Our Team
Carolyn Foster, MD, MS (she/her)
Dr. Carolyn Foster is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and an attending physician at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago in Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care.
She received her undergraduate degree in biological science from Columbia University and medical doctorate from Harvard University. She is a board-certified pediatrician with pediatric and health services research training from the University of Washington’s School of Public Health and Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she spent an additional year as chief resident.
As a physician-investigator, she focuses on developing and evaluating health care delivery interventions and health care policies for children with medical complexity and disability that maximize their health outcomes and optimizes their health care utilization within a family context. She is particularly interested in improving the access to and quality of home and community-based health care for children needed for safe, independent, and vibrant lives at home, school, and play.
As part of this work, she is co-director of Lurie Children’s Complex Care Program and co-leads evaluation of Lurie Children’s Digital Health/Telemedicine programs.
Our Current Research Staff
Leah Hoelscher, MS, CCLS (she/her)
Project Manager
Leah joined the Foster Health Lab in April of 2023 after transitioning from a full-time certified child life specialist role within the medical imaging department of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. Leah graduated from the University of Missouri in 2018 with a master’s degree in human development and family sciences with an emphasis in child life, completed by publishing a research thesis in the Journal of Child Life. Leah has frontline experience working with patients and their caregivers to navigate the pediatric healthcare system, which has fostered a strong desire to make the system more accessible, equitable, and responsive to all children’s physical and emotional needs. Outside of the lab, Leah enjoys cooking new recipes, doing yoga with friends, and exploring all that Chicago has to offer!
Cameron Cooper, MPH (she/her)
Behavioral RESEARCH coordinator II
Cameron joined the Foster Health Lab in July of 2023 after working as a full-time Clinical Research Coordinator at the Autism Assessment, Treatment, Research and Services (AARTS) Center at Rush University Medical Center. Prior to her time at the AARTS Center, Cameron completed a dual degree program earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Public Health. During her time in this program, Cameron gained an interest in early childhood adversity and understanding how evidence-based interventions can be used to improve access to mental health services for historically marginalized groups. Cameron is excited to be joining the Foster Lab to continue her passion for using research to improve the lives of children and families. Outside of the lab, Cameron enjoys doing pilates, trying Chicago’s incredible restaurants, and taking film pictures on her 35mm camera.
Liana Massey (she/her)
Behavioral Research Coordinator II
Liana joined the Foster Health Lab in August of 2022 after graduating from the University of Chicago with a double major in Comparative Human Development and Gender & Sexuality Studies, as well as a minor in Creative Writing. During her time in college, she gained an interested in research when she worked as a research assistant in a behavioral economics lab, a public health lab, and a sociology lab. Liana is so excited to be a part of the Foster Health Lab because of her passion for using research to improve care. Outside of the lab, Liana enjoys volunteering at a therapy start-up called Hope For Men, spending time in some of Chicago’s Public Libraries, and watching scary movies.
Peter Walsh (he/him)
Behavioral research coordinator ii
Peter joined the Foster Health Lab in November of 2023 after graduating from Northwestern University, where he studied Psychology and Asian American Studies. Previously, Peter worked as an undergraduate research assistant at The Family Institute at Northwestern University and Feinberg Medical School. Through these opportunities, he developed a love for research and prioritized frameworks of intersectionality and care. Peter is thrilled to be joining the Foster Health Lab where he hopes to provide support to children and families and make a positive impact in their lives. Outside of the lab, Peter enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, baking cookies, and tending to his large collection of house plants.
Our Current Clinical & Behavioral Trainees
Jessica Lee Metelski
Jennifer Grage, MD
Our Alumni Research Staff
Punreet K. Bhatti, MD
Project Manager
Khrystyna Helner, MA, LPC
Behavioral RESEARCH coordinator II
Lu Morales, AM
Behavioral Research Coordinator III
Anna De Sonia, CRC
Lead Clinical Research Coordinator
Our Alumni Clinical & Behavioral Trainees
Abbey Dallas, MD, MPH
Selina Varma, MD
Elizabeth Boggs, MD
Laura Black, MD
Jacqueline Baca, MD
Imani Denice Bowen
Elizabeth Bleed, MD
Jennifer Gentile, LCSW
