Sheryl Heron (she/her)
CDIO/Associate Dean Community Engagement, Equity and Inclusion/Professor Emergency Medicine
Emory School of Medicine
Approximate length of time in your position
29 years in Emergency Medicine,
4 Years Associate Dean, 3 years Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer
Why do you think engaging in the AAMC Virtual Community is important?
By virtue of the title, Building Community ignites and engages individuals to grow and learn in their personal and professional journey.
Do you have a professional skill or area of expertise that might be of particular interest to your peers in this community?
Equity and inclusion, well-being, leadership/growth.
What was the best book you most recently read (or TV show/movie) that you watched?
Lioness series, All the Colors of the Dark - Chris Whitaker.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you have ever received? Why?
Venturing into the unknown and trusting in your passion. This created possibilities and opened doors.
What’s the worst piece of professional advice you have ever received? Why?
I was advised by a faculty member at my undergraduate institution that "You shouldn't be a doctor. You should consider being a social worker. Nothing against the profession of being a social worker; however, the outcome tells a different story, and perhaps this was good professional advice since I dug in and proved differently.
What do you think is the best, most challenging, or most unique thing about working in academic medicine (or your field or specialty specifically)?
The best part of the work is being called to what you are destined to do. I enjoy medicine and would do so again. The challenge of breaking down collegial/professional relationships by diminishing conversations and resorting to electronic communication has been painful to watch.
What do you hope to gain from this online community?
Awareness, growth, and capacity building.
Did you have an unusual path to your current career? Tell us about it.
As one who graduated college at 16, I took 6 years off during which I worked as a unit clerk in the Operating Room, booking cases and attending to my post-bac, premed courses. Medical school acceptance didn't occur on the first attempt, and I obtained an MPH. Reapplying to medical school, I was accepted to Howard University College of Medicine. The rest is history.
Thinking about all conferences, workshops, webinars you have attended in the last few years, was there a speaker or session topic that stands out as your favorite? Who? Why?
AAMC GDI conference in 2024 was incredibly impactful. The overall content was impactful and engaging. In full disclosure, I served as the program chair and to partner with colleagues from across the country was impactful. Reenergized and with a renewed sense of purpose, the energy was palpable, even more so since we had just returned from the AAMC GDI 2025 conference. Despite the headwinds, it is a gift to work with and learn from incredible colleagues.
How do you prefer to start your day?
My day may begin (typically 2x/week) with a workout (Orange Theory - 50 minutes), meditation (5-10 minutes), and devotional reading/prayer (10 minutes). I rise an hour before starting my day between 4:15 am or 5:00 am, depending on whether it is a workout day.
How do you prefer to end your day?
I have a cup of tea a few hours before bed, spend time with my husband, maybe watching sports or TV series.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about your position?
Historically, the excitement of Emergency Medicine as a profession to touch the lives of people from different backgrounds. In my Associate Dean/CDIO position, I saw how Emergency Medicine was foundational to engage and reach across departments at Emory School of Medicine, Emory university, as well as on the national stage.
You’re throwing a dinner party and can invite 3 people (alive or dead). Who do you invite?
Nelson Mandela, Vivian Pinn, Shirley Chisholm.
How did you maintain your wellness and resilience during the pandemic? Any tips to share with others?
Walked with my husband, centered on my spirituality, cooked new dishes/baked.
You live/work in [city]. What’s your favorite restaurant there? Is there something special we should check out next time we visit?
Atlanta, C&S Oysters, Center for Civil and Human Rights.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mom says a doctor :)
What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
Center, breathe, and meditate. Find joy/smile and knowing as that trouble doesn't last always and remind myself that I am blessed beyond measure.
If you could only have three apps on your smartphone, which would you pick?
Our Daily Bread, Insight Timer, Delta.
What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Palm wine, it had ants in it.
Is there a mentor or person you particularly looked up to, who has inspired and shaped your career? How so?
Dr. Vivian Pinn. An incredible leader, visionary and role model. She was the only woman and person of color in her medical school at UVA and when I met her, the Chairperson at Howard University College of Medicine who encouraged me to apply where I subsequently was accepted to Medical School. She was Inaugural director of NIH’s Office of Research on Women’s Health. More on Dr Pinn can be found here.
Looking ahead, what are you most hopeful about, or most looking forward to in the next year?
Deconstruction of silos and attention to our collective humanity. A fundamental belief we can and must do better.
What’s one thing, either medical education related or not, you learned in the past month?
The intricacies of how we can work together to reach a common goal and finding joy through the difficulties
What’s one word you’d like to see being used more often?
Trust
If given a chance, who would you like to be for a day?
Interesting question. Perhaps my dad and my mom, who are my heroes. To navigate the journey with incredible fortitude for me and my brother is nothing short of extraordinary. They were married for 60 years and died 6 days apart. Their connection in life and death is surreal.
What’s the oddest job you ever had?
Worked at McDonald for 1 day only
Three words to best describe you:
Passionate, Joyful, Faithful
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