Gerri Mattson

Gerri Mattson (born August 7, 1967) is an American pediatrician and the Early Intervention Medical Director at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NC DHHS) Division of Child and Family Well-Being. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. Mattson is board-certified in pediatrics with over 25 years of clinical experience and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP). She is an active participant in the North Carolina chapters of the American Public Health Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Medical Association.

Education Born and raised in Long Branch, New Jersey, she graduated from Long Branch High School in 1985.

Mattson earned her Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Medical College of Virginia in 1993. She completed her residency at Emory University School of Medicine between 1993 and 1996.

In 2004, she obtained a Masters of Science in Public Health (MSPH) with a focus in Maternal and Child Health from the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health.

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Mattson joined NC DHHS in 2005 as the State Pediatric Medical Consultant within the Division of Public Health.

In 2022, she was promoted to Senior Medical Director in the Division of Child and Family Well-Being. Her responsibilities expanded to include oversight of multidisciplinary programs such as the Early Intervention Program (Part C) and DCFW disaster preparedness with and response with NCDHS and increased collaboration with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Academic roles Mattson has been an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Maternal and Child Health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health since 2008. She volunteers to provide pediatric care at a child health clinic operated by Wake County’s Health and Human Services.

Leadership and advisory roles American Academy of Pediatrics, Council on Community Pediatrics (COCP): Executive Committee Member (2020–present) and current Chair-Elect; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health: Appointed Member (2012–2018); contributor to national policies and reports American Public Health Association, Maternal and Child Health Section: Governing Councilor (2020–2022): review of policy and governance North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA), Women’s and Children’s Health Section: Chair (2012–2023) North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS): Co-Chair, Ethics and Judicial Affairs Committee (2021–2024): focused on policy review and development North Carolina Medical Society Leadership College: Co-Chair and faculty for physician/PA leadership development (c. 2013–2024) AAP STAR Center Technical Assistance Advisory Committee: Member; focused on pediatric screening tools and behavioral health integration (2016–2022) AAP Practical Playbook National Advisory Committee: Member, advising on multisector partnerships in population health (2018–2020)

Awards and honors 2022: Effective Practice Award, Maternal and Child Health Section, American Public Health Association 2022: Governor’s Award for Excellence (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) 2019: Distinguished Service Award, North Carolina Public Health Association 2018: President’s Community Service Award 2018: Wake County One Award, Wake County Health Department, Child Health Clinic 2018: David J. Tayloe Sr Community Services Award in Pediatrics, North Carolina Pediatric Society 2018: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Childhood Immunization Champion Award, North Carolina 2012: Award for Outstanding Service, North Carolina Pediatric Society 2012: Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health 2009: Women’s and Children’s Excellence Award, Women’s and Children’s Health Section, North Carolina Public Health Association 1993: Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Medical College of Virginia

Selected publications Mattson has an H-index of 20 with over 5600 citations. She has also written chapters in several books.

A few of her authored texts include:

Mattson GL, Kuo DZ; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; Council on Children with Disabilities. “Psychosocial risk and protective factors in children and youth with special health care needs and their families.” Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20183171. doi:10.1542/peds.2018‑3171 Earls M, Yogman M, Mattson G, Rafferty J; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health. Policy statement: “Incorporating recognition and management of perinatal depression and postpartum depression into pediatric practice.” Pediatrics. 2019;143(1):e20183259. doi:10.1542/peds.2018‑3259 Bruener C, Mattson G; Committee on Psychosocial Aspects of Child and Family Health; Committee on Adolescent Medicine. “Sexuality education for children and adolescents.” Pediatrics. 2016;138(2):e20161348. doi:10.1542/peds.2016‑1348 Mattson GL. “How Does the Affordable Care Act Support Children at Risk For or With Diabetes?” North Carolina Medical Journal. 2011;72(5):379–382. Mattson G. “Sidebar: A Rare Indication: Immunization Exemptions in North Carolina.” North Carolina Medical Journal. 2021;82(2):135–136. Remley R, Mattson G. “Shaping the next generation of providers.” In: Michener JL, Castrucci BC, Bradley DW, Hunter EL, Thomas CW, Patterson C, Corcoran E, editors. The Practical Playbook II: Building Multisector Partnerships That Work. New York: Oxford University Press; 2019. pp. 457–464.

Personal life Her parents are Allen and Cynthia Finkelstein. She has a husband and a son studying physics.