Vanderbilt University
1211 Medical Center Drive
Nashville
TNUSA
37232
Biographical Sketch: Gerald B. Hickson is the Joseph C. Ross Chair in Medical Education and Administration, Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Director, Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy and Director, Clinical Risk and Loss Prevention. Dr. Hickson received a BS from the University of Georgia and his MD from Tulane University School of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency and a fellowship in General Academic Pediatrics at Vanderbilt Children¡¦s Hospital.
Dr. Hickson joined the faculty of the Department of Pediatrics in 1982. He served as Chief of Pediatric Outpatient Services for the Vanderbilt Clinic from July 1985 to June 1994 and Chief of the Division of General Pediatrics from 1990 to 2003. Since 1990, Dr. Hickson¡¦s research has focused on why families choose to file suit, why certain physicians attract a disproportionate share of claims and how to identify and intervene with high risk physicians. His findings have brought great insight into the fact that individual physicians and groups can, in a positive way, reduce their risk of unnecessary litigation. His work has resulted in over 100 peer review articles and chapters, the creation of the Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy (CPPA), the development and national implementation of the PARS„¥ peer-review system and several educational initiatives to encourage disclosure of medical errors and address the disruptive professional and promote quality and safety in medicine.
Dr. Hickson currently serves as Chairman of the National Patient Safety Foundation Board of Governors. He received the award for Excellence in Research and Teaching from the Ambulatory Pediatric Association, the Society for Healthcare Consumer Advocacy¡¦s Award for National Healthcare Patient Advocacy and the Vanguard Award for the Advancement of Patient Safety from the Doctor¡¦s Company Foundation.