Heidi Morris M.M.S., PA-C
(215) 279-1608 • 11 N. Central Ave, Jenkintown PA 19046
Morrish@chop.edu
Summary
Highly talented and detail-oriented Physician Assistant, using a broad fund of knowledge and compassion to provide exemplary patient care. Specializing in neonatology with an emphasis on neonatal chronic lung disease in a fast-paced, tertiary care setting. Superior diagnostic and treatment skills with special attention to patient advocacy. Extensive experience in managing a wide range of neonatal and infant disease states and sequelae of prematurity. A productive leader in the CHOP Neonatal Chronic Lung Program with special interest in research. Also with experience in drug development of new aerosolization technology of liquid ventilation/surfactant medium.
Experience
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Neonatal Chronic Lung Disease Program: Research FLC/Coordinator. January 2018- Present
- Collaborative member of the Chronic Lung Disease Program
- Research coordinator of multiple studies and trials as related to Neonatal Chronic Lung Disease
- Facilitates program management of the Neonatal Chronic Lung Disease Program
- Provides education and lectures across varying disciplines on advancements in the field and program highlights
- Member of CHOP’s Chronic Lung Disease (a national conference) committee
Physician Assistant, N/IICU May 2011-Present
- Front line clinician in a level IV NICU
- Highly proficient in diagnosis and management of critically ill neonates
- Autonomously cares for 8-20 patients with diverse medical conditions on a daily basis
- Extensive experience in performing advanced neonatal procedures such as intubation, reservoir tap, chest tube placement, arterial lines and lumbar puncture
- Leads medical transport of critically ill infants
- Coordinates outpatient follow up with special attention to primary care communication
- Active in pursuing continuing medical education
Lancaster General Women and Babies Hospital January 2017-2019
Moonlighting Physician Assistant, CHOP Newborn Care at Women and Babies Hospital
- Front line clinician in a level III NICU
- Autonomously manages critically ill neonates and performs advanced procedures
- Independently attends deliveries and leads neonatal resuscitation
Education
Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies September 2010
Graduated with Highest Honors
Salus University, Elkins Park, PA
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Natural Science May 2007
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Certification, Licensure, Affiliations, Societies, Awards & Recognitions
Medical Physician Assistant, Pennsylvania
Pi Alpha National Honor Society
Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA)
Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)
Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider (BLS)
Advanced Pedatric Life Support (PALs)
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Certification
Good Clinical Practice Certification
CRC Fundamentals: Research Coordinator Training
Investigative New Drug Training
BPD Collaborative Member (2017-current)
Neurodevelopmental Subcommittee Member
APP Mentorship Program Mentor
Clinical Leader Expert: APP Professional Advancement Program, 2018, 2020, 2022**
APP Spotlight October 2019
CHOP Young Professional Network Top 40 under 40 employee award “Reaching Higher.”
CHNC 2023: Best Abstract by a Nurse or Allied Health Professional
“Using Quality Improvement Methodology to Reduce Sedations for MRI in a Quaternary Care Neonatal Intensive Care Unit”
Pediatrics. January 2018
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/141/1_MeetingAbstract/177
“Caring for CLD Patients Requires Ongoing Diligence” Primary Author
Children’s Doctor, July 2018
https://www.chop.edu/news/caring-cld-patients-requires-ongoing-diligence
“A Severe CLD Patient, a Complicated Success Story” Primary Author
CHOP Neonatology Update, April 2019
https://www.chop.edu/news/severe-cld-patient-complicated-success-story?fbclid=IwAR3vNi-lax3KoHCG1QuQ0laYgdrRSRGVtbuW4TtfgJrapfrtvdseXXZfrvI
“Case study: Lobectomy to Treat Severe bronchopulmonary Dysplasia” Primary Author
Neonatology Update, November 2019
https://www.chop.edu/news/case-study-lobectomy-treat-severe-bronchopulmonary-dysplasia
“The Clinical Evaluation of Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia”
NeoReviews: The Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, July 2020
https://neoreviews.aappublications.org/content/21/7/e442
“A Case for Patience” Primary Author
CHOP Neonatology Update, April 2022
https://www.chop.edu/news/case-patience
“Less Invasive Management of a Large Pneumatocele: A Case Report” Primary Author
CHOP Neonatology Newsletter, March 2023
https://www.chop.edu/news/less-invasive-management-large-pneumatocele
Clinical Pathways & QI Projects
N/IICU Pathway for Sedation/Analgesia in the Mechanically Ventilated Infant (May 2015, Updated February 2023)
Pathway for the Treatment of Preterm Infants with Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus (November 2015)
NICU QI: Improving Hearing Screen Rates in the CLD Population (April 2018-19)
Clinical Pathway for Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Screening in Patients with BPD (November 2020)
NICU QI: Improving use of Hypertonic Saline in NICU Intubated Patients (November 2022-current)
NICU QI: Reducing Inhaled Pharmacotherapies (Albuterol)in the NICU (2023-current)
Abstracts & Poster Presentations
Standardizing Management of Patients with Post-Hemorrhagic Hydrocephalus
ESPR Feburary 2017
Establishing an Education Plan for Families and Staff Caring for Infants with Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
PAS May 2017. ESPR March 2018. CHNC 2018
Partial Liquid Ventilation (PLV) in Infants with Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia- A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
2nd Author. PAS April 2019. NeoForum June 2019
Patterns of PEEP use in Infants Referred to the NeoCLD Program at CHOP: Characteristics and Outcome Predictions
PAS May 2019. CHNC November 2019.
Antimicrobial Therapy for LRTI is Associated with Improved Respiratory Severity Scores in Infants with Severe BPD
1st Author. PAS May 2022. CHOP CLD Conference June 2022
Characteristics Associated with Death or Tracheostomy in Infants Developing BPD Following Predominant Non-Invasive Respiratory Support
1st Author. PAS May 2022. CHOP CLD Conference June 2022
Early Progressive Mobility to Improve Neurodevelopment of Infants with Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia
1st Author. PAS Oral Abstract April 2023
1st Author. CHNC Oral Poster presentation. October 2023
Reducing excess inhaled hypertonic saline therapy in the N/IICU
Author. PAS 2024***
PAS 2024**
“Communication and the Chronic Patient: Managing Caregivers’ Expectations in the CLD Population”
CHOP Chronic Lung Disease Conference; March 2017
“What Should I Do About this Gas?: Exploring Acid Base Balance in Blood Gases”
Nursing CLD Education Day; September 2018
“FFLOAT…ing into the next phase: FFLOAT trial updates , changes and next steps”
FLC/Nursing Monthly Education Talk (CME credits awarded: 1); February 2019
“Caring for Infants with Severe BPD: A Frontline Clinician’s Perspective”
2019 Guangzhou (China) International Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Forum; November 2019
“Tracheostomy for Severe BPD: Challenges & Care Requirements”
2019 Guangzhou (China) International Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia Forum; November 2019
“Transitioning from Preemie to Chronic CLD/BPD Ventilator Settings”
CHOP Chronic Lung Disease Conference; March 2020
“BALs & BPD: A Single Institution’s Approach to Diagnosis and Management of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections in Severe BPD”
CHOP Chronic Lung Disease Conference; June 2022
“A Multidisciplinary Care Model for Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia – What does Success Look Like? Panel Discussion”
Norton Children’s Hospital, University of Louisville School of Medicine; November 2022
“Creating a Culture of Mobility of Mobility”
CHOP Chronic Lung Disease Conference; March 2023
“Non-invasive ventilation: challenges & successes”
CHOP CLD Nursing Education Day; November 2023
“BPD & Neurodevelopmental Impairment: is there light at the end of the tunnel?”
DVANN (Delaware Valley National Association of Neonatal Nurses) Conference; Neonatology: Bedside Basics and Beyond; November 2023
Research Studies
1. Characteristics, Treatments and Outcomes in infants with severe Chronic Lung Disease
- Study staff, data analysis, publication writing
2. Early Progressive Mobility for Preterm Infants with Severe Chronic Lung Disease*
- Research coordinator & N/IICU education specialist
4. Fluid Filled Lung Oxygenation Assistance Trial (FFLOAT)
- Research Coordinator, Investigator, study team liaison, publication writing
5. Mindful NICU: Feasibility and Acceptability
6. Pathological changes in lung in infants with severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia
7. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Ultrasound-Assisted Versus Traditional Landmark Lumbar Puncture in the Neonatal and Infant Population
- Study staff, study procedures
8. Locomotor Learning for Infant’s at High Risk for Cerebral Palsy*
- Provides APP/medical oversight, study activities, in process
9. CLD Virtual Update*
- Research coordinator, Investigator
10. Predicting of death or tracheostomy in infants with severe BPD following prolonged non-invasive respiratory support*
- Research coordinator, Investigator, in progress
11. BPD Collaborative Database*
- Maintains the CHOP data for a collaborative database via the Nationwide Network for research publications focused on bronchopulmonary dysplasia in conjunction with a conglomerate of children’s hospitals
12. FAB-Tol: Furosemide and BPD: Tolerance*
- FLC Liaison, Investigator, study procedures, data collection
13. FAB-PK: Furosemide Pharmacokinetics*
- FLC Liaison, Investigator, study procedures, data collection
14. Automated Assessment of Neurodevelopment in Infants at Risk for Motor Disability*
- Study Staff, subject recruitment
*Denotes active studies