• Alice Hamilton Scholar, Pediatric Public Health Initiative, Michigan State Unversity-Hurley Children's Hospital, Flint, Mich.
  
• Pediatric Faculty and Outpatient Teaching Physician, Hurley Medical Center, 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 as the inaugural Alice Hamilton Scholar as part of the MSU-Hurley Children's Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative. Her two-year term ends in 2023.

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.

Resident physicians and medical students may see Dr. Esch during their rotations at the Hurley Children's Clinic, above the Flint Farmers' Market. Dr. Esch is a faculty preceptor in the outpatient office there.

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

Scholarly 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.

As Hurley's current Alice Hamilton Scholor, Dr Esch plans to focus her research on parenting and acute childhood experiences (ACEs).

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.

Personal Interests

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

Learn more about the Alice Hamilton Scholar program.