About Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH
Caroline Mitchell, MD runs a referral vulvovaginitis clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital and is a faculty member in the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology.
Dr. Mitchell received her BA in Women’s Studies from Harvard College and spent 2 years in the Peace Corps in Southern Africa before returning to Harvard Medical School for her MD degree. She did her residency training at the University of Washington in Seattle, where she also received her MPH degree. She spent 7 years on faculty at the UW before returning to MGH in 2014.
She values her roles as both clinician and teacher and strives to provide excellent clinical care and education. As Director of the Vulvovaginal Disorders program, Dr. Mitchell takes care of patients with vulvitis, vulvar dermatoses, recurrent vaginitis and genitourinary symptoms of menopause.
Dr. Mitchell spends the majority of her time in the lab doing translational and basic science research. As a physician-scientist she has developed an independent research program and is working towards answering clinical questions that will make a difference for thousands of women. Her work focuses on the relationship between the vaginal microbiota and the reproductive mucosal immune response, and how interactions between humans and our microbes influence reproductive health.
She is a Principal Investigator for the first US FDA-approved clinical trial of vaginal microbiome transplant as a treatment for chronic bacterial vaginosis. She has received funding from the NIH, the Doris Duke Foundation, American Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Foundation and Harvard Catalyst to study the role of the vaginal microbiome in reproductive health and is an MGH Claflin Award recipient.
When she is not in the lab or providing clinical care, Dr. Mitchell enjoys reading, running with her dog, hiking or playing board games with her family.
Clinical Interests:
- Menopause
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Vaginal discharge
- Vulvar dermatoses
Treats:
- Adult
Languages:
- Spanish
Locations
Boston: Massachusetts General Hospital
Mass General Gynecology
55 Fruit St.
Yawkey Center for Outpatient Care
Suite 4
Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 617-724-6850
Medical Education
- MD, Harvard Medical School
- Residency, University of Washington Medical Center
American Board Certifications
- Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Accepted Insurance Plans
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare
- Cigna
- Commonwealth Care Alliance
- Coventry
- Fallon Health
- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
- Humana
- Maine Community Health Options
- Mass General Brigham Health Plan
- MassHealth
- Medicaid ME
- Medicaid NH
- Medicaid RI
- Medicaid VT
- Medicare
- Medicare ACO
- Multiplan
- Railroad Medicare
- Senior Whole Health
- TriCare
- Tufts Health Plan
- United Health Care
- Wellpoint
- WellSense
- WellSense NH
Note: This provider may accept more insurance plans than shown; please call the practice to find out if your plan is accepted.
Research
There are more bacterial cells in and on our bodies than human cells, and we are learning that these bacteria can have a profound influence on our health. The goal of the Mitchell Lab is to understand how vaginal microbes influence reproductive health and disease. Our current projects include:
- Dr. Mitchell is part of the MSFLASH menopause research network and was the first author of a report in JAMA Internal Medicine on a randomized trial of two treatments for menopausal vaginitis symptoms which showed similar efficacy between vaginal moisturizer, vaginal estrogen and placebo. Biologic samples from that same study will be used to evaluate the role of the vaginal microbiota after menopause.
- In 2019 Dr. Mitchell received a Harvard Catalyst Microbiome Pilot award to study the effects of microbiota on fertility outcomes
- A proposal focused on identifying characteristics of Lactobacillus species associated with beneficial reproductive health outcomes was the basis of Dr. Mitchell’s successful application for an MGH Claflin Scholar Award in 2015.
- The Domolky Innovation Award allowed Dr. Mitchell to initiate a study of vulvovaginal symptoms and the microbial community in women with inflammatory bowel disease, which is the first of its kind in this population.
Great provider She provided the reason why it took quite a bit if time to schedule an appt and I understand
Dr mitchell provides an extemely important medical specialty at MGH and she is excellent at diagnosis and treatment. She is excellent for the care she gives. Women with lichen sclerosis or other vulva related diseases can go years or longer in pain and suffering without even knowing that it can be diagnosed and treated. The vulva clinic is an ... Read More
Dr. Mitchell is highly professional, knowledgeable, warm, kind, compassionate, patient, and genuinely interested in my care. She exemplifies all of the most important attributes of a stellar provider. I feel so fortunate to have found her. It was worth the 9-month wait to see her.
This provider was very considerate and asked more than once if I would like her to wear a mask because I was wearing one. She answered my questions carefully and asked if I wanted additional examination provided. When I followed up through Patient Gateway with a comment, she responded promptly. I am very happy with the care offered by this ... Read More
Dr. Mitchell has always been kind and answers questions. I see her for a specific issue. I feel confident with her.
Dr. Mitchell is very attentive. She's very good at listening to you and has, I guess what I would say, really good bedside manners. She explains everything pretty thoroughly. If you have questions, she answers it to the best of her ability. I'm usually pretty anxious about what types of side effects might happen with certain medication and she's ... Read More
DR. MITCHELL IS VERY GOOD IN HER SPECIALTY & I TRUST HER AS I AM A PHYSICIAN MYSELF.
Dr. Mitchell listened to all my concerns. She was very receptive and gave me the answers that I need. I would definitely recommend Dr. Mitchell.
after seeing other providers in this practice, I am thrilled to find someone that was finally able to help me with my issue.
Dr. Mitchell has been very, very thorough. She's very patient. She calls me back. She answers all of my questions. She's just been wonderful for me. Exemplary care. Thank you.