Badger Alumna Making Strides for Equity in Medical Field
Dr. Kristen Obiakor ’13 is a dedicated pediatrician and postdoctoral fellow at UCLA. She is currently participating in the prestigious National Clinician Scholars Program.
Dr. Obiakor completed her pediatric residency at Yale New Haven Hospital, where she was deeply involved in advocacy and action-based research. Her work has been published in leading medical journals such as JAMA Pediatrics, highlighting her commitment to addressing health care inequities.
Dr. Obiakor holds an MD from Rush Medical College and an MS in medical physiology from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, and is pursuing an MS in health policy and management from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health.
She has founded several initiatives aimed at increasing diversity in medicine, including the Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline program at Yale. The founder of Westside Walk for Wellness in Chicago, Dr. Obiakor is dedicated to improving community health and addressing social determinants of health through practical, community-driven efforts.
Of Jamaican and Nigerian heritage, Dr. Obiakor’s multicultural background enriches her work and leadership roles. She currently serves as a district representative for the American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Pediatric Trainees. Her ongoing research, leadership, and advocacy efforts continue to drive her mission to advance health equity for vulnerable children.
Dr. Obiakor has spoke at numerous events, and she will be speaking at the Speciality Care Transformation Summit on October 8–11, 2024, to discuss the Medical Specialty Exposure Pipeline at Yale.
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