Christina Echegaray
Bill Heerman, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, was appointed as Director of General Pediatrics, effective May 1.
Heerman, who spent his entire career at Vanderbilt University, was selected after a national survey led by Kathryn Edwards, MD, who retired in late 2022, and S. Todd Callahan, MD, an M.P.H. was Adolescent and young adult health research.
He fills the role vacated by MD Shari Barkin. Her Rebecca Swan, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics and William Long Her Director of Pediatric Medical Education, has been serving as Interim Director since July 2022.
“I am thrilled that Bill has accepted the role as the next Chief of General Pediatrics. Nationally acclaimed for its thoughtful approach to solutions-focused scholarship One of our trainees, who has grown into an outstanding clinician, educator, and researcher, will join the department in the next chapter I am particularly proud to be ready to lead the .” – James C., Director and General Professor, Monroe-Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital, Vanderbilt.
I would also like to thank Rebecca Swann for her outstanding leadership over the last 10 months as interim department head and for her enduring commitment to her colleagues and our mission. ”
A native of Park Ridge, Illinois, Heeman received his BS in Biology from Carleton University in Northfield, Minnesota. He then arrived in 2004 to attend the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine (VUSM), where he began his nearly 20-year chapter at Vanderbilt University in 2004, doing residencies in internal medicine and pediatrics before continuing his studies in general medicine. Participated in Pediatric Fellowship. He also holds a master’s degree in public health from VUSM. In 2014 he entered pediatrics.
“These dedicated medical professionals united under the common goal of providing quality primary pediatric care for children, teaching the next generation of pediatric care providers, and advancing scientific knowledge. I am honored to be asked to lead the team, which is leading the way in research while advocating for children and their families,” said Heerman.
“I have learned from and collaborated with so many of my colleagues over the past 19 years since starting medical school at Vanderbilt University, so the opportunity to step into this new Director role is especially meaningful.
“I am especially grateful to Dr. Rebecca Swan, who served as Interim Director last year. General Pediatrics has a long legacy of compassionate excellence and together we will achieve our goals in this new chapter I am happy to be able to do it.”
Heerman is an award-winning teacher and clinician who has received the Excellence in Patient Experience Award each year for his clinical care since 2017. He has published over 60 of his studies and given over 40 national and international academic talks, many of which focus on childhood obesity. and community-based behavioral interventions.
“Dr. Heerman’s background in research is important in supporting the current faculty’s academic research and in recruiting additional medical scientists,” said Swan, Vice Chair of Education for Pediatrics. .
“Having served as Interim Director of the division for the last 10 months has given me a full understanding of how integral the division is to all missions of the division. It serves as a patient-centered health care facility for the people, provides basic education for its residents, and conducts research within and outside the region to influence student, child health, policy and advocacy efforts. ”