Robert J. Yetman, MD

Biography

Robert J. Yetman, MD, is a distinguished pediatrician, educator, and health care leader with decades of experience in academic medicine and clinical care. He currently serves as professor of pediatrics and vice chair for clinical operations at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, and as chief medical officer at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.

A graduate of Louisiana State University Medical School in Shreveport, Dr. Yetman completed his pediatric residency at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston (then known as The University of Texas-Houston Medical School), where he has remained a vital faculty member since 1987. His leadership roles have included director of the division of community and general pediatrics (1997–2024), medical director of the UT Physicians Pediatric Primary Care Clinic, and multiple executive roles at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, culminating in his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in 2024.

Dr. Yetman is board-certified in pediatrics and has been repeatedly recognized for his excellence in teaching, mentorship, and clinical care. His accolades include the Dean’s Teaching Recognition Award, multiple Outstanding Teacher Awards, and the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Physician of the Year Award (2022). He has also been named among Houston’s Top Physicians by Houstonian Magazine.

A prolific contributor to pediatric scholarship, Dr. Yetman has authored or co-authored over 100 peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and textbooks, including multiple editions of Pediatrics Pretest Self-Assessment and Review and Case Files: Pediatrics. He has served as section editor for the Journal of Pediatric Health Care and as a reviewer for leading journals such as Pediatrics, The Lancet, and Academic Medicine. Dr. Yetman’s research has spanned pediatric hypertension, infectious diseases, immunization practices, and health systems improvement. He has led or participated in numerous clinical trials and public health initiatives, particularly those focused on underserved populations.

In addition to his academic and clinical roles, Dr. Yetman has been a dedicated mentor and advocate for medical education, serving on numerous institutional committees and advisory boards. His commitment to improving pediatric care and training the next generation of physicians continues to shape the field of pediatrics both locally and nationally.