Dr. Margaret D. Larkins-Pettigrew, M.D.

Expert Publications

• Special populations critical care considerations of the morbidly obese pregnant patient.

Media Releases

Get to know Obstetrician-Gynecologist Dr. Margaret D. Larkins-Pettigrew, who serves patients in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A seasoned physician, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew is the Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Chief Clinical Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. As such, she works with leaders across AHN to shape an inclusive workplace culture and equitable health care delivery and outcomes for all patients and communities served. Her experiences as a nurse, distinguished professor, naval officer, global health strategist, and obstetrician-gynecologist specializing in global health issues bring a unique perspective to her role.

A nationally recognized leader in diversity and global health and as an expert in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN), she also sees patients 13 and older at AHN Downtown on Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh. She provides personalized care and has a specialized focus on women whose health care needs are often underserved, including those living with HIV.

Born a Pennsylvania coal miner’s daughter, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew launched a career in health care and public service as a nurse. While working, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, followed by a Master of Public Policy & Management degree from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School. She then went on to complete her Adult Nurse Practitioner degree and Master of Education degree from California State University.

Subsequently, with her husband’s support, she enlisted in the US Navy and completed her medical education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, before completing an internship at the Naval Hospital Portsmouth. Finally, she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology and her research fellowship in family planning and contraception at Magee Women’s Hospital.

An authority in her field, the doctor is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG). The mission of the ABOG is to define specialty standards, certify obstetricians and gynecologists, and facilitate continuous learning to advance knowledge, practice, and professionalism in women’s health.

In her professional experience, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew serves as the Founder and current CEO and President of JUSTWONDOOR (Women and Newborns, Diversity, Outreach, Opportunity and Research), a program that aims to educate global medical providers through local and international health care collaborations.

Throughout her illustrious career, she has served as an attending physician within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. She was also the Director and Edgar B. Jackson Jr., MD, Endowed Chair in Clinical Excellence & Diversity at the University Hospitals Center for Clinical Excellence and Diversity.

Active in academia, Dr. Larkins-Pettigrew serves as an Adjunct Professor within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Assistant Dean of Students at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) 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).

Recommended Articles

• Is Syphilis an STD?

  What is an STD?Sexually transmitted disease, or commonly known as STD, is a type of disease that gets transmitted through sexual contact. AIDS caused by the HIV virus is a primary example of a sexually transmitted disease. Most STDs do not have any obvious symptoms at the beginning, aside from the...

• Can Ovarian Cancer Affect Women of All Ages?

  Ovarian cancer is the most common type of cancer (besides breast cancer) among the female population. Sometimes, ovarian cancer comes together with many other diseases, such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, irregular periods, and after hormone replacement therapies.This disease is most...

• Where Does Genital Herpes Appear on My Body if I Have It?

  Herpes blistersThe most obvious symptoms of genital herpes are the appearance of blisters or sores on the genitals. Most people may experience a tingling or itchy sensation before blisters appear on the skin or mucous membranes. This sensation is limited to the area where the lesions will occur....

• What Is Female Circumcision?

  What Is Female Circumcision?Female circumcision is a crude practice that involves cutting off of either the labia or the clitoris of young women. The practice is also referred to as female genital mutilation or female genital cutting.This is a practice that has existed for decades in some...

• The Benefits and Risks of an IUD

  What is an intrauterine device or IUD?An intrauterine device or IUD is a tiny, T-shaped birth control device. It is basically a plastic device, which is wrapped in copper. It also contains certain hormones. An IUD is inserted into the uterus by a doctor. There is a plastic string tied to the end of...

• Complications of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency

  IntroductionGlucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is an inherited condition in which the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase is not produced enough by the body. This enzyme is needed to help the red blood cells (RBCs) of the body to function normally.If there is a lack of this...