Lewis First

BIO

Dr. Lewis First received his B.A., M.D., and M.S. in Epidemiology from Harvard University. He did his residency at Boston Children’s Hospital followed by a fellowship in Ambulatory Pediatrics. In 1994 Dr. First, a general academic pediatrician with a strong interest in medical education, left Boston to become Professor and Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont College of Medicine and Chief of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont Children’s Hospital, a position he currently continues to hold as he enters his 32nd year serving in this role. From 2003-2008, Dr. First also served as Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and helped develop and implement the Vermont Integrated Curriculum for undergraduate medical education, which continues in use today. In 2009 Dr. First also became Editor-in-Chief of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) peer-reviewed journal Pediatrics, a position he held until July 2025 when he became Editor-in-Chief Emeritus. On a local and national level, 

Dr. First has won numerous teaching awards including the AAMC’s Robert J. Glazier Distinguished Teacher Award (2002), AAP's National Medical Education Award (2007), and the Miller-Sarkin Mentoring Award from the Academic Pediatric Association (2007). Dr. First received the Holroyd-Sherry award from the Council on Communications and Media for his contributions to children’s health through his use of the media in 2010. In 2014 he was the recipient of the Joseph W. St. Geme Jr. Leadership Award from the Federation of Pediatric Organizations, and in 2017 Dr. First was the recipient of the George V. Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award from the University of Vermont Alumni Association—awarded for excellence in teaching and advising and for the ability to inspire students and have a lasting influence on their lives, the first medical school faculty member to earn this university-wide honor. In 2019 Dr. First was named Chair Emeritus and Honorary Member for Life of the National Board of Medical Examiners, and in 2020 he was selected into the initial cohort of 16 for the National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics. 

Dr. First has authored several dozen peer reviewed publications and co-edited five textbooks. His advocacy on behalf of addressing disparities in health care and achieving equity for all children locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally is omnipresent in everything he does, earning him the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the KidSafe Collaborative, a group representing more than 30 organizations dedicated to improving the health of children at risk and their families living in Vermont. In addition, Dr. First offers medical advice to parents entitled, “First with Kids,” on weekly radio and television news segments, as well as in multiple community newspapers throughout Vermont.

Publications

PubMed Publications

Awards and Achievements

• 2002 AOA/AAMC Robert J. Glaser Distinguished Teacher Award for National Excellence in Medical Education 
• 2006 American Academy of Pediatrics National Education Award 
• 2007 Miller-Sarkin National Pediatric Mentoring Award 
• 2010 Holroyd-Sherry Award (national award for best work with media as a pediatrician), American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Communications and Media 
• 2014 Recipient of Joseph W. St. Geme, Jr., Leadership Award (highest national leadership award given by the seven academic pediatric organizations that comprise the Federation of Pediatric Organizations) 
• 2014 Named “Distinguished Educator” (highest membership level achievable) in University of Vermont College of Medicine Teaching Academy
• 2016 Recipient of the 2016 Distinguished Service Award (highest honor awarded) from Vermont Medical Society 
• 2017 George V. Kidder Outstanding Faculty Award and Lecture, University of Vermont Alumni Association—awarded for excellence in teaching and advising and for the ability to inspire students and have a lasting influence on their lives (first physician to be awarded this lectureship at our university since Kidder Award was started in 1974) 
• 2019 Selected into initial cohort of 16 for the National Academy of Distinguished Educators in Pediatrics (and elected co-chair by members)
• 2021 Frederick C. Morin, III, M.D. Educational Leadership Award given by the UVM Larner College of Medicine Teaching Academy 
• 2024 American Academy of Pediatrics Clifford G. Grulee Award, highest honor bestowed by the Board of the American Academy of Pediatrics for outstanding commitment to children, pediatricians, and the AAP. 
• 2024 Vermont Association of Broadcasters, Friend of Broadcasters Award, sixth recipient in 30 years of this award given to someone who is not a professional broadcaster but has positively influenced the community through their use of radio and television media 
• 2026 Distinguished Service Award: University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine Teaching Academy