Maternal Mortality Review Committee Dr. Melissa Fries Confirmation Resolution of 2025

MU
RIEL BOWSER
MAYOR
March 14, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Colu mbia
John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 504
Washington, DC 20004
Dear Chairman Mendelson:
In accordance with section 2 of the Confirmation Act of 1978, effective March 3, 1979 (D.C. Law 2-
142; D.C. Official Code § 1-523.01), and pursuant to section 4 of the Maternal Mortality Review
Committee Establishment Act of 2018, effective June 5, 2018 (D.C. Law 22-111; D.C. Official Code
§ 7-671.03), I am pleased to nominate the following individual:
Dr. Melissa Fries
Old Hundred Road
Dickerson, MD 20842
(Maryland)
for reappointment as a person with experience in obstetrics and gynecology from a District of Columbia
hospital or birthing center member of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, f or a term to end
January 10, 2028.
Enclosed, you will find biographical information detailing the experience of the above-m entioned
nominee, together with a proposed resolution to assist the Council during the confirmation process.
I would appreciate the Council’s earliest consideration of this nomination for confirmation. Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, should the Council require additional information.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
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at the request of the Mayor
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
IN TH E COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
To confirm the reappointment of Dr. Melissa Fries to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
RESOLVED , BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA , that this
resolution may be cited as the "Maternal Mortality Review Committee Dr. Melissa Fries
Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the reappointment of:
Dr. Melissa Fries
Old Hundred Road
Dickerson; MD 20842
(Maryland)
as a person with experience in obstetrics and gynecology from a District of Columbia hospital or
birthing center member of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, established by section 3 of
the Maternal Mortality Review Committee Establishment Act of 2018, effective June 5, 2018
(D.C. Law 22-111; D.C . Official Code§ 7-671.02), for a term to end January 10, 2028.
Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

CURRICULUM VITAE

MELISSA HOWARD FRIES, M.D.

Present Title: Director of Genetics and Fetal Medicine; Special Moms/Special Babies,

Marital Status: Married, two children

EDUCATION
INSTITUTION DATES DEGREE
Okaloosa Walton Jr. College, Niceville, FL 1970-1972 A.A.—Biology
California State University, Sacramento, CA 1972-1974 B.S,--Biology
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 1975-1977 M.S.Ed
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences,
Bethesda, MD
1980-1984 M.D.
Residency: Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Wilford Hall Air Force Medical Center, Lackland AFB,
TX
1984-1988 -

Fellowship: Reproductive/Medical Genetics
University of California, San Francisco
7/1989-12/1991 -
Fellowship: Obstetric Sonography
University of California, San Francisco
1/1992-6/1992
Solvay Educational Scholars Fellowship,
Association of Professors of Gynecology and
Obstetrics

1/1998-2/1999 -

Certification: Board Certified, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dec, 1994
Recertified, 2021
Board Certified, American Board of Medical Genetics, September, 1993
Recertified: through 2021
Gene Care First trimester Prenatal Screening and ultrasound diagnosis
NT certification, Fetal Medicine Foundation, recertified, 2020

State Licenses:Virginia 2022 Maryland 2022 District of Columbia 2022

Awards: National Merit Scholarship, 1970-1974
Board of Regents Award, Uniformed Services University, 1984
Janet M. Glasgow Award, American Medical Women’s Association, 1984
Outstanding Staff Educator, Keesler OB/GYN Residency, 1993
Educational Scholars’ Fellowship, 1998-1999
APGO Outstanding Educator Award, 6/2000
Outstanding Staff Teaching Award, Keesler OB/GYN residency, 2001
ACOG Outstanding Section Award, Army and Air Force Sections, Armed Forces
District, 2004
Kermit Krantz Award for Outstanding Air Force Obstetrician/Gynecologist, 2006
ACOG/CREOG National Faculty Award, 2007
Outstanding Educator Award, Medstar Washington Hospital Center: 2012, 2013

Nurses’ Choice Physician Collaboration Award, Medstar Washington Hospit al
Center, 2015
George E. Stevens Award for Excellence in Academic Teaching in Obstetrics
and Gynecology Medstar GUH/WHC, June, 2015

Membership: Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society (elected Junior year)
Member, American Society of Human Genetics
Fellow, American College of Medical Genetics
Fellow, American Congress of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Fellow, Society of Maternal Fetal Medicine
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine

Positions Held: staff Obstetrician-gynecologist, Williams AFB, AZ, 7/88-5/89

Dual position: Staff obstetrician-gynecologist and medical geneticist (Primary
referral source for prenatal diagnosis Tricare Region 4), Keesler AFB, MS, 7/92 -
7/02

OB/GYN Residency Program Director, Keesler AFB, MS: 7/95-7/02

Clinical Associate Professor (non-tenure track), Obstetrics and Gynecology,
University of South Alabama Medical School, Mobile, AL 1993-2002

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies, University of South
Alabama Medical School, Mobile, AL 1993-2002

Adjunct Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 2001-2003

Associate Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Uniformed Services
University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 6/2003-2013

Director, Medical Genetics, Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics,
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, 8/2002-
3/2006

Director, Medical Genetics, Obstetric and Gynecology Dept., Naval Medical
Center-Bethesda, MD, 9/2002-3/2006

Department Chairman, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Naval Medical Center,
Bethesda, MD; 7/2004-3/2006

Vice-Chair, Women’s and Infants’ Services, Medstar Washington Hospital
Center, 2010-Nov, 2013

Chairman, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medstar Washington Hospital Center,
Nov, 2013-January, 2021

Director, Special Moms/Special Babies Program, Washington Hospital Center
and Children’s National Medical Center, 2008-present
Director of Genetics and Fetal Medicine, Washington Hospital Center,
Washington DC; 4/2006-present

Professor, Clinical Educator Track, Georgetown University School of Medicine,
May, 2018-present.

High risk Obstetrics Provider, Operation Welcome Allies, Ft. Pickett, Va: 9/2021-
12/2021.

Appointed Education Officer, OB/GYN Flight, Keesler AFB, MS: 1/95-6/95
Positions:
Scientific Program Director, Armed Forces District Meeting-American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 10/97

Chairperson, Ethics and Professionalism Section, Professional Education
Committee, Keesler Medical Center, 1995-2002

Co-Chairperson, Obstetrics and Gynecology Division, Air Force Clinical
Surgeons’ annual Meeting, April 3-7, 2000, Biloxi, MS.

Trustee, Perinatal Resources, Inc. Hilliard, Ohio, 2002-2013

Clinical Director, AMEDD Cystic Fibrosis Screening Project, 2003-2006

Hospital Representative, District of Columbia Infant Mortality Committee: 2017-
present

Mayoral Appointment: District of Columbia Maternal Mortality Committee: 3/2019
to present

Clinical Director, DC Perinatal Quality Collaborative, DC Health/DC Hospital
Association administration, 6/2020-present

Mayoral Key Expert: DC Vaccine creation and administration, 2020

Member, Medstar Washington Hospital Center Board of Directors, 2017-present.

National Appointments:
Vice Chair, Air Force section, Armed Forces District, American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, October, 2002-2004

Chair, Air Force section, Armed Forces District, American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Oct, 2004-Oct, 2005

Education Committee, American College of Medical Genetics, Jan, 2004-2010

Member, Genetics Committee, American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, Jan, 2004-2007

University Chair, Biosafety Committee, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD,
2004-2006
Committees Admissions Committee Member, Uniformed Services University, 2003-2006

Research Grants:
1996: $1 million from DOD/Health Affairs for Breast Education and Awareness
Research for development of Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer Research
Project
1997: $900,000 from DOD/Health Affairs, Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Research Project
1998: $400,000 from DOD/Health Affairs, Familial Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Research Project
1998: Solvay Educational Scholars’ grant for research in Medical
Professionalism
2003: AMEDD Venture Capital fund grant, $35,000, to USUHS Dept. of
Anatomy, Physiology, and Genetics and USUHS Graduate School of Nursing
2005: USUHS pilot grant funds: $5000: Signaling Mechanisms in Down
Syndrome Platelets
2018: Washington DC DOH Prevention of Preterm Birth Grant, $875,000

Medals: Air Force Achievement Medal, 1997
Meritorious Service Medal, 1999; 2003, (first oak leaf cluster)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal, 2006
Navy Meritorious Service Medal, 2006

Professional Air War College (in correspondence), 2000

PUBLICATIONS

1. Fries MH, Hankins GDV. Motor vehicle accident associated with minimal maternal trauma but
subsequent fetal demise. Ann Emerg Med 1989: 18: 301-304.

2. Fries MH, Goldberg JD, Golbus MS, Parer JT. Intrauterine transfusions for alloimmunization:
post procedural bradycardia in late third trimester. Israeli J OB/GYN 1991; 2(1): 6 -10.

3. Fries MH, Goldberg JD, Golbus MS. Treatment of acardius-acephalic twin gestation by
hysterotomy and selective delivery. OB/GYN 1992; 79 (4): 601-604.

4. Kuller JA, Hoffman EP, Fries MH, Golbus MS. Prenatal diagnosis of Duchenne muscular
dystrophy by fetal muscle biopsy. Human Genetics 1992; 90: 34-40.

5. Fries MH, Goldstein RB, Filly R, and Callen P. The effect of velamentous cord insertions on
the etiology of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. OB/GYN 1993; 81 (4): 569-574.

6. Fries MH, Lebo R,Schonberg SA, Golabi M, Seltzer WK, Gitelman SE, Golbus MS. Mental
retardation locus in Xp21 chromosome microdeletion. Am J Med Gene 1993; 46: 363 -368.

7. Fries MH, Kuller JA, Norton ME, Yankowitz J, Kobori J, Good WV, Ferriero D, Cox V, Donlin
SS, Golabi M. Facial Features of Infants Exposed Prenatally to cocaine. Teratology 1993; 48:
413-420.

8. Fries MH, Filly RA, Callen PW; Goldstein RB; Goldberg JD; Golbus MS. Growth r etardation in
prenatally diagnosed cases of gastroschisis. Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine, 1993; 12 (10):
583-8.

9. Fries MH, Kuller JA, Jurecki E, Packman, S. Prenatal counseling in heterozygotes for ornithine
transcarbamylase deficiency. Clinical Pediat. Sept, 1994: 525-529.

10. Brost BC, Newman RB, Fries MH, Calhoun BC. The effects of hemodialysis on total
intrauterine volume. Ultrasound Obstet. Gynecol. 1996; 8; 34-36.

11. Fries MH, Rinaldo P, Schmidt-Sommerfeld E, Jurecki E, Packman S. Isovaleric acidemia:
response to a leucine load after three weeks of supplementation with glycine, L -carnitine, and
combined glycine-carnitine therapy. J Pediatr 1996; 129: 449-52.

12. Brost BC, Newman RB, Fries MH, Calchoun BC. The effects of hemodialysis on total
intrauterine blood volume. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1996; 8(1): 34-6.

13. Bartholomew D, Abshire T, Fries M, Smith A. Novel missense mutation in the coagulation
factor IX catalytic domain associated with moderate disease. Human Mutation 1997; 9 (1):72-3.

14. O’Connell LP, Fries MH, Zeringue E, and Brehm, W. Triage of abnormal postmenopausal
bleeding: a comparison of endometiral biopsy and transvaginal sonohysterography versus
fractional curettage with hysteroscopy. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998; 178:956-61.

15. Johnson JP, Golabi M, Norton ME, Rosenblatt RM, Feldman GM, Yang SP, Hall BD, Fries
MH, Carey JC. Costello syndrome: Phenotype, natural history, differential diagnosis, and
possible cause. J Pediatr 1998;133:441-8.

16. Fries MH. Professionalism in Obstetrics and Gynecology residency Education: the view of
Program Directors. Obstet Gynecol 2000; 95 (2): 314-316..

17. Fries MH, Carter C, Daniels J, Hailey J, Holt C, Hume R, Martin L, Flannigan J, Nunes M.
Diagnostic criteria for testing for BRCA1 and 2: the experience of the DOD Familial
Breast/ovarian Cancer Research Project. Mil Med 2002; 167:99-103.

18. Fries MH, Carter C, Daniels J, Hailey J, Holt C, Hume R, Martin L, Flannigan J, Nunes M.
Guidelines for evaluation of patients at risk for inherited breast and ovarian cancer. Mil Med
2002;167: 93-98.

19. Fries MH, Flannigan J, Hailey BJ, Licklider D. Outcome of Five Years Accelerated
Surveillance in Patients at High Risk for Inherited Breast/Ovarian Cancer: Report of a Phase II
Trial. Military Medicine 169 (6), June, 2004: 411-6.

20. Fries MH, Bashford M, Nunes M. Implementing prenatal screening for cystic fibrosis in
routine obstetric practice. Am J Obstet Gynecol Feb 2005; 192(2):527-34.

21. Brumfield SS, Fausett MB, Fries MH. Intrauterine fetal resuscitation following complications
of closed fetal surgery. Fetal Diagn Ther. 2005 Jul-Aug (4); 272-4.

22: Timofeev,J, Fries MH, Ruiz G, Driggers,R. Intravenous Epoprostenol for Management of
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension during Pregnancy. AJP Reports, 2013, Oct;3(2):71 -4.

23. Donofrio MT, Levy JR, Schuette JJ, Skurow-Todd K, Sten MB, Stallings C, Pike JI,
KrishnanA, Ratnayaka K, Sinha P, DuPlessis AJ, Downing DS, Fries MH, Berger JT. Specialized
delivery room planning for fetuses with critical congenital heart disease. Am J Cardiol. 2013 Mar
1; 111(5);737-47.

24. Harris RC, Fries MH, Boyle A, Adeniiji-Adele H, Cherian, Z, John AS. Multidisciplinary
management of pregnancy in complex congenital heart disease: a model for coordination of care.
Congenit Heart Dis, 2014 Jan 22: doi 10.1111/chd12163 (epub ahead of print).

25. Fries MH. Ethical Concerns in Prenatal Diagnosis. J Hosp Ethics, 2014; 3(3):109-112.

26. Clark-Ganheart CA, Iqbal SN, Brown DL, Black S, Fries MH. Understanding the limitations of
circulating cell free fetal DNA: an example of two unique cases. J Clin Gynecol Obstet 2014,
3:38-70.

27. Clark-Ganheart CA, Fries MH, Leifheit KM, Jensen TJ, Moreno-Ruiz NL, Ye PP,Jennings JM,
Driggers RW. Use of Cell-Free DNA in the Investigation of Intrauterine Fetal Demise and
Miscarriage. Obstet Gynecol 2015; 125 (6): 1321-1327.

28. Friday, K, Moak JP, Fries MH, Iqbal, S. Catecholaminargic Ventricular Tachycardia,
Pregnancy and Teenager: Are they compatible? Pediatric Cardiology 2015 (Aug): 36 (7):1542-7.

29. Lynce F, DeMarco T, Fries M, and Smith K. Deleterious BRCA1/2 mutations in an urban
population of Black women. Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, 2015 (Aug); 153(1): 201-9.

30. Bishop LA, Patel S, Fries MH. A case of recurrent luteo hyperreactionalis. J Clin Ultrasound,
2016 Feb 19 doi:10.1002/jcu.22343.

31. Guidry-Grimes L (commentary MH Fries), The Case of Ms D: A Family’s Request for
Posthumous Procurement of Ovaries. J Clin Ethics, 2016 Spring;27(1):51-8.

32. Parikh, LI, Jelin AC, Iqbal SN, Belna SL, Fries MH, Patel M, Desale, S, Ramsey, PS.
Glycemic control, compliance, and satisfaction for Diabetic gravidas in centering group care. J
Mater Fetal Neonatal Med, 2016 Jul, 21: 1-6.

33. Fries MH. Analysis: OB/GYN Genetics. J Clin Ethics. 2016 Spring: 27(2):59-60.

34. Kuo CY, Baker H. Fries MH, Yoo JJ, Kim PCW, Fisher JP. Bioengineering Strategies to Treat
Female Infertility. Tissue Eng Part B Rev.2017 May; 30(10: 1221-1226.

35. Parikh LI, Grantz KL, Iqbal SN Huang CC, Landy HJ, Fries MH, Reddy UM. Neonatal
outcomes in fetuses with cardiac anomalies and the impact of delivery route. Am J Obstet
Gynecol. 2017 Oct;217(4):469.e1-469.312.

36. Parikh LI, Iqbal SN, Jelin AC, Overcash RT, Tefera E, Fries MH. Third trimester ultrasound
for fetal macrosomia: optimal timing and institutional specific accuracy. J Matern Fetal Neonatal
Med. 2017 Nov 28:1-5.

37. Crochet S, Huang CC, Fries M, Scott RK. Implementation of universal rapid human
immunodeficiency virus screening on labor and delivery. Ther Adv Infect Dis. 2018 Mar; 5(2):47 -
54.

38. Kawakita T, Fries M, Singh J, Al-Kouatly HB. Pregnancies complicated by maternal
osteogenesis imperfect type III: a case report and review of literature. Clin Cas Rep. 2018 May
21; 6(7):1252-1257.

39. Lee AC, Haddad A, Fries MH, Al-Kouatly, HB. Risk facorts, clinical findings, and outcomes in
pregnancies with coronary artery dissection: A case series. Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2019 Mar;
26(5):544-548.

40.Adams AD, Aggarwal N, Fries MH, Donofrio MT, Iqbal SN. Neonatal and maternal outcomes
of pregnancies with a fetal diagnosis of congenital heart disease using a standardized delivery
room management protocol. J Perinatol.2020 Feb; 40(2):316-323.

41. Spiliopoulos M, Kuo CY, Eranki A, Jacobs M, Rossi CT, Iqbal SN, Fisher JP, Fries MH, Kim
PCW. Characterizing placental stiffness using ultrasound shear-wave elastography in healthy and
pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Arch Gynecol Obstet.2020 Jul 16 doi:10.1007/s00404 -020-05697.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Golbus MS, Fries MH. Surgical Antepartum Fetal Therapy. In: The High Risk Fetus, Lin C -C,
ed. Springer-Verlang: Chicago, 1993.

Fries MH, Golbus MS. Prenatal Diagnosis. In: Scientific American Introduction to Molecular
Medicine, Leder P, Clayton DA, Rubenstein E, eds. Scientific American Inc: New York: 1994.
(Note: Voted best medical book of 1995 by the British Medical Society).

Fries MH. Pre-Implantation Embryo Analysis. In: Prenatal Diagnosis and Reproductive
Genetics, Kuller JA, Chescheir NC, Cefalo, RC, eds. Mosby-Year Book Inc.: St. Louis, 1996.

Fries, MH. Licit and Illicit Drug Use in Pregnancy: Epidemiology, Amphetamines, LSD, PCP, and
“T”’s and Blues. In: Drug Therapy in Pregnancy, 3rd Ed, Niebyl, J and Yankowitz, J, eds. ,2001.

Fries MH, Best G, and Woods JR. Licit and Illict Drugs: Marijuana and Cocaine. In: Drug
Therapy in Pregnancy, 3rd Ed, Niebyl, J and Yankowitz, J, eds. ,2001

BOOK REVIEWS

Filkins, K, ed. Prenatal Diagnosis, 2nd ed. Am J Hum Genet 1991: 43: 788.

Milunsky, A. ed. Genetic Disorders and the Fetus, 3rd. ed. Am J Hum Genet 1993; 46: 347.

REPORTS

Guidelines for the Management of Patients at Risk for Inherited Breast and Ovarian Cancer.
Developed for DOD Breast Cancer Working Group, September, 1998.

Toolkit for Prenatal Screening for Cystic Fibrosis: A Guide to Use and Counseling Ma terials.
Developed for the US Army Medical Department, January, 2003.

PRESENTATIONS

Posters:

Pre-implantation mouse embryo analysis for beta glucaronidase deficiency. Presented at
American Society of Human Genetics Annual Meeting, Oct.12-16, 1990, Cincinnati, OH.

Fetal bradycardia after third trimester intravascular intrauterine transfusion. Presented at Society
of Perinatal Obstetricians Annual Meeting, Feb. 2-3, 1991, San Francisco, CA.

Treatment of acardiac-acephalic twin gestations by hysterotomy and selective delivery.
Presented at Society of Perinatal Obstetricians Annual Meeting, Feb. 2-3, 1991, San Francisco,
CA.

Mental retardation in carriers of complex glycerol kinase deficiency. Presented at the
International Congress of Human Genetics, Oct. 4-11, 1991, Washington, D.C.

Prenatal counseling for carriers of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. Presented at the
International Congress of Human Genetics, Oct. 4-11, 1991, Washington, D.C.

Renal function after in-utero intervention for fetal obstructive uropathy. Presented at the Society
of Perinatal Obstetricians Annual Meeting, Feb 2-5, 1992, Orlando, FL.

The distinctive facies of prenatal cocaine exposure. Presented at the American Society of
Human Genetics Annual Meeting, Nov. 9-13, 1992, San Francisco, CA.

Schmidt-Sommerfeld E, Fries MH, et al. The effect of glycine and carnitine therapy on isovaleryl
glycine and isovaleryl carnitine excretion in isovaleric acidemia. Presented at the 6th
International Congress of Inborn Errors of Metabolism, May 27-31, 1994, Milan, Italy.

Fries MH, Reilly PA, Williams TC, Ridgon D. Partial trisomy 5q resulting from chromosome 7
insertion: an expansion of the phenotype. Presented at the American Society of Human Genetics
Annual Meeting, Oct, 1994, New Orleans, La.

Ballard M, Fries MH. Prenatal diagnosis of massive cranial hemangioma with neonatal
development of Kasabach-Merit syndrome. Presented at the Armed Forces District Meeting of
the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 20-24 October, 1996, Nashville, TN.

Curry AK, Fries MH. Antepartum Management of chorion-amnion Separation. Presented at the
Armed Forces District Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 20 -
24 October, 1996, Nashville, TN.

O’Connell L, Fries MH, Brehm W. Triage of abnormal post-menopausal bleeding: preliminary
findings. Presented at the Armed Forces District Meeting of the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 20-24 October, 1996, Nashville, TN. Winner of Outstanding
Poster Award.

Hester, M and Fries, MH. Prenatal Diagnosis of Limb-Body Wall Anomaly. Presented at the
Armed Forces District Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 12 -
15 October, 1997, New Orleans, LA.

Fries, MH; Nunes, M, et al. Comprehensive Management for familial Breast/Ovarian Cancer in a
military health care setting. Presented at the American Society of Human Genetics annual
meeting, 29 Oct-2 Nov, 1997, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Baltimore, MD.

Weatherly RL; Hudson GT; Sawyer CD; Cadman ML; Fries MH, Bartholomew DW; and Nunes
ME. Test interpretation and clinical perspective in BRCA1/BRCA2 molecular analysis of high risk
breast cancer patients. Presented at the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting,
27-31 Oct, 1998, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado.

Fries, MH; Brost, B. Expanding attending staff teaching skills through development of a faculty
journal club. Presented at the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics annual
meeting, Feb 21-24, 1999; Marriott Marina Resort, San Diego, CA.

Fries, MH. The evaluation and development of professional qualities in obstetrics and
gynecology resident training programs. Presented as an APGO/Solvay Educational Scholars’
special interest poster at the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics annual
meeting, Feb 21-24, 1999; Marriott Marina Resort, San Diego, CA.

Fries, MH et al. Diagnostic Discrimination Quality of Criteria for BRCA1/2 Testing. Presented at
the American Society of Human Genetics annual meeting, 19-23 October, 1999, San Francisco,
CA.

Fries, MH, et al. Genetic Discrimination in Disability Determination. Presented at the annual
American Society of Medical Genetics meeting, Mar 1-4, 2001, Miami, FL.

Wiedenhoefer JF and Fries, MH. Unpredictable pregnancy outcome in patients with cystic
fibrosis. Presented at the annual American Society of Medical Genetics meeting, Mar 1 -4, 2001,
Miami, FL and the Air Force Clinical Surgeons’ Meeting, 2-5 April 2001, San Antonio, TX.

Fries, MH, Bashford M, and Nunes M. A Pilot Program for Cystic Fibrosis Screening: the
Keesler AFB experience. Presented at the annual Armed Forces District Meeting of the
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, October 18-22, 2002, Honolulu, HI.
Winner of Outstanding Poster Award.

Fries, MH, Bashford M, and Nunes M. A Pilot Program for Cystic Fibrosis Screening: Lessons
Learned. Presented at the annual American College of Medical Genetics Clinical Meeting, March
13-16, 2003, Sheraton San Diego, San Diego, CA.

Seibert, D and Fries, MH. Use of Simulated Patients for Genetic Counseling Education in Cystic
Fibrosis. Presented at the annual International Society of Nurses in Genetics meeting, October
23-26, 2004, Metropolitan Hotel, Toronto, Canada.

Timofeev J, Fries MH, Ruiz G, and Driggers, R. Use of Etopan for treatment of pregnancy
complicated by pulmonary hypertension. Poster presentation for MWHC Research Day, 2013.

Friday, K, Ganheart-Clark C, Fries MH. Use of wound vac for prevention of seroma in Obese
patients at time of cesarean delivery. Poster Presentation for MWHC Research Day, 2013
(Winner of Outstanding Poster for Residents 1-3)

Ganheart-Clark C; Driggers, R; Fries MH. Use of cell-free fetal DNA for evaluation of early
pregnancy loss. Poster and Oral Presentation for MWHC Research Day, 2014. (Winner of
Outstanding Fellow Presentation.)

Haddad A, Mokhtari N, Kawakita T, Iqbal S, Fries M. Indications for Preterm Birth by Gestational
Age. ACOG 2019 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, Nashville, TN (May 3-6, 2019)

Haddad A, Tripureneni P, Mokhtari N, Fries M, Iqbal I. Evaluation of Early Screening for
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) with standard HbA1C. SMFM 40th annual Pregnancy
Meeting, Feb 3-8, 2020, Grapevine TX.

Haddad A, Saeed H, Fries M, Iqbal I. The Epigenetic Effect of Metformin on the Fetus. SMFM
41st Annual Pregnancy Meeting, February 25-30, 2021.

Oral Presentations:

Treatment of acardiac-acephalic twin gestations by hysterotomy and selective delivery.
Presented to the Armed Forces District Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, October 5-10, 1991, Cincinnati, OH.

Fetal Cocaine Embryopathy. Presented to the Western Region/Clinical Dysmorphology Seminar,
May 8, 1992, Seattle, Washington.

Forceps and Vacuum Deliveries. Conference: Antepartum and Intrapartum Fetal Management,
June 5-7, 1992, Hyatt Regency Hotel, San Francisco, CA.

The role of velamentous cord insertions in the etiology of twin-twin transfusion syndrome.
Presented at the Society of Perinatal Obstetricians Annual Meeting, Feb. 11, 1993, San
Francisco, CA.

Invasive Fetal Prenatal Diagnosis: Spearthrowing vs. Fishing? Presented at the Air Force Clinical
Surgeons’ Meeting, Mar. 29-Apr 4, 1996, San Antonio, TX.

Non-traditional Means of Inheritance. Presented at the Air Force Clinical Surgeons’ Meeting, Mar.
29-Apr 4, 1996, San Antonio, TX.

Prenatal Diagnosis. Presented at the Maternal Fetal Review Session, Armed Forces District
Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 20-24 October, 1996,
Nashville, TN.

Maternal Serum Screening for Fetal Abnormalities. Presented at the Maternal-Fetal Review
Session, Armed Forces District Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, 20-24 October, 1996, Nashville, TN.

Edgeworth DJ, Fries MH. Ovarian Varicoceles and chronic pelvic pain: a case report and
literature review. Presented at the Armed Forces District Meeting of the American College of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 20-24 October, 1996, Nashville, TN.

Comprehensive management for familial breast/ovarian cancer in a military health care setting.
Presented at the DOD Breast Cancer Research Conference, July 28-29, 1997, Hyatt Regency
Crystal City, Alexandria, VA.

Patient indications for mutation testing after referral for genetic counseling for breast/ovarian
cancer. Presented at the Breast Cancer Symposium, Madigan Army Medical Center, Tacoma
Washington, 13 Aug, 1997.

The Familial Breast Cancer Research Project, presented at the Region 4 Tricare Meeting, 11
Sept 1997, Adam’s Mark Hotel, Mobile, AL.

Guidelines for the management of patients at risk for inherited breast and ovarian cancer.
Presented at the DOD Breast Cancer Research Conference, 17 Sept 1998, Town and Country
Convention Center, San Diego, CA.

Guidelines for the management of patients at risk for inherited breast and ovarian cancer.
Presented at the Clinical Practice Update Seminar, 1 July 1999, sponsored by Baptist Hospital,
Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, FL

Sonographic criteria for the Diagnosis of Down syndrome. Presented at the Armed Forces
District-American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual meeting, Nov1 -4, 1999, San
Antonio, TX.

Inherited Breast/Ovarian Cancer: Guidelines for management based on the experience of the
DOD Familial Breast Cancer Research Project. Presented at the Society of Air Force Clinical
Surgeons’ Meeting, April 3-7, 2000, Grand Casino, Biloxi, MS.

Diagnosis of Fetal Congenital Anomalies by Ultrasound. Presented at the Annual Regional
Radiology Conference, 23 Sept 2000 and Sept. 2002, Imperial Palace Casino, Biloxi, MS.

Prenatal Screening for Cystic Fibrosis: The AMEDD approach. Presented at the Armed Forces
District Meeting, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, October 19, 2004 (Dr. Diane
Seibert, co-author, presenting.)

Genetic Counseling. Presented at the Annual Columbus Comprehensive Review Course and
Orlando Comprehensive Review Course in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 11 October 2000, 8
October 2001, 27 October 2001, 8 October 2002, 1 November 2002, 14 October 2003, and 31
October 2004, October 2005, October 2006, October 2007, Oct, 2009, October 2010, 0ctober,
2011, October 2012..

Maternal Serum Screening for Fetal Anomalies. Presented at the Annual Columbus
Comprehensive Review Course and Orlando Comprehensive Review Course in Obstetrics and
Gynecology, 11 October 2000, 8 October 2001, 27 October 2001, 8 October 2002, 14 October
2003, 22 October 2004, 19 October 2004, October, 2005, October 2006, October 2007 , October
2008, October 2009, October 2010, October 2011, October 2012..

Prenatal Diagnosis. Presented at the Annual Columbus Comprehensive Review Course and
Orlando Comprehensive Review Course in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 11 October 2000, 8
October 2001, 27 October 2001, 8 October 2002, 1 November 2002, 14 October 2003, 31
October 2003; 22 October 2004, 19 October 2004, October 2005, 31 October 2006, October,
2007, October 2009, October 2010, October 2011, October 2012.

Female Sexual Function and Dysfunction, Presented at the Orlando Comprehensive Review
Course in Obstetrics and Gynecology, October 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.

Teratology, Presented at the Annual Columbus Comprehensive Review Course, October, 2007,
2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012

Abnormalities of Meiosis, Uniformed Services University Medical Student scheduled lecture,
September 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020.

Invited Lectures/Grand Rounds

Mendenhall Guest Lecturer, University of South Alabama Resident Research Day: T he
Department of Defense Familial Breast/Ovarian Cancer Research Project, 7 June 2002.

Outcome of Accelerated Surveillance in patients at risk for inherited breast and ovarian cancer.
Presented at the annual Armed Forces District Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists, Oct 22, 2002; Honolulu, HI.

Inherited Thrombophilias. Invited Lecturer, Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology Service,
Malcolm Grow Medical Center, Andrews AFB, MD, Nov. 16, 2002

Genetic Counseling. Invited Lecturer, Capital Area Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency
Training Program, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Jan. 9, 2003.

Genetics and Behavior. Presented at the Early Intervention Services Conference 2003, US Naval
Hospital, Roosevelt Roads, PR, March 5-7, 2003.

Basic Principles of Cancer Genetics and Genetic Cancer Syndromes of the Breast and Female
Genital Tract. Invited Lecturer, Capital Area Gynecologic Oncologic Fellowship Training Program,
Walter Reed Army Medical Center, April 1 and 8, 2003 and February 2006

Medical Genetics Principles for the Air Force Legal Officer, March 24, 2004; April 13, 2005 and
March, 2006, Andrews AFB, MD

Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington Hospital Center, 5 Sept. 2006: First
Trimester Screening

Grand Rounds, Endocrinology, Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University
Endocrinology Program: 17 April 2007: Genetics in Endocrinology

Grand Rounds, Internal Medicine, Washington Hospital Center, 25 April 2007: Genetics in
Internal Medicine

Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University Hospital, 17 May 2007: First
Trimester Screening

Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Franklin Memorial Hospital, 28 September 2007:
Maternal Serum Screening

The Genetics of Diabetes, Review Section Mar 31, 2011, International Society of Diabetes in
Pregnancy, Washington DC

Grand Rounds, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington Hospital Center, 19 May 2011,
Revolutionary Medicine in Cuba

Management of Congenital Heart Disease in Pregnancy, May 26, 2011; Adult Congenital Heart
Disease Program, Omni Shoreham Hotel.

Innovations in Prenatal Diagnosis, Medstar Update in Obstetrics, Harbor Hospital, March 15,
2013

Contraception in Adolescents with Congenital Heart Disease. Adult Congenital He art Disease
Program, Omni Shoreham Hotel, May 17, 2013.

NICU Grand Rounds, Updates in Prenatal Diagnosis, 5 Sept 2013, Washington Hospital Center

Girls’ Night Out: “Taking Care of the Girls: The Importance of Family History,” Largo Community
Church, October 6, 2013

Update on Prenatal Diagnosis, The High Risk Fetus and Newborn, Omni Shoreham, Washington,
DC, Nov 6, 2013.

Moderator and Program Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Regional Meeting, May 16 -17,
2014, Marriott Conference Center, North Bethesda, MD.
Presentations: MWHC approach to management of pregnancy in patients with adult congenital
heart disease; contraception in patients with adult congenital heart disease; 3 case presentations
of pregnancy management in congenital heart disease.

The Rise and Fall of the Placenta, Fetal Medicine Telemedicine Series, Dec, 2014 Childrens’
National Medical Center, Washington, DC.

Moderator and Program Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Regional Meeting, April 17 -18,
2015, Liaison Hotel, Capital Hill, Washington DC
Presentations: Recurrence risk in Congenital Heart Disease
4 case presentations of pregnancy management in congenital heart disease

Chronic Hypertension in Women: Updates
American Society of Nurse Midwives, 28 June 2015
Gaylord National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD

Grand Rounds: Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, MD: “Doctor, will my Baby be all right? —
Prenatal Diagnosis in the time of too many options, Dec, 2015.

Sexuality after Breast Cancer: Invited lecture, Hope Connections for Cancer Support, 25 April,
2016.

Moderator and Program Director: Adult Congenital Heart Disease Regional Meeting, Sept, 2016,
Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington DC.
Presentation: Managing pregnancy in the patient with ACHD.

Grand rounds presentation, Prince Georges County Hospital: Management of pregnancy in
women with congenital heart disease, November, 2017.

Moderator and Program Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Regional Meeting, University of
Maryland Conference Center, April 13-14, 2018.
Presentation: Labor management in the patient with Congenital Heart Disease

Moderator and Program Director, Adult Congenital Heart Disease Regional Meeting, Bethesda
Pooks Hill Marriott, Oct 3-4, 2019
Presentation: Prenatal evaluation of women with congenital heart disease

Speaker, 4th International Summit on the Fetal Brain, Four Seasons Hotel, Washington DC, Nov
21-22, 2019
Presentation: Implementing maternal mental health services in obstetrical care

Research Interests: Identification, education, counseling, testing, and management of familial
breast/ovarian cancer
Medical professionalism in residency training
Pregnancy management in patients with adult congenital disease
Ethical, legal, and social implications of medical genetics
Medical genetics counseling for language and learning impaired patients

References
Dr. Sara Iqbal, Program Director, MFM Fellowship, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, 301 -
980-7018
Dr. Diane Seibert, Associate Dean for Technology, GSN, Uniformed Services University of the
Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD 20814: 301 295-1001 or 410 599-2743
Dr. Gregory Argyros, President, Medstar Washington Hospital Center, 202 877-5053

Executive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004

Dr. Melissa Fries

Dr. Fries is a reproductive geneticist and high- risk obstetrician who
recognizes the privilege of caring for those whose road to motherhood
has been difficult and uncertain. Mothers with genetic conditions, such
as brittle bone disease, or problems, such as repaired congenital heart
anomalies, have special risks in pregnancy. She is committed to
providing the most compassionate and experienced care for these high-
risk women and their infants --comprehensive, honest, and committed
care from preconception to postpartum.
Dr. Fries has spent over 30 years in the field of obstetrics and
gynecology. She completed a residency at Wilford Hall Air Force
Medical Center and a fellowship in reproductive genetics at University of California -San
Francisco. After 26 years in the Air Force, she retired from the military and joined the faculty at
Medstar Washington Hospital Center. She presently serves as the department Chairperson and the
Director of the Special Moms/Special Babies program.
A Maryland resident, Dr. Fries earned her Associate Degree in Biology from Okaloosa -Walton
Community College, her Master of Science in Biology from California State University, her
Master of Science in Education from the University of Southern California, and her Doctor of
Medicine from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.

GOVERNMENT OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser

Office of the General Counsel to the Mayor

______________________________________________________________________________
The John A. Wilson Building • 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW • Suite 300 • Washington, D.C. 20004 • Office (202) 724-7681

To: Kimberly A. Bassett, Steve Walker
From: Betsy Cavendish
Date: February 14, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution reappointing Melissa Fries as a member
of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced Order and found
it to be legally unobjectionable. If you have any questions in this regard, please do not hesitate
to call Michael Porcello, Deputy General Counsel, Executive Office of the Mayor, at 202-727-
0872, or me at 202-724-7681.

______________________________
Elizabeth Cavendish