Jennifer Kerns, MD, MS, MPH

Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences
Director of Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinical Research, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

Dr. Kerns is a clinical researcher with a focus on patient decision-making in complicated pregnancies.

Areas of interest:

  • Abortion for fetal anomalies and pregnancy complications
  • Abortion safety

Education:

  • University of California, San Francisco, Medical Doctorate and Fellowship in Family Planning
  • University of California, Berkeley, Master's of Science and Master's in Public Health
  • Columbia University, Residency Training

In the news:

Publications: 
  1. Kerns JL, Turk JK, Corbetta-Rastelli CM, Rosenstein MG, Caughey AB, Steinauer JE. Second-trimester abortion attitudes and practices among maternal-fetal medicine and family planning subspecialists. BMC Womens Health. 2020 Feb 03; 20(1):20. PMID: 32013926.
    View in: PubMed
  2. Kerns JL, Ti A, Aksel S, Lederle L, Sokoloff A, Steinauer J. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation and Hemorrhage After Dilation and Evacuation Abortion for Fetal Death. Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Oct; 134(4):708-713. PMID: 31503145.
    View in: PubMed
  3. Cassidy A, Herrick C, Norton ME, Ursell PC, Vargas J, Kerns JL. How does Fetal Autopsy after Pregnancy Loss or Termination for Anomalies and other Complications Change Recurrence Risk? AJP Rep. 2019 Jan; 9(1):e30-e35. PMID: 30783547.
    View in: PubMed
  4. Roberts SCM, Beam N, Liu G, Upadhyay UD, Leslie DL, Ba D, Kerns JL. Miscarriage Treatment-Related Morbidities and Adverse Events in Hospitals, Ambulatory Surgery Centers, and Office-Based Settings. J Patient Saf. 2018 Dec 03. PMID: 30516583.
    View in: PubMed
  5. Roberts SCM, Upadhyay UD, Liu G, Kerns JL, Ba D, Beam N, Leslie DL. Association of Facility Type With Procedural-Related Morbidities and Adverse Events Among Patients Undergoing Induced Abortions. JAMA. 2018 06 26; 319(24):2497-2506. PMID: 29946727.
    View in: PubMed
  6. Kerns JL, Light A, Dalton V, McNamara B, Steinauer J, Kuppermann M. Decision satisfaction among women choosing a method of pregnancy termination in the setting of fetal anomalies and other pregnancy complications: A qualitative study. Patient Educ Couns. 2018 10; 101(10):1859-1864. PMID: 29980336.
    View in: PubMed
  7. Williams SG, Roberts S, Kerns JL. Effects of Legislation Regulating Abortion in Arizona. Womens Health Issues. 2018 Jul - Aug; 28(4):297-300. PMID: 29631976.
    View in: PubMed
  8. McNamara B, Russo J, Chaiken S, Jacobson J, Kerns J. A qualitative study of digoxin injection before dilation and evacuation. Contraception. 2018 06; 97(6):515-519. PMID: 29477630.
    View in: PubMed
  9. Kerns JL, Mengesha B, McNamara BC, Cassidy A, Pearlson G, Kuppermann M. Effect of counseling quality on anxiety, grief, and coping after second-trimester abortion for pregnancy complications. Contraception. 2018 06; 97(6):520-523. PMID: 29477632.
    View in: PubMed
  10. Serapio ET, Pearlson GA, Drey EA, Kerns JL. Estimated versus measured blood loss during dilation and evacuation: an observational study. Contraception. 2018 05; 97(5):451-455. PMID: 29410259.
    View in: PubMed
  11. Graziani RNA, Nemzer L, Kerns J. The Experience of Genetic Counselors Working with Patients Facing the Decision of Pregnancy Termination after 24 Weeks Gestation. J Genet Couns. 2018 06; 27(3):626-634. PMID: 28956221.
    View in: PubMed
  12. Upadhyay UD, Johns NE, Meckstroth KR, Kerns JL. Distance Traveled for an Abortion and Source of Care After Abortion. Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug 14. PMID: 28816736.
    View in: PubMed
  13. Boecking CA, Drey EA, Kerns JL, Finkbeiner WE. Correlation of Prenatal Diagnosis and Pathology Findings Following Dilation and Evacuation for Fetal Anomalies. Arch Pathol Lab Med. 2017 Feb; 141(2):267-273. PMID: 27763778.
    View in: PubMed
  14. Lederle L, Steinauer JE, Montgomery A, Aksel S, Drey EA, Kerns JL. Obesity as a Risk Factor for Complications After Second-Trimester Abortion by Dilation and Evacuation. Obstet Gynecol. 2015 Sep; 126(3):585-92. PMID: 26244536.
    View in: PubMed
  15. Denny CC, Baron MB, Lederle L, Drey EA, Kerns JL. Induction of fetal demise before pregnancy termination: practices of family planning providers. Contraception. 2015 Sep; 92(3):241-5. PMID: 25998938.
    View in: PubMed
  16. Maguire M, Light A, Kuppermann M, Dalton VK, Steinauer JE, Kerns JL. Grief after second-trimester termination for fetal anomaly: a qualitative study. Contraception. 2015 Mar; 91(3):234-9. PMID: 25499590.
    View in: PubMed
  17. Rowen TS, Steinauer J, Drey EA, Light A, Conrad M, Kerns JL. Reproductive and gynecologic health after uterine artery embolization for postabortion hemorrhage. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2015 Apr; 129(1):85-6. PMID: 25497049.
    View in: PubMed
  18. Light AD, Obedin-Maliver J, Sevelius JM, Kerns JL. Transgender men who experienced pregnancy after female-to-male gender transitioning. Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Dec; 124(6):1120-7. PMID: 25415163.
    View in: PubMed
  19. Rosenstein MG, Turk JK, Caughey AB, Steinauer JE, Kerns JL. Dilation and evacuation training in maternal-fetal medicine fellowships. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Jun; 210(6):569.e1-5. PMID: 24495668.
    View in: PubMed
  20. Turk JK, Steinauer JE, Landy U, Kerns JL. Barriers to D&E practice among family planning subspecialists. Contraception. 2013 Oct; 88(4):561-7. PMID: 23746751.
    View in: PubMed
  21. Kerns JL, Steinauer JE, Rosenstein MG, Turk JK, Caughey AB, D'Alton M. Maternal-fetal medicine subspecialists' provision of second-trimester termination services. Am J Perinatol. 2012 Oct; 29(9):709-16. PMID: 22639351.
    View in: PubMed
  22. Kerns J, Vanjani R, Freedman L, Meckstroth K, Drey EA, Steinauer J. Women's decision making regarding choice of second trimester termination method for pregnancy complications. Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2012 Mar; 116(3):244-8. PMID: 22169044.
    View in: PubMed
  23. Jones HE, Pressman EJ, Bell DL, Kerns JL, Lykes ST, Garth J, Westhoff CL. Managing chlamydia infections in young men: results from an audit of a public men's clinic in New York City. Int J STD AIDS. 2011 Oct; 22(10):581-4. PMID: 21998179.
    View in: PubMed
  24. Kerns JL, Jones HE, Pressman EJ, Fratarelli LA, Garth J, Westhoff CL. Implementation of expedited partner therapy among women with chlamydia infection at an urban family planning clinic. Sex Transm Dis. 2011 Aug; 38(8):722-6. PMID: 21844724.
    View in: PubMed
  25. Kerns JL, Swanson M, Pena S, Wu D, Shaffer BL, Tran SH, Steinauer JE. Characteristics of women who undergo second-trimester abortion in the setting of a fetal anomaly. Contraception. 2012 Jan; 85(1):63-8. PMID: 22067803.
    View in: PubMed
  26. Kerns J, Darney P. Vaginal ring contraception. Contraception. 2011 Feb; 83(2):107-15. PMID: 21237335.
    View in: PubMed
  27. O'Connell K, Davis AR, Kerns J. Oral contraceptives: side effects and depression in adolescent girls. Contraception. 2007 Apr; 75(4):299-304. PMID: 17362710.
    View in: PubMed
  28. Kerns J, Westhoff C, Morroni C, Murphy PA. Partner influence on early discontinuation of the pill in a predominantly Hispanic population. Perspect Sex Reprod Health. 2003 Nov-Dec; 35(6):256-60. PMID: 14744657.
    View in: PubMed
  29. Westhoff C, Morroni C, Kerns J, Murphy PA. Bleeding patterns after immediate vs. conventional oral contraceptive initiation: a randomized, controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 2003 Feb; 79(2):322-9. PMID: 12568841.
    View in: PubMed
  30. Westhoff C, Kerns J, Morroni C, Cushman LF, Tiezzi L, Murphy PA. Quick start: novel oral contraceptive initiation method. Contraception. 2002 Sep; 66(3):141-5. PMID: 12384200.
    View in: PubMed
Tags: 
Pregnancy and childbirth
Abortion