Vongai Tizora, MD

Bio

Why IU Triple Board:  I grew up in rural Illinois before moving to the suburbs of Chicago (Huntley, IL) for high school. I then attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I studied Bioengineering, before earning my MD at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Throughout that journey, I had the opportunity to experience healthcare in a variety of settings, from rural communities to a large urban academic medical center.  IU stood out to me because of its strong commitment to serving underserved communities across Indiana and around the world, providing trainees with the opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of clinical care in diverse settings. I was also struck by the humility, academic rigor, and genuine sense of community that I experienced on interview day. As an added bonus, Indianapolis is close enough that I can easily visit my family back in Illinois. I'm excited to call Indy home for the next five years!?    Any involvement (tracks, leadership positions):   Multicultural Physician Alliance (so far!)  ?  Highlights you’ve enjoyed thus far:?  One of my favorite parts of residency has been getting to know the IU Triple Board community, including through our weekly meetings and the welcome BBQ at Dr. Dionisio's home. Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and supportive as I've adjusted to residency. I've also really enjoyed my pediatrics continuity clinic, where I've already had the opportunity to work with wonderful mentors. During my first inpatient pulmonology rotation, our team even had a pancake party during my first week, which was a fun and memorable welcome to inpatient medicine.  Outside of the hospital, I've loved exploring Indy's parks, trails, and outdoor spaces (shoutout to Newfields!). I'm also currently binge-watching Schitt's Creek, catching up on One Piece (a never-ending pursuit), and spending time with friends and family.  ?  Future career plans:  After residency, I hope to practice as both a pediatrician and psychiatrist in an integrated care setting. I have a particular interest in caring for children with neurodevelopmental conditions, especially autism spectrum disorder. Academically, I hope to remain involved in medical education while pursuing opportunities to improve access to healthcare across rural America and internationally.