Sheryl E. Allen, MD, MS

A native of Chicago, Sheryl moved to Indianapolis while she was in junior high.  She returned to the Chicago area to complete her undergraduate education, earning a BA in chemistry, at Northwestern University in Evanston Illinois.  Medicine was always her career choice, so she started her medical education at University of Louisville School of Medicine and completed it at the Indiana University School of Medicine.  After medical school, her Pediatric Residency at University of Chicago again allowed her to return to Chicago. Being challenged by the diagnosis and treatment of patients with acute and rare illnesses, Sheryl completed a Fellowship in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at University of Wisconsin Medical College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  

Sheryl began her medical career as an Assistant Professor at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. While at the University of Cincinnati, she completed a Masters in Epidemiology.   Her interest is in under-served populations. She has presented research at several national conferences: American Academy of Pediatrics, National Medical Association, and American Public Health Association Conferences. Her publications have been included in the following journals: Contemporary Pediatrics, Wisconsin Medical Journal, Clinical Pediatrics, Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine, and the Journal of the National Medical Association.  She was also the co-author of a chapter in the book, Diversity Issues in the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Research of Mood Disorders.

While at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Sheryl was awarded the runner-up for the Cincinnati Health Care Heroes Award in January 2005. She also received recognition for her commitment to the Family Advisory Council, YMCA Black Achievers, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Center Youth Injury Prevention Award, and the Customer Service Award for a Random Act of Kindness from the Department of Emergency Medicine, and several Division Teaching Awards.  Sheryl was the co-investigator on the R-01 Maternal Child Health Grant, which lasted for two years.  The research involved Head Start Programs.  The participants were taught about safety, both fire and pedestrian safety, and injury prevention.  Sheryl was also awarded the NIH Loan Repayment program.  She was a program success and was able to renew the program for two additional cycles. 

After practicing for several years in Cincinnati, Sheryl returned to Indianapolis in 2008.  Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine and James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children.  In May 2010, Sheryl completed a Fellowship at the Indiana University School of Medicine, "The Next Generation", which focused on increasing minorities in medical leadership positions. Sheryl is also a Co-Faculty Director of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Student National Medical Association.  She will help facilitate the annual meeting that will take place in Indianapolis in April 2011.  In July 2010, Sheryl was appointed the Assistant Dean for Diversity Affairs, with a focus on resident recruitment and development.

Sheryl's career interests include: academic medicine promotion; women in medicine; faculty professional growth and development; diversity in medicine; mentoring; administration; and teaching.  Sheryl is board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Emergency Medicine.