Dr. Akers is an expert in pediatric and adolescent gynecology, provding clinical care to children, adolescents, and young women with complex gynecologic care needs. She has expertise in providing routine, preventive care and addressing the contraception needs of adolescents with medical problems and those at risk of unplanned pregnancy.
Dr. Akers also has experience developing and evaluating public health programs and health services interventions to improve adolescent and young adult health in both academic and community settings. Her research focuses on improving reproductive health outcomes among adolescent women by reducing teen pregnancy, and reducing sexually transmitted infection rates by increasing adolescents’ access to high quality reproductive health services. In addition, Dr. Akers has served as a consultant, inluding work for the World Health Organization, has served on the Data Safety and Monitoring Board for NIH-funded studies, and lectures extensively on adolescent sexual decision-making and family communication about sexual health for community organizations and outreach programs.
Her notable career accomplishments to date include:
- Recieving Greater Philadelphia Social Innovation Award for leadership in a policy initiative that expanded access to long-acting reversible contraceptives for underserved adolescents in Pennsylvania
- Chairing the North American society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
- Recieving the “Outstanding New Member” Award and Platform presentation invitation during the Presidential Scientific Plenary Session from the Society for Pediatric Research and Pediatric Academic Society Meeting