Gerald B. Hickson is the Joseph C. Ross Chair of Medical Education and Administration, Professor of
Pediatrics, and Founding Director of the Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy (CPPA) at
Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Since 1990, Dr. Hickson’s research has focused on why certain physicians attract a disproportionate
share of malpractice claims, how disrespect impacts team performance and outcomes of care and
how to identify and support high-risk clinicians.
Dr. Hickson serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
He also serves on the Board of Directors of Keck (USC) Health System and is a member of the
International Regulatory Expert Advisory Group to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation
Agency (AHPRA). Dr. Hickson previously served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the National
Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF).
Dr. Hickson received a BS from the University of Georgia and MD from Tulane University School of
Medicine.