National Maternal Child Health Coordinators: Dr. Judith Thierry
About Dr. Thierry
Dr. Judith Thierry is the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator for the Indian Health Service. Dr. Thierry has set infant mortality, tobacco exposure, immunizations and breastfeeding as charges for MCH. Infant mortality itself contains issues of birth defects, SIDS, pregnancy related complications and preventable injuries. Preconception and reproductive health, violence against women, child maltreatment and many more policy sections can be found that comprise maternal and women’s issues.
Dr.
Thierry provides leadership
in MCH policy to the Agency responsible for providing direct health care to 1.5
million American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Dr.
Thierry provides technical assistance for the Office of the Director and Office
of Public Health in issues affecting infants, women and children. Tobacco exposure,
infant mortality, breastfeeding and immunizations are key charges. The scope
of care rendered to women in over 35 reservation states, 35 urban centers and
through 12 regional offices includes prenatal care, labor and delivery, emergency
room care, psychological and social services, outpatient women’s health,
community health representative and public health nursing interface. Maternal
mental health, injury prevention, preconception care, sexually transmitted infections,
and youth initiatives also comprise MCH activities.
Dr. Thierry is responsible for the MCH Policy Manual otherwise known as “Chapter 13.” Regular communication occurs with the MCH coordinators from each of the twelve areas and urban coordinator. She works closely with key clinical programs at HQ including Public Health Education, HIV/AIDS, Head Start, Statistics, Behavioral Health, Risk Management, Oral Health, Women’s Health and Public Health Nursing leadership, Community Health Representatives and EMS leadership, Injury Prevention and Nutrition. She represents the IHS at the Federal Interagency Council on Early Childhood Special Needs and the ICCFAS Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.
The MCH activities lead Dr. Thierry to interact with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Divisions of School Health, Reproductive Health, Nutrition and Fitness, Injury prevention and National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. State Maternal and Child Health Bureau and Emergency Medical Services for Children, two programs within HRSA (Health Research Service Administration) are key partners. National Institute of Child Health and Development works with MCH issues including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, birth defects and pediatric life style issues such as obesity. Numerous non-governmental agencies and non-profit organizations work with MCH. Dr. Thierry is married to Henry Thierry, and mother of three children.
Board Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Thierry is a board certified Pediatrician, having received her medical training at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1983 and Residency in Pediatrics in 1986.
Professional Experience
She has served with the IHS in New Mexico for 16 years in clinical pediatric practice with the Acoma Canoncito Laguna, Albuquerque Indian Hospital (ACL), and Mescalero Service Units. She has provided clinical direction at the ACL and Mescalero Service Units and represented the National Council of Clinical Directors in 1998 on the Executive Leadership Group the lead decision making body for the Office of the Director. Her work experience includes the Army Nurse Corps 1971-1973. Volunteer experience includes Board of Directors chair and member for Cuidando Los Ninos as day care for homeless children and their families to regain community and housing in Albuquerque.
Other Professional Organizations
- American
Academy of Osteopathy
- American
Academy of Pediatrics and American
College of Osteopathic Pediatricians
- American
Osteopathic Association
- Association
for Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons
- Commissioned Officers Association
801 Thompson Ave (TMP 450)
Rockville, Maryland, 20852
301-443-5070 (Desk and voice mail)
301-443-0114 (FAX)
Email: Dr.
Thierry