First, some good news regarding women and coronavirus-19. Like they say, look for the helpers. Be inspired by these inspiring women, and feel somewhat reassured that they are on the job.
Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD; Stephanie Gaw, MD, PhD; Vanessa Jacoby, MD, MAS; and Valerie Flaherman, MD, MPH: Research group conducting the Pregnancy Coronavirus Outcomes Registry (PRIORITY) study: Registering teens and women who are pregnant or who have recently been pregnant and may have Covid-19, plus their newborns. Developed the national registry within 2 weeks instead of the usual several months. Plan to follow up to 1 year postpartum, to determine the transmission and effects of the virus on mothers’ and babies’ health outcomes. Also plan to compare white, black and Latina women.
Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, is an Ob/Gyn and UCLA Biodesign Fellow and recipient of numerous academic and clinical awards.
Stephanie Gaw, MD, PhD, is an Ob/Gyn at UCSF with a PhD in Microbiology and Immunology, and also the recipient of numerous awards.
Vanessa Jacoby, MD, MAS, is also an Ob/Gyn at UCSF, and Vice Chair of Research. I was not able to determine what her MAS is, but it is most likely a Master’s Degree in Applied Science. She has been principal investigator on a breast cancer study and is principal investigator on several studies of uterine fibroids. She has earned teaching and clinical awards.
Valerie Flaherman, MD, MPH (Master’s of Public Health), is a Professor of Pediatrics at UCSF. She is principal investigator on studies of breast- and formula-feeding. She earned her MD from Harvard Medical School.
Tweet for the PRIORITY study the evening of March 22; some of her colleagues respond on Twitter: