Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Presentation Abstract
Implementation Science and Its Role in Achieving Perinatal Health Equity
Implementation science is a powerful way to both examine structural inequities in care delivery and help iteratively improve underlying structures that could be improved or completely changed. Routine perinatal care, of which the majority of pregnant and birthing persons receive in the US, has not been scrutinized with respect to the process as it relates to the processes impact on the disparities that are pervasive in perinatal outcomes. In my presentation, I will delineate this intersection of health equity and implementation science with respect to the process of perinatal care and will provide examples of current studies and approaches seeking to improve perinatal care so it works for every pregnant and birthing individual.
About Dr. Simon
Dr. Melissa A. Simon is the George H. Gardner Professor of Clinical Gynecology, Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. She is also the Founder and Director of the Center for Health Equity Transformation and the Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative. She serves as the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center’s Associate Director for Community Outreach and Engagement. She is an expert in implementation science, women’s health across the lifespan, minority health, community engagement, and health equity.
She has been recognized with numerous awards for her substantial contribution to excellence in health equity scholarship, women’s health, and mentorship, including her recent election to the National Academy of Medicine and the Association of American Physicians. She has received the Presidential Award in Excellence in Science Mathematics and Engineering Mentorship and is a Presidential Leadership Scholar. She is a former member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and serves on the National Institutes of Health Office of Research in Women’s Health Advisory Committee.
Dr. Simon did not disclose any conflicts of interest for this workshop.