Robert S. D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, serves as the president and chief academic officer of Rush University and chief academic officer, senior vice president of Rush University System for Health.
Dr. Higgins is responsible for the whole of Rush University with an innovative vision on advancing and elevating Rush as a nationally renowned leader in healthcare education and research. He works to uphold the organization’s commitment to equity and diversity; its teaching mission; and the growth of research programs. As chief academic officer and senior vice president of Rush University System for Health, Dr. Higgins leads academic and clinical integration across Rush, ensuring alignment of clinical programs with the University and clinical locations.
Dr. Higgins’ leadership spans positions held at Mass General Brigham in Massachusetts where he served as executive vice president as well as president of Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He also served as director of surgery and surgeon-in-chief at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. A leader in heart and lung transplantation, minimally invasive cardiac surgery and mechanical circulatory support, Dr. Higgins has been recognized nationally and internationally for his research.
Higgins earned his bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, medical degree from Yale School of Medicine in Connecticut and a master’s degree in health services administration at Virginia Commonwealth University.
