Deborah Diercks, M.D.

  • Audre and Bernard Rapoport Distinguished Chair in Clinical Care and Research
  • Emergency Medicine

Biography

Deborah Diercks, M.D., is Professor and Chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She holds the Audre and Bernard Rapoport Distinguished Chair in Clinical Care and Research. 

A nationally recognized leader in the specialty, Dr. Diercks oversees the emergency medicine programs at Parkland Memorial Hospital and UT Southwestern University Hospitals, which together constitute one of the largest emergency medicine programs in the nation.

After receiving her undergraduate degree in microbiology and immunology from the University of California, Berkeley, Dr. Diercks attended Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in emergency medicine at the University of Cincinnati and joined the faculty of the University of California, Davis, where she was a major contributor to the growth and development of its emergency medicine programs. She also holds a master’s degree from the Harvard University School of Public Health.

Dr. Diercks has received funding from the National Institutes of Health, among other sources, for research on early management of acute coronary syndromes, the influence of gender on symptom characteristics, and utilization of cardiac biomarkers. She has held numerous leadership positions within the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine and was presented the Society’s 2014 Advancement of Women in Academic Emergency Medicine Award. Additionally, Dr. Diercks is a Senior Associate Editor of the Annals of Emergency Medicine. 

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, she was included in D Magazine's Best Doctors list.

Personal Note

She enjoys soccer and snow skiing and has two teenage daughters.

Meet Dr. Diercks

Deborah Diercks, M.D., is the first Chair of the newly created Department of Emergency Medicine at UT Southwestern. A nationally renowned leader in emergency medicine, she is well known for her expertise in concussions and traumatic brain injury and for her research in cardiovascular emergencies.

Dr. Diercks was drawn to the field of emergency medicine because of the range of expertise it requires and for the opportunity it affords to make a quick personal connection with patients.

“Patients who come to the emergency room are often at their most vulnerable or sickest point, and they’ve usually never met the doctors caring for them,” she says.

“It’s our job to approach everyone with empathy and respect while relieving their pain and suffering. In a very short amount of time, we have to let them know we are going to provide the best care we can.”

In her research, Dr. Diercks focuses on early management of acute coronary syndromes, the influence of gender on symptom characteristics, and utilization of cardiac biomarkers.

As the new Chair of Emergency Medicine, Dr. Diercks hit the ground running with the opening of William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. Combined with her other responsibilities at UT Southwestern, she leads one of the largest emergency medicine programs in the country.

“I’m excited to be able to lead a dynamic, experienced group of emergency medicine physicians who now have the opportunity to spread their wings,” she says. “As a brand new department, we can define our mission and vision and work toward our goals.”

Dr. Diercks’ long-term plans for the department include focusing on the areas of clinical care, research, and community service.

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Education & Training
  • Graduate School - Harvard University School of Public Health (2006-2008)
  • Residency - University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (1994-1998), Emergency Medicine
  • Medical School - Tufts University School of Medicine (1990-1994)
  • Other Post Graduate Training - Harvard University School of Public Health (2006-2008)
Honors & Awards
  • D Magazine Best Doctor 2020-2022
  • Advancement of Women in Academic Emergency Medicine Award 2014
Books & Publications
Research
  • acute cardiovascular emergencies