Yvonne C. Collins M.D. is a Gynecologic Oncologist and current Chief Medical Officer of CountyCare within Cook County Health Hospitals System. She is board certified in Obstetrics, Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology. Dr. Collins is a graduate of Xavier University in Louisiana and University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, Florida. She completed a residency program in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and received fellowship training in Gynecologic Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York.
Dr. Collins has devoted her career to educating underserved women on the importance of routine health maintenance, including Pap tests. Her research interest includes community outreach and education on the causes, prevention, screening, and early detection of cervical cancer, which is preventable. She also has an interest in empowering women through education, eliminating barriers to care and increasing access. She works with community organizations, area churches, beauty salons, task forces and the American Cancer Society on developing ways to decrease racial disparities related to cervical cancer diagnosis, treatment, and mortality. She has provided healthcare not only in the United States, but has traveled abroad to Central America, the Caribbean, Asia, and Africa providing care to those who need it. She lectures nationally and internationally with the goal being to educate on disease prevention. She was honored as an Outstanding Teacher and Humanitarian of the Year.
Dr. Collins has published in various scientific journals, including Gynecologic Oncology and Journal of the Lower Genital Tract Disease. In addition, Dr. Collins served on the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) Cervical Education Committee, previous chair of the SGO Health Care Disparities Task Force and previous president of the Prairie State Medical Society. She is currently Region IV Trustee for National Medical Association and a member the Cook County Physicians Association. Additionally, she was a 2022 Climate, Health, and Equity Fellow.
She has attended Trinity United Church of Christ since age six and currently serves in the Women’s Chorus, the Trustee Ministry, and the Deacon Ministry. She enjoys lecturing, traveling, and spending time with her family.
Join the NMA for an important webinar: “The Rural 50 – Ensuring Access in Rural America”
🗓️ December 9, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM ET
We’ll explore the impact of the new rural health fund under HR1, current implementation, political focus on rural health, and how YOU can get involved in addressing rural health disparities.
🎙️ Featuring:
• Roger A. Mitchell, Jr., MD – NMA 126th President
• Sara Singleton – Leavitt Partners
• Kathleen Nolan – Health Management Associates (HMA)
• Susan Ward Jones, MD – CEO, East Arkansas Family Health Center, Inc.
Secure your spot today! 🔗 https://bit.ly/3Mfar3t
#NMA #RuralHealth #HealthEquity #AccessToCare #PublicHealth
❤️🎄 Holiday Heart Health Awareness
The holiday season brings joy, but also added stress, richer foods, and changes to our routines that can put extra strain on the heart. Black communities already face higher rates of hypertension and heart disease, making heart-healthy habits even more important this time of year.
The National Medical Association encourages everyone to protect their heart this season by:
✔️ Managing stress and prioritizing rest
✔️ Staying active — even short walks count
✔️ Choosing balanced meals and watching salt intake
✔️ Taking medications as prescribed
✔️ Limiting alcohol and avoiding smoking
Your heart deserves care during the holidays, too. 💪🏾❤️
Let’s celebrate the season while safeguarding the health of every heartbeat in our community.
#NMA #HolidayHeartHealth #HeartHealthMatters #HealthEquity #HealthyHolidays #KnowYourNumbers
💉🛡️ National Influenza Vaccination Week
📅 December 1–7, 2025
Flu season is here, and vaccination remains our best defense. Black communities continue to face higher risks of severe flu illness and complications, making prevention critical for protecting our loved ones.
The National Medical Association encourages everyone, especially older adults, pregnant people, young children, and those with chronic health conditions, to get their annual flu shot.
Here’s how you can take action this week:
✔️ Make a flu vaccination appointment for you & your family
✔️ Encourage patients and community members to stay protected
✔️ Share accurate information to combat misinformation
✔️ Stay home if you’re sick and practice healthy habits
Let’s work together to keep our communities strong, healthy, and flu-free this winter. 🧡💪🏾
#NMA #NIVW2025 #FightFlu #FluShotSavesLives #PublicHealth #HealthEquity #VaccinesWork
Across the country, pastors and ministry teams are navigating a moment where healthcare cuts, rising costs, and shifting benefits are directly impacting the families they serve. Many have shared the same concern: “We need clear guidance and tools we can use right now.”
That’s why the Cost & Coverage Collaborative (an initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), the National Medical Association and REACH Beyond Solutions launched Standing in the Gap: Faith Leaders on Navigating Health, Access & Justice, a three-part webinar series specifically for the faith community. The goal is simple: equip leaders and allies of the faith community with the information, practical steps, and resources needed to help their congregations stay informed, covered, and cared for.
WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE NEXT CONVERSATION: Healing in Partnership — Faith & Health Collaborations That Work, takes place Monday, December 1 at 7:30 PM ET. This conversation will spotlight faith leaders leading innovative partnerships and community health initiatives as they share what’s working, the lessons they’ve learned, and how their models can serve as blueprints for others addressing their communities’ growing health needs.
Panelists:
Rev. Cynthia Hale - Senior Pastor, Ray of Hope Christian Church
Rev. Danielle Ayers - Pastor of Justice, Friendship-West Baptist Church
Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Thompson - Senior Pastor, The Allen Temple Baptist Church
Register today at: https://bit.ly/4p9xETp
❤️🩹 December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month and December 1 is World AIDS Day
HIV continues to disproportionately impact Black communities, not because of behavior, but because of longstanding inequities in access to testing, prevention, and high-quality care.
The National Medical Association stands united in the fight to end the HIV epidemic, advancing health equity, supporting lifesaving treatments, and eliminating stigma that keeps far too many from seeking care.
Throughout this month, and especially on World AIDS Day, we honor those we’ve lost, uplift people living with HIV, and recognize the progress driven by science, advocacy, and community leadership.
Take action. Support health. Spread truth.
✔️ Know your status — get tested
✔️ Learn about PrEP & prevention options
✔️ Encourage treatment engagement + adherence
✔️ Advocate for stigma-free care for all
Together, we can build a future where every community is informed, supported, and thrives. ❤️🏥
#NMA #WorldAIDSDay #HIVAIDSAwarenessMonth #EndTheStigma #KnowYourStatus #HealthEquity #CommunityHealth
Join a community of over 50,000 dedicated African American physicians and professionals committed to making a positive impact on healthcare. Discover the benefits of NMA membership, access professional development opportunities, and become a part of a network dedicated to advancing health equity.
National Medical Association
1010 Wayne Avenue, Suite 800
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Phone: 202-347-1895
Fax: 301-495-0359
