To recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight a member of NASPGHAN who has made a significant impact in our field, Dr. Maria Oliva-Hemker.
Dr. Oliva-Hemker is the Vice Dean for Faculty and Director of the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She started the Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center at Johns Hopkins in 1998 and is the inaugural recipient of the Stermer Family Professorship in Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease. She was promoted to the rank of full professor at Johns Hopkins in 2011, becoming only the second Hispanic woman and third woman of color to be promoted to that title in school history. Dr. Oliva-Hemker is an active clinical researcher who has co-authored more than 100 articles and book chapters and given more than 100 invited talks nationally and internationally. Learn more about Dr. Oliva-Hemker and her incredible career at her Wikipedia page.
Name: Maria Oliva-Hemker
Current position and institution: Vice Dean for Faculty; Director, Divison of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore MD
Birthplace: Havana, Cuba
Favorite GI disease: inflammatory bowel diseases
Hobbies: watching sports, cooking, traveling, politics
Favorite Vacation Spot: Spring Breaks on Hilton Head Island, SC with the family
Favorite Activist: Those working to protect everyone’s freedom to vote in our democracy
Book You Recommend: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Best Career Advice You’ve Received: In academic medicine, it is important to become an expert in something
