Monica Rose McLemore

Faculty

Monica McLemore headshot

Monica Rose McLemore

PhD RN MPH FADLN

Professor

1 212 998 5319

433 FIRST AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10010
United States

Monica Rose McLemore's additional information

Prof. Monica R. McLemore is a Visiting Professor at NYU Meyers and is a noted scholar of antiracist birth equity research and national expert on reproductive health, rights, and justice.

Prior to joining NYU Meyers, McLemore was a tenured professor, holding the Endowed Chair for Health Promotion and is Director of the Manning-Price Spratlan Center for Anti-Racism and Equity in Nursing at the University of Washington (UW). Before UW, she was a tenured associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing, and held the Thelma Shobe Endowed Chair in Ethics and Spirituality.

Over a career spanning more than three decades, McLemore has distinguished herself as a scientist and clinical nurse whose work advancing understanding of reproductive health and justice has been cited in varied ways across many platforms, including six amicus briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court and publications ranging from Politico to Scientific American. She made a voice appearance on the Peabody Award-winning HBO series “Random Acts of Flyness”, and is editor-in-chief of the journal, Health Equity

McLemore also has an impressive record of mentoring diverse scholars and students, and in expanding the use of community-engaged research methods, in particular involving underrepresented groups in the research process.

Among her many awards, McLemore was recognized as the Society of Family Planning’s Mentor of the Year and honored with the American Public Health Association's Outstanding Leadership and Advocacy Award for her work on maternal child health.

PhD, University of California
MPH, San Francisco State University
Minority Training Program in Cancer Control Research
BSN, The College Of New Jersey
Research Fellow, NINR Summer Genetics Institute
Anti-Racism and Equity
Health Equity
Health Policy
Reproductive Health
Society of Family Planning
American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Washington State Nurses Association
Academy Health
Abortion Access Front
Health Equity Journal

Faculty Honors Awards

Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine (2025)
Trailblazer Award, National Black Nurses Association (2025)
Harriet Cook Carter Lecture, Duke University (2025)
Inaugural Recipient of the SFGH Catalyst Award, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital First Annual Nursing Research Symposium (2025)
National Academy of Sciences Kavli Fellowship, Reproductive Justice Unit (2025)
Fellow, Academy of Diverse Leaders in Nursing (2024)
2024 STATUS List, Stat News (2024)
McCausland Visiting Scholars, University of South Carolina (2024)
Excellence in Promoting Diversity Through Teaching Award, University of Washington School of Nursing (2024)
Researcher of the Year, Washington State Nurses Association (2023)
Legacy Award, Marcus Foster Education Institute’s 100 for the 100th Legacy Award recipients (2023)
Nurse Influencer on Social Media, Berxi (2023)
Mentor of the Year, Society of Family Planning (2022)
Alumni of the Year, The College of New Jersey School of Nursing (2022)
Maternal Child Health Section Outstanding Leadership and Advocacy Award, American Public Health Association (2021)
Nurse Influencer on Social Media, Berxi (2021)
Nursing Mutual Aid #2020: Global Hero Award, The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (2020)
Distinguished Leadership Award, The College of New Jersey (Alumni) (2020)
The Audacious Award, Alumni Association UCSF Foundation (2020)
Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (2019)
Excellence in Leadership Award, AWHONN (2019)
Thomas N. Burbridge Award, UCSF Chancellor's University Service Award (2019)
Person of the Year, Abortion Care Network (2018)
Association for Reproductive Health Professionals, Amazing Women in Reproductive Health (2017)
The Association for Wholistic Maternal and Newborn Health, Agent - Provocateur of the Year Award (2017)
Margretta Madden Styles Award, Sigma Theta Tau International (2017)
Excellence in Teaching Award, American College of Nurse Midwives (2015)
Speaking Race to Power Fellow, CoreAlign (2015)
Breakthrough Leaders in Nursing Award, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (2015)
UCSF Alpha Eta Leadership Hall of Fame, Sigma Theta Tau International (2014)
Doctoral Scholarship in Nursing, American Cancer Society (2007)
National Institute for General Medical Sciences Fellowship, UCSF (2003)
Cota Robles Regents Fellowship, UCSF (2002)
Outstanding Service Award, The Resident Staff of the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Stanford University School of Medicine (2000)
New Jersey Garden State Scholarship Program (1998)

Publications

Revisionist History is Not Helpful. A Response to Allen, et al., MCH and Abortion: Toward a Stronger Relationship

McLemore, M. R., McLemore, M. R., Crear-Perry, J. A., Scott, K. A., & Roberts, S. (2026). In Maternal and child health journal.
Abstract
Abstract
~

Staff perspectives on racial inequities in the neonatal intensive care unit: the REJOICE study

McLemore, M. R., Austin, K., Smith, O., McLemore, M., Lewis, S., McKenzie-Sampson, S., Washington, T. E., Rogers, E. E., & Karvonen, K. L. (2026). In Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (Vols. 46, Issues 2, pp. 255-261).
Abstract
Abstract
To understand staff perspectives on racism experienced by both parents and staff members in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Audio-diary reflections after community focus groups to address local racial inequities in the neonatal intensive care unit

McLemore, M. R., Karvonen, K. L., Smith, O., Chambers-Butcher, B., Afulani, P., Mathis-Perry, T., Rangwalla, K., McLemore, M., & Rogers, E. E. (2025). In Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (Vols. 45, Issues 3, pp. 392-394).
Abstract
Abstract
~

Corrigendum to Society of Family Planning Research Practice Support: Strategies and considerations for addressing race and racism in quantitative family planning studies [Contraception vol 139 (2024) 110534]

McLemore, M. R., Quinones, N., Fuentes, L., Hassan, A., Hing, A. K., Samari, G., & McLemore, M. (2025). In Contraception (Vols. 142, p. 110736).
Abstract
Abstract
~

Parent and staff focus groups to address NICU racial inequities: "There's radical optimism in that we're in a different time and we're not doing it alone"

McLemore, M. R., Karvonen, K. L., Smith, O., Chambers-Butcher, B., Afulani, P., Mathis-Perry, T., Rangwalla, K., McLemore, M., & Rogers, E. E. (2025). In Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association (Vols. 45, Issues 3, pp. 350-358).
Abstract
Abstract
To understand local mechanisms of racial inequities and generate recommendations from community members regarding how to promote racial equity in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Perspectives of Certified Nurse-Midwives and Physicians on the Structural and Institutional Barriers that Contribute to the Reproductive Inequities of Black Birthing People in the San Francisco Bay Area

McLemore, M. R., Nelson, T. J., Butcher, B. D. C., Delgado, A., & McLemore, M. R. (2025). In Journal of midwifery & women’s health (Vols. 70, Issues 4, pp. 593-601).
Abstract
Abstract
Black birthing people in the United States disproportionately endure inequitable experiences and outcomes during pregnancy and childbirth via structural, interpersonal, and obstetric racism. In this study, the researchers explore provider perspectives of how racism is perpetuated in institutional perinatal and reproductive health care.

Place Matters: Geographic Distribution of Abortion Fund Services

McLemore, M. R., Johnson, E. R., & McLemore, M. R. (2025). In Health equity (Vols. 9, Issue 1, pp. 397-404).
Abstract
Abstract
Where you live impacts your access to all forms of health care, but abortion in particular. In response to restrictions on abortion, communities have organized to support those seeking abortion care via abortion funds. This study documents the services provided by these organizations and examines how they have been shaped by local conditions.

Traditional Black Midwifery to Enhance Birth Justice

McLemore, M. R., Suárez-Baquero, D. F. M., Joseph, J., & McLemore, M. R. (2025). In Journal of obstetric, gynecologic, and neonatal nursing : JOGNN (Vols. 54, Issues 3, pp. 338-348).
Abstract
Abstract
In this commentary, we explore the significance of traditional Black midwifery practices across diaspora and global contexts, focusing on their potential for birth justice. By integrating cultural, health, and historical perspectives, we highlight the transformative power of traditional Black midwifery. Furthermore, we address the challenges that Black traditional and formally trained midwives face within contemporary health care systems. Barriers such as legal restrictions, limited recognition, and inadequate resources hinder the integration of Black midwifery into formal health care frameworks. Finally, strategies to promote collaboration, cultural, and respectful dialogue between traditional Black midwives and modern health care providers are proposed to overcome these challenges.

Understanding Hospitals as Sites of Care That Address Social Needs-Why It Matters

McLemore, M. R., & McLemore, M. R. (2025). In JAMA network open (Vols. 8, Issues 6, p. e2512402).
Abstract
Abstract
~

What Journal Stands For

Failed generating bibliography.
Abstract
Abstract
~