Miriah Gillispie-Taylor, MD, is a dedicated and dynamic pediatric rheumatologist based in Houston, Texas. Dr. Taylor is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital, where she plays a vital role in both patient care and medical education.
Beyond her clinical responsibilities, Dr. Taylor is deeply invested in educating the next generation of physicians. At Baylor, she serves as a course co-director for first-year medical students, introducing them to rheumatology and helping to raise awareness of pediatric subspecialties early in their training. She also directs the pediatric rheumatology rotation and elective, working closely with interns and senior residents. Her educational philosophy embraces innovation, incorporating active learning strategies like gamification, social media engagement, and case-based teaching. Additionally, she actively mentors trainees through research and career development efforts.
Dr. Taylor’s journey into pediatric rheumatology began during medical school, where the lack of pediatric rheumatologists at her institution, and across the state, highlighted the profound need in the field. A brief but impactful elective with Dr. Dowain Wright in California reinforced her commitment to help fill that void, showing her the value of long-term, compassionate care in a subspecialty where relationships with families are key.
As a member of the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA), Dr. Taylor has contributed to multiple workgroups. She began in the CRMO/CNO Workgroup as a fellow and has since become an active contributor to the Medical Education Work Group. She has also contributed to the Systemic JIA Workgroup, participating in the evaluation of CTP implementation and other key initiatives. At her home institution, she leads transition-focused efforts, developing structured processes to support adolescents as they move from pediatric to adult rheumatology care.
Dr. Taylor credits CARRA with significantly shaping her career. It has provided a powerful professional network, connecting her with a national community of clinicians and researchers who share a commitment to improving pediatric rheumatology. Through CARRA, she has accessed mentorship, sponsorship, and collaborated on initiatives that transcend institutional boundaries. These connections have directly influenced her work as a medical educator, offering insights, resources, and alignment for curriculum development and teaching strategies. She also credits CARRA with opening doors to other opportunities, including her participation in ACR guideline development, which came directly from a connection made during a CARRA meeting.
Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Taylor is particularly proud of her work with CARRA’s Medical Education Work Group. Her work in medical education has led to a recent publication in Pediatrics, which identifies essential knowledge areas in rheumatology for pediatric residents. This group is focused on tackling foundational challenges in pediatric rheumatology education, including recruitment and curriculum development and addressing the urgent need to recruit more physicians into pediatric rheumatology. Check out their efforts on Instagram at @pedsrheum2connect!
Looking ahead, Dr. Taylor is focused on cultivating the next generation of pediatricians and pediatric rheumatologists to ensure that clinicians are not only well-trained but also inspired to innovate and lead with compassion. Still early in her career, she is enthusiastic about the years of service and mentorship yet to come.
Outside of work, Dr. Taylor leads an active lifestyle. She enjoys running, lifting weights, and exploring the outdoors, often traveling with her husband to National Parks, with 21 parks already visited! She also volunteers as a guide runner for vision-impaired athletes through the organization Catapult, combining her passion for fitness with meaningful community involvement. In quieter moments, she enjoys reading across a wide range of genres.
At the heart of her work, Dr. Taylor remains deeply committed to her patients and their families. Helping children transition from uncertainty to diagnosis and seeing them return to the activities they love brings her profound fulfillment. Her dedication, compassion, and innovative spirit continue to make a lasting impact in the field of pediatric rheumatology.
– Bailey Parker, Membership Coordinator
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