Robert H. Beekman, III, MD, is currently professor of pediatric cardiology at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati within the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr. Beekman's subspecialty interests involve cardiovascular physiology, interventional pediatric cardiology and clinical quality improvement. A native of California, Dr. Beekman graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles, and earned his MD from Duke University in Durham, NC. Dr. Beekman completed his pediatric internship and residency at UCLA Medical Center, and his pediatric cardiology fellowship at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich. Dr. Beekman also obtained a master's degree in statistical analysis and research design from the University of Michigan. From 1985-1996, Dr. Beekman was a member of the Division of Pediatric Cardiology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine. From 1996-2009 he was director of Cardiology at Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati, and professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine. Dr. Beekman is passionate about improving care for patients born with congenital heart disease, and throughout his career has been an active clinician and educator. Dr. Beekman's academic interests relate to cardiovascular physiology, cardiac catheterization and quality improvement. He has published more than 200 manuscripts in cardiology and pediatric journals. Dr. Beekman is the chair of the JCCHD National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative and chair of the ACC Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology Section. He has been chair of the Section on Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery of the American Academy of Pediatrics and president of the Society of Pediatric Cardiology Training Program Directors.