Program:
Start Year:
2025
Why did you choose Duke for your fellowship training?
I chose Duke for fellowship training for the opportunity to learn from experts in the field caring for a medically and socially complex, and often underserved population. Coming to Duke after an experience working as a general ob/gyn in a rural community near Durham after residency, I am excited to be able to care for and support the patients in the greater catchment area in North Carolina, especially when patient needs demand higher levels of care. Finally, Duke has high volume with a intensive clinical schedule and collegial learning environment that creates the robust training experience I was looking for in fellowship.
What excites you about the fellowship program at Duke Obstetrics & Gynecology?
I am excited to develop my ultrasound skills for antenatal diagnosis and learn more about the fetal patient. I am also excited to enhance my critical care in obstetrics skills, care for patients requiring complex obstetric surgery and expand my research experience at Duke.
What are your career goals?
My career goals are to become an academic MFM specialist with a focus on supporting community health and access to care for all pregnant patients.
What are your hobbies?
Spending time with my family, playing toddler soccer, baking and cooking.
Education & Training
Undergraduate school & graduation year:
University of California, Santa Barbara, 2013
Medical school & graduation year:
Yale School of Medicine, 2020
Residency & graduation year:
Yale New Haven Hospital, 2024
Awards and Honors
Administrative OBGYN Chief Resident 2023-2024
John J. Meehan-Clifford R. Miller Award to Chief Resident with Highest Potential for Academic Excellence in OBGYN 2024
Residency Program Award for Excellence in Obstetrics 2024
ACOG CT Section Outstanding Student James F.X. Egan award 2020
William U. Gardner Memorial Student Research Fellowship 2019
Yale School of Medicine Medical Student Research Fellowship 2019
Gina M. Finzi Memorial Fellowship, Lupus Foundation of America 2018
Richard K. Gershon, M.D. Student Research Fellowship, Yale School of Medicine 2018
Dean of Undergraduate Education Award in the College of Letters and Science Recipient 2013
Publications
DeSpenza, Rachel A., Salmon, Jane E., et al. “Antiphospholipid antibody-induced trophoblast responses are differentially modulated by viral dsRNA and viral ssRNA.” American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, vol. 87, 2021.
Cross, Sarah N., Nelson, Rachel A., et al. “Magnesium Sulfate Differentially Modulates Fetal Membrane Inflammation in a Time-Dependent Manner.” American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, vol. 80, no. 1, 2018.
Presentations
DeSpenza, Rachel A., et al. “Antiphospholipid Antibodies Induce a Type I and Type III Interferon Response in Human First Trimester Trophoblast Cells.” SRI Annual Scientific Meeting, Vancouver, BC, Canada March 2024
Nelson, Rachel A., et al. “Viral ssRNA and Viral dsRNA Differentially Modulate Human Trophoblast Responses to Antiphospholipid Antibodies.” SRI Annual Scientific Meeting, Paris, France, March 2019
Research Interests
Health disparities, access to care, complex obstetric surgery, obstetric critical care.