Dr. Heather A. Fagan, M.D., M.S., FAAP, joined us in Lake Nona in 2014 when she was asked to join the staff of Nemours Children’s Hospital. She currently holds several titles at the honorable Medical City hospital: acting pediatrician-in-chief, designated institutional official for graduate medical education, an academic assistant dean for the University of Central Florida College of Medicine, and a pediatric critical care physician at Nemours. Her 20 years excelling in the medical field makes her a hero to our region.
The decorated pediatric physician earned her medical degree from the Chicago Medical School along with her master of science in pathology. During her several residencies in Chicago, she was recognized with many teaching and mentorship awards.
Dr. Fagan was scouted from her previous position at the University of Chicago, where she served as the program director for the Pediatric Residency Training Program as well as the vice chair of education in the department of pediatrics. She believes the team at Nemours is the most capable and team-driven group of individuals that she has had the pleasure of working with. In all of her positions, past and present, her love for education and children radiates through.
She chose to relocate and join the Medical City community in hopes of developing a robust educational infrastructure to educate all students and professionals in the care of children. “I was inspired to work alongside a team of people that would innovate to develop a pediatric academic medical center in a greenfield space – it was an unimaginable opportunity in the world of academic medicine!” Dr. Fagan said.
As a result of her leadership, Nemours Children’s Hospital was presented with institutional accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in 2016. Dr. Fagan additionally received the Nemours Service Excellence Award in Community Service in 2017. Two years later, she was awarded the Dean’s Award from UCF College of Medicine in honor of her leadership service in medical student education.
The skilled pediatrician attributes her passion for her work to her love for children: As a mother of three biological and three foster children, this much is evident. She raved on about her gifted and wonderful kids and her love for watching them grow and thrive. “Being a parent and watching the world through the eyes of a child is literally the most fun!” she wrote, appreciating the fact that there is never a dull moment with six little ones running around. She speaks with respect and admiration for each of her kids, regardless of genetics, and her love for her family is obvious.
Dr. Fagan and her husband have found that Lake Nona has been the perfect, welcoming home for a diverse family like hers. “We recognize this gift for our children and understand that it will undoubtedly define their future and ability to impact our world with a positive force.”
A positive mindset such as hers is a force to be reckoned with. In the midst of COVID-19, she said that she has never been more proud to be a doctor as “a leader who serves the human body and spirit, even at the inconvenience of self.” She continues to work hard healing our children and handling the pandemic with strong, steadfast skill.
Taking care of children with complex critical illnesses with grace and compassion is, for Dr. Fagan, a fulfilling and incredibly rewarding profession. She enjoys collaborating with a passionate and intelligent group of physicians and surgeons at Nemours and truly believes that their team of medical experts gives them the ability to change the face of health and wellness for children within the region. They are dedicated to the wellbeing of Central Florida’s children and will continue to work tirelessly on their behalf with Dr. Fagan and other leaders at the helm.
“Children provide me the daily motivation and inspiration to serve in a selfless manner as they demonstrate extreme resilience in the face of adversity.”
Photos Courtesy of Dr. Heather Fagan
