Thomas Kuriakose, MD

Pediatric Intensivist/Physician in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine/PICU Doctor

Thomas Kuriakose, MD, is a physician based in New York, NY, whose career reflects a deep commitment to pediatric healthcare and critical care medicine. His path to becoming a Pediatric Intensivist has been guided by a strong sense of service, particularly to underserved communities. In 2022, he completed his pediatric residency through the Boston Combined Residency Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center. He is advancing his Pediatric Critical Care Medicine training as a fellow at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. His work integrates clinical care, education, and equity-focused advocacy.

EARLY CAREER

Thomas was raised in Paramus, NJ, where his early interests in academics and athletics laid a strong foundation for his future. He graduated from Williams College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Economics. Soon after, he joined the Mississippi Teacher Corps, serving in a Title I school district in Meridian, Mississippi.

Over the next three years, he taught high school-level STEM subjects, including Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics, and SATP Biology. His students consistently achieved higher-than-average scores on state tests. He also coached junior varsity and varsity track & field and soccer teams. Under his leadership, several athletes became state champions in jumping and distance running events. These teaching and coaching experiences shaped his understanding of youth development and helped define his decision to pursue pediatric medicine. 2014, he earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi School of Education.

MEDICAL EDUCATION

In 2015, Thomas entered Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where he developed an intense clinical care, leadership, and service foundation. During medical school, he earned a Distinction in Service to the Community. He co-founded the EMPOWER mentorship program, which provides support to adolescents living with HIV. He was also part of the student-run Promise Clinic, which serves underinsured patients, ultimately taking on the role of Director of the Operations team.

Thomas co-led the development of TeamSTEPPS within the institution, a national program to improve healthcare team performance and patient safety. These initiatives underscored his focus on communication and systems-level improvement. He graduated with a Doctor of Medicine in 2019.

Thomas completed his residency through the Boston Combined Residency Program. During this period, he was selected for the Leadership in Equity and Advocacy track and became a resident leader in Health Equity Rounds, which addressed systemic bias in clinical education. He also contributed to the Residency Program Training Committee for three years, bringing his background in teaching to curriculum enhancement.

Thomas is a third-year fellow in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Columbia University. His clinical work is based in the pediatric intensive care units of New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. His research focuses on improving provider-family communication, particularly in acute respiratory failure. As part of his fellowship, he has also led the launch of Health Equity Rounds at Columbia, continuing his engagement with structural equity in pediatric care.

COMMUNITY ADVOCATE

Thomas has firmly committed to community engagement throughout his training and career. His earlier experience as a teacher and coach continues to influence his approach to care, particularly in fostering collaborative and empathetic relationships with families and clinical teams. He consistently applies these skills to support children and caregivers facing complex medical situations.

Thomas has also taken part in global and local volunteer efforts. He contributed to the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project in Tamil Nadu, India. He was an instructor for youth education programs during medical school, including the Student National Medical Association’s Saturday Scholars program. His advocacy extends to social justice and civil rights through volunteer support of organizations such as the Equal Justice Initiative, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the American Civil Liberties Union.

MEDICAL CONTRIBUTIONS

His academic work includes projects focused on the intersection of healthcare communication and equity. He developed a seminar for pediatric residents titled “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Inequity,” which explores the impact of early-life adversity on health outcomes. He has also contributed to educational and research presentations on clinical bias and patient-provider dialogue.

Among his academic contributions are “The Weight of Our Words: How Medical Communication Perpetuates Bias” and a needs assessment focused on understanding and communication during episodes of acute respiratory failure. He has also spoken and presented at institutional and academic forums, promoting greater awareness of equity and inclusion in pediatric care.

Thomas Kuriakose, MD, is board-certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and holds a medical license in New York State. He is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society of Critical Care Medicine and has been a member of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society since 2018. Through a career that spans education, clinical medicine, and community advocacy, he continues to build a practice defined by compassion, communication, and a commitment to health equity.

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