Mariana Glusman

Mariana Glusman, MD is a Professor of Pediatrics at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, specializing in Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care. She serves as Associate Chair for Compassion and Wellness in the Department of Pediatrics and holds leadership roles including Associate Medical Director of the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities and Medical Director for the Schreiber Center for Early Childhood Health and Wellness.

Education:

• MD: University of Chicago (1993)
• Residency: Northwestern University, McGaw Medical Center (Children’s Memorial Hospital), Pediatrics (1996)

Research Interests: Dr. Glusman is a leading expert in literacy promotion in pediatrics, with additional expertise in bilingualism, language development, relational health, health equity, narrative medicine, and advocacy. Her work focuses on reducing health and educational disparities among low-income children through clinical practice, education, and community engagement. She is the author of "I Love You Like Sunshine", a book for parents and babies that has been distributed nationally.

Recent Publication Trends: Her recent scholarly work emphasizes the integration of literacy promotion into primary care pediatric practice, addressing health equity and early childhood development. She has contributed to national policy statements and technical reports on literacy promotion and conducted qualitative research on parental reading behaviors in underserved communities.

Awards:

• Special Achievement Award, American Academy of Pediatrics (2024)
• Leadership Award, American Academy of Pediatrics (2022)
• Leadership Award, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago (2021)
• Faculty Recognition for Exemplary Professionalism, Northwestern University (2021)
• Notable Woman in Healthcare, Crain's Chicago Business (2019)

Advising and Leadership: Dr. Glusman mentors Northwestern medical students and residents at Lurie Children's Uptown Clinic. She is the Medical Director of Reach Out and Read Illinois, providing support to 130 clinics, and is active in national Reach Out and Read leadership. Her advocacy work includes leadership roles in the American Academy of Pediatrics, where she chairs the Council on Early Childhood.

Teams and Initiatives: She leads the Schreiber Center for Early Childhood Health and Wellness and the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities, focusing on community health and early childhood development. Her work bridges pediatric care with schools and early childhood centers to improve outcomes for vulnerable children.