Kristin L. Atkins, M.D.

Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Kristin L. Atkins, M.D., is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University College of Medicine. Dr. Atkins is also a Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist. She has focused much of her career on the care of women with medical conditions in pregnancy and always has had a special interest in perinatal research to improve maternal health outcomes. She also has a keen interest in medical education and is currently the residency program director for the program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Howard University Hospital. Although the predominant focus of Dr. Atkins’ career has been clinical, she understands the importance of innovative research in the impact it has on how clinicians practice medicine every day.

Dr. Atkins has received funding from DC Health to help reduce the incidence of preterm birth among the patients Howard University serves. Although there are some measures in place to help reduce these outcomes, little is understood about the environmental factors that may contribute to infant and maternal health outcomes. With the assistance of collaborators, Howard will utilize geospatial mapping to evaluate low birth weight and preterm birth in Washington, D.C. This innovative approach to evaluating maternal health within DC has the potential to identify ways in which these adverse outcomes may be prevented. It has been an opportunity for learning new skills and to impact the health and well-being of DC women and children.