Author: Monica Prieto MD

Originally from the island of Puerto Rico (¡Boricua de pura cepa!), I’m always up for salsa dancing and eating tostones. Spoiled by a childhood amid bright Caribbean waters, I moved to sunny California for college where I studied Human Biology with a concentration in International Child Welfare. Having loved California but yearning to be closer to home, I moved east to NYC for medical school and residency. My interest in global health led me twice to Tanzania where I helped develop the AAP’s Helping Babies Breathe program to reduce neonatal mortality. This in turn sparked an interest in academic quality improvement that still informs my work today. I’m a huge nerd and actually enjoy being at work! But when I’m *not* at work, I can be found, Starbucks chai in-hand, either travelling/sight-seeing, shopping, attempting DIY home improvement projects, or relaxing to some sweet reality TV.

Hot Seat Case # 118: 80 day infant febrile and fussy

Monica Prieto, MD Children’s National Medical Center with Christina Lindgren, MD Children’s National Medical Center 80 day old vaccinated infant female born at 36 weeks gestation presents as a bounce-back for fever and fussiness for 2 days.  The patient was seen the day prior for fever and sleepiness. The parents report that she had blood and […]

Hot Seat Case # 110: 3 year old male with bloody emesis

Monica Prieto, MD Children’s National Medical Center with Christina Lindgren, MD Children’s National Medical Center 3 year old male who is brought in by grandmother with a chief complaint of bloody emesis for 1 month.  The vomiting has been occurring 2-3 times per day, every day.  Grandmother reports that the emesis is frequently bloody, never […]

Hot Seat Case #93: 16 yo male with chest pain

Monica Prieto MD, Children’s National Medical Center With Michael Quinn MD, Children’s National Medical Center The Case: A 16 yo old otherwise healthy male presented with 2d of chest pain and fever. It is qualified as 5/10, localized to his mid-sternum and left chest, exacerbated by deep inspiration, and improved by taking shallow breaths.  It was […]