship Plans: practice PEM and clinical ethics consulting at an academic center
Hobbies/Interests: basketball, podcasts (5-4, Blowback), Formula 1
Favorite place you have visited: Cape Town & Mexico City
Favorite thing to do in Boston: Eat out in the South End with my fiancé or head up the coast to eat lobster and go whale watching!
2022-2025
Nanditha Shivaprakash, MD
Hometown: Long Valley, NJ
Undergraduate: Northeastern University, Boston MA
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia PA
Residency: Pediatrics at UT Austin Dell Children’s Medical Center, Austin TX
Academic Interests: Adolescent care in the ED
Post-Fellowship Plans: Practice PEM at an academic center
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, time with friends/family, hanging out with my daughter
Favorite place you have visited: Positano, Italy
Favorite thing to do in Boston: Get amazing food in the North End and enjoy sitting out by the water with an Italian pastry!
2023-2026
Lauren Dzera, MD
Hometown: Livingston, NJ
Undergraduate: Boston College
Medical School: Boston University (Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
Residency: Children’s National Hospital
Academic Interests: Advocacy, social determinants of health, medical education Post- Fellowship Plans: Hoping to continue working at an academic institution that will allow me to work with trainees and support my interest in advocacy work
Hobbies/Interests: Traveling, beaching, going for walks with my dog and husband Favorite place you have visited: Spain, Hawaii, and Ecuador
Favorite thing to do in Boston: Hard to choose just one! Top favorites are lounging along the Esplanade, walking the Freedom Trail, ice cream at Carson Beach, visiting Harpoon in the Seaport, and seeing the penguins at the New England Aquarium