Professor
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine
Dr. Carmen D. Zorrilla is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the UPR School of Medicine, certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Academy of HIV Medicine. In 1987, she established the first longitudinal clinic for women living with HIV in Puerto Rico. She participated in the PACTG 076 as one of the first 10 pilot sites and was instrumental in making AZT available to pregnant women living with HIV in Puerto Rico. Her clinic, in which more than 600 infants have been born to HIV-positive women, has had a nearly zero transmission rate during the past 17 years. Dr. Zorrilla implemented a program for group prenatal care at the University Hospital, the first in Puerto Rico. This new model of care evidenced a reduction in preterm births. She is one of leaders who spearheaded the research response to the emerging Zika epidemic among pregnant women in Puerto Rico and established a multidisciplinary clinic for pregnant women with Zika. During the COVID-19 pandemic she spearheaded the development of a Molecular testing program at the RCM, a Phase III vaccine trial and a COVID Vaccine Center with a 97% vaccination rate of the faculty, students, and staff at the UPR-MSC. She is a member of the Scientific Coalition named by PR Governor Hon. Pedro Pierluisi to advise on issues related to the COVID pandemic response and to further incorporate the input of Science into public policy.
Saturday, November 19, 2022
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST