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

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
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)

"'Oh gosh, why go?' cause they are going to look at me and not hire": intersectional experiences of black women navigating employment during pregnancy and parenting

McLemore, M. R., Mehra, R., Alspaugh, A., Dunn, J. T., Franck, L. S., McLemore, M. R., Keene, D. E., Kershaw, T. S., & Ickovics, J. R. (2023). In BMC pregnancy and childbirth (Vols. 23, Issue 1, p. 17).
Abstract
Abstract
Workplace legal protections are important for perinatal health outcomes. Black birthing people are disproportionally affected by pregnancy discrimination and bias in the employment context and lack of family-friendly workplace policies, which may hinder their participation in the labor force and lead to gender and racial inequities in income and health. We aimed to explore Black pregnant women's experiences of pregnancy discrimination and bias when looking for work, working while pregnant, and returning to work postpartum. Additionally, we explored Black pregnant women's perspectives on how these experiences may influence their health.

Racism is a motivator and a barrier for people of color aspiring to become midwives in the United States

McLemore, M. R., Mehra, R., Alspaugh, A., Joseph, J., Golden, B., Lanshaw, N., McLemore, M. R., & Franck, L. S. (2023). In Health services research (Vols. 58, Issue 1, pp. 40-50).
Abstract
Abstract
To understand motivators and barriers of aspiring midwives of color.

Structural Racism Operationalized via Adverse Social Events in a Single-Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

McLemore, M. R., Karvonen, K. L., Anunwah, E., Chambers Butcher, B. D., Kwarteng, L., Mathis-Perry, T., McLemore, M. R., Oh, S., Pantell, M. S., Smith, O., & Rogers, E. (2023). In The Journal of pediatrics (Vols. 260, p. 113499).
Abstract
Abstract
To evaluate structural racism in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) by determining if differences in adverse social events occur by racialized groups.

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Health

McLemore, M. R., Ka’ai, K., McLemore, M., Chen, Z. A. A., Ma, G. X., Samoa, R., Quach, T., & Zhang, X. (2022). In Health equity (Vols. 6, Issue 1, pp. 942-952).
Abstract
Abstract
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Black Women's Lived Experiences of Abortion

McLemore, M. R., Brown, K., Plummer, M., Bell, A., Combs, M., Gates-Burgess, B., Mitchell, A., Sparks, M., McLemore, M. R., & Jackson, A. (2022). In Qualitative health research (Vols. 32, Issues 7, pp. 1099-1113).
Abstract
Abstract
In this study, we aim to understand abortion in the context of structural racism and reproductive injustice. We designed this study using Reproductive Justice and Public Health Critical Race Praxis frameworks. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with self-identified Black women over the age of 18 who have had an abortion. The primary identified theme is that "choice" around abortion is a privilege that is not always available to Black women. Participants discussed domains of experience around abortion. The domains were (1) community experience and intergenerational wisdom, (2) personal experience and beliefs, (3) the process of accessing abortion, and (4) reflecting on abortion experience and recovery. Understanding the ways in which reproductive injustices and structural racism constrict choices is critical to providing abortion care. Abortion care should seek to honor the experiences of Black women, trust in the expertise that Black women have in our own bodies, and work to provide Reproductive-Justice-informed care.

Clinicians' Perspectives on Racism and Black Women's Maternal Health

McLemore, M. R., Chambers, B. D., Taylor, B., Nelson, T., Harrison, J., Bell, A., O’Leary, A., Arega, H. A., Hashemi, S., McKenzie-Sampson, S., Scott, K. A., Raine-Bennett, T., Jackson, A. V., Kuppermann, M., & McLemore, M. R. (2022). In Women’s health reports (New Rochelle, N.Y.) (Vols. 3, Issue 1, pp. 476-482).
Abstract
Abstract
The objective of this study was to explore clinician perceptions of how racism affects Black women's pregnancy experiences, perinatal care, and birth outcomes.

Coercion and non-consent during birth and newborn care in the United States

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Abstract
Abstract
In the United States, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) experience more adverse health outcomes and report mistreatment during pregnancy and birth care. The rights to bodily autonomy and consent are core components of high-quality health care. To assess experiences of coercion and nonconsent for procedures during perinatal care among racialized service users in the United States, we analyzed data from the Giving Voice to Mothers (GVtM-US) study.

Editorial: Community Engagement Is Key to Promoting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Health

McLemore, M. R., Chen, Z., Ma, G. X., Zhang, X., & McLemore, M. R. (2022). In Health equity (Vols. 6, Issue 1, pp. 681-683).
Abstract
Abstract
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Emerging approaches to redressing multi-level racism and reproductive health disparities

McLemore, M. R., Golden, B., Asiodu, I. V., Franck, L. S., Ofori-Parku, C. Y. Y., Suárez-Baquero, D. F. M., Youngston, T., & McLemore, M. R. (2022). In NPJ digital medicine (Vols. 5, Issue 1, p. 169).
Abstract
Abstract
This commentary examines the impact of multi-level racism on reproductive health disparities in the United States. Multi-level racism and its impact on reproductive health over the lifespan are described on a societal, community, and individual level. To advance, we recommend using the Remove, Repair, Restructure, Remediate (R4P) approach combined with the Retrofit, Reform, and Reimagine (3R) model to address multiple forms of racism. Emergent policies and actions are identified to proceed towards health equity.

Fireside Chat on the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Special Edition of the Journal Featuring Authors

McLemore, M. R., McLemore, M., Chen, Z. A. A., Lett, E., Samoa, R., Moreno, A., Wu, B., Yin, L., Zhang, D. S. S., Montalvo, W., & Nguyen, C. (2022). In Health equity (Vols. 6, Issue 1, pp. 953-964).
Abstract
Abstract
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