Heather C. Forkey, MD, is a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, and Division Director for the Child Protection Program and Foster Children Evaluation Service (FaCES) of the UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center.  She also serves as the Medical Director of Lifeline4Kids at University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School.  She received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University and medical degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. She completed her pediatric residency and chief residency at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. 

In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Forkey has been the recipient of local and federal grants to address issues of children in foster care and to translate promising practices to address physical and mental health needs of children who have been traumatized.  In collaboration with colleagues at UMass Chan Medical School, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, she leads a national initiative to educate professionals about the biological, medical, behavioral, social, developmental, and educational impacts of childhood trauma and provide tools for delivering optimal care for children who have experienced trauma. She has published the first textbook on trauma informed care for pediatrics,  presents nationally and internationally on the topic and serves leadership roles for the National Child Traumatic Stress Network and American Academy of Pediatrics.