Kamisha A. Byas, MD

Kamisha Byas, MD, is a pediatrician who specializes in primary care medicine and says she was drawn to her field because of its dynamic nature.

“I love how you can go from seeing a newborn to a teenager to a young adult in the span of a couple of hours in the office,” Dr. Byas says. “And I enjoy the relationships I get to build with caregivers and family members over time and having the opportunity to optimize a child’s health along the way. Kids are super resilient and if they get sick, they tend to bounce back well.”

Growing up in Brooklyn, NY, and later in Connecticut, Dr. Byas says she formed strong relationships with her own pediatricians. “I always enjoyed math and science, and my interest in health and how the body works became a clear path to me as the years went on,” she says. “Plus, I had a wonderful relationship with two of my pediatricians, both fostering my interest in medicine; I never doubted pediatrics was for me.”

Dr. Byas says she particularly enjoys working with patients from various backgrounds. “I come from an immigrant family and grew up taking my low-English proficiency grandmother to doctors’ appointments and helping her navigate the health care system,” she says. “My favorite part of my job are moments spent in the exam room learning about patients and working towards making sure they are equipped to meet any challenges they may face. I also love working with medical trainees and both teaching…and learning from them.”

When it comes to meeting new patients, Dr. Byas says she comes in with an open mind. “I strive to get to know the [patient and their family] and learn as much as I can first to build a rapport. For younger kids, I get down to their level on my stool and maybe give them a book if it’s a physical and observing them to assess development,” she says. “With older kids, it is about helping them build their independence and helping them to become advocates for their health. All that I do comes from a place of compassion. There is so much I don’t know about different cultures and upbringings, and I want to know what is most important to each family so that I can hopefully be more effective tool, along with them, in optimizing their child’s health.”