L.A. family physician is a champion for maternal health equity

“I was always interested in equity and finding the root cause of disease processes and why certain things were happening in a patient population,” she said. “I wanted to be a physician so I could bridge those gaps.”

After earning her master of public health degree at Loma Linda University, Dupre earned her master of science and medical degrees at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, and graduated from the Harbor-UCLA Family Medicine Residency in Torrance.

Tackling racial disparities in maternal health

The United States has the highest rate of maternal death among high-income countries, and Black Americans are more than three times as likely as their white peers to experience pregnancy-related death. Dupre wanted to address that inequity, so she completed a fellowship in family medicine obstetrics (FMOB) and women’s health at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Peoria.

“I believe it is essential for individuals from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds to see physicians and nurses who reflect their identities, as this can foster a greater sense of comfort and belonging,” said Dupre, a member of the California AFP. “Cultural nuances often shape how people experience and navigate health care, so the presence of physicians who may better understand these perspectives can be instrumental. This shared understanding can help cultivate trust and encourage more open, meaningful patient–physician relationships.”

Dupre delivered 300 babies during her one-year fellowship in Peoria and has delivered more than 170 in the past two years at California Hospital Medical Center, where she is core faculty at the Morehouse School of Medicine Family Medicine Residency Program.

Caring for underserved communities in Los Angeles

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Dupre said there was no doubt that the federally qualified health center in the heart of downtown L.A. is exactly the kind of safety net setting she wanted for her practice.

“My patient panel is largely urban, underserved, and made up predominantly of Black and brown individuals,” she said. “We care for many high-risk patients whose health is deeply impacted by social determinants, including housing instability at times. There are often complex social challenges that we’re navigating alongside their medical care. That’s why I value being an FMOB so much because we have a broad understanding of those factors. Because we see our patients both in the hospital and in the clinic, we’re in a unique position to bridge gaps in care, support their transition into the postpartum period and connect them with essential resources. I always knew I wanted to return here to serve this community.”

The work isn’t easy, nor are the challenges easily explained. Black women in Los Angeles County are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than women in other racial and ethnic groups. 

“I truly love working with my patients,” Dupre said. “Working in the heart of downtown Los Angeles can be challenging, as it often involves exposure to difficult and intense situations. However, the opportunity to support patients through childbirth and witness the joy of welcoming a new life is incredibly rewarding and meaningful. I see my family, which is originally from rural Mississippi, in a lot of these patients because there are a lot of health disparities, so if I can be a voice for my patients and advocate for them, that makes the job fulfilling. Helping people navigate challenging situations, empowering them, and improving their overall health is what I find most rewarding. While the hours can be demanding, the impact of the work makes it incredibly worthwhile. I’m deeply committed to this field.”

Teaching the next generation of family physicians

Dupre hopes to pass along her passions to medical students and residents.

“I genuinely enjoy teaching, and it keeps me engaged and continuously learning alongside the residents,” she said. “I love serving as faculty at MSM California Hospital Medical Center’s Family Medicine Residency. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch interns begin their journey, progress through their second and third years, witness their growth and see the paths they will take in the future.”

Dupre realized her love for academic medicine while teaching students and residents as junior faculty during her FMOB fellowship. Dupre enjoyed her experience in Peoria so much that she returns to Illinois a few times a year to work with residents and fellows in the maternity and newborn pediatric service.

“I’ve kept up my privileges there because I think it’s good to have a variety,” she said, “and I really enjoy working there, too.”

Dupre recommends family physicians and residents interested in obstetrics join the AAFP’s member interest group or attend one of its meetings during Academy events.

“It’s an excellent resource,” she said. “Physicians there share valuable information and tips. For me, it’s reassuring to see that I’m not alone and that other attendings face similar challenges.”

In addition to obstetrics, Dupre is an attending on the hospital’s inpatient service, supervises residents in continuity and specialty clinics, including the procedure clinic, and provides primary care to patients of all ages.

“After getting my MPH, I knew I wanted to do primary care,” she said, “but I went into medical school with an open mind. I wanted to explore every specialty. But my heart has always been drawn to family medicine: the social justice aspect; whole-person, patient-centered care; cradle-to-grave medicine. Family medicine is the right fit for me, and it beautifully complements my public health training.”