Joanie Y. Hare is a Board-Certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist and Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist with over 25 years of experience in high-risk obstetrics. A trailblazer in her field, Dr. Hare was the first African American physician in Houston to complete a Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship and is a founding member of Houston Perinatal Associates. She earned her medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine, where she served as Administrative Chief Resident. She went on to complete her Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.
Dr. Hare has built a legacy of leadership and innovation in maternal-fetal care. At The Woman’s Hospital of Texas, she founded and served as Medical Director of the Perinatal Diabetes Program, directed the Maternal Transport Program, and founded the Postpartum Intermediate Care Unit. She also held multiple leadership positions, including Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and President of the Board of Trustees. Her expertise spans the management of complex pregnancies, including those involving multiple gestations, fetal anomalies, maternal comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes, and cervical insufficiency.
Beyond clinical care, Dr. Hare has contributed to the advancement of maternal health through academic appointments and national advocacy. She is a Voluntary Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Houston College of Medicine and has served on numerous boards, including the March of Dimes, the Cord Blood Association, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Advisory Council on Blood Stem Cell Transplantation.
Dr. Hare has received numerous honors for her dedication to women’s health, including being named a Texas “SuperDoc” in High-Risk Obstetrics and a “Top 30 Influential Woman of Houston.”
Philosophy of Care
My philosophy of care is to honor the dignity of every mother and child through compassionate, evidence-based, and inclusive care. I believe in using both science and empathy to guide families through some of the most important—and sometimes most challenging—moments in life.