Dr. Aretha Obenson Makia, MD

Media Releases

Get to know Obstetrician-Gynecologist Dr. Aretha Obenson Makia, who serves patients in Kensington, Maryland. 

As a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Makia practices with Kensington Medical Center in Kensington, Maryland, which is a part of Kaiser Permanente. She enjoys her line of work because of the opportunity to work with multiple partners with different levels of experience, thus keeping her up to date, as well as the ability to practice in a broad spectrum. 

Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. It exists to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of members and the communities served. 

“I like being a physician because I have the opportunity to interact with my patients in a way that helps me understand the human being at different levels and to appreciate them at those different levels. It is important that my patients know that I do care for them and want them to attain a quality of life that will help them achieve their livelihood and social obligations” as stated by Dr. Makia. 

Throughout her academic career, she earned her medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She then went on to complete her internship and residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in Maryland. 

In addition to being a member of the American Medical Association, she is board-certified through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which is a non-profit organization that provides board certification for practicing obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States and Canada. 

As a former Beauty Queen, Dr. Makia is also a fashion icon in her community. Her dedication to community development and female education led to the birth of The Aretha Makia Scholarship Fund (AMSF). She founded the scholarship fund to provide educational support to qualifying young women needing financial assistance through college. AMSF is also awarded once a year to the winner of the Miss Africa USA Pageant, which focuses on empowering young African women currently residing in the U.S. for leader roles and humanitarian service in their respective communities in the U.S. and Africa. Dr. Makia is still committed to promoting beauty as current Honorary Chair of Miss Africa USA Pageant.

A firm believer that an educated woman is an empowered woman, she supports several community initiatives and international missions such as the Cameroon Medical Mission. As a global ambassador, she has travelled to Haiti to offer ground support to the victims of the earthquake, which separated several families and took many lives. In 2010, she was recognized with the Woman of Valor Award for her dedication to community development and female education.

Obstetrics and Gynecology is the medical specialty that encompasses the two subspecialties of obstetrics (covering pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period) and gynecology (covering the health of the female reproductive system – vagina, uterus, ovaries, and breasts). An obstetrician-gynecologist, or OB-GYN, is a healthcare professional who specializes in female reproductive health. 

When Dr. Makia is not at work putting a smile on the faces of families by bringing new babies to the face of the earth, on a humanitarian mission, or looking very fashionable, she is at home attending to her first calling - family. She also enjoys traveling, painting, and mentoring beauty pageants.

Recommended Articles

• Birth Control Methods for Women

  Here is an eye opening statistic. Approximately 85% of women who are sexually active and do not use contraception, will get pregnant in the first year.  Despite the myths, yes, women can get pregnant about 10 days of giving birth, while breast feeding and during menstruation. If getting pregnant...

• What Causes Ovarian Cancer?

  Doctors and scientists still hadn’t found the exact causes of ovarian cancer, but there are a few risk factors that may be closely connected to this disease. The epithelial type of ovarian cancer is the most common among women of every age. Women above their 60s are at highest risk, while those...

• What Are Subserosal Fibroids?

  Subserosal fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop within the uterine wall. They are also referred to as myomas, leiomyoma or fibromyomas, and uterine fibroids. Research has established that 25 percent of women experience fibroids severe enough to trigger symptoms, and 40 percent of women...

• How to Manage 'Muffin Top'

  It is common for women to store fat around their abdominal region. This type of fat and weight gain commonly occurs in women who are experiencing menopause. When estrogen levels are reduced, it causes the body to redistribute fat onto a woman's hips, abdomen, and buttocks. However, belly fat is not...

• What Are the Key Characteristics of Genital Herpes?

  Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of HSV: HSV-1, which mostly causes cold sores, and HSV-2, which mostly causes genital herpes.Some cases of genital herpes may also be caused by HSV-1. This sexually transmitted infection is quite common among the adult...

• Ovarian Cancer: Why Do I Need a Hysterectomy?

  Ovarian cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Known to rapidly grow, the cancer can progress from early to advanced stages within a year. Therefore, many a times, the patient reaches the doctor only at the very end.To be diagnosed with ovarian cancer means that you are at a very high...