a unique population working on health issues of relevance to District residents
Catherine Limperopoulos, Ph.D., Director of the Developing Brain Institute at Children’s National, leads the DC Perinatal Consortium. Her seminal research illuminated for the first time the alarming effects of prenatal maternal stress during pregnancy, impairing and altering fetal brain growth and leading to adverse peripartum outcomes.
In light of these troubling findings, Dr. Limperopoulos spearheaded the development of the DC Perinatal Consortium to address the critical unmet need for better screening and tailored interventions in this high-risk population.
The Consortium aims to move this work into the obstetric setting, recognizing that depression during pregnancy is the strongest predictor of postpartum depression.
DC Perinatal Consortium at a glance
Clinicians, scientists and collaborators situated in the District, a unique population working on health issues of relevance to District residents (e.g., health disparities)
Leveraging physical proximity to Capitol Hill and federal agencies like the National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration to advocate for women and babies
Bringing together leading physicians and scientists from across disciplines and hospitals to advance clinical research in maternal and child health
Developing a focused clinical research roadmap
Promoting coordinated, synergistic relationships to maximize efficiency, productivity and support across disciplines
Consolidating human and technological resources
Galvanizing opportunities for multi-site research studies
Educating tomorrow’s leaders and the next generation of clinician-scientists
Melissa H. Fries, M.D.
Reproductive geneticist and high-risk obstetrician, MedStar Health
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Helain Jody Landy, M.D.
Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
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Rita Wesley Driggers, M.D.
Medical Director Maternal Fetal Medicine, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Sibley Memorial Hospital; Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
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Nancy D. Gaba, M.D., FACOG
the Oscar I. and Mildred S. Dodek and Joan B. and Oscar I Dodek Jr. Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the George Washington University
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