The RHOADs research group generates new knowledge to improve reproductive health care and outcomes, and reduce racial and socioeconomic disparities. We are a collaboration between the University of Chicago and Northshore Departments of Family Medicine, and the Northshore Research Institute. We also work closely with the Primary Care & Population Health Investigators Group (PCPH) research lab at Northshore University Healthsystem and researchers in Obstetrics & Gynecology and Public Health Sciences. Our goals are the following:
Shireman H, McHugh A, Connelly R, Srinivasulu S, Sumberg A, Moy A, Stulberg D, Janiak E. Demand for abortion training and technical assistance in primary care: Unmet need and programmatic interventions. Contraception. 2024 May 31:110487. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2024.110487. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38825547.
Boulware A, Wascher J, Wong Z, et al. Missed opportunities in postpartum contraception: bridging the gaps for patients who deliver at Catholic hospitals in Illinois. Reprod Female Child Health. 2024;3:e75. doi:10.1002/rfc2.75
Dr. Stulberg is the Director of RHOADs. Her research explores racial and socioeconomic disparities in reproductive health in the United States. She has a special interest in understanding the effect of religiously-sponsored health care in reproductive health, medical decision-making, and the doctor-patient relationship. Dr. Stulberg is also Associate Professor and Chair in the Department of Family Medicine, The University of Chicago with secondary appointments at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Section of Family Planning & Contraceptive Research, and the Maclean Center for Clinical Medical Ethics.
Dr. White VanGompel is an Associate Director of RHOADs. Her research career is devoted to improving reproductive health by better understanding how to deliver safe, high-quality, patient- and family-centered maternity and newborn care, decrease overuse of potentially harmful or costly practices, and improve mother-baby dyad care. She has a special interest in understanding the role of labor and delivery unit culture and its effects on maternal health outcomes. Dr. White VanGompel is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago. Lab website: https://whitevg-lab.red.uic.edu/
Dr. Lauren Harriet is a RHOADs Investigator.
Dr. Bello Kottenstette is a RHOADs Investigator. Her research focuses on understanding and addressing the reproductive health needs of women and men with substance use disorders who have criminal legal involvement. She is currently conducting feasibility testing of an adaptation of a pre-pregnancy behavioral intervention that uses motivational interviewing to help women who are incarcerated lower their chance of experiencing a future substance-exposed pregnancy. Dr. Bello Kottenstette is an Associate Professor at the Department of Family and Community Medicine, board-certified in Addiction Medicine, and core faculty in the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Saint Louis University School of Medicine.
Lee is a RHOADs Investigator. Her policy-related research covers topics such as access to contraception and abortion, health care reform, religious refusals in health care, and consent and confidentiality for young people. Lee specializes in qualitative research to uncover the practical impact of laws and policies on equitable access to reproductive health care. Lee is a senior policy researcher at The Center for Interdisciplinary Inquiry and Innovation in Sexual and Reproductive Health (Ci3) at The University of Chicago. Lee leads Ci3’s reproductive health policy research, collecting data and translating research to inform policy debates and legislation. She collaborates with health providers, advocates, and UChicago researchers to achieve evidence-based policy reform.
Ashley is the RHOADs Research Manager. She manages research operations including study management and regulatory compliance, grants and contracts over the life cycle, and serves as a resource for collaborators and research staff. Ashley has a Master’s in Business Administration with a background in Psychology. She is passionate about access to reproductive healthcare, maternal and child health, and gender equity in the workplace. Ashley is also the Research Manager for the Department of Family Medicine, The University of Chicago.
Hannah is a RHOADs Senior Research Analyst. She supports all aspects of study implementation including regulatory compliance, data collection and analyses, and manuscript preparation. Hannah is a Master of Human Rights with a background in legal advocacy. She is particularly interested in understanding and addressing inequities across systems and public policy. Hannah is also a Research Analyst for the Department of Family Medicine, The University of Chicago.
Artria is a RHOADs Research Coordinator. She assists with all aspects of study activities including study coordination, regulatory compliance, data collection, and manuscript preparation. She also is the Program Coordinator for ExPAND Mifepristone's Learning Collaborative. Artria has a B.A. in Human Development & Learning and is currently working on a MBA in Healthcare Management. Her past work involves coordinating research on the impact of oral health on overall health, aiding in the treatment and compliance for HIV positive patients, and educating elementary school children. She hopes to continue focusing on families and women's reproductive healthcare.
Valeria is a RHOADs Research Assistant. She assists with all aspects of study activities including regulatory compliance, data collection and analyses, manuscript preparation, and programmatic support. Valeria has a B.S. in Psychology and her past research involved topics such as optimism-pessimism, coping, sex, sexuality, and relationships. She hopes to continue studying societal inequities and has a special interest in developing her skills in data science. Valeria is also a Research Assistant for the Department of Family Medicine, The University of Chicago.
Other members