Cockrell Aims for a Career in Pediatrics to Influence Better Health Choices

Brittanie Cockrell, a second-year student at the University of Houston College of Medicine, has been selected to serve on the 2021-2022 Texas Pediatric Society Medical Student Section Subcommittee. Cockrell, who is representing the college on the subcommittee, started her term in June.

The position is a good fit for Cockrell because she enjoys working with children and her career goals center around early intervention. “I am passionate about forming longitudinal relationships with my patients and witnessing them grow from birth to early adulthood,’ she said. “An additional career goal of mine is to promote good health and preventative care in underserved communities, which are practices best initiated during childhood.”

As a member of the subcommittee, her responsibilities include helping plan the annual program of the TPS Annual Meeting Medical Student Section; produce new material and resources for medical students interested in pediatrics; find opportunities for members; and develop relationships between the TPS and Pediatric Interest Groups at the college through outreach.

Cockrell hopes this opportunity will benefit not only herself but also her fellow UH medical students.

“I want to help introduce learning and networking opportunities to my classmates who are interested in pediatrics,” Cockrell said. “I also hope to build connections with physicians and fellow medical students from around the state to exchange experiences, perspectives, and knowledge that will contribute to my journey towards becoming a community-oriented pediatrician.”

The Texas Pediatric Society (TPS), the Texas chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a professional nonprofit organization representing over 4,600 physician, fellow, resident and medical student members. The goal of the Society is to ensure all the children in the state attain their full potential for physical, emotional and social health.