Helen King, MD

EducationHeadshot of Dr. Helen King

  • BS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology,  Mercer University
  • MD, Mercer University School of Medicine
  • Residency, Internal Medicine, University of California San Diego
  • Fellowship, Infectious Diseases, University of California San Diego

Research Interests

Dr. King’s research is focused on the treatment, management, and prevention of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Her clinical research has included the utilization of machine learning to predict risk for HIV in the design and implementation of clinical programs to prevent HIV. She also has an interest in medical education research.

Selected Publications

  • Frederick AW, Alvarez KS, Nijhawan AE, Soni V, Zhang S, Adhikari EH, Turknett L, King H. Population characteristics in patients accepting versus declining HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis after targeted offer in large public hospital in the US south. Int J STD AIDS. 2026 Mar;37(3):222-227. doi: 10.1177/09564624251382273.
  • Blanchard HL, King HL, Alvarez KS, Nijhawan AE. Impact of Targeted Outreach to Increase Linkage to Preventative Services for Patients Tested for Mpox. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2025 May;39(5):187-191. doi: 10.1089/apc.2025.0035.
  • Romero S, Alvarez K, Nijhawan AE, Nethi A, Bistransin K, King HL. Association of an HIV-Prediction Model with Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). Appl Clin Inform. 2025 Jan 24. doi: 10.1055/a-2524-4993.
  • Miller CT, Alvarez KS, Nijhawan AE, Soni V, Turknett L, Paspula R, King HL; Implementation of an Opt-Out Outpatient HIV Screening Program. J Am Board Fam Med, 2024 Oct 25;37(4):650-659. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230352R1.
  • Nethi AK, Karam AG, Alvarez KS, Luque AE, Nijhawan AE, Adhikari E, King HL. Using Machine Learning to Identify Patients at Risk of Acquiring HIV in an Urban Health System. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2024 Sep 1;97(1):40-47. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000003464.
  • Lopez MG, Alvarez KS, Harms M, Smith M, Levy Kamugisha E, Arnold EM, King HL. Missed Opportunities for HIV Prevention in a Large County Safety Net Health System. J Am Board Fam Med. 2024 Mar-Apr;37(2):261-269. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230297R2.
  • Park, E., Blanchard, H, King, H.L., et al. Implementation of Sexual Health Curriculum Series: Educational Initiative to Increase STI Screening and Treatment in Dallas, Texas. J Community Health (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-023-01224-6.
  • McElyea J, Bistransin K, Bana S, Alvarez KS, Brown LS, Persaud D, King H. Impact of a clinical pharmacist within an HIV PrEP program for patients experiencing homelessness. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). 2023 Jan-Feb;63(1):324-329. doi: 10.1016/j.japh.2022.09.003.
  • Ganguly A, de la Flor C, Alvarez K, Brown LS, Mang NS, Smartt J, King H, Perl TM, Filizola H, Bhavan KP. Safety and Efficacy of Ceftriaxone in the Treatment of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Bloodstream Infections: A Noninferiority Retrospective Cohort Study. Ann Pharmacother. 2023 Apr;57(4):425-431. doi: 10.1177/10600280221115460.
  • Medford RJ, Granger M, Pickering M, Lehmann CU, Mayorga C, King H. Implementation of Outpatient Infectious Diseases E-Consults at a Safety Net Healthcare System. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Jul 18;9(7):ofac341. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofac341.

Grants

Gilead Sciences (PI) 02/2022 – 11/2025. FOCUS Program Award: HIV Routine Screening and Linkage to Care and Comprehensive Preventative Services. The purpose of this project is to design and implement a routine opt-out HIV screening program with linkage to care and prevention at Parkland Health, a large county-funded safety net health system in Dallas, Texas through electronic health system provider prompts, outreach activities, and education of providers and patients.

Professional Involvement

  • American College of Physicians
  • Infectious Diseases Society of America, Fellow
  • HIV Medicine Association
  • International AIDS Society
  • Bibb County Medical Society

Contact Dr. Helen King

king_hl@mercer.edu