S7: E2: Vaccines Save Lives: GBMC Pediatric Chair Debunks the Myths
Host Aaron Dante sits down with Dr. Nguyen, Chair of Pediatrics at GBMC, to confront common myths about vaccines and medications, explain why vaccines remain essential, and clear up recent claims linking acetaminophen and vaccines to autism.
They discuss how parents can evaluate health information online, the importance of trusting evidence-based pediatric guidance, GBMC's vaccine policies, and resources for reliable parenting and vaccine information.
Theresa T.H. Nguyen, MD, MS, FAAP
Dr. Theresa Nguyen has devoted more than 25 years to the care and well-being of pediatric patients and families at GBMC, where she serves as the first female Chair of the Department of Pediatrics. A pioneering clinician, educator, and advocate, she is known for her visionary leadership, holistic approach to care, and steadfast dedication to children’s health and physician wellness.
Dr. Nguyen earned her degree in biomedical engineering from Johns Hopkins University, followed by her medical degree and master’s in health policy from New York University. She completed her pediatric residency and a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, then pursued a two-year fellowship at the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, grounding her practice in the principles of mind-body-spirit well-being.
At GBMC, Dr. Nguyen has served as Assistant Chair of Pediatrics, lead provider of the GBMC Pediatric Group, and Site Director for the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Core Clerkship. She is also an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Johns Hopkins and an active leader in the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) at both state and national levels.
Under her leadership, the Department of Pediatrics has expanded its clinical reach and strengthened community partnerships. She restructured GBMC’s Child Maltreatment Program with the Baltimore County Child Advocacy Center, improving provider and community education. She also guided collaboration across the Pediatric ED and Inpatient Unit through the 2022 respiratory tripledemic and partnered to develop a multipronged strategy for the administration of RSV immune globulin to the highest-risk infants, efforts that now include maternal RSV immunization and expanded access through the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. She also collaborated with the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC) to ensure accurate statewide vaccine modeling and funding to enable immune globulin administration for all newborn infants for the 2025 RSV season.
A passionate advocate for mental health, Dr. Nguyen co-chairs the Maryland AAP Mental Health Committee, serves as Ambassador for Youth Suicide Prevention and Trauma Informed Care, and co-hosted both the Youth Suicide Prevention and Trauma Informed Care symposia in 2024–2025. She also leads physician wellness initiatives, co-founding GBMC’s Medical Staff Wellness Committee and introducing impactful programs such as the Wellness Oasis Room and CARES peer crisis support.
Her career exemplifies compassionate, forward-thinking leadership that uplifts families, empowers physicians, and shapes the future of child health.
