University of Mississippi Medical Center
My name is Alia Tayara and I am a third year medical student at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of South Alabama in 2021. Growing up in awe of my father, an interventional cardiologist, I knew coming into medical school that I wanted to explore this interest and integrate it with my curiosity regarding pediatric care. In the summer of 2022 following my first year of medical school, I had the privilege of participating in a Pediatric Clinical and Research Program at Children's of Mississippi under the mentorship of Dr. Viswanath Gajula, chief of the department of Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care. During this time, I was exposed to the acuity and long-term continuity of care in the beautiful place that is the PCICU. I watched surgeons recreate circulatory physiology and critical care physicians sustain, revive, and encourage the flourishment of life on a daily basis. I was in awe at the wide considerations to and maintenance of knowledge base of all organ systems, while still understanding and treating complex cardiac issues. The work I am presenting focuses on risk factors for central line associated thrombus in patients with congenital heart disease with the goal to implement an institutional protocol for anticoagulation prophylaxis in these patients. Working on this project has afforded me the opportunity to join the amazing critical care physicians, namely my mentor, that I met that summer to make a difference in the lives of children who need it most - and I could not be more thankful.