• Associate Program Director, Hurley Pediatrics Residency, Flint, Mich.
  
• Pediatric Faculty, Hurley Children's Hospital, Flint, Mich.

Dr. Gerbaksh Esch was known as a smart, friendly, hard-working and competent medical student while at Hurley Medical Center during her Flint Campus days in the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine. So after she graduated from her pediatric residency program, Hurley faculty and staff were happy to welcome her back, first as the inaugural Alice Hamilton Scholar* as part of the MSU-Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative, then as associate program director and faculty member in Hurley's Pediatrics Residency Program, effective Jan. 1, 2024.

*The two-year scholar program is named after Alice Hamilton (an American physician, researcher and author who made great strides in social justice), considered the mother of the field of occupational health. Alice Hamilton scholars complete public-health training, mentored research, and clinical care within the PPHI. They earn a master's degree in public health.

Post-Doctoral Training

• Alice Hamilton Scholar, Pediatric Public Health Initiative, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Flint, Mich. (Current)
• Pediatric residency: Beamont Health System, Beaumont Children's Hospital, Royal Oak, Mich.

Education

• Doctor of Medicine: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing, Mich.

• Bachelor-of-science degree: Oakland University, Rochester, Mich.
  • Major: Biology
  • Minor: Spanish language

Leadership Roles

• Michigan Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics: Board Member at large
• MIAAP Governmental Affairs and Advocacy Committee: Member

Board-Certifications

• American Board of Pediatrics

Scholarly & Advocacy Interests

Dr. Esch has been involved in health-equity curriculum-development, as well as quality-improvement projects focused on HPV vaccination rates and educational improvements to teach residents about common pediatric skin rashes, particularly on vulnerable populations.

She has received four grants: two AAP national grants to support health-equity efforts, a CDC-funded grant to educate pediatricians in the Flint area regarding the effect of positive childhood experiences, and a Flint-based grant to train Hurley pediatric residents on trauma-informed care.

Her recent advocacy efforts have included two opinion pieces published in statewide newpapers:

• We must do more to protect children from gun violence. Opinion, Bridge Michigan, April 6, 2022.

• I'm a pediatrician mom. I urge you to vaccinate young kids against COVID-19. Opinion, Detroit Free Press, July 13, 2022.

Personal Interests

When Dr. Esch is not working, she may be found hanging out with her family (including spouse, toddler, and two dogs), running, biking, and reading fiction, especially in the genres of mysteries & thrillers.

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Learn more about the Alice Hamilton Scholar program.