Dr. Aretha Obenson Makia, MD

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Get to know Obstetrician-Gynecologist Dr. Aretha Obenson Makia, who serves patients in Kensington, Maryland. 

As a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist, Dr. Makia practices with Kensington Medical Center in Kensington, Maryland, which is a part of Kaiser Permanente. She enjoys her line of work because of the opportunity to work with multiple partners with different levels of experience, thus keeping her up to date, as well as the ability to practice in a broad spectrum. 

Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente is recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. It exists to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of members and the communities served. 

“I like being a physician because I have the opportunity to interact with my patients in a way that helps me understand the human being at different levels and to appreciate them at those different levels. It is important that my patients know that I do care for them and want them to attain a quality of life that will help them achieve their livelihood and social obligations” as stated by Dr. Makia. 

Throughout her academic career, she earned her medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She then went on to complete her internship and residency at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore in Maryland. 

In addition to being a member of the American Medical Association, she is board-certified through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, which is a non-profit organization that provides board certification for practicing obstetricians and gynecologists in the United States and Canada. 

As a former Beauty Queen, Dr. Makia is also a fashion icon in her community. Her dedication to community development and female education led to the birth of The Aretha Makia Scholarship Fund (AMSF). She founded the scholarship fund to provide educational support to qualifying young women needing financial assistance through college. AMSF is also awarded once a year to the winner of the Miss Africa USA Pageant, which focuses on empowering young African women currently residing in the U.S. for leader roles and humanitarian service in their respective communities in the U.S. and Africa. Dr. Makia is still committed to promoting beauty as current Honorary Chair of Miss Africa USA Pageant.

A firm believer that an educated woman is an empowered woman, she supports several community initiatives and international missions such as the Cameroon Medical Mission. As a global ambassador, she has travelled to Haiti to offer ground support to the victims of the earthquake, which separated several families and took many lives. In 2010, she was recognized with the Woman of Valor Award for her dedication to community development and female education.

Obstetrics and Gynecology is the medical specialty that encompasses the two subspecialties of obstetrics (covering pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period) and gynecology (covering the health of the female reproductive system – vagina, uterus, ovaries, and breasts). An obstetrician-gynecologist, or OB-GYN, is a healthcare professional who specializes in female reproductive health. 

When Dr. Makia is not at work putting a smile on the faces of families by bringing new babies to the face of the earth, on a humanitarian mission, or looking very fashionable, she is at home attending to her first calling - family. She also enjoys traveling, painting, and mentoring beauty pageants.

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