Maria Alcocer Alkureishi

Maria Alcocer Alkureishi, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics-Academic Pediatrics at the University of Chicago. She serves as a primary care physician for infants, children and teens, with a focus on providing continuity of care and preventive health services for medically underserved youth. As an educator, Dr. Alkureishi teaches medical students, interns and residents about pediatric clinical care in both ambulatory and inpatient settings. Her research focuses on patient-centered electronic health record (EHR) use, medical education, and health equity.

Education:

• MD in Medicine from UCSF, San Francisco, CA (2004)
• Pediatrics Residency from UCSF, San Francisco, CA (2008)

Dr. Alkureishi's research primarily centers on optimizing the use of electronic health records in clinical practice while maintaining strong patient-physician relationships. Her work examines how technology impacts medical education, clinical workflow, and patient engagement. She has extensively studied the digital divide and its implications for health equity, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her scholarship also addresses socioeconomic disparities in medical education and the impact of technology on healthcare delivery. Through her research, she advocates for "low-tech high-value care" approaches that ensure no patient is left behind in the digital transformation of healthcare.

Scientific Awards:

• 2024 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, Gold Foundation
• 2024 Lucille Lester Award for the Promotion of Childhood Wellness, Senior Award, University of Chicago
• 2017 University of Chicago Basic Sciences Division Distinguished Faculty Educator & Mentor Award
• 2016 Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence Institute Associate Junior Faculty Scholar
• 2014 Fellow of the Academy of Distinguished Medical Educators, University of Chicago
• 2014 Richard M. Rothberg Faculty Award for Excellence in Patient Care and Resident Education
• 2014 AOA Faculty Inductee
• 2014 Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award, Gold Foundation

As an educator, Dr. Alkureishi has developed innovative curricula for medical students and residents focused on patient-centered EHR use. Her educational interventions include the electronic-clinical evaluation exercise (e-CEX) and training programs to improve communication while using electronic health records. She has received multiple grants supporting her work on medical student well-being, particularly examining how socioeconomic status affects educational experiences. Her research consortium has conducted several national surveys on medical student experiences during the pandemic.

Dr. Alkureishi is an active member of research networks focused on health informatics, medical education, and health equity. She collaborates with the Medical Student Well-being Research Consortium and works closely with colleagues at the University of Chicago's Bucksbaum Institute for Clinical Excellence. Her work bridges clinical pediatrics, medical education, and health services research to address critical challenges in modern healthcare delivery.