Melissa Bauer, DO, is dual fellowship–trained in critical care and obstetric anesthesiology, and is an Associate Professor of Anesthesiology and Population Health Sciences at Duke University Medical Center. Dr. Bauer is independently funded by the National Institutes of Health through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, where her work is focused on reducing maternal mortality and morbidity due to maternal sepsis. 

Dr. Bauer’s research centers on the early identification and treatment of maternal sepsis and the use of patient and community engagement strategies to improve maternal care. She recently served as Chair of the national Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Sepsis in Obstetrical Care Patient Safety Bundle Workgroup. Dr. Bauer has also led the statewide implementation efforts of the maternal sepsis safety bundle in Michigan and serves as a consultant for multiple states on maternal sepsis bundle implementation and quality improvement initiatives.