Thomas Kuriakose, MD
Pediatric Intensivist/Physician in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine/PICU Doctor
Thomas Kuriakose, MD, is a New York-based physician with a focused commitment to pediatric healthcare. His path to becoming a Pediatric Intensivist has been grounded in service, education, and a continuous pursuit of excellence in caring for critically ill children. In 2022, he completed his pediatric residency at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center. He is currently in the Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, further advancing his knowledge and clinical skills. Throughout his journey, he has remained focused on improving outcomes for underserved populations and fostering equity in medical practice.
EARLY CAREER
Thomas was raised in Paramus, NJ, where his interest in science and strong academic foundation guided his future. After graduating from Williams College in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and Economics, he joined the Mississippi Teacher Corps, which places educators in critical-need school districts. He taught high school STEM subjects in the Meridian Public School District, including Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, Statistics, and SATP Biology.
Over three years, Thomas's students consistently outperformed comparable cohorts in statewide testing. He coached the junior and varsity soccer and track and field teams alongside teaching. Under his leadership, several students achieved state championships in jumps and distance running. His time as an educator and coach played a pivotal role in shaping his desire to work with children in a healthcare setting. He earned a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Mississippi School of Education in 2014.
MEDICAL EDUCATION
In 2015, Thomas began medical studies at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. He was recognized for his deep involvement in community outreach and earned a Distinction in Service to the Community. During this time, he co-founded the EMPOWER mentorship program, designed to support adolescents living with HIV. He also contributed significantly to the Promise Clinic, a student-run clinic that serves underinsured patients, where he served on the Operations team and later as a Director.
His interest in improving communication and safety in healthcare led him to co-lead the implementation of the TeamSTEPPS initiative at the medical school, which aims to enhance teamwork and patient safety among clinical staff. These experiences reflected his commitment to community-centered care and interprofessional collaboration. He completed his Doctor of Medicine in 2019.
Thomas then entered the Boston Combined Residency Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston Medical Center. During his residency, he participated in the Leadership in Equity and Advocacy track and was a resident leader in the Health Equity Rounds program. His dedication to medical education continued through his service on the Residency Program Training Committee, where he contributed to curriculum planning over three years.
Thomas is in his third year of the Columbia University Pediatric Critical Care Medicine Fellowship. His clinical responsibilities are centered in the pediatric intensive care units of NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. His research focuses on improving communication between healthcare providers and families during discussions about acute respiratory failure. He also led the launch of Health Equity Rounds in the Department of Pediatrics at Columbia, furthering the integration of equity-focused learning into clinical education.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
Thomas's professional and volunteer efforts reflect a longstanding commitment to advocacy and community engagement. Drawing from his teaching and coaching background, he brings a collaborative, empathetic approach to working with families and healthcare teams. His communication skills and educational experience help foster understanding in complex and high-pressure environments.
He has also participated in international and local volunteer projects. His work with the Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project in Tamil Nadu, India, focused on supporting students in a low-resource setting. Throughout his medical training, he served as a volunteer instructor for youth-focused organizations, including the Student National Medical Association’s Saturday Scholars program. He has also supported social justice and legal advocacy organizations, including the Equal Justice Initiative, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
MEDICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Thomas has contributed to several medical education and research initiatives on equity, communication, and pediatric care. He developed and facilitated a seminar titled “Adverse Childhood Experiences and Health Inequity,” aimed at training pediatric residents to understand and respond to the broader context of child health. His academic work also includes co-authored abstracts and presentations on bias in clinical communication.
Notable contributions include “The Weight of Our Words: How Medical Communication Perpetuates Bias” and a needs assessment evaluating communication in managing acute respiratory failure. He has presented on these topics as part of his ongoing role in health equity education and is committed to improving awareness and practice through research and dialogue.
Thomas Kuriakose, MD, holds a New York State Medical License and is Board-Certified by the American Board of Pediatrics. He is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Society of Critical Care Medicine and has been a member of the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Honor Society since 2018. Through his clinical care, education, research, and advocacy, he continues pursuing a pediatric practice model rooted in compassion, communication, and health equity.
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