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Meredithe McNamara, MD, MS, FAAP

Assistant Professor
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Additional Titles

Affiliate Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

About

Titles

Assistant Professor

Affiliate Faculty, Yale Institute for Global Health

Biography

Dr. McNamara is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and specializes in Adolescent Medicine. She cares for youth aged 11-25 and supervises pediatric residents at Fair Haven Community Health Center and Yale-affiliated subspecialty sites. She is interested in implementing best practices in the care of youth facing complex trauma and high-risk social situations. She is involved in medical education initiatives to improve trainee proficiency in strengths-based communication and positive youth development. She previously conducted research in implementing trauma-informed systems for high-volume pediatric trauma centers in Chicago. She conducts culturally appropriate curriculum development in adolescent medicine in both global and local settings, using innovative technologies and extensive resources at Yale. She is currently developing curricula for medical schools in Uganda, in partnership with stakeholders at Busitema University and Makerere University.

She received a Doctor of Medicine and Master’s of Clinical Research from Emory University in 2013. She completed residency in pediatrics at the University of Chicago in 2016 and a fellowship in primary care from the Leadership in Urban Primary Care Education and Transformation Program at the University of Chicago in 2017. She completed fellowship in Adolescent Medicine at the University of Illinois-Chicago in 2021.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellow
University of Illinois - Chicago (2021)
Resident
University of Chicago (2016)
MD
Emory University (2013)
MS
Emory University (2013)

Research

Overview

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Adolescent Medicine; Contraception; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Genital Diseases, Female; Genital Diseases, Male; Long-Acting Reversible Contraception; Mental Health; Posttraumatic Growth, Psychological; Sexual Health; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Wounds, Gunshot; Wounds, Penetrating

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    mplementation of an Adolescent Health and Medicine Course designed for Medical Trainees in Low and Middle Income Countries: Results from a Pilot Study

Clinical Care

Overview

Meredithe McNamara, MD, MS, is an adolescent medicine specialist and says she enjoys playing a supportive role in a young person’s life during a pivotal point in their cognitive and physical development.

Adolescent medicine, she explains, is one-stop shopping for all of a youth’s health needs, including general care, mental health and coping with trauma, managing chronic issues going into early adulthood, menstrual problems, athlete wellness, safe sex and birth control, substance use support, and gender-affirming care.

“It’s one of the most exciting and dynamic times in their lives, and I feel privileged to be part of their support system and I love creating clinical environments where they can thrive,” says Dr. McNamara, adding that adolescence spans ages 11 to 25. “I’m consistently so impressed by the strength and resilience of adolescents during such a challenging time. Young people deserve supportive, safe spaces to process these challenges and I make that a top priority during each patient visit.”

Young people deserve to have all their health needs met in a “comprehensive, judgement-free setting,” Dr. McNamara says.

She describes her approach as “strength-based care.”

“I ask them what they are proud of about themselves and what they are good at. I invite patients to tell me their stories and declare their strengths,” she explains. “Those strengths are assets that young people deserve to be keenly aware of as they move through this phase of life.”

Dr. McNamara says she also believes in shared decision-making. “Once I understand someone’s goals and priorities, I offer options on how they can get there,” she says. “I want my patients to feel like they’re in control of their care. They deserve to be equal partners in the process.”

Dr. McNamara is passionate about working with youth facing complex trauma, high-risk social situations, and mental health issues, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her research interests include improving trainee readiness in adolescent medicine and the long-term recovery of patients affected by violent injury. She is also involved in adolescent health program development in East Africa.

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