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Sarahn M Wheeler

Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine
DUMC 3967, Durham, NC 27710
2608 Erwin Road, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Dr. Sarahn M. Wheeler is a practicing maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Wheeler was born and raised in Mt. Laurel, NJ. She graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University. She completed medical school at the University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine. Dr. Wheeler went on to residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Wheeler completed her maternal-fetal medicine sup-specialty training at Duke University in June of 2016.

Dr. Wheeler currently serves as Assistant Professor in the Duke University School of Medicine. In this role, Dr. Wheeler is both a practicing clinician and research faculty. in her clinical role, Dr. Wheeler is the director of Duke's Prematurity Prevention Program, a specialty clinic that is geared for women with risk factors for preterm birth.  In her research role, Dr. Wheeler has published several peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from fetal brain injury to vaccination during pregnancy. Dr. Wheeler’s current research focus is on race disparities in preterm birth. She is actively involved in research to develop interventions to improve utilization of preterm birth prevention therapies.

Dr. Wheeler also serves as the Vice Chair for Culture, Engagement and Impact for the OB/GYN department.  In this role she leads efforts to ensure an inclusive environment for the patients, faculty, staff and trainees within Duke OB/GYN.

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2023 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Core Faculty Member, Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy · 2025 - Present Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy, University Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


The Impact of a Protocol on Equitable Labor and Delivery Substance Use Screening: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Journal Article Am J Perinatol · December 29, 2025 The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) jointly recommend universal substance use screening in pregnancy with a validated tool. Bi ... Full text Link to item Cite

Communicating neurological prognosis in the prenatal period: a narrative review and practice guidelines.

Journal Article Pediatr Res · November 2025 Clinicians may face an array of challenges in conducting fetal neurological consultations including prognostic uncertainty, a lack of training in fetal counseling, and limited opportunity to build rapport with families. In this setting, it is critical to e ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholars

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2020 - 2030

Thriving Hearts: Healing-Centered, Integrated, Community Maternity Care

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill · 2024 - 2030

Duke University Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network Clinical Center

ResearchCollaborating Investigator · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2023 - 2030

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Education, Training & Certifications


Duke University, School of Medicine · 2022 M.H.S.C.R.
The University of Chicago · 2009 M.D.
Harvard University · 2003 A.B.