Tracy King, M.D., M.P.H.

Tracy King, M.D., M.P.H., was named NICHD associate director for prevention in February 2024. She also continues her responsibilities as a medical officer with CDBB. She previously was a medical officer with the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Branch.

As the associate director for prevention, a position established by the Health Extension Act of 1985, Dr. King oversees initiatives and programs related to the prevention of health problems among children and adolescents; pregnant, lactating, and postpartum people; people with intellectual and physical disabilities; and other priority populations for the institute. 

As a CDBB medical officer, Dr. King manages the institute’s pediatric primary care research portfolio. She is a board-certified pediatrician with extensive research, clinical, and teaching experience in providing pediatric care for diverse populations. She also serves as NICHD’s liaison to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and has a specific interest in research methods relevant to clinical preventive services for children.

Prior to joining NICHD in 2015, Dr. King served on the leadership team of the Harriet Lane Clinic, the pediatric primary care clinic for the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, and conducted research focused on improving early identification of children with developmental delays.

Dr. King earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from Stanford University and a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine. She completed her pediatric residency training at the Boston Medical Center and Boston Children’s Hospital. She also completed a research fellowship in general academic pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, during which time she earned a master’s degree in public health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.