Sandra L. McKay, MD, FAAP

Biography

Dr. Sandra L. McKay is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She also serves as the Division Chief of Community and General Pediatrics and is a non-resident fellow at the Center for Health and Biosciences, Baker Institute for Public Policy at Rice University.

Dr. McKay earned her B.S. in Biology with Honors from the University of Missouri and her M.D. from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. She also holds a Master of Science in Forensic Science from Kings College London. She completed her Pediatrics Residency training at Saint Louis University Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.

Dr. McKay is also the Vice Chair for Advocacy and Director for Population Health for the Department of Pediatrics. She is the current Co-principal Investigator for a National Institutes of Health grant to investigate a hospital- based violence intervention program and has innovated curricula related to advocacy, poverty and secure firearm storage counseling within the clinical encounter. Her research and advocacy work focus on injury prevention, firearm safety, and health policy.

Dr. McKay is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, Injury Free Coalition for Kids, and the Texas Pediatric Society. She is a former chapter president of the Missouri Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. She has received multiple awards for her contributions to teaching and advocacy, including the Texas Pediatric Society Mary Greene Noble Special Achievement Award and the McGovern Medical School Master Teacher Award.

In addition to her clinical and academic roles, Dr. McKay is a prolific researcher with numerous publications and presentations to her name. She is also a committed mentor, guiding the next generation of medical professionals in advocacy and public health.