MD
Assistant Professor
Director, Perinatal Psychiatry Program
Medical Director, NC Maternal Mental Health MATTERS Program
Location:
UNC Hospitals – Chapel Hill
UNC Mental Health Specialists – Chapel Hill
Education and Training:
Fellow in Mood Disorders, Johns Hopkins Women’s Mood Disorders Center
Psychiatry residency and Chief Resident, Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
First and second year of residency, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Johns Hopkins Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
M.D., Drexel University College of Medicine
B.A., Political Science and Honors in Biology, Northwestern University
Summary Statement:
Dr. Kimmel’s research is focused on improving screening and assessment to improve personalization of mental health treatment through the blending of patient’s history, self-reported symptoms, and biomarkers. She studies the microbiota-gut-brain axis and stress reactivity across pregnancy and the postpartum period in relation to the mental health of the parent-child dyad. She has training in obstetrics and in support of the parent-child attachment which she applies to her research and clinical work. She has expertise in postpartum psychosis, treatment resistant perinatal depression, perinatal OCD and co-occurring substance use and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She serves as Medical Director for NC MATTERS, a statewide consultation and education program for providers who care for perinatal individuals and their children. The NIMH, HRSA, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and the Foundation of Hope funding have supported Dr. Kimmel’s work.
