Tzelzin is a first-generation Mexican American, born and raised in San Jose, California. Now a medical student at UCSF, she is dedicated to advocating for Spanish-speaking patient populations, focusing on researching social and legal determinants of health.

I am a second year PhD student in epidemiology at the University of Illinois at Chicago and a data analyst at the University of Chicago. My research interests include social risks and how they relate to chronic disease.

Over the last decade, I have designed and analyzed research spanning the continuum of pediatric care at Children’s Minnesota. In 2024, I completed a PhD in Health Services Research at the University of Minnesota. My research is focused on social factors that impact healthcare outcomes and community-based participatory methods.

Dr. Maholtz is a pediatric critical care specialist at Akron Children’s, where she’s been practicing since 2022. She earned her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia, Pa. and completed a residency in pediatrics at Akron Children’s. She went on to complete a fellowship in pediatric critical care medicine at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Maholtz is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and has contributed to numerous professional publications, presentations and lectures. She’s also a member of the Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association. Dr. Maholtz is a recipient of the 2020 American Academy of Pediatrics Advocacy Award. Her academic interests are in health equity and policy.