Focus on Fibroids Series: Tools to Navigate Optimal Care

Nkem is a Public Health Analyst in the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy at the United States Department of Health and Human Services where she analyzes health programs in rural communities. In this role, she ensures that rural communities have access to quality treatment and care.

In addition, she is a patient advocate and serves as the Director of Partnerships for an organization that is near and dear to her heart, The White Dress Project (WDP). The WDP is an organization focused on raising national awareness about the uterine fibroid epidemic and filling in the gaps in care, education, and research. Nkem struggles with fibroids and shares her story to help break down the walls of silence around this common gynecological condition.

James Segars is the Howard and Georgeanna Seegar Jones Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics and Director, Division of Women’s Health Research at Johns Hopkins. A major focus of his research has explored the molecular mechanisms responsible for reproductive diseases, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, PCOS, and infertility. He graduated from Duke University and Duke University School of Medicine followed by a residency in OB/GYN and a fellowship Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at Vanderbilt University. After clinical training, he completed 3 years of post-doctoral training at the NIH as an RSDP Scholar. Dr. Segars was recruited to the intramural program at NICHD for 20 years before moving to Johns Hopkins. At Johns Hopkins, his division is engaged in several NIH-funded clinical and translational research studies of fibroids, endometriosis, and infertility. Dr. Segars has published over 230 research papers and serves on several editorial boards. He has received several awards for mentorship and research.  

Kedra Wallace, PhD, is an associate professor in the University of Mississippi Medical Center Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She holds a joint appointment in the Department of Neurobiology and Anatomical Sciences, where she also serves as an associate professor. Her areas of research include uterine fibroids, high-risk pregnancy, and anxiety and depression in women. She currently serves as Director of Research within the Obstetrics and Gynecology department and Program Director for the Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation Graduate program at her University.