The Texas Pediatric Society (TPS) recently appointed Hilda Loria, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, to a one-year term as the Early Career Physician Representative on its Executive Board. TPS, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year and is the Texas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a statewide professional nonprofit organization that includes more than 4,700 physician, fellow, resident, and medical student members.

“This appointment is an incredible honor. I admire my mentors, colleagues, and peers who have been past or current members of the board. To be in their company is an opportunity that I am grateful to have,” Dr. Loria said. “As a foster care pediatrician at the Rees-Jones Center for Foster Care Excellence at Children’s and a child of immigrants, I hope to gain the skillset to advocate particularly for children involved with the child welfare system and children in immigrant families.”

Dr. Loria has three primary goals for her term: increase early career physician engagement and representation with TPS; enhance opportunities for trainees and early career physicians for career development through mentoring; and foster the growth of physician-leaders and advocates by promoting work-life integration, wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Dr. Loria came to UT Southwestern in 2015 for a fellowship in academic general pediatrics. In 2017, she joined the faculty in the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, where she especially loves her role as a physician-advocate.

“As physicians, we have the unique opportunity to speak up and use our voices to advocate for our patients, families, and communities,” she said. “The work we do every day is not always easy, but every day – in my interactions with patients, teaching sessions with trainees, and collaborative work with leaders and advocates within our institution, state, and national organizations – I find so much joy and meaning in our shared pursuit of healing and equity for those we serve.”

Dr. Loria is also thankful for mentors like Nancy Kelly, M.D., M.P.H., Professor of Pediatrics; Dorothy Sendelbach, M.D., Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education and Professor of Pediatrics; and Richard Adams, M.D., Chief of the Division of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and Professor of Pediatrics.

“I am incredibly grateful to be a faculty member at UT Southwestern,” she said. “The mentorship and sponsorship I have received have allowed me to grow and become successful as an early career physician, physician-leader, and advocate within our community. I hope to do the same for the students, residents, and fellows whom I get the privilege to mentor.”