Dr. Heidi Schaeffer is a Florida-based physician and a nationally recognized leader in human trafficking awareness, intervention, and advocacy for abused, neglected, and abandoned children. Named a 2025 “Hometown Hero” by Boca magazine, Dr. Schaeffer is celebrated for her support of social work and healthcare students and her instrumental role in advancing legislation for continued education about human trafficking and domestic violence.

Dr. Schaeffer’s academic journey began with dual bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology, graduating as valedictorian in both. She earned her M.D. from the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1998 and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Licensed to practice medicine in Florida since 2000, she holds faculty appointments at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies and at Florida Atlantic University’s College of Medicine as a Clinical Affiliate Assistant Professor.

A passionate advocate, Dr. Schaeffer is President-Emeritus of the Human Trafficking Coalition of the Palm Beaches and serves on the executive board of ChildNet. She is also involved with the FLITE Center, AVDA, and the American Medical Women’s Association. She sits on the advisory board of Sweet Dream Makers. Her leadership has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Florida Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Advocate of the Year (2017), ChildNet Child Champion of the Year (2023), the Spirit of Community Award from the Florida Commission on the Status of Women (2022), the FLITE Center Hero Award (2022), and recognition for her presidency of the Palm Beaches Coalition (2020).

Dr. Schaeffer’s philanthropic work includes serving as Honorary Chair for the “Grandma’s Angels Holiday Luncheon” and the “Honor Your Doctor” Luncheon for Downtown Boca Rotary. In 2023, she established the Dr. Heidi Schaeffer Resilience, Hope, and Healing Fund at Florida Atlantic University, providing $5,000 fellowships to social work students completing clinical practicums in community-based placements. The University of Miami School of Nursing’s Simulation Hospital dedicated “The Dr. Heidi Schaeffer Lab for Education and Training Against Human Trafficking” in her honor in 2021.