D'Nyce Williams, MD, MPH, MPA

2001-2002

Associate Clinical Professor, Morehouse School of Medicine Ft. McPherson Women’s Center, Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA

Dr. D’Nyce L. Williams is an Associate Clinical Professor at Morehouse School of Medicine. She has served the Atlanta community for nearly 25 years as an Obstetrician-Gynecologist and is a tireless advocate for women’s health and well-being – especially those who are historically underserved. Dr. Williams was instrumental in the introduction of patient-centered, team-based specialty care to women veterans at the Atlanta Veterans Administration Medical Center (VA), with a special focus on the unique experiences of combat female veterans. During the Zika outbreak she served on a national level as an Emergency Operations Clinical Lead at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She serves on the Board of Directors for MedCura Health (formerly Oakhurst Medical Centers, Inc.). Recently Dr. Williams has been involved in identifying comprehensive oral health care resources for under-insured and uninsured women who receive medical care at Grady Hospital Neighborhood Health Clinics and at the VA.

A California native, D’Nyce earned an undergraduate degree from the University of California (UC), Los Angeles and a Master of Public Health degree at UC Berkeley. She received her medical degree at UC Davis and residency training at UC San Francisco-Fresno. She completed the Commonwealth Fund/Harvard University Fellowship in Minority Health Policy (’02), and received the Master of Public Administration degree at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University. Her compassion and dedication have been recognized by several organizations.

2011

Penman-Aguilar A, Legardy-Williams J, Turner AN, Rabozakandriana TO, Williams D, Razafindravoavy S, Behets F, Van Damme K, Jamieson DJ. Effect of treatment assignment on intravaginal cleansing in a randomized study of the diaphragm with candidate microbicide. J Womens Health (Larchmt). 2011 Feb;20(2):187-95

2010

Njoroge B, Gallo MF, Sharma A, Bukusi EA, Nguti R, Bell AJ, Jamieson DJ, Williams D, Eschenbach DA. Diaphragm for STI and HIV prevention: is it a safe method for women at high risk? Sex Transm Dis. 2010 Jun;37(6):382-5. PMID:20473244.
Williams DL and Jamieson DJ. Gynecologic care of the HIV-infected woman. E-medicine, March 17, 2010.

2009

Anderson DJ, Williams DL, et al. Safety analysis of the diaphragm in combination with lubricant or acidifying microbicide gels: effects on markers of inflammation and innate immunity in cervicovaginal fluid. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 2009; 61(2):121-9.
Anderson, DJ, Williams DL, Ballagh SA, Barnhart K, Creinin MD, Newman DR, Bowman FP, Potitch JA, Jamieson DJ. Safety Analysis of the Diaphragm in Combination with Lubricant or Acidifying Microbicide Gels: Effects on Markers of Inflammation and Innate Immunity in Cervicovaginal Fluid. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology 2009, 61:121-129
Khan MR, Turner AN, Pettifor A, VanDamme K, Rabenja NL, Ravelomanana N, Swezey T, Williams D, Jamieson D. Unmet need for contraception among sex workers in Madagascar. Contraception 2009; 79(3):221-7.

2008

Randrianasolo B, Swezey T et al. [collaborator: Williams D.] Barriers to the use of modern contraceptives and implications for woman-controlled prevention of sexually transmitted infections in Madagascar. J Biosoc Sci. 2008 Nov;40(6):879-93. Epub 2008 Jan 16.
Behets FM, Turner AN, Van Damme K, Rabenja NL, Ravelomanana N, Swezey TA, Bell AJ, Newman DR, Williams DL, Jamieson DJ; Mad STI Prevention Group. Vaginal microbicide and diaphragm use for sexually transmitted infection prevention: a randomized acceptability and feasibility study among high-risk women in Madagascar. Sex Transm Dis. 2008 Sep;35(9):818-26. PMID:18562985

2007

Williams DL, Newman DR, Ballagh SA, Creinin MD, Barnhart K, Weiner DH, Bell AJ, Jamieson DJ. Phase I safety trial of two vaginal microbicide gels (Acidform or BufferGel) used with a diaphragm compared to KY jelly used with a diaphragm. Sex Transm Dis. 2007 Dec;34(12):977-84. PMID:18080349

2006

Bell AJ, Newman D, Williams DL. Diaphragm Problems Experienced in a Diaphragm and Microbicide Acceptability Trial. Microbicides 2006. Cape Town, South Africa
Anderson D, Ballagh SA, Barnhart K, Creinin MD, Newman DK, Bowman F, Potitch J, Jamieson DJ, Williams DL. Safety Analysis of the Diaphragm in Combination with Vaginal Microbicide Gels: Effect on Cervicovaginal Cytokine Levels. Microbicides 2006. Cape Town, South Africa.
Williams DL, Creinin MD, Barnhart K et al. Acceptability of Vaginal Microbicide Gels (Acidform and BufferGel) Used with the Diaphragm: Results of a 14-day U.S. Trial. Microbicides 2006. Cape Town, South Africa.

Assessing Follow-up among Black and Hispanic Women in the Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program in Massachusetts

Abstract:

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of all deaths and cancer deaths among US women. Cervical cancer, although largely preventable, is a cause of excess mortality. Low-income and minority women have a higher mortality from breast and cervical cancer than higher income and/or Non-Hispanic White women. Black women have the highest mortality from both. Hispanic women are at great risk because they are disproportionately uninsured. The purpose of this project was to determine whether racial/ethnic variation in follow-up related to screening, diagnosis and treatment, among the Women’s Health Network (WHN) population.

National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) was authorized by Congress via the Breast and Cervical Cancer Mortality Prevention Act of 1990. Congress currently appropriates $160 million to provide breast and cervical cancer screening, diagnostic services, public awareness and education for low-income women. Treatment is not covered. The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act of 2000 was enacted to provide states with funds for medical treatment for the NBCCEDP population. The Act has been implemented in many states, but not in Massachusetts. WHN is the NBCCEDP in Massachusetts.

Methods:

A literature review of follow-up care in cancer screening programs was completed. The WHN database from 1992-2002 was analyzed. Complete and incomplete evaluations, follow-up, and stage at diagnosis were obtained. Race/ethnicity categories included: Non-Hispanic White, Black, and Hispanic. All state NBCCEDP programs were surveyed to ascertain the status of the Treatment Act in their states. Eighty percent responded. Interviews were conducted with WHN administrative staff and selected program site coordinators.

Results:

Breast and cervical cancer diagnostic evaluation completion in the WHN population exceeded 90%. However, Black and Hispanic women had lower percentages than Non-Hispanic White women. Among the women with incomplete evaluations, Black and Hispanic women were more likely to have pending evaluations or be lost to follow-up.
By July 1, 2002, 36 of the 40 states will have implemented the Treatment Act.

Recommendations:

  •     Public awareness and recruitment efforts should be targeted toward Black and Hispanic women.
  •     Implement a monitoring system to accurately determine and track the length of time to diagnosis.
  •     Identify and contract with a preferred group of health providers and facilities to provide effective and appropriate treatment to WHN patients.
  •     Identify and implement a system that ensures equal access to all available treatment options and includes adequate long-term follow-up.
  •     Require the development and implementation of a uniform tracking/follow-up system for WHN patients to eliminate racial/ethnic differences in follow-up.

Faculty Preceptors:

John McDonough, Dr.P.H., Schneider Institute for Health Policy, Brandeis University
Brian Gibbs, PhD, Division of Public Health Practice, Harvard School of Public Health