Dr. Jessica Riggs Honored with 2024 Hiram Fitzgerald Emerging Scholar/Researcher Award for Contributions to Infant Mental Health

Dr. Jessica Riggs, Assistant Professor at Zero To Thrive in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan, has been honored with the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH) 2024 Hiram Fitzgerald Emerging Scholar/Researcher Award. Dr. Riggs is recognized for her innovative research advancing the field of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH). The MI-AIMH award announcement included glowing recognition of her passion for the field of infant mental health, demonstrated by her extensive research and clinical expertise.

Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Riggs expressed profound gratitude for the MI-AIMH community and also expressed why she feels this work is so meaningful "By allowing ourselves to focus on relationships beginning in pregnancy, and infancy, we are allowing ourselves to see the truth of all things. That who we are matters, even if we are very small, and cannot speak for ourselves. And that no matter our age, we can always reflect and revisit our past, and empower ourselves to celebrate the wisdom that brought us to this space, as well as the power to change what no longer serves us."

Her commitment to this field is evident not only in her scholarly achievements but also in her clinical practice, where she mentors and trains the next generation of mental health professionals. Dr. Riggs's work underscores the significance of early relationships, advocating for a holistic understanding of mental and relational health from the start of life.

Dr. Riggs obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Michigan University in 2019, followed by a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Michigan in 2021. Zero To Thrive is incredibly grateful for Jessica's constant and unwavering dedication to the field of infant mental health, her leadership within Michigan Medicine, and the countless lives she touches.