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

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Register for Break Free From Pelvic Floor Disorders Community Talk on November 14

Many of us have questions about topics like bladder and bowel leakage and pelvic organ prolapse, but we may not know how to bring them up. These conditions are common, especially as we get older, but they are not inevitable. 

Please join us on Tuesday, November 14 for an evening of conversation with UW Health Women’s Pelvic Wellness physicians, advanced practice providers, and physical therapists to learn how you can prevent or control symptoms. 

This event will include issue-focused breakout sessions on pelvic organ prolapse, stress urinary incontinence, accidental bowel leakage, overactive bladder, pelvic floor physical therapy, and more.  

November 14, 2023 
6:00-7:15pm (Central)
Virtual event - register here

Presenters:

• Sari Archer, DNP
• Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH
• Sarah McAchran, MD
• FPMRS Fellows: Kristina Warner, MD; Ushma Patel, MD
• Physical Therapists: Carrie Schwoerer, Amanda Morrow, Becky McConnell

Learn more and register here!

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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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Warner gives oral presentation at SGS conference

Our congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellow Kristina Warner, MD, who presented research at the 2022 Society of Gynecologic Surgeons annual meeting in San Antonio, TX!

Warner presented “The impact of subspecialty training on outcomes following surgery for pelvic organ prolapse – a NSQIP-based study” during an oral poster session.

Incredible work, Dr. Warner!

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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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Congratulations to winners of 2021 UW Ob-Gyn department awards!

On June 24, 2021, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year. The ceremony started by acknowledging a few momentous departures:

Klaus Diem, MD is retiring after many years of service in the department. Diem is a past director of the Division of Gynecology, and served as interim director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility during a transition time.

Jeff Rodzak, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, is also retiring. Rodzak will continue to see patients at the VA Hospital.

Cynthie Wautlet, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, is headed to Colorado for a fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Congratulations, Dr. Wautlet!

We also have the great joy of welcoming new arrivals: 

Kristina Warner, MD will join us in July as the first-ever Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery fellow. Dr. Warner graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Biology, earned her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and is currently completing her Ob-Gyn residency at Northwestern University. 

Erin Bailey, MD will join the Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship program. Dr. Bailey received her M.D. from the University of Wisconsin. She is currently completing her Ob-Gyn residency at Washington University. 

Lauren Montemorano, MD is the incoming Gynecologic Oncology fellow. Dr. Montemorano earned her medical degree from the University of Virginia and is completing her Ob-Gyn residency at The Ohio State University.

Guadalupe Aguilera, PhD is a new postdoctoral fellow joining the Health Disparities Research Scholars program. Aguilera is finishing her PhD at the University of Utah in the Department of Sociology and will join the HDRS program in September 2021.

And of course, we are thrilled to welcome the Ob-Gyn residency intern class!

MEDICAL STUDENT AWARDS

DR. SAMUEL G. PERLSON SCHOLARSHIP – Erin Nacev, MD (Oregon Health & Science University); Steven Hesse, MD (University of Minnesota)

This award goes out to one or more fourth year medical students planning to pursue a career in Ob-Gyn who have demonstrated outstanding abilities as a scholar and outstanding humanistic qualities.

T.A. LEONARD AWARD – Nicholas Schreiter

The T.A. Leonard Award is given to one or more medical students in recognition of exemplary performance on their third year Ob/Gyn rotation. 

MEDICAL STUDENT EDUCATOR AWARD FOR RESIDENT TEACHING – Ramsey Larson, MD

This award is given to a UW-Madison, Obstetrics and Gynecology resident, selected by 3rd and 4th year medical students, who exhibits a high interest in teaching, actively involves students in patient care, teaches at an appropriate level, is respectful, approachable, honest, and is a great role model. 

RESIDENCY AWARDS

 CHIEF RESIDENT RECOGNITION – Ramsey Larson, MD; Stephanie Peace, MD

For service as the administrative chief resident, academic year 2020-2021

UW HEALTH INTERDISCIPLINARY GLOBAL HEALTH TRACK RECOGNITION – Stephanie Peace, MD

Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Global Health Track.

UW HEALTH RURAL TRAINING TRACK RECOGNITION – Laura McDowell, MD

Given to a graduating resident upon the completion of the Rural Training Track. 

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF GYNECOLOGIC LAPAROSCOPISTS (AAGL) AWARD – Ramsey Larson, MD

Given to a graduating resident with special excellence in endoscopic procedures.

SOCIETY OF LAPAROENDOSCOPIC SURGEONS (SLS) AWARD – Matt Wagar, MD

Awarded to a PGY3, outstanding laparoendoscopic resident.

RESIDENT CREOG AWARD – Ramsey Larson, MD

Awarded for the highest exam score on the annual CREOG In-Training Examination

BEN M. PECKHAM AWARD – Stephanie Peace, MD

Awarded to a senior residents for excellence in the teaching and clinical practice of Ob-Gyn, as voted by the residents.

SOCIETY OF GYNECOLOGIC ONCOLOGY (SGO) AWARD – Matt Wagar, MD

Awarded to a PGY3 who best exemplifies the qualities of the mission and vision of SGO.

SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Emily Buttigieg, MD

Awarded to a PGY4 who has distinguished themselves academically and demonstrates an interest in a career as an Academic Specialist.

AMERICAN UROGYNECOLOGIC SOCIETY (AUGS) AWARD – Ushma Patel, MD

Awarded to a PGY3 resident demonstrating excellence in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, as chosen by the FPMRS faculty.

SOCIETY FOR MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE (SMFM) AWARD – Madeline Wetterhahn, MD, MPH

Awarded to the PGY2 resident who best exemplifies the qualities of the vision of our society to improve pregnancy and perinatal outcomes.

RESEARCH AWARDS

DOUGLAS W. LAUBE BEST TRAINEE PAPER AWARD – Jessica Vazquez, PhD

For the best peer reviewed paper by a graduate student dissertator or medical fellow.

ROLAND K. MEYER GRADUATE TRAINEE AWARD – Amanda Mauro

Awarded to the graduate student dissertator showing the most scientific productivity and scholarly activity.

CHESTER B. MARTIN GRADUATE TRAINING PROGRAM MENTORSHIP AWARD – María Virumbrales Muñoz, PhD

Awarded to faculty or staff that has had the most impact on graduate student degree-related training.

PHILLIP R. HAMILTON III, MD RESIDENT RESEARCH AWARD – Ramsey Larson, MD

Awarded to the senior residents demonstrating the best effort in research.             

DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE AWARD

OBGYN SUPPORT STAFF EXCELLENCE AWARD – Amy Williamson, MPP

In recognition of outstanding staff who routinely and regularly exemplify the mission of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology through excellent performance and customer service.

RESIDENT FACULTY AWARDS

JOHN M. ANDERSON, MD MEMORIAL AWARD – Heidi Brown, MD

For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Anderson: patience, integrity and compassion in the care of women. 

KIMBERLEY J. MILLER-THORESON COMPASSIONATE COLLEAGUE AWARD – Kristen Sharp, MD

For demonstrating the traits of Dr. Miller-Thoreson showing respect, compassion, dedication and unending support towards their colleagues and trainees.

DOLORES A. BUCHLER AWARD – Jennifer Karnowski, MD

For excellence in instruction at the senior resident level.

KARL A. RUDAT AWARD – Ahmed Al-Niaimi, MD

For excellence in surgical teaching at the senior resident level.

FACULTY RECOGNITION AWARDS

OUTSTANDING FELLOW EDUCATOR – Shannon Rush, MD

Given to one fellow in either Gynecologic Oncology or Maternal-Fetal Medicine for excellence in resident education.

ST. MARY’S ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Ryan Luellwitz, DO

Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education.

MERITER ADJUNCT FACULTY EDUCATOR AWARD – Mary Stoffel, MD (Madison Women’s Health)

Selected by the residents for excellence in resident education. 

SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC SPECIALISTS IN GENERAL OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY (SASGOG) AWARD – Jennifer Karnowski, MD

National faculty award for dedication and commitment to the ideals of being an academic generalist.

SABINE DROSTE AWARD – Ruth Yemane, MD

The Sabine Droste Award is selected by the junior residents for a faculty member who demonstrates excellence in instruction at the junior resident level.

ELLEN HARTENBACH AWARD – Sumer Wallace, MD

Selected by the residents and given annually to the faculty member who has made the greatest contribution in simulation education.

CREOG FACULTY AWARD – Kristen Sharp, MD

National faculty award for excellence in resident education.

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