Why Kentucky Needs More Maternal / Fetal Medicine Physicians –
And How We’ re Making It Happen
By Tiffany Tonismae, MD
From a young age, I have always loved to teach, often forcing my younger siblings and cousins to endure my“ summer lesson plans.” At the same time, I knew I wanted to help people, which initially led me to a career in medicine. It wasn’ t until medical school that I realized my passion for maternal health, with its ability to improve the lives of both women and children through pregnancy care. That is part of what drew me to Kentucky.
Unfortunately, nearly 50 % of Kentucky counties are considered maternity care deserts and lack appropriate medical care. With limitations to care surrounding abortion laws in the southern region of the U. S. particularly, Kentucky has minimal appeal to attract new OB-GYN doctors. There is a physician shortage in the U. S. that has been worsening. The South alone, according to the Association of
American Medical Colleges in 2024, faces a shortage of up to 86,000 MDs in the next 10 years. Unfortunately, obstetrics and gynecology is no exception with a projected shortage of 5,000 OB-GYNs over the next five years. Kentucky is disproportionately affected and according to the Association of American Medical Schools, applications for Kentucky OB-GYN residencies decreased by 23 % in the 2023-2024 academic year compared to the prior year. This is a staggering problem for Kentucky because a large number of residents stay where they train, after completing their residency programs.
Through the initiation of a new maternal-fetal medicine( MFM) fellowship through the University of Louisville and Norton Children’ s, I am hoping to continue to work to bridge the gaps in maternal health care in both Kentucky and Southern Indiana. There is so much wonderful work being done through the university, and I know the fellowship
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