OMI-MEX Duke University Seminar in Family Medicine: Mother and Child Health

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An Integrated Approach to Maternal and Child Health Challenges

From October 5 to 7, 2026, the OMI-MEX Duke University Seminar in Family Medicine: Mother and Child Health took place in collaboration with Duke University. The seminar brought together fellows and faculty to address key topics in family medicine, with an emphasis on maternal health, child development, and care across different stages of life.

Topics Across Maternal and Child Health

The program covered a range of topics, from sexual and reproductive health to development during childhood and adolescence. Anne Berry, MD, MPH, led sessions on contraception, shared medical appointments, and early childhood development. Andrea B. Dotson, MD, MSPH, IBCLC, NABBLM-C, addressed breastfeeding medicine, difficult conversations, and menopause.

Adolescent health was also part of the discussion. Aonesti Williams, MD, covered this topic as well as the social determinants of maternal and child health. Sara Martin, MD, presented sessions on sexually transmitted infections and substance use disorders during pregnancy.

Additionally, John W. Ragsdale III, MD, contributed an introduction to the seminar and a session on common issues affecting newborns. Together, these presentations offered different perspectives on the clinical challenges families face, from pregnancy through the early stages of development.

Case Discussions and Academic Exchange

Alongside the academic sessions, fellows participated in workshops featuring clinical case presentations, with opportunities to discuss real-world scenarios and exchange perspectives with faculty. The program also included a session on the future of family medicine, followed by a closing evaluation and discussion.

These activities complemented the specialized training with dialogue among healthcare professionals from different backgrounds and helped strengthen academic relationships that can continue beyond the seminar.

Through the OMI-MEX seminars, AMSA continues to advance continuing medical education and international collaboration, providing healthcare professionals with opportunities for specialized training and academic discussion.