Elizabeth A. Howell

Elizabeth A. Howell serves as Chair of the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, holding the Harrison McCrea Dickson, M.D. President's Distinguished Professorship. She is also a Professor of Epidemiology in Biostatistics and Epidemiology and a Senior Fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute. Dr. Howell maintains hospital privileges at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Her research focuses on racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes, particularly examining severe maternal morbidity, preterm birth, and Medicaid policy impacts. Using mixed-methods approaches including epidemiological analysis and qualitative studies, she investigates systemic inequities in perinatal care and develops interventions to improve health equity for marginalized populations.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on structural determinants of health disparities, with particular attention to the intersection of race, insurance status, and healthcare quality. Her work spans clinical obstetrics, population health, and health policy domains, often utilizing large-scale datasets to identify institutional patterns in care delivery.

• Harrison McCrea Dickson, M.D. President's Distinguished Professor
• Senior Fellow, Leonard Davis Institute

Dr. Howell leads significant research initiatives examining Medicaid policy impacts on postpartum care access and racial disparities in severe maternal morbidity. Her work involves collaborations across health systems and payers to implement evidence-based interventions addressing systemic inequities in women's health.

She directs research teams investigating perinatal care experiences among racially diverse populations, with emphasis on NICU utilization and patient-centered outcomes. Her leadership in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology includes oversight of clinical, research, and educational programs focused on advancing health equity.