Spotlight Series: Sharon Ostfeld-Johns, MD, IBCLC

“Building on work we have done to reduce unnecessary toxicology tests in newborns, I am excited to expand the support we are providing for families affected by substance use during pregnancy.

Family Care Plans can help families recognize support needs during pregnancy so they are matched with the right services and treatments, leading to moms and babies being more likely to go home together safely after the birth hospital stay. We have so much work to do to make that goal a reality for more families.”

“I wish I had learned sooner: That, just because something feels like a must-do project to you and you're willing to devote time to it, it doesn't necessarily mean others feel the same. Using stories, data, and specific asks can build partnerships for your passion projects.”

“Andie Asnes is the most devoted mentor, always making time for conversations, bridging new connections, using her social capital to move projects forward, and building me up with positive reinforcement. If she expresses confidence in me, who am I to not believe her?”

“I am hopeful that our value structures in medicine can shift to reflect work more often done by women, and that this work often means taking more time communicating with patients and families. Thinking of my role as a Med-Peds hospitalist, examples include time spent supporting breastfeeding during the birth hospitalization (in one study, babies cared for by women doctors were more likely to be breastfeeding at 4 months of age) or orchestrating a complicated hospital discharge plan for an older adult (readmission rates are lower for patients discharged by women doctors). If time spent on these complex tasks were appropriately compensated, not only might the pay gap between genders decrease, but care for all patients might improve.”