Astrid Heppenstall Heger

Astrid Heppenstall Heger, MD is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Southern California (USC). She serves as Director of the Violence and Intervention Program, focusing on child abuse medicine and forensic pediatrics. Her work bridges clinical care and legal systems, particularly in sexual assault documentation and pediatric forensic evaluations.

Research interests center on pediatric forensic medicine, child abuse diagnostics, and infectious disease management. Notable contributions include studies on hymenal morphology in nonabused girls and the transition from IV to oral antibiotics in clinical practice. She has maintained active publishing since 2002 across high-impact journals like JAMA Internal Medicine and Child Abuse & Neglect.

While no awards or grants are explicitly listed, her leadership role in program direction indicates sustained professional recognition. Advising activities are not detailed in available materials.