Heather Prendergast, MD

Dr. Heather M. Prendergast is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. A physician–scientist and leader recognized for developing high-quality medical programs and fostering strong partnerships across hospital, physician, and community settings, she has been instrumental in advancing health equity and systems transformation within UI Health.

Her academic and professional focus includes cardiovascular health disparities, the medical management of neurological emergencies, and the advancement of diversity and inclusion in academic medicine. As a physician–scientist, Dr. Prendergast’s passion centers on minority health—particularly for individuals seeking care in the emergency department—and on strengthening community engagement. Her research has been continuously funded since 2007, and she currently serves as Principal Investigator for the first randomized clinical trial funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) addressing asymptomatic, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled hypertension in a predominantly minority population discharged from the emergency department.

As a physician–leader, Dr. Prendergast led the establishment of the first off-site University of Illinois Multispecialty Ambulatory Clinic in 2020 and spearheaded the successful submission to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for the inaugural Healthcare Transformation Initiatives Collaborative. This $17.2 million award created the 55th and Pulaski Health Care Collaborative—the second off-site University of Illinois Multispecialty Ambulatory Clinic—further expanding access to coordinated, community-based care. She continues to champion engagement, mentorship, and retention strategies that empower faculty, staff, and students to excel in their professional development and patient care.

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MBA, Business Administration, Liautaud Graduate School of Business, University of Illinois Chicago
MHA, Healthcare Administration, University of Illinois Chicago
Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) Fellowship, Drexel University
MS, Clinical and Translational Science, University of Illinois Chicago
Clinical Research Programs Certificate, University of Illinois Chicago
MPH, Health Policy and Administration, University of Illinois Chicago
Residency in Emergency Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore
MD, College of Medicine, University of Illinois Chicago
BS, Chemistry, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

• Targeting of Uncontrolled Hypertension in the Emergency Department (TOUCHED) (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Randomized Clinical Trial addressing asymptomatic, undiagnosed, and uncontrolled hypertension in minority populations, 2018–Present)
• A Hypertension Emergency Department Intervention Aimed at Decreasing Disparities (AHEAD2) (NIH-funded study examining hypertension management and outcomes in underserved populations, 2015–2018)
• Community Targeting of Uncontrolled Hypertension (CTOUCH) (University of Illinois Department of Emergency Medicine, community-based intervention improving hypertension screening and follow-up, 2017–2020)
• Improving Cancer Survival and Reducing Treatment Variations with Protocols for Emergency Care (ICARE) (CDC National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2019–Present)
• Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Disparities Among a COVID-19 Hypertensive Population (REACT) (University of Illinois CCTS, 2020–2021)