Dilys Walker, MD
Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Dr. Walker works jointly in the Obstetrics and Gynecology and Global Health Sciences Departments at UCSF. Dr. Walker is also affiliate faculty in the Department of Global Health at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she was Associate Director for the Center for Global Women Adolescent and Child Health. Dilys is also a visiting Professor in Reproductive Health at the National Institute of Public Health in Mexico, where she worked from 1998- 2009.
Her principal research interests are maternal mortality and morbidity, abortion, family planning, and adolescent reproductive health with a focus in Latin America. Dr. Walker and her team developed a novel approach to emergency obstetric training, PRONTO, using highly-realistic low-cost simulation and team training to improve both obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Dr. Walker is president and co-founder of PRONTO International, an NGO dedicated to making birth safer for mothers, infants and their providers. Dr. Walker collaborates with partners in Mexico, Guatemala and Kenya. She is collaborating with Care India on a mentor training program using simulation and team-training for midwives throughout the state of Bihar, India.
Areas of interest:
- Maternal mortality and morbidity
- Global Health
- Inter-professional training
- Implementation science
Education:
- University of California, San Diego, Medical Doctorate
- University of Pennsylvania, Residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology
- University of California, San Francisco, Fellowship in Family Planning
In the news:
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The role of informational support from women's social networks on antenatal care initiation: qualitative evidence from pregnant women in Uganda. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2022 Sep 16; 22(1):708. Comfort AB, El Ayadi AM, Camlin CS, Tsai AC, Nalubwama H, Byamugisha J, Walker DM, Moody J, Roberts T, Senoga U, Krezanoski PJ, Harper CC. PMID: 36114484; PMCID: PMC9479405.
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Respectful language in intrapartum and newborn care - Authors' reply. Lancet Glob Health. 2021 01; 9(1):e18. Walker D, Otieno P, Waiswa P. PMID: 33338453.
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Simulation and team training embedded nurse mentoring programme and improvement in intrapartum and newborn care in a low-resource setting in Bihar, India. J Glob Health. 2020 Dec; 10(2):021010. Ghosh R, Spindler H, Dyer J, Christmas A, Cohen SR, Das A, Sonthalia S, Mahapatra T, Gore A, Shah H, Walker DM. PMID: 33425334; PMCID: PMC7759018.
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Effect of a quality improvement package for intrapartum and immediate newborn care on fresh stillbirth and neonatal mortality among preterm and low-birthweight babies in Kenya and Uganda: a cluster-randomised facility-based trial. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 08; 8(8):e1061-e1070. Walker D, Otieno P, Butrick E, Namazzi G, Achola K, Merai R, Otare C, Mubiri P, Ghosh R, Santos N, Miller L, Sloan NL, Waiswa P, Preterm Birth Initiative Kenya and Uganda Implementation Research Collaborative. PMID: 32710862; PMCID: PMC7388203.
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Cohort study of neonatal resuscitation skill retention in frontline healthcare facilities in Bihar, India, after PRONTO simulation training. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2020; 4(1):e000628. Higgins BV, Medvedev MM, Spindler H, Ghosh R, Longkumer O, Cohen SR, Das A, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker DM. PMID: 32399505; PMCID: PMC7204812.
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Diagnosis and management of postpartum hemorrhage and intrapartum asphyxia in a quality improvement initiative using nurse-mentoring and simulation in Bihar, India. PLoS One. 2019; 14(7):e0216654. Ghosh R, Spindler H, Morgan MC, Cohen SR, Begum N, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker DM. PMID: 31276503; PMCID: PMC6611567.
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Simulation-enhanced nurse mentoring to improve preeclampsia and eclampsia care: an education intervention study in Bihar, India. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2019 Jan 23; 19(1):41. Raney JH, Morgan MC, Christmas A, Sterling M, Spindler H, Ghosh R, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker DM. PMID: 30674286; PMCID: PMC6344989.
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Clinical cascades as a novel way to assess physical readiness of facilities for the care of small and sick neonates in Kenya and Uganda. PLoS One. 2018; 13(11):e0207156. Morgan MC, Spindler H, Nambuya H, Nalwa GM, Namazzi G, Waiswa P, Otieno P, Cranmer J, Walker DM. PMID: 30462671; PMCID: PMC6248954.
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Barriers and facilitators to the provision of optimal obstetric and neonatal emergency care and to the implementation of simulation-enhanced mentorship in primary care facilities in Bihar, India: a qualitative study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018 Oct 25; 18(1):420. Morgan MC, Dyer J, Abril A, Christmas A, Mahapatra T, Das A, Walker DM. PMID: 30359240; PMCID: PMC6202860.
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Logistical, cultural, and structural barriers to immediate neonatal care and neonatal resuscitation in Bihar, India. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2018 Sep 29; 18(1):385. Vail B, Morgan MC, Dyer J, Christmas A, Cohen SR, Joshi M, Gore A, Mahapatra T, Walker DM. PMID: 30268110; PMCID: PMC6162900.
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The power of practice: simulation training improving the quality of neonatal resuscitation skills in Bihar, India. BMC Pediatr. 2018 09 03; 18(1):291. Vail B, Morgan MC, Spindler H, Christmas A, Cohen SR, Walker DM. PMID: 30176831; PMCID: PMC6122678.
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Care of the mother-infant dyad: a novel approach to conducting and evaluating neonatal resuscitation simulation training in Bihar, India. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017 Jul 28; 17(1):252. Vail B, Spindler H, Morgan MC, Cohen SR, Christmas A, Sah P, Shah MB, Das A, Walker DM. PMID: 28754111; PMCID: PMC5534030.
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Can a simulation-based training program impact the use of evidence based routine practices at birth? Results of a hospital-based cluster randomized trial in Mexico. PLoS One. 2017; 12(3):e0172623. Fritz J, Walker DM, Cohen S, Angeles G, Lamadrid-Figueroa H. PMID: 28319122; PMCID: PMC5358738.
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Impact Evaluation of PRONTO Mexico: A Simulation-Based Program in Obstetric and Neonatal Emergencies and Team Training. Simul Healthc. 2016 Feb; 11(1):1-9. Walker DM, Cohen SR, Fritz J, Olvera-García M, Zelek ST, Fahey JO, Romero-Martínez M, Montoya-Rodríguez A, Lamadrid-Figueroa H. PMID: 26312613; PMCID: PMC5367503.
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Clinician attendance and delivery practices at hospital-based vaginal deliveries in Western Kenya. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2016 May; 133(2):168-72. Patel SJ, Bogaert K, Gachuno OW, Kibore MW, Unger J, Walker DM. PMID: 26873124.
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A process evaluation of PRONTO simulation training for obstetric and neonatal emergency response teams in Guatemala. BMC Med Educ. 2015 Jul 24; 15:117. Walker DM, Holme F, Zelek ST, Olvera-García M, Montoya-Rodríguez A, Fritz J, Fahey J, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Cohen S, Kestler E. PMID: 26206373; PMCID: PMC4513701.
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Team training in obstetric and neonatal emergencies using highly realistic simulation in Mexico: impact on process indicators. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2014 Nov 20; 14:367. Walker D, Cohen S, Fritz J, Olvera M, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Cowan JG, Hernandez DG, Dettinger JC, Fahey JO. PMID: 25409895; PMCID: PMC4243314.
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The Oportunidades conditional cash transfer program: effects on pregnancy and contraceptive use among young rural women in Mexico. Int Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2013 Dec; 39(4):205-14. Darney BG, Weaver MR, Sosa-Rubi SG, Walker D, Servan-Mori E, Prager S, Gakidou E. PMID: 24393726; PMCID: PMC4096692.
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Are all skilled birth attendants created equal? A cluster randomised controlled study of non-physician based obstetric care in primary health care clinics in Mexico. Midwifery. 2013 Oct; 29(10):1199-205. Walker D, DeMaria L, Gonzalez-Hernandez D, Padron-Salas A, Romero-Alvarez M, Suarez L. PMID: 23815885.
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A matched pair cluster randomized implementation trail to measure the effectiveness of an intervention package aiming to decrease perinatal mortality and increase institution-based obstetric care among indigenous women in Guatemala: study protocol. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2013 Mar 21; 13:73. Kestler E, Walker D, Bonvecchio A, de Tejada SS, Donner A. PMID: 23517050; PMCID: PMC3608074.
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[Sociodemographic and reproductive characteristics associated with the increase of cesarean section practice in Mexico]. Salud Publica Mex. 2013; 55 Suppl 2:S225-34. Suárez-López L, Campero L, De la Vara-Salazar E, Rivera-Rivera L, Hernández-Serrato MI, Walker D, Lazcano-Ponce E. PMID: 24626699.
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Promoting cultural humility during labor and birth: putting theory into action during PRONTO obstetric and neonatal emergency training. J Perinat Neonatal Nurs. 2013 Jan-Mar; 27(1):36-42. Fahey JO, Cohen SR, Holme F, Buttrick ES, Dettinger JC, Kestler E, Walker DM. PMID: 23360940.
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Non-physician providers of obstetric care in Mexico: Perspectives of physicians, obstetric nurses and professional midwives. Hum Resour Health. 2012 Apr 25; 10:6. Demaria LM, Campero L, Vidler M, Walker D. PMID: 22533705; PMCID: PMC3444919.
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PRONTO training for obstetric and neonatal emergencies in Mexico. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2012 Feb; 116(2):128-33. Walker DM, Cohen SR, Estrada F, Monterroso ME, Jenny A, Fritz J, Fahey JO. PMID: 22112786.
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Skilled birth attendants in Mexico: how does care during normal birth by general physicians, obstetric nurses, and professional midwives compare with World Health Organization evidence-based practice guidelines? J Midwifery Womens Health. 2012 Jan-Feb; 57(1):18-27. Walker D, DeMaria LM, Suarez L, Cragin L, Evaluating Alternative Models of Obstetric Care in Mexico Research Team. PMID: 22251908.
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[Interventions involving parents in order to impact adolescent sexual behavior]. Salud Publica Mex. 2011 Mar-Apr; 53(2):160-71. Atienzo EE, Campero L, Estrada F, Rouse C, Walker D. PMID: 21537807.
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Learning effect of a conditional cash transfer programme on poor rural women's selection of delivery care in Mexico. Health Policy Plan. 2011 Nov; 26(6):496-507. Sosa-Rubí SG, Walker D, Serván E, Bautista-Arredondo S. PMID: 21278371; PMCID: PMC9109227.
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A quasi-experimental evaluation of parents as sexual health educators resulting in delayed sexual initiation and increased access to condoms. J Adolesc. 2011 Apr; 34(2):215-23. Campero L, Walker D, Atienzo EE, Gutierrez JP. PMID: 20646754.
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Bringing two worlds together: exploring the integration of traditional midwives as doulas in Mexican public hospitals. Health Care Women Int. 2010 Jun; 31(6):475-98. Smid M, Campero L, Cragin L, Gonzalez Hernandez D, Walker D. PMID: 20461600.
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[Sex education and HIV prevention: an evaluation in Latin America and the Caribbean]. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2009 Dec; 26(6):485-93. Demaria LM, Galárraga O, Campero L, Walker DM. PMID: 20107702; PMCID: PMC4720267.
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[Clarification with respect to the article "Utilization of mammography and Papanicolaou tests among women from the rural areas of Mexico"]. Salud Publica Mex. 2009 Jul-Aug; 51(4):276. Sosa-Rubí SG, Walker D, Serván E. PMID: 19668920.
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Parent-adolescent communication about sex in Morelos, Mexico: does it impact sexual behaviour? Eur J Contracept Reprod Health Care. 2009 Apr; 14(2):111-9. Atienzo EE, Walker DM, Campero L, Lamadrid-Figueroa H, Gutiérrez JP. PMID: 19340706.
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Pharmacy worker practices related to use of misoprostol for abortion in one Mexican state. Contraception. 2009 Jun; 79(6):445-51. Billings DL, Walker D, Mainero del Paso G, Clark KA, Dayananda I. PMID: 19442780.
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Educating skilled birth attendants in Mexico: do the curricula meet international confederation of midwives standards? Reprod Health Matters. 2007 Nov; 15(30):50-60. Cragin L, DeMaria LM, Campero L, Walker DM. PMID: 17938070.
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Herpes simplex virus type 2 among Mexican high school adolescents: prevalence and association with community characteristics. Arch Med Res. 2007 Oct; 38(7):774-82. Gutierrez JP, Conde-González CJ, Walker DM, Bertozzi SM. PMID: 17845898.
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[A novel school-based strategy for the prevention of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted disease (STDs), and teen pregnancies]. Salud Publica Mex. 2006 Jul-Aug; 48(4):308-16. Torres P, Walker DM, Gutiérez JP, Bertozzi SM. PMID: 16913455.
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Emergency contraception use is correlated with increased condom use among adolescents: results from Mexico. J Adolesc Health. 2004 Oct; 35(4):329-34. Walker DM, Torres P, Gutierrez JP, Flemming K, Bertozzi SM. PMID: 15450547.