Heather Elaine Needham

Heather Elaine Needham, MD, MPH, is a Clinical Associate Professor of Family Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California (USC). She returned to USC in 2018 after serving as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and practicing adolescent medicine at Texas Children’s Hospital. Her work focuses on creating safe, confidential healthcare spaces for young adults and addressing health transitions during adolescence.

Dr. Needham earned her MD from the Keck School of Medicine and an MPH in health education and promotion from the University of Texas. Her research emphasizes adolescent health literacy, nonsuicidal self-injury, and healthcare transition planning for pediatric residents.

Her publications highlight interventions in medical education, such as curricula for pediatric residents addressing self-injury and transition planning. These studies reflect her commitment to improving clinical practices for adolescents and young adults. She has no listed scientific awards, grants, or advisees at this time.