10 Questions With Pediatric Surgeon Heather Grant

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, part of Jefferson Health, is excited to welcome pediatric surgeon Heather Grant, MD, with LVPG Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery–Gilbertsville.

Dr. Grant brings a unique combination of surgical expertise, compassionate care, and a deep commitment to supporting families through every step of a child’s healthcare journey. Her philosophy is rooted in a simple but powerful belief: When you care for a child, you care for the whole family. Through honest communication, empathy, and exceptional surgical skill, she strives to ensure every patient and family feels heard, informed, and supported.

Drawn to medicine by a passion for science and helping others, Dr. Grant discovered pediatric surgery as the perfect blend of teamwork, problem-solving, and hands-on care. Today, she is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in children’s lives through the broad and impactful scope of pediatric surgery.

Outside of the hospital, Dr. Grant enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active on the ice hockey rink and golf course, and is looking forward to becoming part of the local community as she and her family establish roots in the Lehigh Valley area.

We are excited to welcome Dr. Grant and the expert, family-centered care she brings to the children and families we care for throughout our community.

I was initially drawn to medicine through a love of science and a strong desire to care for others. While I originally planned to enter primary care, my background as a collegiate athlete ultimately led me to surgery where I found the ideal blend of high-level teamwork, mental problem-solving, and hands-on skill. I chose to specialize in pediatric surgery for the privilege of taking care of children and their families as well as the broad, versatile scope of practice that allows me to make a lasting impact early in a patient’s life.

It can be difficult to balance work and family life, as they can both be quite demanding. At work, I try to provide the best care for my patients while being efficient and managing my time effectively. When I’m with my family, I make a conscious effort to be present and to disconnect from work.

It’s tough, especially with a newborn and a toddler, but I try to stay active by going to the gym and playing hockey on the weekends. I also try to make sure we spend time with local family and friends.

When I’m not in the operating room, I love spending quality time with my family and friends. I also enjoy staying active on the hockey rink and on the golf course, reading, and doing puzzles.

As a proud Canadian native, my favorite sport is ice hockey, and my favorite teams are the Toronto Maple Leafs (National Hockey League) and the Montreal Victoire (Professional Women’s Hockey League).

The most interesting place I’ve traveled to is the Canadian Maritimes. It was cool to explore a part of Canada that I have family ties to but had never seen before. The seafood was excellent as well!

While I don’t watch much TV, I do love the Great British Bake Off. I constantly find myself amazed by the skill and creativity of home bakers. I also love the friendly spirit of the competition.

Ice cream! My favorite flavor is cookies and cream.

My preferred beverage is a chai latte (I don’t like coffee).

My favorite holiday is Christmas because I get to spend quality time with my family! There’s also nothing better than a warm fire, hot chocolate, and some outdoor skating/hockey on a snowy day.