Division of Research investigator Monique Hedderson is 2025 recipient of the Norbert Freinkel award for scientific achievement
Kaiser Permanente women’s health researcher Monique Hedderson, PhD, is the 2025 recipient of the Norbert Freinkel Award, given by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for outstanding scientific achievement in the understanding and treatment of diabetes and pregnancy.
Hedderson is associate director for women’s and children’s health at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research (DOR), where she has studied gestational diabetes prevention and risk factors, drug treatments’ impact on offspring health, and health system-based lifestyle interventions’ effects on the health of mothers and children.
She is a principal investigator of DOR’s two large studies of pregnant patients and children with the Environmental Influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) project. Hedderson is also director of research clinics for DOR and is a professor at the Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine. She has published more than 160 papers in top-tier medical journals and been funded by more than 35 federal grants.
“I am so pleased the ADA has chosen to recognize Dr. Hedderson for all her accomplishments,” said Assiamira Ferrara, MD, PhD, senior research scientist at DOR, who was a Freinkel award recipient herself in 2019. “Her prolific work on gestational diabetes prevention and related risk factors has advanced scientific knowledge and improved clinical practice and patient outcomes for women with or at risk for gestational diabetes on both the national and international scale.”
Hedderson’s 2010 paper in Obstetrics & Gynecology demonstrated that excessive weight gain in early pregnancy increases risk of gestational diabetes, informing clinicians of the need to counsel patients on weight gain early in pregnancy, has been cited by other researchers 730 times. Another important randomized controlled trial found that tailored communication on gestational weight gain and how to manage it with nutrition and physical activity for patients with gestational diabetes improves weight gain and reduces large-for-gestational-age births. A 2022 paper found no differences in perinatal complications between glyburide and insulin treatment for gestational diabetes led to funding from the National Institutes of Health to further investigate whether antidiabetic medication use in pregnancy impacts long-term health outcomes.
Researching diabetes in pregnancy and identifying ways to improve clinical care for pregnant women and their children has been both a passion and a privilege.
—Monique Hedderson, PhD
“DOR is proud and fortunate to have Monique Hedderson as a researcher, leader, and mentor,” said DOR Director Rachel Ramoni, DMD, ScD. “She has accumulated an impressive body of work in diabetes in pregnancy while continuing to pursue new, unexplored topics in women’s health, and to build teams of young researchers and staff who represent the future of this organization.”
Hedderson has also been an active mentor of more than 10 postdoctoral research fellows, garnering her recognition from the Society for Perinatal Epidemiologic Research.
“I am truly honored to receive this prestigious award from the American Diabetes Association,” Hedderson said. “Researching diabetes in pregnancy and identifying ways to improve clinical care for pregnant women and their children has been both a passion and a privilege. I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside brilliant mentors and exceptional mentees who share my commitment to improving the health of women and their children.
“This recognition reflects our collective dedication and collaborative efforts,” she added. “I am especially grateful to women who participated in our studies — their willingness to contribute to scientific knowledge has been essential to advancing care for mothers and their children everywhere.”
The ADA’s Chief Executive Officer Charles “Chuck” Henderson recognized Hedderson and other Professional Membership Award recipients, noting, “The diligent work of these passionate professionals is moving us closer to a world free of diabetes. Their contributions to research, prevention, and treatment are creating lasting change and improving the lives of people affected by diabetes.”
Hedderson received her master’s in public health from the University of Washington in 2000 and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Washington in 2005.
She will give the Norbert Freinkel Award Lecture at the ADA’s Scientific Sessions meeting, taking place in Chicago June 20-23.
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About the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research conducts, publishes, and disseminates epidemiologic and health services research to improve the health and medical care of Kaiser Permanente members and society at large. KPDOR seeks to understand the determinants of illness and well-being and to improve the quality and cost-effectiveness of health care. Currently, DOR’s 720-plus staff, including 73 research and staff scientists, are working on nearly 630 epidemiological and health services research projects. For more information, visit divisionofresearch.kp.org or follow us @KPDOR.
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