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Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew is the Edgar B. Jackson Chair for Clinical Excellence and Diversity. She is an Associate Professor and Head of Global Health programs in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Case Western University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. She is a clinical educator and busy practitioner at MacDonald Women’s Hospital. She maintains an adjunct faculty appointment at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine.
As Chair, she is responsible for promoting continued diversity and inclusion of University Hospitals’ large academic institution through ongoing cultural competency programs. She plays a key role in talent acquisition, retention, mentorship and promotion of underrepresented minority trainees and faculty. While developing a pipeline to support young leaders’ desire to pursue a career in medicine, she is a leader in the field of developing programs that target disparities in health care. She is an active participate and advocate for community efforts that focus on heath equity, literacy and quality social programs assisting the most vulnerable. She has a special interest in educating and empowering women.
As the Director of Global Health Programs in Reproductive biology, Dr. Pettigrew is a key strategist who coordinates local and international educational experiences for post-graduate trainees, medical students and faculty. She is the founder of W.O.N.D.O.O.R. (one door), Women and Newborns, Diversity, Outreach, Opportunity and Research, a program that aims to educate global medical providers through local and international health care collaborations. In addition to her commitment to local health issues, Dr. Pettigrew is a clinical expert in management of HIV positive women, obstetric emergencies in under-resourced settings and management of pre-term labor. Her interest in global health extends to her active role as a founding member and Vice- President of Health Education for Project Africa Global/International Programs for Sustainable Solutions. In this regard, she has helped to develop and implement an international health care curriculum for residents, faculty and medical students from collaborating Schools of Medicine and international partners. She also assists in the development of medical, surgical and social programs for volunteer doctors, nurses and health care professionals for medical missions in West and Southern Africa. Dr. Pettigrew delivers health care to all women but has a professional mission to insure that women with socioeconomic challenges have access and receive optimal care. Her clinical expertise is in the care of women living with HIV. She is a clinical and research mentor for post-graduates, residents and student.
Prior to receiving her MD degree from the University of Pittsburgh, she practiced as a critical care nurse receiving her baccalaureate degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh, a Master’s degree in education from California State University Los Angeles, and an Adult Nurse Practitioner certification from California State University, Long Beach. She is a proud veteran of the United States Navy where she cared for active duty members, veterans and their families. Dr. Pettigrew holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Management (International Affairs) enhancing her expertise in global health programming and policy development. Locally, she is an active volunteer as a health consultant to many organizations.
Dr. Pettigrew is a frequent speaker internationally and throughout the region on multiple health issues focusing on the wellness of women. She has written articles for local health organizations, international publications and has been featured on local healthcare infomercials. She is the recipient of many honors and awards for her work including the Athena Award nomination, the prestigious Crain’s Business Magazine “Woman of Note” award. Top Docs by Cleveland Magazine. YWCA Distinguished Woman award and the FLEX leadership program at Case Western University. Service is the focus of Dr. Pettigrew’s professional and personal life as noted by her extensive committee and board memberships. Her leadership positions have included the President of Gateway Medical Society, President of the Medical Alumni Association, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and board chair of Global Links. Global Links is a non-profit organization dedicated to collecting and distributing useful and discarded medical supplies to Latin American and African countries. Current Board and committee memberships also includes CWRU Deans Advisory Board, Medical School Admissions and Committee on Diversity, University Hospitals Diversity Leadership committee, compensation plan and Leadership Academy. She serves as a Robert Morris University Trustee and is currently a Board member and community advisor for the Cleveland American Heart Association. Dr. Pettigrew is a member of the Association of Professors in OB/GYN (APGO) task force on Diversity and Global Health Task Force. Dean Davis as the CWRU representative on the committee also has appointed her for Diversity and Inclusion for the America Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC) while working with the Cuban MEDDIC editorial board.
She is an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church, Links Incorporated, the Northeasterners and her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.
Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew’s’ greatest accomplishments include her role as a loving wife to Chenits for more than thirty-eight years. She is the mother of three successful sons and one daughter-in-law, as well as the loving grandmother of delightful grandchildren, Corbin, Chase and Carson. She is a doting godmother to her grandnephew, Zay.
