Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Residency Program: Current and Previous Fellows

Current Fellows - Fourth Year Residents:

Fabiola Morales Vias, MD

Hometown: Dorado, Puerto Rico
College: University of Puerto Rico, Bayamón Puerto Rico
Medical School: Universidad Central del Caribe LCME Accredited, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Pediatrics: San Juan City Hospital, San Juan Puerto Rico

Reason for pursing NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute: Throughout my training in pediatrics my interests in development, neuroscience, and patients with special needs stood out. The field of neurodevelopmental disabilities offers opportunities for scientific knowledge in pediatrics, neuroscience and research. It is a field that allows collaboration between health care professionals in diverse related fields with the common goal of helping children with disabilities in diagnosis and treatment. The Kennedy Krieger Institute was a pioneer in establishing NDD program and it offers the opportunity to work in an interprofessional manner with a supportive and broad faculty to offer comprehensive care to patients. At the Kennedy Krieger Institute there is a lot of opportunity for professional growth, education and research and commitment towards preparing professionals in an interdisciplinary matter. 

What’s special about Baltimore? There is a lot of history in Baltimore. There are a lot of places and activities going on around and near Baltimore and it’s great that you can always find something to do that’s interesting. I personally enjoy walking my dog around Patterson Park.

Kornkanok Saringkarisate, MD, MPH

Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand 
Medical School: Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand
Pediatrics: University of Hawaii Pediatric Residency Program, Honolulu, Hawaii 

Reason for pursing NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute: I have long been interested in child development. Apart from medical conditions, I am interested in social determinants of health such as caregivers, families, schools, and other community factors that play a significant role in outcomes, especially for children and families with disabilities. The NDD field provides a strong knowledge base in neurology to understand the etiology and pathophysiology while also allowing me to advocate for my patients and their families through schools, communities, and application of resources. NDD, especially at Kennedy Krieger, shows me endless possibilities - for my patients and for my career development and personal growth. 

What’s special about Baltimore? Baltimore is a very interesting city. Each neighborhood has their own unique vibe and hidden gems. Its proximity to other big cities provides easy access to attractions without having to live there yourself. There are plenty of good local ice cream and seafood places to explore complimented by a cool breeze by the harbor that feels refreshing at the end of the day.

Current Fellows - Third Year Residents:

Celina Cerf, MD

Birthplace/Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida.
College: I majored in Communications Sciences and Disorders at the University of Florida for my Undergraduate degree, then I went on to the University of Texas at Austin to pursue my master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Medical School: University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Pediatrics: University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, MD

Reasons for pursuing NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute:  After completing my master’s degree in speech language pathology, I worked as an SLP specializing in language development in children with autism. I loved teaching children how to functionally communicate and improve their pragmatic skills, as well as teaching home programming to parents. I wanted to expand my scope of practice serving neurodiverse patient populations, which led me to medical school. I had heard about Kennedy Krieger many times from my SLP mentor. I did a fourth year medical student elective there, where I saw firsthand the excellent care and academic training offered at Kennedy Krieger. As a result, I sought out fellowship training from the place that inspired me early in my career.

Rachel Gilbert, MD

Birthplace/Hometown: Hobe Sound, FL
College: University of Richmond
Medical School: University of Florida College of Meidicine
Pediatrics: Johns Hopkins 

Reason for pursuing NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute: I was drawn to the field's multi-disciplinary training across neurology, development, genetics, psychiatry, and rehabilitation that would uniquely prepare me to care for children with disabilities. Kennedy Krieger is a truly incredible place and with adult and pediatric neurology training at Johns Hopkins, I was excited for the opportunities across both institutions. I saw how program leadership and faculty were so invested in our education and knew I would be supported with strong mentorship. I connected easily with current fellows and pediatric residents, as well. Baltimore is also an awesome harbor city with great food, sports, and parks, which has quickly come to feel like home. 

Current Fellows - Second Year Residents:

Katherine Ceglio, MD 

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana 
Medical School: Indiana University School of Medicine 
Pediatrics: University of Maryland 

Why NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute: I entered medical school knowing I wanted to work in this field. NDD is the perfect pathway for me to get all of the training I need to care for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. There’s no other place in the world like Kennedy Krieger Institute for learning from experts. 

What’s special about Baltimore? Baltimore is a big city that feels like a small-town community. I love doing Zumba in Patterson Park, walking along the harbor, and getting ice cream all over town.

Erin Jarvis, MD 

Hometown: Garnet Valley, Pennsylvania 
Medical School: Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University 
Pediatrics: Johns Hopkins Children’s Center 

Why NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute: NDD is a field rooted in creativity, compassion, and a deep commitment to optimizing each child’s potential – values that resonated with me early in my training and that my colleagues at Kennedy Krieger uphold. I am especially drawn to the collaborative nature of this work, helping children and families build their supportive “village” of professionals and community supports. 

What’s special about Baltimore? In my time living here, Baltimore has become home thanks to its incredible people. From my welcoming neighbors in Canton to brilliant colleagues at Kennedy Krieger and Hopkins, I have found a strong sense of community. From music bingo to art crawls and cultural festivals, I am never bored!

Current Fellows - First Year Residents:

Sung Jik Cha MD

Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Medical School: Western Michigan University Homer Stryker School of Medicine
Pediatrics: University of Maryland 

Reason for pursuing NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute: I worked as a teacher's aide in special education before medical school, and I wanted to continue working with children with disabilities. I chose NDD as my specialty because I wanted a strong foundation in both neurology and development. I toured Kennedy Krieger during my 4th year of medical school and knew immediately this was the place to be for NDD. It is an incredible privilege to be surrounded by people who share a common passion.

Fatima Al Khyeli MD, MPH

Hometown: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 
Medical School: College of Medicine and Health Sciences ,United Arab Emirates University
Pediatrics: Johns Hopkins 

Reason for pursuing NDD and why Kennedy Krieger Institute: I was drawn to neurodevelopmental disabilities because it encompasses a thorough understanding on how the brain develops from infancy to adulthood. What resonates most with me is how these conditions often coexist with other neurological disorders, making care both complex and deeply personal to the child's caregiver. As a future neurologist and neurodevelopmental specialist, I hope to be a source of support and guidance for my patients and their families as they navigate the challenges of a child’s growth and development. With Kennedy Krieger Institute, I was confident that I would receive exceptional training in both clinical care and research, in a close-knit community that not only deepens expertise in child development but also allows you to learn how to be supportive member of your patient's care. 

Neurdevelopmental Disabilities Residency Program Application