Neurohospitalist Fellowship Program grows with the addition of 2 physicians

A new neurohospitalist fellowship program at McGovern Medical School is just the 7th in the country as of 2023 and has brought two talented physicians to UTHealth Houston. In this relatively new field, physicians treat hospitalized patients with neurological disorders.

Jamaica-born Stacia Lam, MD, knew from the age of 14 that she wanted a career in medicine after realizing her community lacked significant medical resources. “I grew up in a small rural community and I was motivated by the lack of resources in the community to streamline my life in the direction of medicine.”

She graduated from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California, and wanted to focus on stroke and other neurological conditions. She found the perfect fit at UTHealth Houston. “I already knew the reputation that UTHealth Houston had in stroke,” Lam said. “I wanted that experience.”

Her goal is to return to her native Jamaica and bring her knowledge and skills to improve care for people who suffer from stroke and epilepsy.

Joseph Fries, MD, was introduced to medicine by his mother, who is a nurse, and graduated from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. Fries is thankful for the opportunity to work in a hospital setting to refine his skills and pursue additional training with more complex pathologies. 

“Being able to reverse somebody’s stroke in the early stages after the onset can be very fulfilling,” Fries said. 

Both fellows are working under the guidance of Shaun Smart, MD, associate professor in the Department of Neurology and medical director of the Neurohospitalist Fellowship Program.

“Working with Dr. Smart was refreshing,” Fries said. “His perspective on medicine, practice of medicine, and the art of medicine was a big influence on the way that I interact with colleagues and patients.” 

Read more about the Neurohospitalist Fellowship Program.