UWSOM IS happy to announce that Dr. Heather McPhillips will serve as the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs as of November 1, 2025, transitioning from her former role as Associate Dean for Curriculum.
Dr. McPhillips is a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics in the Clinician-Scholar pathway and practices general pediatrics at University of Washington. She has dedicated her career to advancing medical education and supporting learners at every stage. As Associate Dean for Curriculum, she has led major innovations in undergraduate medical education across the WWAMI region, including the design and implementation of a new competency-based clinical assessment system that enhance learner support and success.
Prior to her current role, Dr. McPhillips served as Associate Residency Director for twelve years and Residency Director for eight years for the UW and Seattle Children’s pediatric residency program. In those roles, she championed the development of nationally recognized curricula and research initiatives focused on resident well-being, inclusive learning environments, and coaching frameworks in graduate medical education.
Nationally, Dr. McPhillips has been a highly visible leader in academic pediatrics and medical education. She has held leadership positions with the Association of Pediatric Program Directors (APPD), including serving on the Board of Directors and chairing the Research Task Force. She has also been a mentor for the Academic Pediatric Association (APA) Educational Scholars Program, a member of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Pediatric Residency Review Committee where she currently serves as Chair of the Pediatric Review Committee, and a member of the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Child Health Committee.
Her scholarly work has centered on learner well-being and burnout, advancing equity in medical education, and creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. She has also been a national voice in shaping how coaching and mentoring can be embedded within medical education to foster learner growth and resilience.
Through her time at the UW School of Medicine, Dr. McPhillips has been deeply committed to creating an educational environment that is equitable, inclusive, and learner-centered. We are confident that she will bring the same vision, scholarship, and dedication to her new role as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Dr. McPhillips to this important new role.