St. Louis, MO — Dr. Jeannie Chen Kelly, Chief of Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) and Vice Chair of Obstetrics at WashU Medicine OB-GYN, has been recognized with the BJH Medical Staff Association Early Career Award. This honor celebrates her extraordinary contributions within the first decade of completing her training.
Journey into Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Dr. Kelly’s academic path includes a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and Chinese Language & Literature from Duke University, followed by a medical degree from Columbia University. Inspired by the profound impact of medicine during a Cesarean hysterectomy for placenta accreta, she pursued a residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in MFM at Tufts Medical Center. In 2016, our department welcomed her as an assistant professor, marking the start of an impressive academic career.
Impact Through Care, Research, and Leadership
Missouri faces severe maternal and infant health challenges, with mental health conditions leading to pregnancy-associated deaths and substance use as a significant stressor. To combat these issues, Dr. Kelly founded and leads the CARE clinic, a clinic for acceptance, recovery, and empowerment for substance use disorders in pregnancy. Her dedication to mothers and newborns affected by opioids has earned her national recognition, and her research is supported by grants from the BJH Foundation, the Pew Foundation, and the NIH. Remarkably, the CARE clinic has increased the retention of child custody by mothers by 70%, significantly reducing foster care placements.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Kelly served as the Medical Director of Obstetrical Inpatient Services and Perinatal Transport. She developed adaptive management algorithms for COVID-19 in pregnancy and played a crucial role on the BJC COVID Command Center. Her efforts were acknowledged with the WashU Medicine’s Dean’s Impact Award in 2023.
Leadership and Mentorship
Dr. Kelly’s leadership includes holding previous roles such as Associate Division Director and Interim Chief of the Division of MFM, now serving permanently as the Chief of the Division and Vice Chair of Obstetrics. She is committed to mentoring students, residents, fellows, and faculty, ensuring the growth of future leaders in maternal-fetal medicine.
Driving Change in Maternal-Fetal Health
Dr. Kelly’s vision encompasses driving change in maternal-fetal health through research and clinical advancements, innovating care models for maternity deserts in Missouri, building sustainable community partnerships, and pioneering education and mentorship for the next generation of MFM leaders. She exemplifies the qualities of a clinician-scientist operating at the highest echelons of academic medicine.
The BJH Medical Staff Association Early Career Award brings to light Dr. Jeannie Kelly’s commendable contributions and her unyielding dedication to improving maternal-fetal health. Her achievements set a standard of excellence and a path for future leaders to follow.
Congratulations, Dr. Kelly!
