Dr. Claudia Espinosa is a bilingual pediatric infectious diseases specialist and professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the Morsani College of Medicine at the University of South Florida. She was born in Colombia and graduated from the University of Cauca. She completed her pediatric residency in Kansas Medical Center and fellowship in pediatric infectious diseases, and a master’s in health services research at the University of Michigan.  She is a dedicated pediatric infectious diseases expert and medical researcher whose work bridges the gap between clinical science and hospital, clinic, and community impact. With a strong foundation in epidemiology and a passion for maternal and infant health, Dr. Espinosa has built a career focused on advancing evidence-based strategies to improve health outcomes, particularly among underserved populations. Her expertise lies in analyzing and interpreting complex medical and epidemiological data, translating it into actionable insights for healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health officials. Her work consistently reflects a deep commitment to equity and practical application. She has been invited to lecture and present her research at national and international health panels.

In addition to her technical acumen, Dr. Espinosa is recognized for her proactive and detail-oriented approach, as well as her ability to contextualize both global and local health data. She is a strong advocate for patient safety and prevention strategies, including infection control and vaccinations. Her work is grounded in a deep sense of social responsibility, consistently prioritizing equity and access in healthcare. Dr. Espinosa has been a part of the American Academy of Pediatric (AAP) in different roles and subcommittees with most recently being a member of the Committee of the Infectious Diseases (COID) and co-chairing the Infectious Diseases Task Force within the Florida Chapter AAP locally. Dr. Espinosa’s long-term vision is to shape public health strategies that not only improve maternal and infant health outcomes but also address systemic barriers to care.