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 8/5/2026

    Janiak E, Lerner NM, Acton LW, Bethea C, White KO. Implementation and Impact of a Community Advisory Board to Promote Health Equity in a State-Based Contraceptive Access Initiative. Health Equity. 2026; 10:24731242261466915. PMID: 42564355.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 7/31/2026

    Hubacher D, Schreiber CA, Turok DK, Teal SB, Nelson AL, Jensen JT, Chen MJ, Nanda K, White KO, Dayananda I, Chen PL, Chen BA, Goldberg AB, Kerns JL, Dart C, Thomas MA, Archer DF, Brown JE, Castaño PM, Burke AE, Kaneshiro B, Blithe DL. Comparing the TCu380A and a small Nova-T copper IUD: secondary analysis of discontinuation probabilities, bleeding outcomes and satisfaction in nulliparous participants from a 3-year randomized trial. Contraception. 2026 Jul 31; 164:111571. PMID: 42537769.

    Read at: PubMed

  • Published 3/31/2026

    Wong ML, Pancholi R, Yinusa-Nyahkoon L, White KO, Woodhams E. Assessing motivating factors for IUD self-removal through focus groups and simulation. Contraception. 2026 Sep; 161:111456. PMID: 41933783.

    Read at: PubMed

  • 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 12/27/2025

    White KO, Lerner NM, Acton LW, Johns SL, Erkal S, Raskin E, Janiak E. Champions of contraceptive care: Lessons learned from a statewide contraceptive access program. Contraception. 2026 Mar; 155:111353. PMID: 41461280.

    Read at: PubMed

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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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