Cynthia Cockerham is the Community Program & Research Director for UK HealthCare’s Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, based at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. She holds degrees in Human Nutrition, Family Sciences, and Nursing. 

Professional Role & Focus

Cockerham’s work centers on maternal and infant health initiatives, with a focus on research, community engagement, and improving outcomes for mothers, babies, and families, especially in underserved and rural Kentucky communities. She leads operations for the Kentucky Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Task Force and the Kentucky Symposium for Maternal and Infant Outcomes, a major statewide conference co-hosted by multiple maternal health organizations.

Research & Publications

Her research spans maternal-fetal medicine, prenatal care barriers, substance use during pregnancy, and health disparities. She has published in peer-reviewed journals such as International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Women’s Health Reports, Substance Use & Addiction, and American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Topics include: Preterm birth prevention and cervical length surveillance, Food and housing insecurity in pregnancy, Maternal polysubstance use during the COVID-19 pandemic, Prenatal opioid exposure and maternal HCV infection effects on microglia, Feasibility of online “food as medicine” grocery prescription programs for pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Cockerham is recognized for her role in advancing Kentucky’s maternal health priorities, including violence prevention, substance use reduction, and mental health support. She has presented at several national conferences. 

In summary, Cynthia Cockerham is a maternal-fetal medicine expert and community health leader whose work blends clinical research, policy advocacy, and community-based programs to improve maternal and infant health outcomes across Kentucky.