Maternal Mortality Review Committee Dr. Shari Lawson Confirmation Resolution of 2025

MURI
EL BOWSER
MAYOR
September 24, 2025
The Honorable Phil Mendelson
Chairman
Council of the District of Columbia
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 p ursuant 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. Shari Lawson
Shaneybrook Circle
Reisterstown, MD 21136
(Maryland)
for appointment 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, filling a v acant seat
formerly held by Christine Colie, for an unexpired 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 earlies t consideration of this nomination for confirmation . Please
do not hesitate to contact me, or Steven Walker, Director, Mayor’s Office of Talent and
Appointments, s hould t he Council r equire a dditional i nformation.
Sincerely,
Muriel B owser
Mayor
1
2
3 at the request of the Mayor
4
5
6 A PROPOSED RESOLUTION
7
8
9
10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
11
12
13
14
15 To confirm the appointment of Dr. Shari Lawson to the Maternal Mortality Review Committee.
16
17 RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
18 resolution may be cited as the "Maternal Mortality Review Committee Dr. Shari Lawson
19 Confirmation Resolution of 2025".
20 Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia confirms the appointment of:
21
22 Dr. Shari Lawson
23 Shaneybrook Circle
24 Reisterstown, MD 21136
25 (Maryland)
26
27 as a person with experience in obstetrics and gynecology from a District of Columbia hospital or
28 birthing center member of the Maternal Mortality Review Committee, established by section 3 of
29 the Maternal Mortality Review Committee Establishment Act of 2018, effective June 5, 2018
30 (D.C. Law 22-111; D.C. Official Code§ 7-671.02), filling a vacant seat formerly held by
31 Christine Co lie, for the remainder of an unexpired term to end January 10, 2028.
32 Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia shall transmit a copy of this resolution,
33 upon its adoption, to the nominee and to the Office of the Mayor.
34 Sec. 4. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
CURRICULUM VITAE
Howard University College of Medicine
Shari Martin Lawson, MD, MBA
DEMOGRAPHIC AND PERSONAL INFORMATION
Current Appointments
University
2023-present Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Howard University College of Medicine
Hospital
2023-present Department Chair, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Howard University
Hospital
Past Appointments
2023 Associate Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine
2008-2023 Assistant Professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine
2016-2023 Assistant Dean, Office of Medical Student Affairs, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
2016-2022 Director, Medical Student Diversity, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine
Hospital
2014-2023 Division Chief, General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins Hospital
2014-2023 Attending Physician, Johns Hopkins Hospital
2008-2023 Attending Physician, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
2005-2007 Attending Physician, Upper Chesapeake Medical Center
Personal Data
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Howard University Hospital
2041 Georgia Avenue, Third Floor
Suite 3-C
Tel 202-865-7671
Fax 202-865-4174
Email shari.lawson@howard.edu
Education and Training:
Undergraduate
1997 B.A., Biophysics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Doctoral/Graduate
2001 M.D., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
2013 M.B.A., Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Postdoctoral
2001-2005 Resident, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore,
MD
1

2012 Faculty Development, Introduction to Curriculum Development Program,
Johns Hopkins Bayview
Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
2017-2018 Faculty Development, Leadership Development Program, Johns Hopkins
Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2018-2019 Scholar, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO)
Scholars and Leaders
Program, Maui, HI; Annapolis MD; Orlando, FL
Professional Experience
2005-2007 Attending Physician, Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air, MD
2008-2013 Attending Physician, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore MD
2008-2013 Medical Director, Johns Hopkins Women’s Services at Bayview Medical
Center, Baltimore MD
2014-2020 Medical Director, Johns Hopkins Women’s Services at Green Spring Station,
Lutherville, MD
PUBLICATIONS
Original Research [OR]
Mentees are underlined
1. Pressman EK, Bienstock JL, Blakemore KJ, Martin SA, Callan NA. Prediction of birth
weight by ultrasound in the third trimester. Obstet Gynecol. 2000;95(4):502-506.
doi:10.1016/s0029-7844(99)00617-1. Role: acquisition of data, editing manuscript,
final approval of manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published
work.
2. Bienstock JL, Tzou WS, Martin SA, Fox HE. Effect of student ethnicity on
interpersonal skills and objective standardized clinical examination scores. Obstet
Gynecol. 2000;96(6):1011-1013 doi.org/10.1016/S0029-7844(00)01058-9.
Role:
acquisition, analysis, and interpretation of data, editing manuscript, final approval of
manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
3. Bienstock JL, Martin SA, Tzou WS, Fox HE. Medical students' gender is a predictor of
success in the obstetrics and gynecology basic clerkship. Teach Learn Med.
2002;14(4):240-243. doi:10.1207/S15328015TLM1404_7. Role: acquisition, analysis,
and interpretation of data, editing manuscript, final approval of manuscript,
accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
4. Chen CC, Green IC, Colbert-Getz JM, Steele K, Chou B, Lawson SM, Andersen DK,
Satin AJ. et al. Warm-up on a simulator improves residents' performance in
laparoscopic surgery: a randomized trial. Int Urogynecol J. 2013;24(10):1615-1622.
doi:10.1007/s00192-013-2066-2. Role: acquisition of data, editing manuscript, final
approval of manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
5. Chilukuri N, West M, Henderson JL, Lawson S, Ehsanipoor R, Costigan K, Polk S,
Bennett W. Information and Communication Technology Use Among Low-Income
Pregnant and Postpartum Women by Race and Ethnicity: A Cross-Sectional Study. J
Med Internet Res. 2015;17(7):e163. doi: 10.2196/jmir.3916. PMID: 26142162; PMCID:
PMC4526977. Role: acquisition of data, editing manuscript, final approval of
manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
6. Harris A, Chilukuri N, West M, Henderson J, Lawson S, Polk S, Levine D, Bennett WL.
Obesity-Related Dietary Behaviors among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Pregnant
and Postpartum Women. J Pregnancy. 2016:9832167. doi: 10.1155/2016/9832167.
Epub 2016 May 19. Role: acquisition of data, editing manuscript, final approval of
manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
2
7. Linz MO, Jun AS, Clever SL, Lawson SM, Sanyal A, Scott AW. Evaluation of Medical
Students' Perception of an Ophthalmology Career. Ophthalmology. 2018;125(3):461-
462. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.10.032. Epub 2017 Nov 28. Role: interpretation of
data, editing manuscript, final approval of manuscript, accountability for
accuracy/integrity of the published work.
8. Nasab S, Rushing JS, Segars JH, Evers E, Handa VL, Lawson S, Miller C, Yenokyan G,
Bienstock J, Satin AJ. A Mentorship Program for Academic Obstetrician Gynecologists
that Improved Publication and Overall Confidence for Success. Semin Reprod Med.
2019;37(5-06):257-264. doi: 10.1055/s-0039-1697934. Epub 2019 Sep 19. Role:
analysis and interpretation of data, editing manuscript, final approval of manuscript,
accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
9. Borahay MA, Wethington SL, Wang KC, Christianson MS, Martin S, Lawson SM,
Esguerra C, Lippitt MH, Wu H, Handa VL, Satin AJ, Fader AN. Patient-Centered,
Gynecology-Specific Prioritization of Nonurgent Surgeries during the COVID-19
Pandemic: Proposal of a Novel Scoring System. J Minim Invasive Gynecol.
2020;27(6):1429-1433. doi: 10.1016/j.jmig.2020.05.026. Epub 2020 Jun 3. PMID:
32504823. Role: contributions to concept and design, editing manuscript, final
approval of manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
10.Lawson SM*, Chou B, Martin KL, Ryan I, Eke AC, Martin KD. The association
between race/ethnicity and peripartum hysterectomy and the risk of perioperative
complications. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2020;151(1):57-
66. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijgo.13304. *Corresponding author.
11.Pang S , Vongsachang H, Le T , Zhang G, Li T, Lee J, Lawson SM*. Knowledge and
Attitudes of U.S. Medical Students Regarding the Care of Asian American Patients: A
Cross-Sectional Survey Study. BMC Med Educ. 2021 Mar 6;21(1):148. doi:
10.1186/s12909-021-02568-0.
*Corresponding author.
12.McDonald LR, Schwarz JL, Martin SJ, Will SB, Lawson SM, Stokes T, Riley SC,
Reynolds K, and Chou B. An Initiative to Improve Cultural Competence among
GYN/OB Providers. Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice. 2021; 14(3)
Article 7. Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol14/iss3/7
. Role:
contributions to concept and design, interpretation of data, editing manuscript, final
approval of manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
13.Polk S, Edwardson J, Lawson S, Valenzuela D, Hobbins E, Bennett W. Randomized
Controlled Trial to Improve Postpartum Visit Attendance Among Low Income Women
with Limited English Proficiency. Women’s Health Rep (New Rochelle). 2021;2(1):381-
388. Published 2021 Sep 9. doi:10.1089/whr.2020.0123.
Role: contributions to
concept and design, interpretation of data, editing manuscript, final approval of
manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
14.Callaghan-Koru J, Wahid I, Lawson S, Bower K, Wilburn C, Creanga A. Maternal
warning signs education during home visiting: Results from a formative evaluation in
Maryland. Women’s Health Rep Published online 11 Jul 2022. https://doi.org/10.1089/
whr.2022.0027. Role: contributions to concept and design, editing manuscript, final
approval of manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the published work.
PMID: 35982773
15.Le TK , Vongsachang H, Pang S, Zhang GQ, Li T, Lee JTC, Lawson SM*. US Medical
Student Perspectives on Asian American Patient Inclusion in Medical Education: A
Qualitative Study. 2022 Jun 22;22(1):482. doi: 10.1186/s12909-022-03550-0. PMID:
35729562; PMCID: PMC9213094. *Corresponding author
.
16.Meeks M , Voegtline K, Vaught AJ, Lawson SM*. Differences in Surgical Classification
and Indications for Peripartum Hysterectomy by Race/Ethnicity at a Major Academic
Institution. [published online ahead of print, 2022 Oct 28]. Am J Perinatol.
3
2022;10.1055/s-0042-1757276. doi:10.1055/s-0042-1757276. *Corresponding author.
PMID: 36307089
17.Bower, K.M., Kramer, B., Warren, N., Ahmed, S., Callaghan-Koru, J., Stierman, E.,
Wilson, C., Lawson, S., Creanga, A. Development of an Instrument to Measure
Awareness and Mitigation of Bias in Maternal Health Care. Am J Obstet Gynecol
MFM. January 19, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100938. Role:
interpretation of data, editing manuscript, final approval of manuscript, accountability
for accuracy/integrity of the published work. PMID: 36682457
18.Guan C, Boyer TM; Darwin KC; Henshaw C; Michos, ED; Lawson S; Vaught AJ. Racial
Disparities in Care Escalation for Postpartum Hemorrhage Requiring Transfusion. Am
J Obstet Gynecol MFM. March 20, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100938
. Role: interpretation of data, editing
manuscript, final approval of manuscript, accountability for accuracy/integrity of the
published work. PMID: 36948294
19.Cudjoe LN, Canner JK, Lawson SM, Vaught AJ. The association between severe
maternal morbidity and mortality and race/ethnicity with community type in
Maryland. Women’s Health. 2023;19. First published onlin on August 24, 2023.
https://doi:10.1177/17455057231189556
20.Hamilton S , Olson S, Voegtline K, Lawson SM*. Postpartum readmission in Maryland
by race and ethnicity, 2016–2019, AJOG Global Reports, Volume 3, Issue 4, 2023,
100278, ISSN 2666-5778, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xagr.2023.100278
21.Van Denakker TA, Haddaway K, Cunningham A, Leonard K, Darwin K, Meeks M,
Lawson SM, Vaught A, Moliterno A, Frank SM, Tobian A, Crowe E, Bloch E, Rai H.
Overcoming challenges in managing a high-risk pregnancy with placenta previa and
newly diagnosed Bombay phenotype. Transfus Apher Sci. 2023 Oct 11:103832. https://
doi:10.1016/j.transci.2023.103832 Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37858399.
22.Creanga A, Kramer B, Wolfson C, Mary M, Stierman E, Ezennia A, Rhule J, Martin N,
Vance-Reed M, Brucec T, DiPierto B, Burgess A, Warren N, Lawson S, Meyerholz S,
Bower K. Centering equity and fostering stakeholder collaboration and trust – pillars
of the maternal health innovation (MDMOM) program in Maryland. Health Equity.
Manuscript accepted for publication.
23.Stierman E, Watts T, Lawson S, Bruce T, Reed-Vance M, Bower K, Creanga A,
Callaghan-Koru J. Educating families on urgent maternal warning signs: learning from
a pilot to improve training and tools for maternal and child home visiting programs.
Health Promotion Practice. Manuscript submitted.
Review Articles [RA]
1.
Valdiviezo C, Lawson S, Ouyang P. An update on menopausal hormone replacement
therapy in women and cardiovascular disease. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes.
2013;20(2):148-55. doi: 10.1097/MED.0b013e32835ed58b.
2. Rao SJ, Martin SS, Lawson SM, Hailu T, Davis DM, Nasir K, Cainzos-Achirica M,
Blumenthal RS, Sharma G. Evaluating the Role of Statins in Prevention of
Preeclampsia: Deeper Insights into Maternal Cardiometabolic
Changes, Journal of Clinical Lipidology 2022 Jul-Aug;16(4):403-416. doi:
10.1016/j.jacl.2022.04.007. Epub 2022 Apr 30. PMID: 35668023.
3. Purohit AM, Oyeka CP, Khan SS, Toscano M, Nayak S, Lawson SM et al. Preventing
Adverse Cardiovascular Outcomes in Pregnancy Complicated by Obesity. Curr Obstet
Gynecol Rep (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13669-023-00356-9
Case Reports [CR] None
4
Book Chapters, Monographs [BC]
Mentees are underlined
1. Lawson S, Bienstock J. The Johns Hopkins Manual of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 3rd
edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. 2007. Chapter 5, Normal labor
and delivery, operative delivery, and malpresentations; p. 77-94
2. Baselice J
, Lawson S. The Johns Hopkins Manual of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 4th
edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2010. Chapter 20, Postpartum
Care and Breast-feeding; p. 308-317
.
3. Pratts M , Lawson S. The Johns Hopkins Manual of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 5th
edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, 2015. Chapter 23, Postpartum
Care and Breast-feeding; p. 287-296
.
4. Lawson S. The Well Woman Visit. 1st edition. New York: Cambridge University Press,
2017 Chapter 49, Diabetes Postpartum; p. 286-288.
5. Ryan I , Lawson S. The Johns Hopkins Manual of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 6th
edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, 2020. Chapter 7,
Third Trimester Bleeding; p. 78-86
.
6. Lawson S. Pregnancy Complications: A Case-Based Approach. Case 85:
Monochorionic-diamnotic twins. (Book chapter in press).
Books, Textbooks [BK] None
Editorials [ED]
1. Lawson SM. Expanding on Lower Genital Hematomas. Obstet Gynecol. 2022; 140(3)
pp1-2. PMID: 35926209 (invited editorial)
Guidelines/Protocols, Consensus Statement, Expert Opinion, Consortium Articles [GL]
1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Clinical
Consensus– Obstetrics in collaboration with Valent A, Russo M, Lawson SM.
Cannabis Use in Pregnancy and Lactation. (In Press)
Letters, Correspondence [LT] None
Media Releases/Interviews [MR]
National
10/18/16 Interview. How to Stop Your Period. New York Times.
https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/19/well/live/how-to-stop-your-period.html
8/30/18 Interview. To Menstrual Cup or Not to Menstrual Cup? These Experts Have
Answers. Pop Sugar. https://www.popsugar.com/node/45034931
11/12/20 Interview. Good Sex: Is Using Coconut Oil as Lube Safe? Glamour.
https://www.glamour.com/story/coconut-oil-lube
11/18/20 Interview. Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Postpartum are More Dangerous in
the US Compared with Other Countries, Research Finds. Everyday Health.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/womens-health/pregnancy-childbirth-and-
postpartum-more-dangerous-in-us-compared-with-other-high-income-
countries-research-finds/
12/22/20 Interview. How is Vaginal Atrophy Diagnosed? Health Central.
https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/vaginal-atrophy-diagnosis
12/28/20 Interview. Coping with Vaginal Infections and Vaginal Atrophy after
Menopause. Health
5
Central. https://www.healthcentral.com/slideshow/vaginal-infections-and-
vaginal-atrophy-link
8/27/21 Interview. False Positives can Occur after Hysterectomy. Giddy.
https://getmegiddy.com/false-positives-after-hysterectomy#
9/30/21 Interview. What is Implantation Bleeding. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/health/family/what-is-implantation-bleeding/
10/21/21 Interview. Early Signs of Pregnancy. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/health/
family/early-signs-of-pregnancy/
11/12/21 Interview. An Ectopic Pregnancy is Not Compatible with Life. Giddy. https://
getmegiddy.com/ectopic-pregnancy
1/13/23 Interview. In 'persistent' trend, Black fetal deaths are twice as high as white
deaths, CDC finds. USA Today
International
12/13/16Interview. NTN24 News (Colombia) Science, Health, and Technology
Segment. Menstrual Cycle Suppression and Contraception.
Other Media
1. Lawson S, Gaba N. Management of Fetal Demise Caused by Abruption at Term. (peer
reviewed and published by SASGOG Pearls of Exxcellence editorial board)
http://www.exxcellence.org/pearls-of-exxcellence/list-of-pearls/february-pearl-1-2016/
Website visits as of December 4, 2021: 11,993; daily average 2.12 visits
2. Lawson S. Urgent Maternal Warning Signs. (published by MD MOM)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UOFtIbEMe0 Views as of August 2, 2022: 1,643
3. Lawson S. Caring for Patients by Listening. February 2023.
https://closler.org/connecting-with-patients/caring-for-patients-by-listening.
Distributed to ~8,000 individuals via CLOSLER's weekly email update & seen on
Twitter by @CLOSLER’s ~6,000 followers.
FUNDING
EXTRAMURAL FUNDING
Research Extramural Funding
Current
2/1/22 – 12/31/26 Hidden in Plain Sight – Stigmatizing Language in the Patient Medical
Record
1R01MD017048
National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Annual Cost: $692,315
PI: Mary Catherine Beach
Role: Co-investigator, 5% salary support
Pending None
Previous
8/1/12 – 7/31/15Maternal Outcomes and Neurodevelopmental Effects of Antiepileptic
U01NS038455
Drugs NINDS (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and
Strokes)
Annual Cost: $2,860,622
PI: Kimford Meador and Page Pennell
Role: OB/GYN Co-PI, 3% salary support
Education Extramural Funding
Current None
6
Pending None
Previous
9/1/19 – 8/31/20 Knowledge and attitudes of the US Medical Student Regarding the
Care of
Asian Patients
Josiah Macy Foundation
Annual Cost: $4,600
Role: PI
System Innovation Extramural Funding
Current
8/1/20 – 9/29/24 MDMOM
Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program
Total Costs: $10,300,000 over 5 years
PI: Andreea Creanga
Role: Co-Investigator: 10% salary support
12/1/20 – 11/30/22 MCIC Vermont Inc.
Patient Safety Awards: Maternal Outcomes
Total Costs: $25,000 over 2 years
Role: Co-PI
Pending none
Previous
2/15/13 – 2/14/17 Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns
1D12CMS331134-01-02
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Annual Direct Cost: $590,181
PI: Andrew Satin, M.D.
Role: Project Clinical Medical Director and Co-PI, 40% salary support
INTRAMURAL FUNDING
Research Intramural Funding
Current None
Pending None
Previous
12/1/19 – 11/30/20 The Role of Patient Portals in Ameliorating or Exacerbating
Disparities In Maternal Health
KP-JHM Research Collaborative
JHM PI: Shari Lawson, MD, MBA, FACOG
Annual cost 75,000 total ($37,500 to each site)
Role PI: 5% salary support
CLINICAL ACTIVITIES
Clinical Focus
I am a specialist in general obstetrics and gynecology. My practice encompasses
preventative health care for women across the reproductive spectrum. I have an active
surgical practice that includes minimally invasive techniques in advanced laparoscopy
and hysteroscopy. I also provide antenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care to patients
with normal and high risk pregnancies at Johns Hopkins Hospital. In my practice, I care
for for many JHM faculty (current and emeritae), senior leaders, adminstrators, donors
and their family members.
7
Certification
Medical, other state/government licensure
2023-present District of Columbia Medical License #MD500001752
2023-present District of Columbia Controlled Drug Substance #CS220200757
2005-present Maryland State Medical License # D0063142
2005-present Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Division of Drug Control
#M57701
Boards, other specialty certification
2005 Diplomate, National Board of Medical Examiners
2008 Board Certified, American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
2008 Board Certified, NCC Certificate of Added Qualification in Electronic Fetal
Monitoring
2009 Fellow, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Membership in or examiner for specialty board
2018-2022 Board examiner, American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
(alternate)
2023-present Board examiner, American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Clinical Program Building/Leadership
2014-2023 Division Chief, General Obstetrics and Gynecology (10%) – East Baltimore
Campus
Traditionally, our department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns
Hopkins Hospital has operated in sub-specialized silos: Maternal Fetal
Medicine, Gynecologic Oncology, Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility, and Gynecologic Specialties etc. During the course of a woman’s
life, her care may move from division to division without truly identifying
with one primary provider. When our new departmental director was
appointed in 2013, one of his strategic priorities was to establish a division
of General Obstetrics and Gynecology at Johns Hopkins Hospital to provide
comprehensive well-woman care and prenatal care to our patients at the
East Baltimore campus, triage abnormal findings and afford seamless
transitions to subspecialty care within our department as indicated. As the
inaugural division director for General Obstetrics and Gynecology at Johns
Hopkins Hospital, I established and lead the Division of General Obstetrics
and Gynecology at Johns Hopkins Hospital. At the conclusion of AY20, I was
leading a group of 7 full-time faculty and one full-time advanced practice
provider. We see patients at two clinical sites and perform surgeries at three
locations. This division has provided a new model of care that has been well
received by our patient base and referring physicians. As a result of this new
division, we have re-evaluated the coverage model on our labor and delivery
unit and incorporated more staffing by general OB/GYNs vs. Maternal Fetal
Medicine specialists. The result of this new program has been increased
patient access, increased patient/staff satisfaction with the general OB/GYN
care model as well as increases in deliveries on Johns Hopkins Hospital
Labor & Delivery, GYN surgeries, and ambulatory visits.
With the recruitment of my core faculty, I kept our division’s mission, vision,
and core values in mind. Our emphasis is on promoting diversity and
inclusion, medical education and patient safety and quality of care. We are
also active participants in medical student and resident education and role
models for those considering a career in general obstetrics and gynecology.
8
Since the inception of our division in 2014, our division faculty have been
appointed as GYN/OB residency program director, Associate Women’s
Health Clerkship Director, Women’s Health Ambulatory Selective Director,
and GYN/OB Simulation Director.
2013-2020 Medical Director, Johns Hopkins Women’s Services at Green Spring Station
(5%)
Our practice at Green Spring Station is a multi-specialty faculty Gyn/Ob
practice. In this medical director role from 2013 through the end of 2020, I
have promoted effective communication between providers and nursing
staff/administration; fostered a culture of safety and quality; and reviewed
and addressed patient complaints and clinical concerns.
Clinical Demonstration Activities to external audience, on or off campus Not applicable
Development of nationally/internationally recognized clinical standard of care Not
applicable
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Educational Focus
As a faculty member in GYN/OB, I teach medical students and residents the fundamentals
of women’s health. I also foster professional development of junior faculty in my division.
As Assistant Dean of Medical Student Affairs, I serve as an advocate for students,
promote their academic and personal success, and foster a welcoming learning
environment. I also provide support and guidance for students in crisis. As the Director of
Medical Student Diversity, I work closely with affinity groups for students from diverse
backgrounds. In 2020, with the Assistant Dean of Graduate Biomedical Education, I
established the JHUSOM Student Diversity Council.
During AY21, I was designated as a co-chair of the JHUSOM Liaison Committee on
Medical Education (LCME) Accreditation Subcommittee on Medical Students by the
JHUSOM Faculty Accreditation Lead. As co-chair, I was responsible for directing our
subcommittee members in developing a timely response to our assigned standards (3, 10,
11, and 12) for the Institutional Self-Study Summary prior to the JHUSOM LCME Site
Visit in October 2021.
Teaching
Classroom instruction
JHMI/Regional
2009 Lecturer. 36 PGY 1-4 residents. Primary and Preventative Care, Johns
Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
2009 Lecturer. 36 PGY 1-4 residents. Basic E&M Coding, Johns Hopkins Hospital,
Baltimore, MD
2010-2011 Lecturer/Session leader. 24 Year 3 and 4 medical students. “Tearful and
Breastfeeding” Interdisciplinary Module w/ Psychiatry, lactation, and social
work (6 sessions) Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore,
MD
2010 Lecturer. 36 PGY 1-4 residents. Ambulatory Gynecology: The Bumps Down
There, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2011 Lecturer. 24 Year 2 medical students. Abdominal Pain in Pregnancy (Genes
to Society), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
9
2011 Session leader. 24 Year 2 medical students. Evaluation of Preterm Labor
Case Based Learning (CBL) Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
Baltimore, MD
2011 Session leader. 24 Year 2 medical students. Shortness of Breath in
Pregnancy CBL, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore,
MD
2011 Session leader. 24 Year 2 medical students. Contraception and Amenorrhea
CBL, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2011 Lecturer. 24 Year 3 and 4 medical students. Evaluation of the Adnexal Mass,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2012 Lecturer. 24 Year 3 and 4 medical students. Early Pregnancy Loss, Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2012 Lecturer. 120 Year 2 medical students. Normal Pregnancy and Placental
Development (Genes to Society), Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2013 Lecturer. 36 PGY 1-4 residents. Vulvar Disorders, Johns Hopkins Hospital,
Baltimore, MD
2016 Lecturer. 16 undergraduate students. Cultural Competency in Healthcare
(The State of Cultural Competency in Global Health AS.360.111), Johns
Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Baltimore, MD
2014, 2017 Session leader. 24 Year 2 medical students. Amenorrhea (Genes to Society),
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2017 Session leader. 24 Year 2 medical students. Virtual Microscopy – Uterus and
Ovary (Genes to Society), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine,
Baltimore, MD
2017 Session leader. 24 Year 2 medical students. Medical Disease in Pregnancy
(Genes to Society), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore,
MD
2017 Course Co-Instructor. 24 faculty and fellows. Teaching and Role Modeling
Wellness. The Institute for Excellence in Education 2017 Summer Teaching
Camp, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
7/7/17 Women in Health Leadership: Academic and Career Paths, Kennedy Krieger
Institute to the MCH-RISE UP and Maternal Child Health – Leadership
Education Advocay and Research Network (MCH LEARN) UIM Summer
Program, Baltimore, MD
9/13/17 Pathways to Medicine, Johns Hopkins Underrepresented in Medicine (JUMP)
Dinner, Keynote Speaker, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD
2018-2023 Lecturer. 24 Year 3 and 4 medical students. Benign GYN (PRECEDE) 4-6
times annually. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2019-2023 Session Lead. Bias in Clinical Settings – Small group learning session for
Transition to Wards. 120 Year 2 medical students (delivered annually in
February), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2019, 2020 Selected SOM Faculty Mentor. Session leader for 9 first year pre-licensure
medical, public health, nursing, and pharmacy students from the JH Schools
of Medicine Nursing and Public Health and the Notre Dame of Maryland
University School of Pharmacy.
Interprofessional Event #1: Values and Ethics for Interprofessional Practice
and
Interprofessional Event #3: Teams and Teamwork, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
6/26/20 The Road to Admission. Louis Starks Alliance for Minority Participation
(LSAMP) Graduate School Seminar, Baltimore, MD
10
10/30/20 The Road to Admission. Johns Hopkins Chapter of Minority Association for
Premedical Students (MAPS), Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MD.
11/14/20 Clinical Session in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Student National Medical
Association Region VI Medical Education Conference, Baltimore, MD.
11/14/20 Avoiding Burnout and Promoting Wellness. Student National Medical
Association Region VI Medical Education Conference, Baltimore, MD.
2020-2021 Session Lead. Bias in Clinical Settings, A Virtual Clinical Elective in 10
Specialties (ME: 800.699; national/global elective for 30-40 visiting medical
students); annually in September, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, Baltimore, MD
7/2/21 The Road to Admission. Louis Starks Alliance for Minority Participation
(LSAMP) Graduate School Seminar, Baltimore, MD.
National
2018 Faculty Mentor. ACOG Medical Student Roundtable Workshop – Preparing
your CV and Personal Statement: A Primer for Applying to OBGYN
Residency
International None
Clinical instruction
JHMI/Regional
2010, 2017 Lecturer/Session leader. 60 Year 2 medical students. Surgical Skills: Knot-
Tying and Suturing Interactive Lecture/Workshop (Transition to Wards) (2
sessions), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2009-2010 Session Leader. 36 PGY 1-4 residents. Bayview Simulator School (6
sessions), Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
2017 Lecturer/Session leader. 24 Year 3 and 4 medical students. Scrub and Gown
workshop
(Transition to Wards). 1 session, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine, Baltimore, MD
2018 Session Leader. 6 interprofessional team members (resident physicians and
nurses). Postpartum Hemorrhage Simulation, Johns Hopkins Hospital,
Baltimore, MD
2020 Session Leader. Orientation for 9 incoming interns. Vaginal Delivery
Simulation, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD
National None
International None
CME instruction
JHMI/Regional
4/21/23 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. Addressing Imposter
Syndrome in Medical Students. Northeastern Group on Student Affairs
(NEGSA) Annual Meeting. Philadelphia, PA.
National
1/2010 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. PRECEDE - An
Interdisciplinary Clerkship Level Clinical Skills Curriculum., 2010
Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics APGO Faculty
Development Seminar, Scottsdale, AZ
1/2011 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. Whose Line is it
Anyway? Role-Playing with Non-MD Preceptors, 2011 Association of
Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Faculty Development
Seminar, Amelia Island, FL
11
1/7/13 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. Burnout in Medical Students
and Residents: The Hidden Danger. 2013 Association of Professors of
Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Faculty Development Seminar, Maui, HI
1/13/14 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. Heal Thy Learner: Burnout
Prevention and
Management Bootcamp. 2014 Association of Professors of Gynecology and
Obstetrics (APGO) Faculty Development Seminar, West Palm Beach, FL
1/14/14 Session Leader. Roundtable Discussion. Physician Heal Thyself: Promoting
Wellness from Within. 2014 Association of Professors of Gynecology and
Obstetrics (APGO) Faculty Development Seminar, West Palm Beach, FL
2/27/14 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. Follow the Signs to Research
Road: Establishing Signposts for a Research Curriculum. 2014 Council on
Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) and Association
of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Annual Meeting, Atlanta,
GA
1/8/19 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. Protecting Students from
Disruptive Behavior and Mistreatment. Association of Professors of
Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Faculty Development Seminar, Maui, HI
3/10/22 Course Co-Instructor. Workshop presentation. From Task Force to Table:
How to Sound the Alarm for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 2022 Council
on Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) and
Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Annual
Meeting, Orlando FL
International None
Workshops/Seminars
JHMI/Regional None
National
4/9/21 Session Lead. Obstetric Hemorrhage Patient Safety Bundle. Society for
Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology 2021 Virtual
Meeting. East Dundee, IL
7/22/22 Session Co-Lead. “Advocating for Your Residents, Your Program Manager,
and Yourself – Self-Advocacy: Discovering Scholarly Activity in Your Daily
Duties.” Council on Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology
(CREOG) 2022 Education Retreat. Washington D.C.
5/18/23 Session Co-Lead. Recruitment and Retention of Diverse Academic Faculty.
Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology 2023
Annual Meeting. Baltimore MD
International None
Patient Education Seminars/Invited Talks
JHMI/Regional
5/3/12 Charla Sobre Salud de la Mujer – Cancer del Cuello del Utero (Cervical
Cancer), Latina Women’s Health Seminar, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical
Center, Baltimore, MD.
11/17/12 Contraceptive Update. A Women’s Journey, Baltimore, MD
11/1/14 Flashpoint: Regulating Your Body’s Temperature. A Women’s Journey,
Baltimore MD.
National
1/22/15 Flashpoint: Regulating Your Body’s Temperature. A Women’s Journey, Palm
Beach FL
12
International None
Mentoring
Pre-doctoral Advisees/Mentees
2018-2021 Monica Meeks, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – Society of
Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG)
poster; OR 16
2018-2022 Sharon Pang, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – Oral abstract at
Institute for Excellence in Education (IEE) Education Conference and
Celebration; OR 11; OR 15; Josiah Macy Foundation grant
2018-2022 Hursuong Vongsachang, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – Oral
abstract at IEE Education Conference and Celebration; OR 11; OR 15; Josiah
Macy Foundation grant
2018-2022 Thomas Le, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine– Oral abstract at
IEE Education Conference and Celebration; OR 11; OR 15; Josiah Macy
Foundation grant
2018-2022 George Zhang, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine– Oral abstract
at IEE Education Conference and Celebration; OR 11; OR 15; Josiah Macy
Foundation grant
2018-2022 Taibo Li, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine– Oral abstract at IEE
Education Conference and Celebration; OR 11; OR 15; Josiah Macy
Foundation grant
2018-2022 Jason Lee, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine– Oral abstract at
IEE Education Conference and Celebration; OR 11; OR 15; Josiah Macy
Foundation grant
2021-present Sonia Hamilton – ongoing analysis of management of
postpartum hemorrhage in the Johns Hopkins Health System; postpartum
readmissions by race/ethnicity in MD
Post-doctoral Advisees/Mentees
2008-presentTiffany McNair Wiggins, MD, MPH – Director, Division of
Healthy Start and Perinatal Services, Maternal and Child Health Bureau,
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – clinical and career
mentoring
2009-2018 Modupe Agueh, MD – Bureau Director, Baltimore County Health Department
– clinical and career mentoring
2011-present Kristin Martin, MD – Assistant Professor, GYN/OB, Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine – career mentoring; ACOG poster;
OR 10
2014-present Steve Martin, MD – Attending Physician, Johns Hopkins
Community Physicians – clinical and career mentoring
2015-present Orlene Thomas, MD – Assistant Professor, GYN/OB; Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine – career mentoring
2016-2020 Isa Ryan, MD – Family Planning Fellow, Northwestern University School of
Medicine – clinical mentoring; ACOG poster; OR 10
2016-2020 Meghan McMahon, MD – Attending Physician, Johns Hopkins Community
Physicians – clinical and career mentoring
2016-2018 Laura Merrill, MD – OBGYN Faculty, West Virginia University School of
Medicine – clinical and career mentoring
2017-2023 Shriddha Nayak, MD – Assistant Professor, GYN/OB; GYN/OB Simulation
Director, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – clinical and career
mentoring
13
2017-2020 Tochi Ibekwe, MD – OB Hospitalist, Texas Health HEB – clinical and career
mentoring
2018-2023 Cybill Esguerra, MD – Assistant Professor, GYN/OB, Johns Hopkins
University School of
Medicine – clinical and career mentoring
2018-present Jensara Clay, MD – Fellow, Minimally Invasive Gynecologic
Surgery, Cleveland Clinic – clinical and career mentoring
2020-2023 Chelsea Henshaw, MD – GYN/OB resident, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine – clinical mentoring; ASRM poster and ongoing analysis of
management of postpartum hemorrhage in the Johns Hopkins Health
System; OR 18
2022-2023 Mellany Stanislaus, MD – Research Fellow, Anesthesiology and Critical
Care, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – primary research
mentor; Respect, Dignity and Severe Maternal Morbidity: Is there an
association and what is the anesthesiologist’s role?
Thesis committees None
Educational Program Building / Leadership
2016-2023 Assistant Dean, Office of Medical Student Affairs and Medical Director,
Medical Student Diversity (40% effort)
In the Office of Medical Student Affairs, my primary role is to advise
students as they select clerkships, choose their specialty, and consider
residency programs during the Match application process. Each summer, I
work closely with 4th year students as they navigate the application process,
and I prepare Medical Student Performance Evaluations (Dean’s Letters) in
support of students applying in Obstetrics and Gynecology, General Surgery
and other surgical subspecialties. When concerns arise about a medical
student exhibiting unprofessional behavior, I evaluate and remediate these
lapses in professionalism while maintaining our teacher-learner relationship.
Additionally, I provide support for students recovering from acute mental or
physical illnesses or living with chronic ones by working closely with the
learning specialist/disability coordinator to help them succeed in the
curriculum with accommodations, where indicated. Finally, I have been a
source of comfort for students managing grief and loss, particularly during
the COVID-19 pandemic. I also complete other critical tasks in the Office of
Medical Student Affairs: preparing letters of recommendation for medical
students applying for external scholarships, research programs, and other
degree programs and providing oversight for programming and budgetary
spending for 13 student affinity groups including Gertrude Stein Society,
American Medical Women’s Association, Student National Medical
Association, Latino Medical Student Association, Asian Pacific American
Medical Student Association, Jewish Student Association and others.
Since joining the Office of Medical Student of Affairs, I have also cultivated
strong relationships with our Offices of Medical School Admissions and
Pipeline Programs. I have worked closely with the Dean of Admissions on
nationwide recruitment strategies to improve the diversity of our incoming
classes from 12% underrepresented in medicine (UIM) in 2016 to 19% UIM
in 2021. We have also designed and implemented bias training for members
of the Admissions committee. I also work closely with various pipeline
programs to improve the diversity of candidates interested in a career in
medicine or the health professions. In particular, I have partnered with the
Johns Hopkins Underrepresented in Medical Professions (JUMP) and
14
Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS) organization at our
undergraduate campus.
I also recently completed the 15-month competitive Association of Professors
of Gynecology Academic Scholars and Leaders Program (ASL). The ASL
faculty focus on curriculum development, teaching skills, program
evaluation and educational scholarship – skills needed for educational
leadership.
Educational Demonstration Activities to external audiences
12/2020 Mock Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) Accreditation Site
Visitor Morehouse School of Medicine
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
Research Focus
 Healthcare Quality and Equity. I have conducted scholarship focused broadly on
healthcare quality and equity, particularly for racial/ethnic minority populations.
For example, I recently analyzed national datasets to demonstrate that women of
color have higher odds of undergoing peri-partum hysterectomy and higher odds of
surgical complications. Colleagues and I have also demonstrated that Black women
are more likely to have dietary risks related to fast food intake during pregnancy,
and low-income women are equally likely to have cellphones but less likely to have
reliable internet access.
 Medical Training and Professional Development. I have contributed
knowledge regarding the process of professional development and training in
obstetrics and gynecology – for example, in 2019, we found that a mentorship
program for obstetrician gynecologists improved publication and overall
confidence for academic success. I recently mentored a group of medical students
on a grant funded survey looking at student attitudes regarding the care of Asian
patients, and investigated different methods for improving surgical skills.
 Impact of Student Race, Ethnicity and Gender on Educational Outcomes.
My early work focused on questions of racial/ethnic and gender equity among
medical students. In one set of studies, we found no racial differences in student
performance in obstetrics/gynecology objective structured clinical examinations
(OSCE) exams, and that female student performed better than their male
counterparts.
Research Program Building / Leadership
2019-2023 Member, Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Selection
Committee and Advisory Committee, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine site
The WRHR program is funded through the National Institutes of Child
Health and Human Development’s (NICHD) Gynecologic Health and Division
Branch to create a pool of junior investigators with expertise in women’s
health using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Mentored Research
Scientist Development Program Award (K12) Mechanism. Our Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine program currently has 2 scholars.
Research Demonstration Activities None
Inventions, Patents, Copyrights None
Technology Transfer Activities None
1SYSTEM INNOVATION AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIVITIES
15
System Innovation Focus:
 Grant funded initiative to retrospectively evaluate management of and outcomes of
postpartum hemorrhage by race and ethnicity in our health system (Johns Hopkins
Hospital, JHBMC, HCGH, SMH) and develop protocols in collaboration with Patient
Safety, Quality Improvement, Maternal Fetal Medicine for system-wide
management of postpartum hemorrhage.
 MDMOM: Co-collaborator in a state-wide initiative to improve severe maternal
morbidity surveillance and review in Maryland; we have developed provider and
patient education modules including two videos (English and Spanish)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UOFtIbEMe0
and developed and delivered a
training curriculum on urgent maternal warning signs for home visiting programs.
System Innovation and Quality Improvement efforts within JHM:
2009-2010 Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Root Cause Analysis (RCA) “Missed
Abnormal Pap Smear,” Committee Member – redesigned and implemented
pathology reconciliation system for OB/GYN ambulatory clinics
2010-2012 Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Quality Management: Deep Venous
Thrombosis (DVT) prophylaxis Committee, Committee Member – designed
and implemented patient instruction booklet for DVT prevention for post-op
OB/GYN patients.
2022 Johns Hopkins Hospital Root Cause Analysis (RCA) “Lost Surgical Specimen”
Committee Member – reevaluated specimen collection process and
interprofessional communication in the operating room
System Innovation and Quality Improvement efforts outside of JHMI: None
System Innovation and Quality Improvement Program Building/Leadership:
JHMI
2013-2014 Faculty Preceptor for Resident Quality Improvement (QI) Safety Projects – 6
teams
Quality Improvement Team 4: Amanda Ramos, Shriddha Nayak, Sara
Seifert, Meghan Pratts, Jill
Tseng, Irene Woo. Intimate Partner Violence
Quality Improvement Team 5: Chantel Washington, Melissa Weinrobe, John
Wu, Dena vander
Tuig, Emily Wu, Mary Ann Wilbur. Improved Screening for Intimate Partner
Violence by Resident
Physicians
2015-2018 Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns Innovation Award (Program
Director)
Medicaid eligible pregnant women residing in East Baltimore are at highest
risk for preterm birth for numerous reasons – barriers to accessing care,
psychosocial risk factors, and co-morbid medical conditions. For this 3 year
project (2015-2018), I served as Medical Director for JCASE (CMS
Innovation Award) and Co-PI. In collaboration with Johns Hopkins
Healthcare, we created a clinical workflow to deliver enhanced prenatal
care services on site at 5 urban clinics. Services offered included: on site
care coordination, home visiting, access to transportation, on site group
education. The people/area impacted were Medicaid eligible pregnant
women with Priority Partners seen for prenatal care at the Johns Hopkins
Outpatient Center, Bayview Medical Offices, Center for Addiction in
Pregnancy, Wyman Park, and East Baltimore Medical Center. 1602 women
enrolled; 1600 women targeted (successfully recruited 100% of
16
participants). Results demonstrated decreased preterm birth rate, decreased
NICU admissions, and increased participant engagement compared to
Priority Partners standard telephonic case management program.
2020-2023 Identifying and Addressing Health Care Disparities in GYN/OB Department –
Our initial step is
to use EPIC to identify disparities in maternal outcomes by race/ethnicity.
We will
then work to reduce any identified gaps through implementation of Allliance
of Innovation on
Maternal Health patient safety bundles in postpartum hemorrhage and
hypertension. These efforts
will impact the care of approximately 10000 OB patients annually who
deliver at the Johns Hopkins
Hospital, Bayview Medical Center, Howard County General Hospital and
Sibley Memorial Hospital
Labor and Delivery Units.
Regional
2020-2023 MCIC Vermont, Inc. is a medical professional insurer for leading academic
medical centers,
including Johns Hopkins Medicine. I am a member of the Maternal
Complications Subcommittee
where we focus on ways to improve maternal health outcomes and reduce
health disparities in
postpartum hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
2020-2023 MDMOM: Maryland Maternal Health Innovation Program is a 5-year
program funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration to
improve maternal health access at 32 hospitals across the state. I serve as
the coordinating OBGYN at the Johns Hopkins Hospital site for the pilot
phase of Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM) Hospital Surveillance and
Review.
ORGANIZATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Past Institutional Administrative Appointments
2008-2013 Member, Bayview Medical Offices Ambulatory Practice Leadership
Committee, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
2008-2013 Member, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Medical Student
Committee on Admissions
2008-present Member, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Gynecology
and Obstetrics Residency Interview Committee
2008-2013 Member, GYN/OB Ambulatory Practice Leadership Committee, Johns
Hopkins Hospital
2009-2013 Member, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Ambulatory Practice
Operations Group
2009-2023 Core PRECEDE Educator, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Women’s Health Clerkship curriculum
2010-2023 Co-chair, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of
Gynecology and Obstetrics Faculty Compensation Committee
2011-2013 Member, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of
Gynecology and Obstetrics Medical Education Research Committee,
17
2011-2020 Member, Clinical Practice Association Committee, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
2011-2020 Physician Champion, EPIC Physician Council, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
2012-2013 Member, Bayview Safety Improvement Council, Johns Hopkins Bayview
Medical Center
2012 Member, Johns Hopkins Medicine Strategic Planning: Subject Matter Expert
Team #5 – “Johns Hopkins is the Employer of Choice,” Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine
2013-2023 Ad hoc Interviewer, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine MD
Committee on Admissions
2014-2019 Co-chair, Ambulatory Practice Council for Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Academic Divisions
2015-2020 Epic Business Owner, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
2016-2023 Member, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Gynecology and
Obstetrics Residency Application Screening Committee
2016-2023 Member, Undergraduate Medical Educational Policy and Curriculum
Committee, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2016-2023 Member, Pre-Clerkship and Clerkship Student Assesment and Formational
Committees Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2016-2023 Member, Financial Aid Advisory Committee, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
2017-2020 Member, Board of Governors, Clinical Practice Association, Johns Hopkins
Medicine
2017 Member, Search Committee for Chair of the MD Committee on Admissions,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2018 Member, Search Committee for Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
2018-2020 Member, Johns Hopkins AOA Honor Society Chapter Steering Committee,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2019-2020 Member, Search Committee for Director of the Department of Radiation
Oncology and Molecular Radiation Sciences, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine
2020 Chair, Search Committee for Director of Colleges Advisory Program and
Clinical Foundations of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine
2020-2021 Co-Chair, Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) on Accreditation
Subcommittee on Medical Students, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine Self Study (LCME Site Visit 10/2021)
2020-present Member, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of
Gynecology and Obstetrics EPIC Enhancement Leadership Team
2020-present Co-chair, Social Justice in Obstetrics and Gynecology Task Force,
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Gynecology and
Obstetrics
2020-present Departmental representative, Johns Hopkins University School of
Medicine Faculty Diversity Council
2019-2020 Member, Search Committee for Senior Associate Dean of Diversity and
Inclusion, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2020-present Founding Faculty Sponsor and Advisor, Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine Student Diversity Council
18
2021 Member, Search Committee for the Assistant Dean for Graduate Biomedical
Education and Graduate Student Diversity, Johns Hopkins University School
of Medicine
2021 Member, Search Committee for Senior Associate Dean for Diversity and
Inclusive Excellence, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2022 Member, Search Committee for Director of Financial Aid, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine
2022 Member, Search Committee for Administrator, Office of the Vice Dean for
Educaiton, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2021 Co-chair, Undergraduate Medical Educational Policy and Curriculum
Committee UMEPCC Taskforce on Clerkship Grading, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine. Charge: To prepare a proposal for UMEPCC
to consider that recommends either continuation of a P/F grading system
(adopted during the pandemic) or reversion to the 4-tiered grading
system for required clinical clerkships
2021-2022 Co-chair, UMEPCC Taskforce on Clerkship Grading, Johns Hopkins
University School of Medicine. Charge: The task force will prepare a
proposal that recommends either continuation of P/F grading for required
clinical clerkships or implementation of an alternate grading system after
August 6, 2022.
Editorial Activities
Editorial Board appointments None
Journal peer review activities
2019-present Reviewer, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
2021 Reviewer, Quality Management in Healthcare
2022-present Reviewer, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Other peer review activities
2020 Reviewed Wallach EE, Eisenberg E, Green I, Scheib SA. Hysterectomy:
Exploring Your Options. 3rd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Advisory Committees/Review Groups/Study Sections
JHMI/Regional
2022 Member, Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for the Mid-Atlantic Center
for Cardiometabolic Health Equity (MACCHE), a P50 center. The goal of
MACCHE is to test the effectiveness of several evidence-based strategies for
improving cardiometabolic health outcomes among disadvantaged
populations, using community-based and patient-centered research
principles that may be translated into clinical and public health practices.
MACCHE consists of three research projects, spanning several locations in
Maryland: Healthy for Two/Healthy for U (PI: Wendy Bennett/Kelly Bower);
UNLOAD Heart Failure (Chiadi Ndumele/Lisa Cooper); LINKED-HEARTS
(PI: Yvonne Commodore-Mensah/Cheryl Dennison-Himmelfarb)
National
2020 Reviewer, NIH R25 Mechanism RFA-HL-19-024: NHLBI: Short-Term
Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related
Research
2020 Chair and reviewer, NIH R25 Mechanism RFA HL-19-025: NHLBI: Short
Term Research Education Program to Increase Diversity in Health-Related
Research
19
2021-present Member, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG)
Clinical Consensus Committee – Obstetrics. I am one of three committee
members co-authoring ACOG’s Clinical Consensus Statement on Marijuana
Use in Pregnancy and Lactation.
2021-present Member, Board of Directors, Society of Academic Specialists in
General Obstetrics and Gynecology
2022-2023 Co-chair, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Taskforce, Society of Academic
Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG)
2022 Subject Matter Expert, Job Task Analysis Committee, American Board of
Obstetrics and
Gynecology (ABOG)
2023-present Task Force Writer, PROLOG: Reproductive Endocrinology and
Infertility, Ninth Edition. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
(ACOG)
Professional Societies
1997-2001 Member, Student National Medical Association
1998-1999 Assistant Regional Director Region VI – MD/DC/VA
1997 Inductee, Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society
2001-present Member, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
2008-present Member, Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics
(APGO)
2001-present Member
2018 Abstract Reviewer and Poster Judge, 2018 Council on
Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG)
and APGO Annual Meeting
2019 Session Moderator and Judge, Oral Abstract Sessions, CREOG
and APGO Annual Meeting, New Orleans LA, February 28 and
March 1, 2019
2023 Poster Judge, 2023 CREOG and APGO Annual Meeting,
Washington DC
2001-present American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
2001-2009 Junior Fellow
2004-2005 Junior Fellow Vice Chair, Maryland Section
2009-present Fellow
2021-present Member, Clinical Consensus – Obstetrics Committee
2013-present Member, Society of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and
Gynecology
2014 Abstract Reviwer
2019-2021 Member, Annual Meeting Program Committee
2020-present Abstract Reviewer
2021-present Member, Board of Directors
2021-present Co-chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Taskforce
2022-present Member, Nominating Committee
Conference Organizer
JHMI/Regional None
National
2019-2021 Annual Meeting Program Committee Member, Society of Academic
Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG)
International None
Session Chair
20
JHMI/Regional None
National See Professional Societies
International None
Consultantships None
RECOGNITION
Awards, Honors
1996 Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Honor Society
1996 Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society
1997 Chris J. Pinto Campus Leadership and Service Award
1999 Best Abstract Presentation by Medical Student/Resident, APGO/CREOG
(Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics/ Council for
Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology)
2001 Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society
2001 Emily Haller Award for Outstanding Medical Student in Gyn/Ob Clerkship
2004 Ortho-McNeil Scholars Bowl – First Place
2004 Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) / Council on
Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) Scholar
2009 Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Gynecology and
Obstetrics Excellence in Teaching Award (residents)
2017 Society of Academic Specialists of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Award
2018 Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians, Physician of the Year – Nominee
2019-2020 Selected as a Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Interprofessional
Collaborative Practice Physician Exemplar (faculty representing the field
of medicine in healthcare as a physician role model for pre- and post-
licensure learners in nursing, medicine, pharmacy and public health; 23
institutionally selected, selected in 2019, 2020)
2022 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Mentor of the
Year Region IV
2022 2022 Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Team‐based Award
for
Excellence in Public Health Practice - For your work as part of the
MDMOMs team in partnership with the Maryland Patient Safety Center to
improve maternal health in Maryland through innovation of maternal health
data, workforce development, health equity, and quality improvement in
maternity care.
Invited Talks
JHMI/Regional
2/28/12 Challenges for Non-English Speaking Patients in Need of Domestic Violence
Counseling and Maternal and Child Health Services. Community Forum,
Panelist, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD
11/13/15 Strong Start for Mothers and Newborns: A Maternity Care Home. Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of Gynecology and
Obstetrics Grand Rounds, Baltimore, MD
9/7/17 Promoting Diversity in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Staying Ahead of the
Curve. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Department of
Gynecology and Obstetrics Grand Rounds, Baltimore, MD
21
National
4/13/18 Promoting Diversity in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Staying Ahead of the
Curve, Lehigh Valley Health Network Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand
Rounds, Allentown, PA
12/5/18 Promoting Diversity in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Staying Ahead of the
Curve. University of Virginia Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds and
Visiting Professor, Charlottesville, VA
12/14/18 Promoting Diversity in Obstetrics and Gynecology: Staying Ahead of the
Curve, University of California at Irvine Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand
Rounds and Visiting Professor, Irvine, CA
10/28/21 The Impact of Racism on Obstetrical Outcomes. Hackensack-Meridian
School of Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds, Neptune, NJ
(virtual)
7/22/22 Self-Advocacy: Discovering Scholarly Activity in your Daily Duty. Council on
Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) Annual Retreat.
Washington DC
7/27/22 Structural Racism and Adverse Maternal Outcomes. Biannual PCORnet
PaTH Clinical Research Network Patient as Partners Meeting. University of
Pittsburgh (virtual), Pittsburgh, PA
8/6/22 The Road to Educational Leadership. Association of Professors of
Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Scholars and Leaders Program,
Annapolis, MD
International None
OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Posters
Mentees are underlined
JHMI/Regional
12/2011 Lawson S, Martin K, Bienstock J, Satin A. Measuring Residents’ Compliance
with the New Primary Care Guidelines. Bayview Research Symposium.
Baltimore, MD. December 2011
12/2011 Chen G, Green I, Chou B, Lawson S, Firoozmand A, Colbert J, Satin A.
Warm-up with Laparoscopic Simulator Improves Resident Laparoscopic
Performance in the Operating Room: A Randomized Trial. Bayview
Research Symposium. Baltimore, MD. December 2011
National
04/2014 Chilukuri N, West M, Henderson J, Lawson S, Ehsanipoor R, Werner E,
Costigan K, Polk S,
Bennett W. The TechMom Study: Racial/Ethnic Differences in information
and Communication technology use among pregnant and postpartum
women. SGIM. Baltimore, MD. April 23-26, 2014
04/2018 Ryan I, Martin KD, Lawson SM, Martin KL, Chou B. Patient Race/Ethnicity
Are Predictors for Peripartum Hysterectomy. ACOG Annual Clinical
Meeting, Austin TX, April 27-29, 2018.
04/2018 Martin K, Martin K, Chou B, Ryan I, Lawson S. Racial Disparities in Surgical
Outcomes during Peripartum Hysterectomy. ACOG Annual Clinical Meeting,
Austin TX, April 27-29, 2018.
02/2020 Lawson SM, Kulo V, Hueppchen N. Developing an UME Curriculum to
Counter Impostor Syndrome and Self-doubt: A Needs Assessment.
APGO/CROG Poster Presentation 2020
22
07/2020 Meeks M, Vaught AJ, Lawson SM. Disparities in scheduling and indications
for peripartum hysterectomy at a major academic institution. SASGOG
abstract presentation 2020.
08/2020 Henshaw C, Lawson SM. Evaluating Trends in Authorship by Gender within
Fertility and Sterility, 2005-2019. ASRM 2020 poster presentation.
02/2022 Champion, ML, Martin KD, Lawson S, Subramaniam A, Battarbee A. The
impact of diabetes and obesity on postoperative complications after
cesarean delivery. Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine Annual Meeting
February 4, 2022
02/2022 Boyer T, Guan C, Darwin K, Lawson S, Minhas A, Michos ED, Murphy J,
Vaught A. The effect of preeclampsia on maternal blood transfusion
following postpartum hemorrhage. Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine
Annual Meeting February 4, 2022
02/2023 Halscott T, Darwin KC, Boyer T, Novak C, Lawson S, Beavis A, Vaught AJ,
The effects of a systematic maternal-fetal medicine directed placenta
accreta spectrum service. Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine Annual
Meeting February 2023
05/2023 Harrigian, K. Han, D, Chee, BW., Zirikly, A, Links, A. Ahmad, A., Lawson,
SM, Wang NY; Beach, MC, Saha, S. Prevalence of Stigmatizing Language
Reflecting Specific Types of Bias in Medical Records Across 4 Specialties.
Society for General Internal Medicine Annual Meeting. May 2023.
05/2023 Harrigian K, Han D, Chee BW, Zirikly A, Links A. Ahmad, A, Lawson, SM,
Wang NY; Beach, MC, Saha, S. Racial Bias in Documentation of Patient
Adherence in Medical Records. Society for General Internal Medicine
Annual Meeting. May 2023.
International None
Oral/Podium Presentations
Mentees are underlined
JHMI/Regional
3/2021 Knowledge and Attitudes of U.S. Medical Students Regarding the
Care of Asian American Patients
Pang S, Vongsachang H, Le TK, Zhang GK, Li T, Lee JTC, Lawson SM. IEE
Education Conference and Celebration. March 26, 2021 Baltimore MD
2/2023 Hamilton S, Voegtline K, Olson S, Lawson S. Postpartum Readmission
in Maryland by Race and Ethnicity, 2016-2019. Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine Medical Student Research Symposium. February 3,
2023.
National
2/1999 Martin S, Bienstock J. Medical students’ gender may be a predictor
of success on obstetrics and gynecology basic clerkship examinations.
CREOG and APGO Annual Meeting, San Diego CA, February 21-24, 1999
(Oral Abstract Presentation; Award for Best Abstract Presentation by
Medical Student or Resident)
3/2009 Lawson S, Martin K, Bienstock J, Satin A. Measuring residents’
compliance with the new ACGME primary care guidelines. CREOG and
APGO Annual Meeting, San Diego CA, March 11-14, 2009 (Oral Abstract
Presentation)
10/2021 Callaghan-Koru J, Wahid I, Bower KM, Wilburn CS, Warren N, Creanga A,
Lawson SM. Designing
23
maternal warning signs education for home visiting programs during
COVID-19 and beyond.
American Public Health Association, Denver CO, October 24-27, 2021 (Oral
Abstract Presentation)
International None
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities Focus:
 Supporting the organization’s strategy for recruitment and retention of diverse and
underrepresented medical student, resident and faculty candidates
 Provide subject matter expertise on the topics of diversity, implicit bias and
cultural humility
 Creating and sustaining an environment that supports underrepresented students,
residents, faculty, and alumni
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities within JHM:
Since joining the faculty in 2008, I have been an integral and central part of our
department’s and institution’s strategy to diversify our workforce to reflect our nation’s
changing demographics and the patients that we serve. As part of our deparatmental
diversity initiative, I was appointed to the Residency Selection Committee in 2008 and
have served in the role annually – holistically evaluating candidates, as both an
application screener and an interviewer. In the 8 years prior to my joining the faculty, we
matched a total of 2 Black or African American residents to our program. Over the past
13 years, we have matched 18 Black or African American residents. It has been an
important part of our strategy to create a welcoming environment for incoming residents
and to provide a safe space where they could discuss microaggressions and/or overt
racism/discrimination or seek advice and mentorship and I have been instrumental in
cultivating that support network.
Over this period of time, we have also focused on diversifying our faculty, both by
strengthening our trainee-to-faculty pipeline and by recruiting from the outside. Of the
ten Black or African American faculty members that were hired since I joined the faculty,
six of the ten completed residency and/or fellowship at Johns Hopkins. During my tenture
as the inaugural division director of general obstetrics and gynecology at Johns Hopkins
Hospital, I have recruited and hired nine faculty members from diverse racial and ethnic
backgrounds, including 5 Black or African American physicians.
While recruitment is important, we have also focused on retention. Specifically, I
provided availability as a career and personal mentor for my division members and other
underrepresented faculty, fellows and residents. I offered study sessions, oral board
reviews and mock interviews.
I have also worked closely with the Assistant Dean for Admissions attending recruitment
events or informational sessions with him or representing the School of Medicine on my
own. In 2017, we instituted unconscious bias training for our medical student admissions
committee. Additionally, as an alumna of the SOM and current faculty, I volunteer my
time to travel to schools/cities that send the greatest numbers of students from
backgrounds underrepresented in medicine to medical school. In recent years, we have
traveled to Washington DC, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Austin.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Activities outside JHMI
In 2021, I was appointed as co-chair of the Society of Academic Specialists in General
Obstetrics and Gynecology’s National Taskforce on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Our
24
charge is to engender structural change that will support the belonging and promotion of
diverse individuals within SASGOG. The taskforce is responsible for promoting equity and
inclusion in all of SASGOS’s educational products and web presence. The taskforce is
also expected to develop tools and establish best practices to enable member
departments to further equity and inclusion in their home institutions.
As co-chair, we oversaw revision of the organization’s mission statement as well as
development of a rubric to standardize the selection process for committee chairs and
members, members of the Board of Directors, and nominees for the Executive Board.
Since inception of the taskforce, we have restructured the membership renewal process
to collect information on the demographics of our society’s membership to create
mentorship opportunities and aim to have society leadership that is respresentative of
the members that we serve. We have developed a workshop for division chiefs for general
obstetrics and gynecology on best practices in recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty
and will present it at the 2023 Annual Meeting.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Recruitment and Community Building Events
JHMI/Regional
8/2016-present Annual Levi Watkins Minority Welcome Reception for New Students,
Fellows, Faculty (planning, co-host), Baltimore MD
9/2016-present Annual Welcome Event for underrepresented in medicine/science
(UIM/UIS) students at Rothman/Meyer Home
2/2017, 5/2017 JHUSOM Office of Alumni Relations UIM Dine with a Doc Event,
Baltimore MD
4/2017 Dean’s Symposium on Minority Health at the National Museum of
African American History, Washington DC (planning committee, 200+ UIM
SOM alumni invited)
4/2019 JHUSOM UIM Admissions Recruitment Event, Washington DC
5/2019 JHUSOM Minority Alumni Dinner at Reunion ‘19, Baltimore MD
(planning, co-host)
2020-2021 Monthly Fireside Chats for UIM/UIS Students with Dean Rothman (co-host)
1/2020 JHUSOM UIM Resident Recruitment Dinner
2/2020 JHUSOM Office of Alumni Relations UIM Dine with a Doc Event,
Baltmore MD
9/2021 JHUSOM Underrepresented in Medicine Recruitment Event for the
School of Medicine (co-host), Baltimore MD
National
2016-2019 Annual Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Minority Student
Medical Career Fair
2016-2019 Annual Minority Premedical Recruitment Fair and Reception, SNMA Annual
Medical Educaiton Conference
9/2018 Minority Recruitment Fair, Lehman College, Bronx NY
11/2018 Office for Diversity and Academic Success in the Sciences Motivational
Workshop and Health Fair, Rutgers University New Brunswick, NJ
2/2019 JHUSOM Recruitment Event, Xavier University, New Orleans LA
11/2021 JHUSOM UIM Admissions Recruitment Event, Dickinson College
International None
Professional Development
2012 Advisory Board Company: Talent Development Leadership Initiative.
2013 American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) Postgraduate
Course Quality and Safety for Leaders in Women’s Health Care.
2013 Transforming Health Systems Mini-Course for Clinical Directors, Johns
Hopkins Medicine.
25
E
xecutive Office of the Mayor – Mayor’s Office of Talent and Appointments
John A. Wilson Building | 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 600 | Washington, DC 20004
D
r. Shari Lawson
D
r. Shari Lawson assumed the role of Associate Professor and
Department Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University
College of Medicine in November 2023. Prior to joining Howard, she held
positions at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she
served as Assistant Dean and Division Director of Obstetrics and
Gynecology.
With a robust background in academic medicine, Dr. Lawson has
cultivated a national reputation in her field, serving as a board member
for the Society of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and
Gynecology (SASGOG) and the Association for Professors in
Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO). She is also a member of the
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s (ACOG) national Clinical Consensus
Committee on Obstetrics and an examiner for the Certifying Exam for the American Board of
Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG).
Dr. Lawson's career has been marked by a commitment to comprehensive reproductive care,
innovative models of healthcare delivery, and advocacy for diversity and inclusion. She brings
extensive experience in medical education, wellness promotion, and research aimed at addressing
healthcare disparities. As Department Chair, Dr. Lawson oversees all educational, research,
clinical, and administrative activities, working to enhance the critical missions of the College of
Medicine and Howard University.
A Maryland resident, Dr. Lawson earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biophysics, and her Master of
Business Administration and Doctor of Medicine from John Hopkins University.

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: May 15, 2025
Subject: Legal sufficiency review of a resolution appointing members to the Maternal
Mortality Review Committee
This is to Certify that this office has reviewed the above-referenced resolution 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