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Stephanie Leeds, MD, MHS

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Immunology)
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About

Titles

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics (Immunology)

Biography

Dr. Stephanie Leeds is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, with a specific interest and expertise in food allergy. Dr. Leeds graduated summa cum laude from Tufts University with a degree in literature, and she studied medicine at the University of Chicago. She completed her pediatrics residency at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and she completed her allergy and immunology fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Dr. Leeds has published research on food allergy, drug allergy, and immunodeficiency disorders, but she is most interested in the natural history, clinical manifestations, novel treatments, and educational challenges of food allergy.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

MHS
Yale University (2023)
Fellow
Mount Sinai Hospital (2015)
Resident
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (2012)
MD
University of Chicago (2009)
BA
Tufts University, English Literature (2005)

Research

Overview

My earliest introduction to scholarly research arrived through public health coursework as an undergraduate at Tufts University, through which I was connected to researchers studying the health issues faced by migrant populations. This led to two internships at the International Centre for Migration and Health (ICMH) in Geneva, Switzerland. As an intern there, I interfaced with the World Health Organization and other non-governmental organizations to help formulate literature and policy on numerous migrant health issues, including social insertion, access to health services, and training in disaster management. In addition to authoring internal documents, policy positions, and annual report segments for ICMH publications, I co-authored a journal article examining handwashing practices as a routine measure of infection control in a provincial African hospital. This period of public health engagement allowed me to contribute my time and resources to formulate policy addressing the needs of underserved and marginalized communities most vulnerable to physical and psycho-social health threats.

As I advanced in my training, I worked under skilled immunologists during both my residency and fellowship and contributed original work in the field of clinical immunology under their supportive mentorship. As a resident, I collaborated with fellows to publish data on underlying conditions associated with Pneumocystis jirovecii in children over the twenty-year period post-HAART period of 1986-2006. This study delineated the less commonly appreciated clinical scenarios in which Pneumocystis pneumonia should be considered, including primary immunodeficiency. As a fellow, I worked with fellows and attendings to publish the first report on idiopathic T cell lymphopenia as identified through New York State Newborn Screening. I collected and analyzed data from seven referral centers and provided clinicians with a report on the clinical and laboratory findings in these patients as they were followed over time. In both of these publications, I translated clinical experience from large patient cohorts into accessible resources for physicians considering uncommon scenarios related to immune deficiency.

The bulk of my clinical and scholarly interests now lie in the domain of food allergy. Training at the Jaffe Food Allery Institute at Mount Sinai, I gained broad and deep exposure to food allergy in both the clinical and laboratory setting. I acquired and continue to build a strong fund of knowledge around the diagnostic, management, and treatment options available to patients with food allergy. At the same time, I recognize the key role of education—for both families and practitioners—for advancing the field towards improved outcomes. My published work in food allergy is both original and review articles aimed at increasing food allergy literacy on an individual and public scale.



Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Food Hypersensitivity; Pediatrics

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Stephanie Leeds's published research.

Publications

2022

2021

2017

2015

2014

2012

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • honor

    FLAME Award

  • honor

    American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Educator Development Award

  • honor

    Harvard Macy Institute Scholarship

  • honor

    Visiting Immunology Scholar Award

  • honor

    Pediatrics Scholar Award

Clinical Care

Overview

Stephanie Leeds, MD, is a pediatric allergy and immunology physician who specializes in food allergy.

“I love interacting with kids. I think they are earnest and funny and straightforward in a way that makes my job easy and pleasurable. Plus, everyone wants to advocate for kids, so I always have a team around me, including parents and other caregivers who are invested in them,” she says.

Dr. Leeds says she also enjoys the educational component of her job. “If I have a new food allergy patient, it’s a 60-minute visit and half of that is talking and counseling,” she says. “The devil is in the details when we talk about food allergies, and we have a multidisciplinary approach that includes a dietitian and a child life specialist.”

Food allergies, Dr. Leeds notes, have been increasing in prevalence over the past few decades. This is partly because medical experts were likely giving the wrong advice for years, she adds.

“We were telling parents to delay the introduction of allergenic foods until a child is older, but we are now finding that early introduction promotes tolerance,” she says. “I am passionate about offering families food allergy prevention strategies and managing those who do have allergies, including through oral immunotherapy treatment.”

Clinical Specialties

Pediatric Allergy & Immunology

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Allergy & Immunology

    Certification Organization
    AB of Allergy & Immunology
    Original Certification Date
    2014

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Contacts

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