Robert Appleton, MD

Board certified in pediatric cardiology and pediatrics by the American Board of Pediatrics, Dr. Robert Appleton joined Valley Children’s Specialty Medical Group in 2011. An expert in echocardiography and outpatient pediatric cardiology, Dr. Appleton has more than 25 years of experience.

Dr. Appleton provides pediatric cardiology services at The Willson Heart Center at Valley Children’s main campus in Madera, and in the North Valley at Olivewood Specialty Care Center in Merced and at Pelandale Specialty Care Center in Modesto. He lives in the Modesto area to improve access to pediatric cardiology services for our referring physicians and families in Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin counties.

Prior to his current role, Dr. Appleton lived in Orlando, Florida, where he served in private practice for 17 years. He has held various academic appointments over the years, including clinical adjunct professor at Florida State University in Orlando, as well as assistant/associate professor and division chief of pediatric cardiology at Saint Louis University. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, including the American Journal of Cardiology, American Heart Journal, Journal of Pediatrics, Circulation and Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Appleton is a fellow diplomat of several professional organizations, including the American College of Cardiology, American College of Chest Physicians and Society of Pediatric Echocardiography.

Dr. Appleton received his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He completed his internship and residency in pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina. He did his fellowship in pediatric cardiology at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.