My Locations

Duke Perinatal Consultants of Durham and Fetal Diagnostic Center
2608 Erwin Rd
Suite 200
Durham, NC 27705-4597
Office: 919-684-6327 Get Directions

About Me

Learn More About Me

I specialize in treating mothers who have infectious diseases that might affect their baby during pregnancy or develop infections while pregnant. As a researcher, I conduct clinical trials with the goal of improving pregnancy outcomes. I am trained in obstetrics and gynecology and have done additional training in maternal-fetal medicine. I chose to pursue maternal-fetal medicine because it allows me to focus on treating a complex medical problem for a short period of time, when the patient is still relatively healthy. Most of the medical problems I treat have a positive outcome. Pregnancy is a joyous time for the patient and their family, and I enjoy sharing in that happiness. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our twins. I also enjoy traveling, cooking, running on trails, and watching and playing golf.

Current Appointments and Affiliations
Languages
English

Areas of Expertise

  • High Risk Pregnancy Care
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Preterm Labor and Preterm Birth Prevention
  • Infectious Diseases in Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care

Training

Board Certifications
American Board of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Obstetrics & Gynecology
American Board of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Maternal & Fetal Medicine
Residency
OB-GYN, Magee-Women's Hospital (Pennsylvania), 2001
Education
MD, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 1997
Fellowship
Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, 2004

Clinical Focus and Research

My Research Interests

My research is aimed at improving the lives of mothers and infants. Early in my career, I focused on preterm birth and low birth weight and have published work on screening and prediction of preterm birth, the long-term consequences faced by preterm-birth survivors and how infection and inflammation contribute to prematurity. I also have an interest in maternal immunization during pregnancy. I lead several studies involving licensed flu and Tdap vaccines during pregnancy as well as studies of novel vaccines against group B strep and respiratory syncytial virus.

Publications and Grants
Clinical Trials
Simultaneous mRNA COVID-19 and IIV Vaccination in Pregnancy Study - sIRB
IRB#
PRO00115925,
NCT#
NCT06503900

Insurance

Duke Health contracts with most major health insurance carriers and transplant networks, including the ones listed below. Before scheduling your appointment, we strongly recommend you contact your insurance company to verify that the Duke Health location or provider you plan to visit is included in your network. Your insurance company will also be able to inform you of any co-payments, co–insurances, or deductibles that will be your responsibility. If you proceed in scheduling an appointment and your health insurance benefits do not participate with Duke, your out of pocket liability may be higher. We will contact you regarding your coverage and patient liability. If you are uninsured, learn more about our financial assistance policy.

  • Aetna
    • Aetna Choice POS, Aetna Choice POS II
    • Aetna Medicare Assure Plan (HMO D-SNP)
    • Aetna/CVS Health
    • Aetna Elect Choice HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice
    • Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Health Network Option
    • Aetna HMO
    • Aetna Limited Benefit Insurance PPO
    • Aetna Managed Choice POS
    • Aetna Medicare Value Plan (HMO)
    • Aetna Medicare Essential Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Medicare Eagle Plan (PPO)
    • Aetna Open Access HMO, Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Open Access Select, Aetna Open Access Managed Choice
    • Aetna Open Choice PPO
    • Aetna PCP Coordinated POS Plan
    • Aetna Quality Point of Service (QPOS)
    • Aetna Select HMO
    • Aetna Traditional Choice
    • Aetna Voluntary Indemnity Group Plan
    • Aetna Whole Health – Duke WakeMed WKCC
  • Ambetter
    • Ambetter of North Carolina
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC
    • Blue Advantage
    • Blue Medicare (HMO, PPO)*
    • Blue Options (123, PPO, HSA)
    • Blue Select
    • NC State Employees Health Plan
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice does not participate in the plan.
  • CIGNA
    • Cigna Behavioral Health (*Limited eligibility)
    • Cigna Choice Plus
    • Cigna Connect Individual Family Plan
    • Cigna Open Access
    • Cigna Open Access Plus
    • *Please call Cigna Behavioral Heath to see if the provider is participating in your plan.
  • Duke Group Plans
    • Duke Basic
    • Duke Select
  • Experience Health
    • Experience Health Medicare Advantage (HMO) Plan
  • First Health
  • Gateway Health Alliance
  • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization
    • Halifax Physician-Hospital Organization plans*
    • *This plan is only accepted at Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, and Duke HomeCare & Hospice.
  • Healthgram
  • Humana
    • Humana Choice (PPO)
    • Humana Choice - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana ChoiceCare - Medicare Advantage (PPO)
    • Humana Gold Choice - Medicare Advantage (PFFS)
    • Humana Gold Plus - Medicare Advantage (HMO)
    • Humana Medicare Advantage Group Plan - NC State Retirees
  • MedCost
  • Medicare
    • First Medicare Direct
    • Medicare Part A
    • Medicare Part B
  • MultiPlan / Private Healthcare Systems
  • NC Medicaid
    • WellCare of North Carolina
    • UnitedHealthcare Community Plan
    • NC Medicaid Direct
    • Healthy Blue
    • Carolina Complete Health
    • AmeriHealth Caritas North Carolina
  • OneNet PPO
  • Optima Health
    • FAMIS*
    • Optima Family Care (Medicaid HMO in VA)*
    • Optima Individual & Family (On & Off Exchange Plans)
    • Optima Plus (PPO)
    • Optima Vantage (HMO)
    • *Duke Primary Care, Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, and Duke Raleigh Hospital are not participating with this plan.
  • TRICARE
    • TRICARE Prime
    • TRICARE Prime Remote
    • TRICARE Select
  • United Healthcare
    • AARP Medicare Advantage Plan 2 (HMO-POS)
    • AARP Medicare Complete (HMO, PPO)*
    • AARP Medicare Complete Essential (HMO)*
    • All Savers Alternate Funding
    • All Savers Fully Insured
    • United Healthcare (HMO, PPO, POS)
    • United Healthcare Charter/Charter Balance/Charter Plus
    • United Healthcare Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Core/Core Essential
    • United Healthcare Navigate/Navigate Plus/Navigate Balanced
    • United Healthcare Option PPO
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Choice/Choice Plus
    • United Healthcare Passport Connect Options PPO
    • United Healthcare Select/Select Plus
    • United Healthcare Shared Services - Harvard Pilgrim/UHC Options PPO Network
    • United Medical Resources (UMR)
    • *Duke HomeCare and Hospice and mental health providers do not participate with the plan.

External Relationships

This faculty member (or a member of their immediate family) has reported outside activities with the companies or institutions listed below. This information has been reported to the health system leadership and, when appropriate, management plans are in place to address potential conflicts of interest.

  • American College of Ob-Gyn
  • GlaxoSmithKline, Inc
  • Medscape ( WebMD HLTH Corp.)
  • Moderna Therapeutics, Inc.
  • Pfizer Inc.
  • Sanofi
  • UpToDate, Inc