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Catherine Alexis Sims

Medical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine
Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology
200 Trent Drive, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


My interest is in improving the delivery of preventative and reproductive health care for patients with autoimmune disease. As a rheumatology fellow, I was awarded a Women’s Health Fellowship grant to expand an international pregnancy registry for women with vasculitis (VPREG) and explore their lived experiences with pregnancy and breastfeeding. Through these efforts, we collaborated with a patient partner to create patient-focused resources (handouts, videos) on pregnancy and contraception that aim to foster shared decision making and patient empowerment. After completion of my rheumatology fellowship, I was selected for a Health Systems Research fellowship at the Durham Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Care System. During this fellowship, I was awarded an Internal Pilot grant to characterize pregnancy outcomes of Veterans with autoimmune disease from national Veteran data. In the second phase of this pilot, we are currently conducting interviews with women Veterans from minoritized populations to gain their perspective on preventative and reproductive health care access and facilitation of this care. Additionally, I am working with the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry to assess completion and outcomes of cervical cancer screening in this higher risk population. During my clinical time, I have the opportunity to engage with patients in the Duke Autoimmunity in Pregnancy Clinic and VA rheumatology clinics as well as educate medical students, resident, fellows, and advanced practice providers. I am excited to continue advocating for preventative and reproductive health to improve delivery of comprehensive health care for patients with autoimmune disease.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Medical Assistant Professor in the Department of Medicine · 2025 - Present Medicine, Rheumatology and Immunology, Medicine

In the News


Published February 7, 2025
Dr. Catherine Sims Leads Team Researching Pregnancy and Vasculitis
Published November 19, 2024
Treat-to-Target Approach for RA Improves Time to Pregnancy
Published July 12, 2024
US Supreme Court decision on mifepristone ‘not a victory, but a punt’

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Recent Publications


Experiences Receiving and Delivering Virtual Health Care For Women: Qualitative Evidence Synthesis.

Journal Article J Med Internet Res · May 15, 2025 BACKGROUND: Persisting sex- and gender-based disparities in access to high-quality, personalized health care in the United States can lead to devastating outcomes with long-lasting consequences. Strategic use of virtual resources could expand equitable hea ... Full text Link to item Cite

Reproductive Outcomes for Women With Vasculitis.

Journal Article J Rheumatol · October 1, 2024 OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on the reproductive health of women with vasculitis. This study used a prospective, international vasculitis pregnancy registry to survey women during and after pregnancy. METHODS: The Vasculitis Pregnancy Registry (VPREG) ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Cervical Cancer Screening in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by Rheumatology Research Foundation · 2025 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University, School of Medicine · 2024 M.H.S.
Virginia Tech, Carilion School of Medicine · 2017 M.D.