A Passion for Adolescent Health: Meet Dr. Samantha V. Hill
Dr. Samantha V. Hill is a distinguished Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and an Attending Physician in Adolescent Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. With a deep commitment to improving the well-being of young people, Dr. Hill is a leading expert in adolescent health, with a special focus on sexual and reproductive health and HIV care. She also provides essential HIV care for adolescents and young adults at the Ponce HIV Clinic.
A Journey of Education and Expertise
Dr. Hill’s impressive career is built on a strong academic foundation. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biology from Duke University before attending Morehouse School of Medicine for her medical degree. She then completed her residency at Sidney Kimmel Medical College/ A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, and further advanced her training with a fellowship and a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).
From 2019 to 2023, Dr. Hill was a valued faculty member at UAB. Her leadership roles included serving as the Medical Director of a Ryan White-funded HIV Clinic and the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Graduate Medical Education. She also co-created and co-directed a high school mentoring program called Maternal and Child Health, Health Opportunities and Partnerships for Educational Success (MCH HOPES), which is designed to build the health professions pipeline for underrepresented students. Dr. Hill brought this wealth of experience and dedication with her when she joined Emory University in 2023.
Pioneering Research in Adolescent and Young Adult Health
Dr. Hill’s research is driven by a passion for addressing critical health issues in Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) populations. She is particularly focused on HIV prevention in Southern AYA populations. Her work is supported by prestigious grants, including a National Institute on Mental Health (NIMH) K23 early career development award aimed at increasing PrEP use among Black AYA populations. She has also received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the Center for AIDS Research, and the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences.
As a co-investigator, she is actively involved in several Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) studies focused on implementing PrEP in various settings, including schools and family medicine programs. Additionally, she is a co-investigator on an NIH-funded study that seeks to develop a research career pathway program for high school, college, and graduate students of color interested in HIV research. Her other research interests include improving HIV care outcomes and addressing diversity and health equity among AYAs.
A Commitment to Service and Mentorship
Beyond her clinical and research work, Dr. Hill is deeply committed to service and mentorship. The MCH HOPES mentoring program she co-created in Birmingham continues to inspire and empower students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in healthcare. She is a vocal advocate for creating more diverse, inclusive, and equitable academic environments for students, trainees, faculty, and staff. Through her work, she emphasizes the importance of using a culturally sensitive lens to improve health equity for people of color, a principle she championed during her time as the DEI Director for Graduate Medical Education at UAB.
Dr. Hill’s holistic approach to medicine, research, and service makes her a true leader and a powerful force for positive change in the field of adolescent health.
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