BEST Program
BEST is designed for medical residents and fellows.
Sponsored by the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Family Medicine, and Population Health, the program focuses on educating, engaging, and empowering healthcare providers to create and sustain inclusive, accessible, and equitable maternal care. This program integrates online learning, mentorship, and research projects to address disparities in maternal and child health.
About the Program
Mission
To engage and empower providers to create and sustain inclusive, accessible, and equitable maternal care.
Scholar Expectations
BEST Scholars are expected to:
- Complete the online birth equity training (5-module online course)
- Attend monthly sessions and didactics
- Work with a mentor team and fellow scholars to complete a research project.
- Engage with a community-based maternal and child health
- Disseminate research project results at the annual Resident Research Day
- Learn about policy-making in Kansas.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for BEST Scholars to complete all activities.
Meet the Scholars
Elizabeth Pryor, M.D. (PGY-4, Family Medicine)
Madeline McFarland, M.D. (PGY-3, Family Medicine)
Kavya Nataraj, M.D., (PGY-2, Family Medicine)
Why Dr. Nataraj wanted to be a BEST scholar: “The emphasis the BEST program places on community outreach and advocacy excites me, as I am eager to become a stronger advocate for my patients while providing comprehensive, equitable care and learning how policy can help improve maternal and child health outcomes.”
Christine Edomwande, M.D. (PGY-2, Family Medicine)
Why Dr. Edomwande wanted to be a BEST scholar: “I have a strong interest in providing comprehensive maternal care in my future practice and believe the BEST Program will provide valuable training to enhance my ability to improve pregnancy outcomes. I am eager to develop the knowledge and skills needed to advocate for patients and help reduce disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes through equitable, evidence-based care.”
Noria McCarther, M.D., Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist
Hannah Billings, M.D.
Leslie Whittenburg, M.D.
Erika Gazzetta, M.D., MPH
Sierra Miller, D.O., M.A.
Victoria Resendez, M.D.
Aleshia Thompson, M.D.
Rebecca Yang, M.D.
Brittany Elliott, M.D.
Program Leadership
Eligibility and Application Information
The BEST Program is open to KU Medical Center:
- Fellows in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology or Family and Community Medicine, and
- Medical residents in the departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology or Family and Community Medicine in their last two years of residency.
Applications open in the spring of each year. When active, this page will be updated with an application link.
Questions?
For more information, please contact Claire Metcalf at cmetcalf@kumc.edu.