Background

Aletha Akers, MD, MPH, FACOG, is a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecologist and Medical Director of Adolescent Gynecology Consultative Services in the Craig-Dalsimer Division of Adolescent Medicine. She is also a faculty member at PolicyLab and the Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness (CPCE) at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

Dr. Akers provides clinical care to children, adolescents, and young adult women with complex gynecologic care needs. She founded and directs a complex family planning clinic at CHOP that provides comprehensive contraceptive services, including the placement and removal of contraceptive devices, for young women, particularly those with chronic medical problems. Dr. Akers has experience developing and evaluating public health programs and interventions to improve adolescent and young adult health in academic and community settings. Her research focuses on improving reproductive health outcomes among young women by reducing teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates. Ongoing projects include:

  • An examination of variations in sexual risk behaviors among adolescents across weight profiles,
  • A clinical trial of a health coaching intervention to improve contraceptive continuation in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic,
  • Assessing attitudes towards long-acting contraceptive devices among young women in Botswana,
  • Online strategies for improving parental-child communication about sex, and
  • Clinical quality improvement initiatives to increase contraceptive use among adolescents using teratogenic medications.

Dr. Akers is widely published in the fields of medicine, public health, and the social sciences. In addition, she has worked as a consultant for The Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health and to the World Health Organization Quality of Care and Technologies Office. She has also 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.

Before joining CHOP, Dr. Akers was an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh and Assistant Investigator at the Magee-Women’s Research Institute, Magee-RAND Women’s Health Initiative. She received her BA in Chemistry and Biology from Bryn Mawr College, her MD from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and her MPH from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her residency at the University of Michigan. While at Johns Hopkins, Dr. Akers participated in a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program.

Education and Training

Medical School

MD - Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD

Residency

Obstetrics and Gynecology - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

Fellowship

Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Clinical Scholars Program - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Board Certification

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Graduate Degree

MPH - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC

Titles and Academic Titles

Medical Director of Adolescent Gynecology Consultative Services

Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Departments and Services

Publications

Papers

2019

McCallister CJ, Akers AY, Worlds AD, and Morrison PK. Messages about Contraception and Condoms in Mother-Adolescent Dyadic Conversations: Knowledge, Risks and Effectiveness. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. [Epub Feb 2019]

O’Flynn-O’Brien K, Akers AY, Perriera L, Garcia-Espana F, Scheriber C. Intrauterine Device Insertion Procedure Duration in Adolescent and Young Adult Women. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. PMID: 30633980 [Epub Jan 9, 2019]

2018

Harris J, Garrett A., Akers AY. Obesity and Disparities in Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for U.S. Adolescent Girls and Young Women. Women’s Health Issues. 2019; 29(1):31-37. [Epub Nov 13, 2018]

Ritchwood TD, Metzger I, Powell T, Vander Schaaf E, Corbie-Smith G, Wynn M, Zhou W, Lin F, Akers AY. How does pubertal development impact caregiver-adolescent communication about sex in rural, African American families? An examination of mediation effects. Journal of Early Adolescence. 2018 (In press)

Akers AY, Harding J, Perriera LK, Schreiber C, Garcia-Espana JF, Sonalkar S. Satisfaction With the Intrauterine Device Insertion Procedure Among Adolescent and Young Adult Women. Obstet Gynecol. 2018;131(6): 1130-1136. PMID: 29742656

Rubinsak LA, Christianson MS, Akers AY, Carter J, Kaunitz AM, Temkin SM. Reproductive Health Care Across the Lifecourse of the Female Cancer Patient. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2018. [Epub Jul 26 2017]

Ritchwood TD, Peasant C, Powell TW, Taggart T, Corbie-Smith G, Akers AY. Predictors of Caregiver Communication About Reproductive and Sexual Health and Sensitive Sex Topics. Journal of Family Health Issues. 2018; 39(8): 2207–2231.

2017

Akers AY, Steinway C, Sonalkar S, Perriera LK, Schreiber C, Harding J, Garcia-Espana JF. Reducing Pain During Intrauterine Device Insertion: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Adolescents and Young Women. Obstet Gynecol. 2017; 130(4): 795-802. PMID: 28885425

Wood SM, Schott W, Marshal MP, Akers AY. Disparities in Body Mass Index Trajectories From Adolescence to Early Adulthood for Sexual Minority Women. J Adolesc Health. 2017; 61(6): 722-728. PMID: 28935384 [Epub Sep 19, 2017]

Dave G, Ritchwood T, Young TL, Isler MR, Black A, Akers AY, Gizlice Z, Blumenthal C, Atley L, Wynn M, Stith D, Cene C, Ellis D, Corbie-Smith G. Evaluating Teach One Reach One-An STI/HIV Risk-Reduction Intervention to Enhance Adult-Youth Communication About Sex and Reduce the Burden of HIV/STI. Am J Health Promot. 2017;31(6):465-475. PMID: 29065713 [Epub 2016 Oct 10, 2016]

Ramchandani K, Morrison P, Gold MA, Akers AY. Messages about abstinence, delaying sexual debut and sexual decision-making in conversations between mothers and young adolescents. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2018; 31(2): 107-115. PMID: 29097292 [Epub Oct 31, 2017]

Ritchwood TD, Powell TW, Metzger IW, Dave G, Corbie-Smith G, Atujuna M, Vander Schaaf EB, Wynn M, Lin FC, Zhou W, Akers AY. Understanding the relationship between religiosity and caregiver-adolescent communication about sex within African-American families. J Child Fam Stud. 2017; 26(11): 2979-2989. PMID: 29123360 [Epub Jun 13, 2017]

Hoopes AJ, Teal SB, Akers AY, Sheeder J. Low Acceptability of Certain Contraceptive Methods among Young Women. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2018; 31(3): 274-80. PMID: 29198974 [Epub Dec 1, 2017]

2016

Akers AY, Cohen ED, Marshal MP, Roebuck G, Yu L, Hipwell AE. Objective and Perceived Weight: Associations with Risky Adolescent Sexual Behavior. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2016; 48(3): 129-37. PMID: 27608419 [Epub Sep 8, 2016]

Akers A, Dhar C and Shah B. Adolescent menstrual management: The complex intersection of science, patient autonomy, and reproductive justice. Women's Reproductive Health. 2016; 3(2): 93-99. [Epub Aug 15, 2016]

Coles MS, Lau M and Akers AY. If you don’t ask, they will not tell: Evaluating pregnancy risk in young women in pediatric hospitals. Journal of Adolescent Health. 2016; 58(3): 251-2. PMID: 26903425

2015

Ritchwood, TD, Dave G, Carthron DL, Isler MR, Blumenthal C, Wynn M, Odulana A, Lin FC, Corbie-Smith G, Akers, AY. Adolescents and parental caregivers as lay health advisors in a community-based risk reduction intervention for youth: Baseline data from Teach One Reach One. AIDS Care. 2015; 28(4): 1-6. PMID: 26573538. [Epub Nov 17, 2015]

Hoopes AJ, Gilmore K, Cady J, Akers AY, and Ahrens KR. A qualitative study of factors that influence contraceptive choice among adolescent school-based health center patients. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2016. 29(3): 259-64. PMID: 26477942. [Epub Oct 23, 2015]

Dasari M, Borrero S, Akers AY, Sucato GS, Dick R, Hicks A, Miller E. Barriers to long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) uptake among homeless young women. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2015; 29(2): 104-10. PMID: 26210293. [Epub July 22, 2015]

Vanderberg RH, Farkas AH, Miller E, Sucato GS, Akers AY, Borrero SB. Racial and/or ethnic differences in formal sex education and sex education by parents among young women in the United States. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2015. 29(1): 69-73. PMID: 26143556. [Epub July 2, 2015]

Shah B, Chan S, Perriera L, Gold M, Akers AY. Teaching trainees to deliver adolescent reproductive health services. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2016. 29(1) 53-61. PMID: 26542014. [Epub June 11, 2015]

Farkas AH, Vanderberg R, Sucato GS, Miller E, Akers AY, Borrero S. Racial and ethnic differences in young men’s sex and contraceptive education. J Adolesc Health. 2015; 56(4): 464-7. PMID: 25797633. [Epub Apr, 2015]

Nikolajski C, Miller E, McCauley E, Akers AY, Schwarz EB, Freedman L, Steinberg JR, Ibrahim S, Borrero S. Race and reproductive coercion: A qualitative assessment. Womens Health Issues. 25(3): 216-23. PMID: 25748823. [Epub Mar, 2015]

Foster LJJ, Lee M, Morrison PK, Davis EM, Miller E, and Akers AY. Parental perceptions of the importance of adolescent mental health. Health Soc Work. 2015; 40(3): e117-e125. [Epub June 19, 2015]

2014

Insetta ER, Akers AY, Miller E, Yonas MA, Burke JG, Hintz L, Chang JC. Intimate partner violence victims as mothers: Their messages and strategies for communicating with children to break the cycle of violence. J Interpers Violence. 2015; 30(4):703-24. PMID: 24919995. [Epub June 2014]

Borrero S, Nikolajski C, Steinberg J, Freedman L, Akers AY, Ibrahim S, Schwarz EB. "It just happens": a qualitative study exploring low-income women's perspectives on pregnancy intention and planning. Contraception. 2015; 91(2):150-6. PMID: 25477272. [Epub Oct 2014]

Albritton T, Sallah S, Akers A, Blumenthal C, O’Brien S, Council B, Muhammad M, & Corbie-Smith G. A process evaluation of an HIV/STI intervention for rural African American youth. Qualitative Health Research. 2014; 24(7): 969-982. PMID: 24939390. [Epub June 2014]

Morrison P, Smith AE, Akers A. Substance use and sexual risk taking among at-risk youth in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Cadernos Saude Publica. 2014; 30(4): 794-804. PMID: 24896054.

2013

Akers AY, Davis EM, Jackson Foster LJ, Morrison P, Sucato G, Miller E. Parental report of receipt of adolescent preventive health counseling services from pediatric providers. Patient Education and Counseling. 2014; 94(2): 269-75. PMID: 24238626. [Epub Oct 2013]

Moniz M, Vitek W, Meyn L, Akers AY, Beigi R. Perceptions and acceptance of immunization during pregnancy. The Journal of Reproductive Medicine. 2013;58(9-10):383-8. PMID: 24050026.

Gelman A, Miller E, Schwarz EB, Akers AY, Jeong K, Borrero S. Racial disparities in human papillomavirus vaccination: Does access matter? Journal of Adolescent Health. 2013; 53(6):756-62. PMID: 23992645. [Epub Aug 2013].

Blackman E, Thurman N, Halliday D, Butler R, Francis D, Joseph M, Thompson J, Akers A, Andraos-Selim C, Bondzi C, Taioli E, Hagan K, Jones E, Jones J, Moss C, Smith A, Ashing-Giwa K, and Ragin C. Multicenter study of human papillomavirus and the human papillomavirus vaccine: Knowledge and attitudes among people of African descent. Infect Dis Obstet Gynecol. 2013; 2013: 428582. PMID: 23956612 [Epub Jul 16, 2013]

Suffoletto B, Akers A, McGinnis KA, Calabria J, Wiesenfeld HC, Clark DB. A sex risk reduction text-message program for young adult females discharged from the Emergency Department. J Adolesc Health. 2013; 53(3): 387-93. PMID: 23707402. [Epub May 2013]

Grady CA, Schwarz EB, Emeremni CA, Yabes J, Akers A, Zite N, Borrero S. Does a history of unintended pregnancy lessen the likelihood of desire for sterilization reversal? J Womens Health. 2013; 22(6):501-6. PMID: 23621776. [Epub April 2013]

Farris C, Akers AY, Downs JS, Forbes EE. Translational research applications for the study of adolescent sexual decision making. Clin Transl Sci. 2013; 6(1): 78-81. PMID: 23399094.

2012

George AE, Abatemarco DJ, Terry MA, Yonas M, Butler J, Akers AY. A qualitative exploration of the role of social networks in educating urban African American adolescents about sex. Ethn Health. 2012;18(2): 168-89. PMID: 22867005. [Epub Aug 2012]

Akers AY, Gold MA, Coyne-Beasley T, Corbie-Smith G. A qualitative study of rural black adolescents’ perspectives on primary STD prevention strategies. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2012; 44(2): 92-9. PMID: 22681424. [Epub Apr 2012]

Lloyd SW, Ferguson YO, Corbie-Smith G, Ellison A, Blumenthal C, Council BJ, Youmans S, Muhammad MR, Wynn M, Adimora A, Akers A. The role of public schools in HIV prevention: Perspectives from African Americans in the rural south. AIDS Educ Prev. 2012; 24(1): 41-53. PMCID: 22339144. PMC3378321.

2011

Akers AY, Holland CL, Bost JE. Interventions to improve parental communication about sex: A systematic review. Pediatrics. 2011; 127(3): 494-510. PMID: 21321027.

Yonas M, Akers AY, Burke JG, Chang JC, Thomas AL, O’Campo P. Perceptions of prominent neighborhood individuals regarding neighborhood factors and intimate partner violence. J Urban Health. 2011; 88(2): 214-24. PMID: 21327974.

Lee JK, Parisi SM, Akers AY, Borrero S, Schwarz EB. The impact of contraceptive counseling in primary care on contraceptive use. J Gen Intern Med. 2011; 26(7): 731-6. PMID: 21301983.

Vitek WS, Akers A, Meyn LA, Switzer GA, Lee BY, Beigi RH. Vaccine eligibility and acceptance among ambulatory obstetric and gynecologic patients. Vaccines. 2011; 29(11): 2024-8. PMID: 21272604. [Epub Jan 2011]

Cené CW, Akers AY, Lloyd SW, Albritton T, Hammond W, Corbie-Smith G. Understanding social capital and HIV risk in rural African American communities. J Gen Intern Med. 2011; 26(7):737-44. PMID: 21311999.

Corbie-Smith G, Adimora AA, Youmans S, Muhammad M, Blumenthal C, Ellison A, Akers A, Council B, Thigpen Y, Wynn M. Project GRACE: A staged approach to development of a community-academic partnership to address HIV in rural African American communities. Health Promot Pract. 2011; 12(2): 293-302. PMID: 20685913 [Epub Aug 2010]

Akers AY, Muhammad M, Corbie-Smith G. “When you got nothing to do, you do somebody”: A community’s perceptions of neighborhood effects on adolescent sexual behaviors. Soc Sci Med. 2011; 72(1): 91-9. PMID: 21129833.

Akers AY, Gold MA, Bost JE, Adimora AA, Orr DP, Fortenberry JD. Variation in sexual behaviors in a cohort of adolescent females: The role of personal, perceived peer and perceived family attitudes. J Adolesc Health. 2011; 48(1): 87-93. PMID: 21185529.

Akers AY, Yonas M, Burke J, Chang JC. “Do you want somebody treating your sister like that?” Qualitative exploration of how African American families discuss and promote healthy teen dating relationships. J Interpers Violence. 2011; (26)11:2165 - 85. PMID: 20889536.

2010

Akers AY, Schwarz EB, Borrero SB. Family discussions about contraception and family planning: A qualitative exploration of black parent and adolescent perspectives. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2010; 42(3): 160-7. PMID: 20887285.

Akers AY, Gold MA, Borrero S, Santucci A, Schwarz EB. Providers’ perspectives on challenges to providing contraceptive counseling in primary care settings. J Womens Health. 2010; 19(6): 1163-70. PMID: 20420508.

Corbie-Smith G, Akers A, Blumenthal C, Council B, Wynn M, Muhammad M, Stith D. Intervention mapping as a participatory approach to developing an HIV prevention intervention in rural African American communities. AIDS Educ Prev. 2010; 22(3): 184-202. PMID: 20528128.

Akers AY, Youmans S, Lloyd S, Smith DM, Banks B, Blumenthal C, Albritton T, Ellison A, Corbie Smith G, and Adimora AA. Views of young, rural African Americans of the role of community social institutions in HIV prevention. J Health Care Poor Underserved. 2010; 21(2 Suppl): 1-12. PMID: 20453373.

Borrero S, Moore CG, Qin L, Schwarz EB, Akers A, Creinin MD, Ibrahim SA. Unintended pregnancy influences racial disparity in tubal sterilization rates. J Gen Intern Med. 2010; 25(2): 122-8. PMID: 19967463.

Santucci AK, Gold MA, Akers AY, Borrero S, Schwarz EB. Women's perspectives on counseling about risks for medication-induced birth defects. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2010; 88(1): 64-9. PMID: 19637252.

2009

Coker-Appiah DS, Akers AY, Banks B, Albritton T, Leniek K, Wynn M, Youmans SE, Parker D, Ellison A, Henderson S, Stith D, Council B, Oxendine-Pitt P, Corbie-Smith G. In their own voices: Rural African American youth speak out about community-based HIV prevention interventions (Community Policy Brief). Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2009; 3(4): 301-12. PMID: 20097991.

Coker-Appiah DS, Akers AY, Banks B, Albritton T, Leniek K, Wynn M, Youmans SE, Parker D, Ellison A, Henderson S, Stith D, Council B, Oxendine-Pitt P, Corbie-Smith G. In their own voices: Rural African American youth speak out about community-based HIV prevention interventions. Prog Community Health Partnersh. 2009; 3(4): 275-6. PMID: 20097988.

Akers AY, Lynch CP, Gold MA, Chang JC, Doswell W, Wiesenfeld HC, Feng W, Bost J. Exploring the relationship among weight, race and sexual behaviors among girls. Pediatrics. 2009; 124(5): e913-e20. PMID: 19841106. [Epub Oct, 2009]

Schwarz EB, Santucci A, Borrero S, Akers AY, Nikolajski C, Gold MA. Perspectives of primary care clinicians on teratogenic risk counseling. Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2009; 85(10): 858-63. PMID: 19591115.

Beigi R, Davis G, Hodges J, Akers A. Preparedness planning for pandemic influenza among large U.S. maternity hospitals. Emerg Health Threats J. 2009; 2(e2): 1-5. PMID: 22460283.

Ragin CC, Edwards RP, Jones J, Thurman NE, Hagan KL, Jones EA, Moss CM, Smith AC, Akers A, Gollin SM, Heron DE, Andraos-Selim C, Bondzi C, Robertson L, Taioli E. Knowledge about human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine – A survey of the general population. Infect Agent Cancer. 2009; 4(Suppl 1): S10. PMID: 19208201.

2008

Akers AY, Bernstein L, Doyle J, Corbie-Smith G. Older women and HIV testing: Examining the relationship between HIV testing history, age and lifetime HIV risk behaviors. Sex Transm Dis. 2008; 35(4): 420-23. PMID: 18362866.

2007

Akers AY, Bernstein LB, Henderson SJ, Doyle J, Corbie-Smith G. Factors associated with lack of interest in HIV testing in older, at-risk women. J Womens Health. 2007; 16(6): 842-58. PMID: 17678455.

Akers AY, Newmann SJ, Smith JS. Factors underlying disparities in cervical cancer incidence, screening, and treatment in the United States. Curr Probl Cancer. 2007; 31(3): 157-81. PMID: 17543946.

Akers AY, Jarzembowski JA, Johnson CT, Lieberman RW, Dalton VK. Examining the relationship between positive mid-gestational fetal fibronectin assays and histological evidence of acute placental inflammation. J Perinat Med. 2007;35(1):36-42. PMID: 17313308.

Books

Chapters

2019

Akers A. Approaches to Pain Management with IUD Insertion. In: Mandy Coles and Aisha Mays (editors), Optimizing IUD Delivery for Adolescents and Young Adults: Counseling, Placement, and Management. Springer, New York, NY, 2019. (In Press)

1996

Grills C, Bass K, Brown D, Akers A. Empowerment evaluation: Building upon a tradition of activism in the African American community. In: David M. Fetterman, Shakeh J. Kaftarian, Abraham Wandersman, editors. Empowerment Evaluation: Knowledge and Tool for Self-Assessment & Accountability. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage, 1996.

Posters and Presentations

2019

Petsis D, Min J, Huang YS, Akers AY, Wood S. Adherence to HIV testing guidelines among adolescents with acute sexually transmitted infections, Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2019 Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, April 30, 2019.

Gregory EF, Grady R, Bailer A, Grundmeier RW, Akers AY. Using infant well visits to identify pediatric-aged mothers desiring contraceptive services, Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2019 Meeting, Baltimore, Maryland, April 30, 2019.

Hunter T, Sonalkar S, Schreiber CA, Perriera L, Sammel MD, Akers AY. Predictors of Anticipated Pain During Intrauterine Device Insertion in Adolescents and Young Women. (Poster American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) 2019 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, May 3-6, 2019, Nashville, TN).

Petsis D, Akers AY. Effect of Prior Adverse Reproductive Health Outcome on adolescent Women’s Engagement in a Health Coaching Intervention to Improve Contraceptive continuation. (Poster, North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 2019 Annual Clinical and Research Meeting, April 11, 2019, New Orleans, LA)

Skolnik A, Akers AY. A qualitative exploration of factors influencing young women's decision to initiate an intrauterine device. (Poster, North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 2019 Annual Clinical and Research Meeting, April 11, 2019, New Orleans, LA)

Jones AE, Akers AY. Early discontinuation of long acting reversible contraceptives and follow-up care seeking behavior among adolescent women. (Poster, North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 2019 Annual Clinical and Research Meeting, April 11, 2019, New Orleans, LA)

Skolnik A, Akers AY. Obesity, timing of sexual initiation and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent girls. (Poster, North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology 2019 Annual Clinical and Research Meeting, April 11, 2019, New Orleans, LA)

2018

Skolnik A, Timko A, Messina L, Halpern M, Stonebraker S, Harding J, Akers AY. Pilot of a Health Coaching Intervention to Improve Contraceptive Continuation Among Teen Mothers in the Dominican Republic", Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Global Health Conference, Poster and Oral Presentation, Philadelphia, PA, October 5, 2018

Skolnik A, Faerber J, Harding J, Yu L, Hipwell AE, Akers AY. Obesity, timing of sexual initiation and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent girls’. Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) 2018 Annual Meeting, Works-In-Progress Session. Seattle, WA, March 16, 2018.

Martin K, Butler A, Timko A, Sabini C, Harding J, Richardson S, Skolnik A, Akers AY. A pilot using health coaching for birth control continuation. (Poster, AIDS Education Month (AEM) Prevention Summit 2018, June, 13, 2018, Philadelphia, PA)

Paine CW, Harding J, Hiserodt E, White K, Richardson S, and Akers AY. Understanding young women's experiences using intrauterine devices: A qualitative examination. (Poster, AIDS Education Month (AEM) Prevention Summit 2018, June, 13, 2018, Philadelphia, PA)

Skolnik A, Faerber J, Harding J, Yu L, Hipwell AE, Akers AY. Obesity, timing of sexual initiation and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent girls. (Poster, AIDS Education Month (AEM) Prevention Summit 2018, June, 13, 2018, Philadelphia, PA)

Nadji A, Butler A, Harding J, Akers AY. Improving adolescent reproductive health through online family engagement: Testing the ‘Parents are TALKING’ website. (Poster, AIDS Education Month (AEM) Prevention Summit 2018, June, 13, 2018, Philadelphia, PA)

Akers AY, Stotz SA, Terry MA, Charron-Prochownik D, Gonzales K, Nadeau K, Garcia-Reyes Y, and Moore KR. Culturally tailoring a gestational diabetes risk reduction education program for American Indian and Alaska Native Girls: Perspectives from mothers and daughters. (North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG) Annual Clinical and Research Meeting, April 13, 2018, West Palm Beach, FL)

Hoopes AJ, Akers AY, Cain S, Jimenez-Zambrano A, and Sheeder JM. Developing a Measure to Explore Contraceptive Decision Making in Adolescents. (North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG) Annual Clinical and Research Meeting, April 13, 2018, West Palm Beach, FL)

Paine CW, Harding J, Hiserodt E, White K, Richardson S, and Akers AY. Understanding Young Women's Experiences using Intrauterine Devices: A Qualitative Examination. (North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG) Annual Clinical and Research Meeting, April 13, 2018, West Palm Beach, FL)

Skolnik A, Faerber J, Harding J, Yu L, Hipwell AE, Akers AY. Obesity, timing of sexual initiation and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent girls’. (Society for Research on Adolescence 2018 Annual Meeting, April 11, 2018, Minneapolis, MN)

Skolnik A, Faerber J, Harding J, Yu L, Hipwell AE, Akers AY. Obesity, timing of sexual initiation and sexual risk behaviors among adolescent girls’. (Works-In-Progress Oral, Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) Annual Meeting, March 16, 2018, Seattle, WA)

Magoon K, Dowshen N, Beamish C, Akers AY. Adolescents and long-acting reversible contraceptives: Continued barriers after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. (University of Pennsylvania Health Equity Week Poster Session, April 5, 2018, Philadelphia, PA)

Invited Lectures

2019

Akers A. “Workshop: Reproductive Healthcare Advocacy and the Role of the Pediatrician”. Pediatric Academic Society (PAS) Invited workshop Co-Discussant. Baltimore, MD. April 2019.

Akers A. "International Plenary: Disparities in Adolescent Health". North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG). Invited Plenary Speaker. New Orleans, LA. April 2019.

Akers A. "International Plenary: Disparities in Adolescent Reproductive Health and Contraception Access". North American Society of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG). Invited Plenary Speaker with Patricia Moore, Annual Meeting 2019. New Orleans, LA. April 2019.

Akers A. “What Can the Billboard 100 Teach You About Talking With Tweens About Growing Up?”. The Albert E. Greenfield Elementary School Invited lecture (Philadelphia, PA. February 2019.

Akers A. “Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC) for Adolescent Providers and Clinic Staff – Managing Post Insertion Issues” The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Adolescent Medicine Division Invited Speaker, Monthly Medical Management Seminar. February 2019.

2018

Akers A. “Supporting Adolescent and Young Adult Women to Avoid Unintended Pregnancies”. Women’s Health Leadership Council. Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. May 2018.

Akers A. "Importance of Parents Talking about Sexual Health", National Webinar Co-host. May 2018.

Akers A. “Ouch! Evaluating Pelvic Pain in Adolescents". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. Washington, DC. April 2018.

Akers A. “Contraceptive Cases: Complications, Side Effects, and Benefits in Teens". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. Washington, DC. April 2018.

Akers A. “The First Time: The Initial Reproductive Health Visit for Adolescents". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. Washington, DC. April 2018.

Akers A. “Clinical Pearls from Challenging Cases". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. Washington, DC. April 2018.

Akers A. “Designing Contraceptive Clinics that Work for Teens". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. Washington, DC. April 2018.

Akers A. “Let’s Talk About Sex” Movie Viewing. Panel Discussion Member, Global Teen Health Week, sponsored by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia’s Roberts Center for Pediatric Research. Philadelphia, PA. May 2018.

Akers A. “Contraceptive Cases: Complications, Side Effects, and Benefits in Teens". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. San Francisco, CA. March 2018.

Akers A. “The First Time: The Initial Reproductive Health Visit for Adolescents". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. San Francisco, CA. March 2018.

Akers A. “Clinical Pearls from Challenging Cases". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. San Francisco, CA. March 2018.

Akers A. “Designing Contraceptive Clinics that Work for Teens". Contraceptive Technologies 2018. Invited Speaker. San Francisco, CA. March 2018.

Akers A. Panel discussion on "Professional Association Advocacy: Strategies for Real Change via Coalitions, Medical Organizations, and Professional Associations". Physicians for Reproductive Health. Invited speaker. New York, NY. February 2018.

Akers A. “When the Birds and the Bees Make You Weak in the Knees”. The Albert E. Greenfield Elementary School. Invited lecture. February 2018.

2017

Akers A. Physicians for Reproductive Health (Invited speaker for a panel on "Professional Association Advocacy: Strategies for Real Change via Coalitions, Medical Organizations, and Professional Associations". March 2017.

2016

Akers A. Invited presentation of research findings to Congressional members, Congressional Poster Exhibition and Reception titled, "Wasteful" Research? Beyond the Abstract. Presentation was titled, "Obesity and Adolescent Girls' Sexual Behaviors: Understanding the Influence of Peer and Romantic Relationships" April 2016.

Awards and Honors

2019, "Preconception Health and Reproductive Justice Convening", Invited Expert, University of California

2018, Greater Philadelphia Social Innovations Award, 1st Place

2016-2017, 'Outstanding New Member" Award and Platform Presentation, Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) and Pediatric Academic Society (PAS) Meeting

2015, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Leadership Training Academy

2013, Sally Perlman Award

2004, Second Prize for an Oral Presentation, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecology

2004, Second Prize for an Oral Presentation, Annual Junior Fellow Research Day, Michigan Section of American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists

2004-2006, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

2002-2003, Berlex Best Teaching Resident Award

1999, 2000, Truman Scholar’s Leadership Week, Senior Scholar, Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation

1993-1994, The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship

1992, The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, Pennsylvania scholar

Editorial and Academic Positions

Editorial Positions

JAMA-Pediatrics
Journal of Adolescent Health
Journal of Adolescent Research
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved
Journal of Women’s Health
Maternal and Child Health
Patient Education and Counseling
Pediatrics
Social Science and Medicine

Academic and Institutional Committees

2018, Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) Steering Committee
2018, Adolescent Medicine Division Quality Improvement Committee
2017-present, Leadership in Adolescent Health (LEAH) training program
2017-present, Special Project Lead, Diversity & Inclusion PolicyLab
2016-present, Center for Parent & Teen Communication (CPTC)
2011-present, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Community Outreach Committee

Leadership and Memberships

Memberships in Professional Organizations

2014-present, Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, HSR&D Scientific Merit Review Board
2014-present, Society of Family Planning
2008-present, American Public Health Association
2007-present, North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology
 - 2015-present, Research Committee
2005-present, Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine