About Heron Baumgarten, MD

Dr. Heron Baumgarten joined Western Surgical Group in October 2023. She is a fellowship-trained pediatric surgeon, specializing in surgical care of premature babies, infants, and children. She received her medical degree from the University of Washington School of Medicine and trained in General Surgery in Charlottesville, at the University of Virginia. Dr. Baumgarten completed her fellowship training at the University of Louisville and is board certified in Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery. She is well trained to manage the wide range of newborn surgery for congenital anomalies and emergencies. She is adept at minimally invasive techniques and will offer minimally invasive surgery whenever appropriate. Dr. Baumgarten loves pediatric surgery for the wide variety and complexity of cases, from those most delicate and high-stakes cases that require her fine dexterity and creative surgical decision-making, to the more routine hernia repairs and appendectomies. All of her cases are approached with the same careful focus, technical excellence, and tender care. Dr. Baumgarten understands the immense trust her patients’ parents place in her and takes very seriously that privilege and responsibility. She is incredibly dedicated to this work and inspired by the hopeful nature of working with children.

Academically, Dr. Baumgarten is well published and her research can be accessed here. Through her membership with the American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA), she has helped develop an affiliation with the University of Hawassa in Ethiopia and will help train surgical residents there. She is also affiliated with the medical school here at the University of Nevada, Reno, and will be involved with teaching medical students throughout the year. She is committed to serving underserved communities locally and abroad. In her free time, she loves spending time in nature. She is an avid hiker, snowboarder, and enjoys paddleboarding. She practices yoga, meditation, and classical piano.