Heather Prendergast

Dr. Heather Prendergast

Dr. Heather Prendergast is an emergency medicine physician, a professor and vice dean for clinical affairs, providing strategic leadership and alignment of clinical operations across all University of Illinois College of Medicine campuses and affiliated medical centers. Prendergast has been seeing patients at UI Health for nearly 30 years.

As a physician-scientist, Prendergast has built a nationally recognized research program focused on cardiovascular disease, hypertension and health equity, particularly among underserved populations seeking care in emergency settings. Her work includes leading the first randomized clinical trial examining the identification and management of uncontrolled hypertension among predominantly underrepresented populations discharged from the emergency department.

Throughout her career, Prendergast has championed faculty engagement, mentorship and workforce development, drawing on her experience as a physician–scientist and leader recognized for building high-quality medical programs and strengthening hospital, physician and community partnerships across UI Health.

As a physician-leader, she led the establishment of the University of Illinois’ first off-site Multispecialty Ambulatory Clinic in 2020 and spearheaded the successful $17.2 million Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services Healthcare Transformation Initiatives Collaborative award. This funding supported the creation of the 55th and Pulaski Health Care Collaborative, UIC’s second off-site multispecialty ambulatory clinic, significantly expanding access to coordinated, community-based care.