Katharine O. White, MD MPH

Professor, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine

Biography

Dr. White is the System Chief of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Boston Medical Center Health System. She is also Professor and Chair of OB/GYN at the Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. She is the Site PI for the NICHD Contraceptive Clinical Trials Network at Boston University, and has been the PI on randomized clinical trials, cohort studies and cross-sectional surveys. Dr. White's interests span quantitative analysis, qualitative studies, and implementation science. She is the PI of the Partners In Contraceptive Choice and Knowledge (PICCK) program, a quality improvement project for contraceptive services at Massachusetts birth hospitals, with a focus on training clinicians in shared decision-making around contraceptive counseling. Dr. White is particularly interested in shared decision-making, miscarriage management, and sexual wellness/dysfunction. She frequently lectures locally and nationally on a number of topics related to reproductive health. Dr. White is also the author of Your Guide to Miscarriage and Pregnancy Loss and Your Sexual Health, both published by Mayo Clinic Press.

Publications

  • Published 1/23/2026

    White KO, Acton LW, Janiak E, Clark J, Raskin E, Lerner NM. Partners in Contraceptive Choice and Knowledge: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a US Statewide Contraceptive Access Initiative. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2026 Mar; 58(1):120-131. PMID: 41574562.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 11/1/2025

    Janiak E, Johns SL, Acton LW, Lerner NM, Storey A, White KO. Development of a novel scale to measure health care professionals' patient-centered contraceptive counseling competency. Contraception. 2026 Mar; 155:111284. PMID: 41183702.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 10/21/2025

    Huberfeld N, White KO, Cannon R. Considering Telehealth Across State Lines in Uncertain Times. JAMA. 2025 Oct 21; 334(15):1336-1337. PMID: 40788628.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/22/2025

    Schreiber CA, Nanda K, Hubacher D, Turok DK, Jensen JT, Creinin MD, White KO, Dayananda I, Teal SB, Chen PL, Chen BA, Goldberg AB, Kerns JL, Dart C, Nelson AL, Thomas MA, Archer DF, Brown JE, Castaño PM, Burke AE, Kaneshiro B, Blithe DL. Contraceptive Efficacy and Comparative Side Effects of a Mini Copper Intrauterine Device. NEJM Evid. 2025 Aug; 4(8):EVIDoa2400480. PMID: 40693846.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 6/29/2025

    Bond JC, Schildroth S, White KO, Fisher R, Pukall CF, Abrams J, Wise LA. Strategies for self-management of painful intercourse among female pregnancy planners. J Sex Med. 2025 Jun 29; 22(7):1173-1183. PMID: 40413796.

    Read at: PubMed

View All 80 Publications:   View Full Profile in BUMC

Other Positions

  • Chief and Chair, Obstetrics & Gynecology
    Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
  • Vice-Chair of Academics
    Boston Medical Center

Websites

Education

  • University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, MD
  • Columbia University School of Public Health, MPH
  • Duke University, BS

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