Robert H. Tillman, MD

“Being able to help support families through the issues and problems that bring a child into my care is an honor and privilege that I try to never take for granted. The relationship built with patients and their families is why I come to work every day.”

Dr. Tillman is board certified in pediatrics and pediatric pulmonology. He is a pediatric pulmonary fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (FAAP).

He is an assistant professor in Pediatric Pulmonary at Atrium Health Levine Children's Specialty Center - Pediatric Pulmonology.

He specializes in conditions involving pediatric lungs such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, primary ciliary dysplasia, chronic cough, chronic respiratory failure, tracheostomy dependence, ventilator dependence, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, restrictive lung disease related to growth abnormalities and lung disease related to neuromuscular disorders.

He has a specific interest in lung disease related to prematurity (BPD), interstitial lung disease and management of home ventilators.

Dr. Tillman’s training included outpatient and inpatient care in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). He learned to care for premature infants with BPD and enjoyed seeing them transition from the NICU to home as outpatients. He felt it was a privilege to be able to wean them off their support over time as they grew and developed.

He received his medical degree and completed a residency at Augusta University. He completed fellowships at Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital.

His current research involves 2 pediatric populations: patients who are ventilator-dependent and premature infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia. In the ventilator cohort, the goal is to improve the process from tracheostomy to discharge and reduce readmissions. For the BPD population, Dr. Tillman and his team partner with their neonatal colleagues to improve care from birth to follow up.

Outside of work, he loves spending time with his wife, Anne, and their 2 children, Carter and Sadie. He enjoys being outdoors, particularly boating on Lake Norman. He also likes working on small and large projects around the house and learning new skills.