Makunda Abdul-Mbacke MD, MPH, FACOG

“I was born in 1970, to two hard working entrepreneurial parents.  According to my parents I decided to become a doctor at the age of three, and although I don’t remember that decision I do remember numerous chemistry sets, toy stethoscopes, and reflex hammers given as gifts and the verbal encouragement showered on me from family, friends, and neighbors.  No there were no doctors in my family, and at that point only a handful of my relatives had completed college, but my parents and this country encouraged me to dream.  In the 1970’s doors that had been shut for centuries were finally opening.  The country was talking about a War on Poverty, equal opportunities, and a level playing field and following those ideas up with actions.  So it wasn't so absurd that a little Black girl from Harlem would accomplish her dream of becoming a physician.  Now some 20 years later, here I am.  I am a fourth year medical student at Yale, applying in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and along the way I have taken detours to conduct research in West Africa and complete an MPH at the Harvard School of Public Health.  My dreams still remain big, but I have learned an important lesson from my ancestors; I must lift as I climb. My future is interwoven with all the little children in the various Harlem’s of this country who wish to become physicians”
- Excerpt from an award acceptance speech, 1998

Watch Makunda Abdul-Mbacke MD, MPH, FACOG

"Dr. Mbacke's Outlook on women's health" 

Education

Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

MD received May 1998

Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, MA

Major: Public Management and Community Health

MPH received June 1998

Yale University, New Haven, CT

Major: Biology

BS received May 1992

Postgraduate Training

University of Pittsburgh/Magee-Womens Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA

Residency in Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, 1998-2002

Certifications Licensure

• Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology 2004
• National Board of Medical Examiners 1998
• Virginia Medical License
• Pennsylvania Medical License
• New Jersey Medical License
• CDS DEA

 Honors & Awards

• The Clinical Training Fellowship Program in Substance Abuse Research and Treatment, 1998
• Pew Charitable Trust-Urban Health Initiative Grant, 1997
• The Betty Ford Center Fellowship for Medical Students, 1996
• National Medical Association Merit Scholar, 1995
• National Medical Fellowships/Bristol-Myers Squibb Academic Medicine Fellow, 1995

Memberships

• American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Fellow

Leadership & Community Service

Global Health Ministry Volunteer - Port au Prince, Hati

Nov. 2006 - served as a physician for health mission to serve the poor.

New Jersey State Maternal Mortality Case Review 2004 - 2007

Appointed to state committee; serving as State Public Health Physician.  The committee investigates and reviews all maternal deaths.

Association of Yale Alumni 2002 - Present

Assist in interviewing local applicants for undergraduate admission and speaking at college fairs.

Lectures & Seminars

Lecturer "Update on Human Papilloma Virus: What you need to know."

Rutgers University April 2007

Panelist "Women, Race, Health and Public Policy"

Yale University Feb. 2003

Lecturer "Taking Care of Sisters: A discussion of breast and cervical cancer screening"

University Medical Center at Princeton Oct. 2003

Lecturer "What you need to know about urinary incontinence"

Monroe Senior Center March 2004

Lecturer "Taking Care of Sisters: Time to wake up: HIV/AIDS in our Community"

University Medical Center at Princeton May 2004

Lecturer "Speak up when your down: perinatal mood disorders, psychiatric illnesses during pregnancy/postpartum"

Involved statewide campaign to educate healthcare providers on the prevalence and importance of screening and treating perinatal mood disorders. Oct. 2005 - Present

Essence magazine advisor - invited to dialogue with the editorial board on the important health issues facing African-American women. June 2004

Specialties & Interests

• Cancer Screening, Healthcare Disparities, Adolescent medicine, Sexually Transmitted Infections
• Normal and High-Risk Pregnancies