Brody School of Medicine names new chair of pediatrics

The Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University has named a new chair for the Department of Pediatrics. ECU neonatologist Dr. Jason Higginson assumed the role June 1.

ECU neonatologist Dr. Jason Higginson – the new chair of the Department of Pediatrics

Since joining Brody in 2012, Higginson has served as chief of neonatology for the department, medical director for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Newborn Medicine, and co-medical director for the James and Connie Maynard Children’s Hospital at Vidant Medical Center.

Prior to joining ECU, Higginson served at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, as assistant chief of graduate medical education, division head of research resources, medical director of the Neonatal High-Risk Clinic, and assistant division chief of newborn medicine. In addition, he served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 2002-2012 and transitioned to the Navy Reserve in 2012.

He currently serves as the regimental surgeon for the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Logistics Regiment 45 and leads the U.S. Navy Reserve Medical Corps Pediatrics Specialty, advising the surgeon general of the U.S. Navy regarding pediatric policy and credentialing.

Higginson completed his medical degree at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California-Los Angeles, followed by an internship and residency in pediatrics at the University of California-San Francisco Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland. He then completed a fellowship in neonatal-perinatal medicine at the National Capital Consortium at Walter Reed.

“Dr. Higginson is an experienced clinician, researcher and administrator and brings an extensive skill set to the role of chair of the Department of Pediatrics,” said Dr. Paul Cunningham, dean of the medical school.

–Amy Ellis