Dr. Kathryn M. Edwards is a renowned and respected researcher, clinician, and mentor in the fields of pediatrics and infectious diseases, recognized for her significant contributions to vaccine research, public health, and mentoring. She held the Sarah H. Sell and Cornelius Vanderbilt Endowed Chair in Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and is a Professor of Pediatrics emerita.
Dr. Edwards earned her medical degree from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1973 and completed her residency in pediatrics and fellowship training in infectious diseases at Children's Memorial Hospital at Northwestern University and post-doctoral laboratory research training at Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Hospital of Rush University in Chicago.
Since joining Vanderbilt University in 1980, Dr. Edwards has been a pivotal force in the development and evaluation of vaccines for numerous infectious diseases, including Haemophilus influenzae type B, pertussis, influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and more. She led the NIH-funded Vanderbilt Vaccine Trials and Evaluation Unit (VTEU) from 2000 through 2015 and let the CDC-funded New Vaccine Surveillance Network for over a decade, conducting population-based surveillance for acute respiratory and gastrointestinal infections among children at Vanderbilt. Dr. Edwards directed pivotal multicenter clinical vaccine trials and led the CDC-funded Clinical Immunization Safety Assessment Network that provided guidance to clinicians on vaccine safety questions for two decades. Her work has had a major impact on public health for children and adults globally. Through her scientific pursuit, Dr. Edwards has authored more than 600 scientific publications, reflecting her extensive research and commitment to advancing medical knowledge and patient care.
Dr. Edwards' expertise has been widely acknowledged, earning a multitude of prestigious awards and honors. She received the Charles Mérieux Vaccinology Award in 2016, the Maxwell Finland Award for Scientific Achievement from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases in 2018, and the John Howland Award from the American Pediatric Society in 2020. In 2021, she was inducted into the Tennessee Health Care Hall of Fame. She is also a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
Dr. Edwards' most significant impact in the field is her unwavering commitment to mentorship shaping the careers of many young investigators in the field of infectious diseases and pediatric medicine. She has mentored 50 postdoctoral trainees and junior faculty, with over 90% choosing to remain in academic medicine or public health positions. Her exceptional mentorship was recognized with the Mentoring Award for Research at Vanderbilt in 2001, the Mentor of the Year Award by the IDSA in 2006, and the prestigious Maureen Andrew Mentor Award from the Society for Pediatric Research in 2014. She has demonstrated a particular focus on mentoring and sponsoring female physician-scientists.
Dr. Edwards retired in December 2022, leaving behind a legacy of scientific excellence and a profound impact on public health and vaccine research. She continues to serve on many national committees and to mentor the next generation of pediatric researchers. In September 2024, the Department of Pediatrics at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center established the Kathryn M. Edwards Society to honor Dr. Edwards’ legacy and to support the multitude of pediatric researchers she inspired