Meet Dr. Margaret
Larkins-Pettigrew, MD, MEd, MPPM

 

Dr. Margaret Larkins Pettigrew is a Physician Healthcare Strategist and Obstetrician/Gynecologist focused on developing medical models and programming that enhance community engagement, equity, diversity and inclusion. She is an institutional consultant and public speaker.

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As an academic clinician in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew has dedicated more than twenty years of her professional and personal life to diversity issues and global health challenges of women.  Locally she has been one of few female African-American providers to work with under-resourced communities with on focus on care for women living with HIV. She has found that lack of cultural humility affecting women in the United States and abroad have resulted in preventable deaths. The need for sustainable programs focused on educating primary care and specialty providers has proven to be essential in order to decrease the burden of disease and thwart deaths from preventable causes.  As primary faculty for residents, medical students and nurses, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew has enhanced her teaching skills through experiential training and advanced degrees in education, management and international public policy. Certification as an executive leader in diversity resulted in the development and implementation of programs to highlight and challenge unconscious bias that may result in poor management decisions. Expertise in the development of medical models that address social determinants of health continues to be another focus of her work. Development of pipeline programs dedicated to recruiting, training and retaining underrepresented minority providers has proven to increase patient compliance and reduce maternal and neonatal deaths.  The WONDOOR (Women and Neonates, Diversity, Outreach, Opportunity and Research) program establishes post-graduate education opportunities abroad. The program in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Guyana trains specialists clinically and also changes the humanistic culture for those caring for women. Implementing protocols that provide optimal tracking of behavior change and patient outcomes is the key to the success of various initiatives.

 

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 masters 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 Masters degree in Public Policy and Management (International Affairs) enhancing her expertise in global health program 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.

 Service is the focus of Dr. Pettigrews’ 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. Board membership also includes Robert Morris University, the YWCA. Dr. Pettigrew is a member of the Cuban MEDDIC editorial boards. She is an active member of Macedonia Baptist Church and her beloved sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha.

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Dr. Larkins-Pettigrews’ greatest accomplishments include her role as a loving wife to Chenits for forty 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 God-mother to her grand-nephew, Zay.

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