Rebecca B. Perkins, MD, MSc.

Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology


General Field of work: Obstetrics and Gynecology

BUSM or BMC office address:

85 E. Concord St, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
Office Telephone: 617-414-5175
Fax Number:  617-414-7300

Email: rbperkin@bu.edu

Education:

Undergraduate: Stanford University, B.A., Human Biology
Medical School: Harvard Medical School
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital (Obstetrics and Gynecology)
Graduate School: Boston University, MSc., Health Policy and Management

Key Words: HPV vaccination, cervical cancer prevention, underserved populations

Summary of academic interest:

I am a gynecologist by training, and have been actively involved in cervical cancer prevention research since 2003, when I designed and helped to implement a cervical cancer prevention program in Honduras comparing the accuracy of visual inspection with Pap smear screening.  To date, I have completed database reviews, qualitative interview studies, and cost-effectiveness analyses related to cervical cancer prevention in low-income and minority women.  My current work focuses on understanding physicians’ experiences with HPV vaccination, exploring factors influencing rates of HPV vaccination in low-income adolescents, and understanding the impact of treatment guideline changes on the management of abnormal Pap smears in young women.  I have been funded since 2009 by the American Cancer Society to undertake research focused on improving HPV vaccination rates in low-income, minority adolescents.

Recent Publications:

Pubmed Link

  1. Springer EA, Winzelberg AJ, Perkins R, Taylor CB. Effects of a body image curriculum for college students on improved body image. Int J Eat Disord. 1999;26:13-20.
  2. Perkins RB, Hall JE, Martin KA. Neuroendocrine abnormalities in hypothalamic amenorrhea: spectrum, stability, and response to neurotransmitter modulation. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1999; 84:1905-11.
  3. Perkins RB, Hall JE, Martin KA. Aetiology, previous menstrual function and patterns of neuroendocrine disturbance as prognostic indicators in hypothalamic amenorrhoea. Hum Reprod. 2001;16:2198-205.
  4. Debernardo RL Jr, Perkins RB, Littell RD, Krasner CN, Duska LR.  Low-molecular-weight heparin (dalteparin) in women with gynecologic malignancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2005;105:1006-11.
  5. Perkins RB, Langrish SM, Stern LJ, Simon CJ.  A community-based education program about cervical cancer improves knowledge and screening behavior in Honduran women.  J Panam Health Org/ Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2007; 22: 187-93.
  6. Perkins RB, Langrish SM, Stern LJ, Figueroa J, Simon CJ.  Comparison of visual inspection and PAP smears for cervical cancer screening in Honduras:  Should PAP smears be abandoned?  Trop Med Int Health. 2007; 12:1018-25.
  7. Perkins RB, Langrish SM, Stern LJ, Figueroa J, Burgess J, Simon CJ.  Visual inspection with acetic acid is more cost-effective than Pap smears for cervical cancer screening in Honduras.  Womens Health Issues. 2010 Jan-Feb;20(1):35-42.
  8. Perkins RB. Efficacy data and HPV vaccination studies. JAMA. 2009 Dec 23;302(24):2659.
  9. Perkins RB, Pierre-Joseph N, Marquez C, Iloka S, Clark JA. Why do low-income minority parents choose human papillomavirus vaccination for their daughters? J Pediatr. 2010 May 15.
  10. Perkins RB, Pierre-Joseph N, Marquez C, Iloka S, Clark JA. Parents’ opinions of mandatory Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination: does ethnicity matter? Women’s Health Issues. 2010 Nov-Dec;20(6):420-6.
  11. Perkins RB, Langrish SM, Cotton DJ, Simon CJ.  Honduran mothers support Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for their daughters.  Journal of Women’s Health.  2010 Nov 22 (epub ahead of print).