Department of Ob-Gyn leadership, awards, research and more at 2024 SGS Annual Meeting

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Giles promoted to Professor (CHS)

Congratulations to Dobie Giles, MD, MS, MBA, of the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery! The School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee endorsed the Department of Ob-Gyn’s recommendation that Giles be promoted to the rank of Professor (CHS), effective June 30, 2024.

Giles joined our department in 2013. He became Director of the Division of FPMRS shortly thereafter. In addition to his clinical leadership, Giles served as Vice Chair of Finance from 2017-2023, leading the department’s finances through many challenging transitions with honesty and integrity. In recent months, he has refocused his efforts on clinical and scholarly work in the Division of FPMRS and expanding his responsibilities in undergraduate medical education.

Congratulations on this well-deserved accomplishment, Dr. Giles!

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Division of FPMRS at 2023 AUGS annual meeting

Members of the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery brought research and leadership to the PFD Week 2023 meeting in Portland, OR in early October: 

Dobie Giles, MD, MS, MBA, professor in the Division of FPMRS, moderated a general session during the conference. 

Poster: Development of a Multidisciplinary Curriculum for Urogynecology and Colorectal Surgery Fellows – co-authors: Ushma Patel, Stephen Ranney, Ray King, Christine Heisler 

Congratulations, all!  

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UW Ob-Gyn brings presentations to Association of Managers of Gynecology and Obstetrics conference

The Association of Managers of Gynecology and Obstetrics (AMGO) hosted their 47th Annual Conference in Hilton Head, South Carolina September 24-27, 2023. The UW Department of Ob-Gyn was well represented at the event. A few of our department’s accomplishments:

Kara Mulligan, MHA, MBA, FACHE, UW Ob-Gyn chief administrative officer, is president of AMGO and led the conference.

Dobie Giles, MD, professor in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) gave the presentation “Surviving Hurricane Katrina” on Monday, September 25.

Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, assistant professor in the Division of FPMRS, gave the presentation “Idea to Implementation: How a New Service is Born” on September 25.

Ellen Hartenbach, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Ob-Gyn, gave the presentation “Building a Clinical Trial Program” on September 25.

Heidi Janzen, MBA, research program director; David Kushner, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology; and Manish Patankar, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Sciences; gave the presentation “Building a Research Program” on September 26.

Incredible work, all!

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Mojdehbahksh gives oral presentation at SGS conference

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn resident Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, PGY-3, who gave an oral presentation at the 2022 Society of Gynecologic Surgeons annual meeting in San Antonio, TX!

Mojdehbakhsh presented “Efficacy and Safety of a Restrictive Blood Transfusion Protocol in Gynecologic Surgery Patients”, a project that was mentored by Ahmed Al-Niaimi, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology. FPMRS Division Director Dobie Giles, MD was moderator of the session where Mojdehbakhsh presented.

Incredible work, Dr. Mojdehbakhsh!

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Barroilhet, Giles, Iruretagoyena in Texas as Board Examiners

Three UW Ob-Gyn faculty served as ABOG subspecialty board examiners in Texas this year!

Dobie Giles, MD, MS, MBA, professor in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and Igor Iruretagoyena, MD, MS, professor and director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, each served as a board examiner for their respective subspecialties.

It's an exciting department accomplishment to have three faculty serve as subspecialty board examiners. Thank you all for your work supporting the next generation of FPMRS, Gynecologic Oncology, and MFM physicians!  

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Giles to step down as Vice Chair of Finance

Later this year, the UW Ob-Gyn Finance Committee will undergo a leadership change: Dobie Giles, MD, MS, MBA, associate professor in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, will step down as Vice Chair of Finance. Igor Iruretagoyena, MD, MS, professor and director of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, will become the new Vice Chair of Finance, effective July 1, 2023. Please help us thank Dr. Giles for his many years of exemplary service as Vice Chair of Finance! 

Dr. Giles has served as Vice Chair of Finance since October 2017, leading the department’s finances through many challenging transitions with honesty and integrity. He was an invaluable part of the UW Health Physician Compensation Plan process, including chairing the UW Health Physician Compensation Plan Clinical Guidelines Committee and serving on the Physician Compensation Plan Guidelines Steering Committee and the Compensation Planning Guidelines COVID-19 Steering Team that helped our institution navigate early challenges of the pandemic. 

He has worked tirelessly over the last few years to lay the groundwork for a new Department of Ob-Gyn physician compensation plan and helped many of us understand and interact with a complex system of compensation. Dr. Giles earned his MBA in 2020 and shared that expertise for the good of the department. He will use his newfound time after stepping down from this role to refocus his efforts on clinical and scholarly work in the Division of FPMRS and expand his responsibilities in undergraduate medical education. 

Sincere thanks to Dr. Giles! 

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UW Ob-Gyn expertise highlighted at AUGS/IUGA Scientific Meeting

The UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery was incredibly productive at the combined American Urogynecologic Society/International Urogynecologic Association (AUGS/IUGA) meeting in Austin, Texas June 14-18, 2022! This scientific meeting of the two organizations takes place every five years.  

Learn about the research, presentations, and leadership roles members of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of FPMRS brought to the meeting:

Oral Presentations

“A pilot study of home-based pelvic muscle training for vaginal symptoms among survivors of breast cancer”.  Pennycuff J, Pulliam S, McKinney J, Iglesia C.

“The variation of chargemaster price listings for urogynecologic procedures”.  Kadesh A, Baban S, Chaudhary R, Lui A, Shi J, Ahluwalia J, Giles D, Petersen D, Grimes C.

“Urinary incontinence prevalence and care-seeking in a predominately Black/African-American sample of community-dwelling women”.  Warner K, Schultz A, Barnet J, Brown H.

“BP Connect: referring urogynecology patients with high blood pressure for primary care follow-up”.  Brown H, Williams M, Ramly E, Messina M, Hanlon B, Carlson A, Bartels C.

Poster

“A comparison of vaginal pH using prasterone, estradiol cream or non-hormonal vaginal moisturizer for genitourinary syndrome of menopause (VPHRESH).  Melvin E, Zhuo R, Boudreaux A, Locci-Molina N, Lefbom L, Pennycuff J, Dieter A, Iglesia C.

Altmetric Award winner

presented by the editor of the journal Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery for “Updated Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Women: 2015-2018 National Population-Based Survey Data”.  April 2022 ; Vol 28:Issue 4 – P 181-187.  Patel U, Godecker A, Giles D, Brown H.

Meet the Expert Roundtable Session

“Pelvic health and sexual wellbeing in cancer survivorship” Dr. Jon Pennycuff

FPMRS Fellowship Directors Meeting

Dr. Jon Pennycuff (Associate PD)

Session Moderators

Dr. Heidi Brown – Abstract Session – Anorectal Dysfunction and Fistula

Dr. Dobie Giles – Abstract Session – Urinary Incontinence: Treatment

AUGS Board of Directors

Dr. Heidi Brown – Director and Pelvic Floor Disorders Research (PFDR) Foundation Vice Chair

Dr. Dobie Giles – Treasurer and Executive Committee

In addition, the UW Ob-Gyn FPMRS team reconnected with two UW Ob-Gyn residency alumni who are now FPMRS attendings: Caroline Cox, MD (who moderated a scientific salon at the conference) is an assistant professor at Penn Medicine; Hayley Barnes, MD (who authored an abstract presented at the meeting) is an assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati!

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Division of FPMRS brings presentations to AUGS/IUGA 2022 conference

Faculty and fellows in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery will bring research and presentations to the American Urogynecologic Society and International Urogynecological Association 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting in Austin, TX, June 15-16! Read more about some of the exciting developments they will share at the meeting:

Oral abstract: A Pilot Study of Home-Based Pelvic Muscle Training for Vaginal Symptoms Among Survivors of Breast Cancer (Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, presenter)

Oral abstract: The Variation of Chargemaster Price Listings for Urogynecologic Procedures (Dobie Giles, MD, co-author)

Oral abstract: BP Connect: Referring Urogynecology Patients with High Blood Pressure for Primary Care Follow-up (Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, presenter; Makeba Williams, MD, co-author)

Oral abstract: Urinary Incontinence Prevalence and Care-seeking in a Predominantly Black / African-American Sample of Community-dwelling Women (Kristina Warner, MD, presenter)

Abstract: A Comparison of Vaginal pH using Prasterone, Estradiol Cream or Non-hormonal Vaginal Moisturizer for Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause (VpHresh) (Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, co-author)

Abstract: Surgeon Counseling Regarding Return to Sexual Activity After Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery (Christine Heisler, MD, co-author)

While at the meeting, the FPMRS team will also compete in the AUGS/IUGA Foundations' Fun Walk/Run & Cornhole Tournament for Pelvic Floor Disorders. Learn more about how you can support the Wisconsin Honey Badgers in the cornhole tournament!

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Patel, Brown, Giles publish in FPMRS journal

A new study published in the journal Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery provides updated estimates for how many women in the U.S. experience or are at risk for urinary incontinence.

“Updated Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Women”, by Division of FPMRS faculty Heidi Brown, MD, Dobie Giles, MD, and resident and soon-to-be FPMRS fellow Ushma Patel, MD, PGY-4 found that more than 60% of adult women in the U.S. experience urinary incontinence, a big increase over past estimates. The study analyzed data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

“More than 60% of community-dwelling adult women in the United States experience any UI and an increase from prior estimates (38%–49%) using NHANES data from 1999 to 2004; more than 20% experience moderate or more severe UI. Increases in UI prevalence may be related to population aging and increasing obesity prevalence.”

Read the whole article here!

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Division of FPMRS brings research and leadership to AUGS annual meeting

Huge congratulations to the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as fantastic UW Ob-Gyn residents and UW undergrads, who brought presentations and research to the PFD Week 2021 Annual Meeting, hosted by the American Urogynecologic Society!

In addition to the presentations, UW was mentioned twice in the President’s Address: research by Christine Heisler, MD, MS in the area of pay gaps between genders in the field of medicine got the first shout-out. The Mind Over Matter community dissemination project, led by Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, was also highlighted!

Several members of the team were able to attend the hybrid meeting, which required proof of vaccination as well as masks in meeting areas. Here is a summary of the presentations/posters from our faculty, fellows, residents and undergrads:

Short oral: 

U Patel, A Godecker, D Giles and H Brown. Updating the Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence in Adult Women Using 2015-2018 Data from a National Population-Based Survey.

B Mumm, J Barnet, T LeCaire, K Malecki, M Wise, D Newman, and H Brown. Who are we leaving high and not dry? Reach of Bladder Health Promotion via Email. 

G Halder, R Rogers, A White, H Brown, L Caldwell, and M Constantine. Measuring Preparedness for Surgery Validation of a Novel Surgical Preparedness Survey.

S Baban, C Grimes, A Kadesh, J Shi, J Ahluwalia, A Lui, D Giles, A Amin, M White, G Daly, S Reddy, A Block, and R Chaudhan. Variation of Chargemaster Price Listings for Sling Procedures Across Five States.

Scientific Salon:

J Pennycuff, M Pauliukonis, M Yasukawa, A Shimada, and T Parker. The Role of Breast Cancer Treatment in Pelvic Floor Symptoms and Sexual Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Survivors.

J Pennycuff, J Orzel, and L Richter. Surgical Outcomes for Breast Cancer Survivors Undergoing Prolapse and Anti-Incontinence Surgery.  

Poster:

G Avery, M Moureau, M Piper, N Werner, and H Brown. Reach and Teach: Pilot-Testing a Continence Self-Management Website.

Moderator:

H Brown Scientific Salon I – Functional Anatomy of the Pelvic Floor

Congratulations to all on this incredible showing!

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Brown and Giles elected to AUGS Board of Directors

Our sincere congratulations to two members of our Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery: Heidi Brown, MD, MAS and Division Director Dobie Giles, MD have both been elected to the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) Board of Directors. It is a tremendous honor to have two board members selected from the same institution!

Giles was elected to serve as Treasurer, and appointed to the AUGS Executive Committee.

In addition to her election to the AUGS Board of Directors, Brown was also appointed Vice Chair of the PFD Research Foundation, the official research foundation of AUGS.

Brown and Giles will join the AUGS Board of Directors in October during the annual PFDWeek conference.

This is an incredibly exciting accomplishment – congratulations Dr. Brown and Dr. Giles!

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FPMRS Division brings posters, presentations to virtual AUGS meeting

The UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery shared research and new developments at the annual American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) Meeting October 8-10, 2020! Since the meeting was held virtually (instead of in Vancouver), attendees joined from the wonderful offices within Meriter Hospital.  

Our group presented three oral presentations and two posters.  Heidi Brown, MD and Division Director Dobie Giles, MD also served as moderators for two sessions.

Oral Presentations:

Updating the prevalence of urinary incontinence in adult women using 2015-2016 data from a national population-based survey

U. J. Patel, A. L. Godecker, D. L. Giles, H.W. Brown. 

A randomized control trial evaluating preoperative telephone calls on surgical preparedness in urogynecology

G. E. Halder, A. B. White, H.W. Brown, L. Caldwell, D. L.Giles, C. A. Heisler, D. Bilagi, R. G. Rogers

Is it worth the cost? A cost benefit analysis of postoperative post-void residual bladder scan thresholds

S. M. Jansen, A.Woll, S. E. Swift, C. A. Heisler

Posters:

Is fecal incontinence (FI) associated with urinary tract infection (UTI)?

S. M. Jansen, K. Pellino, H.W.Brown, Q.Zhao, C.A.Heisler

How well does post-void residual by subtraction correlate with objective urinary retention in the postoperative setting?

S. M. Jansen, A.Woll, H.W. Brown, S. E. Swift, Q. Zhao, C.A.Heisler

Congratulations to all  who presented and attended – amazing work!

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