Ob-Gyn Department News

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology began its academic mission of training excellent women's health physicians in 1929. Since then, hundreds of distinguished graduates have pursued successful careers as general ob-gyns, cancer specialists, surgeons, experts in high-risk pregnancy conditions, and more. UW-Madison-trained physicians and researchers work across the world as committed partners in women's health. 

Spencer receives Rural Health Day Community Hero Award

Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who received a Rural Health Day Community Hero Award from the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health in November!Spencer was nominated by the Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural Graduate Medical Education (WCRGME) for his efforts to expand rural maternity care training in Wisconsin ... more

Rose, Mojdehbakhsh co-author study in Gynecologic Oncology

UW Department of Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology Fellow Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, and Stephen Rose, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, co-authored a multi-site study recently published in Gynecologic Oncology. In “Radical hysterectomy case volume and cervical cancer treatment in the era of COVID-19: A multi-site analysis of National Cancer Institute-designated... more

Grand Rounds: Johnson presents “Philanthropy in Medicine: A Culture of Giving and Gratitude that Goes Both Ways”

On October 26, 2023, Lily Johnson, UW Department of Ob-Gyn Advancement Manager and Senior Director of Development Administration, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Philanthropy in Medicine: A Culture of Giving and Gratitude that Goes Both Ways”.In the lecture, Johnson discussed grateful patient philanthropy and how it relates to patients as well as caregivers. Johnson’s pr... more

Green discusses racial inequities in health with PBS Wisconsin

Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health and the UW Department of Population Health Sciences, spoke with PBS Wisconsin for a recent story about conversations dealing with racial biases and their impact on pregnant patients.In “Tiffany Green on racial inequities in delivering health care”, Green talked about how health care... more

REI Division members lead sessions at 2023 ASRM Congress

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD, and Associate Professor Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, led sessions at this year’s American Society for Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress on October 14-18 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Bhagavath presented Cesarean Scar Isthmoceles: When and How to Diagnose and Treat Surgically.Stanic-Kost... more

Women’s Healthcast: Replay: Promoting Pelvic Floor Health, featuring Angie Sergeant, NP

The Women’s Healthcast replays an episode from 2020 in honor of November being Bladder Health Month. In this episode, Angie Sergeant, NP, for the UW Health Women’s Pelvic Wellness Clinic dives into the risk factors for pelvic floor disorders as well as physical therapy and other intervention options to help pelvic floor issues.Listen to Promoting Pelvic Floor Health now.Did ... more

UW SMPH Department of Ob-Gyn thanks rural training partners on National Rural Health Day 2023

As the state of Wisconsin celebrates National Rural Health Day on November 16, 2023, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology would like to thank the physicians and partners across Wisconsin who are training future ob-gyn physicians in rural practice.The UW–Madison Department of Ob-Gyn created the first rural ob... more

Women’s Healthcast: Health Equity Innovations, featuring Denise Howard, MD, MPH

Health disparities in the United States are a pressing issue – and we see gaps in health outcomes across all aspects of ob-gyn care, too. What role does the health care system have in reducing health disparities?Dr. Denise Howard sat down with the Women’s Healthcast in advance of delivering the keynote lecture “Our Greatest Challenge: Eliminating Healthcare Disparities” at t... more

Grand Rounds: Hicks presents “The Obstetrician/Gynecologist as Leader”

On September 21, 2023, President of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Verda Hicks, MD, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “The Obstetrician/Gynecologist as Leader”.In the lecture, Hicks discussed the changing healthcare environment, defined the difference between leadership and management, and examined the pathway to leadership and leadership readiness. The... more

Kushner publishes article in American Cancer Society Journal

David Kushner, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, co-authored a new article published in American Cancer Society Journal. Co-authors include Narjust Florez, MD, Laurent Kiel, BS, Kelly Meza, MD, Zihan Wei, MS, Emanuele Mazzola, PhD, Ana I. Velazquex, MD, MSc, Idalid Franco, MD, MPH, Mary Jo Fidlr, MD, Ivy Elkins, Jill Feldman, Lori Seaborne, PA, Christine... more

Bailey, Hoppe co-author CHAP article in Green Journal

UW Ob-Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow Erin Bailey, MD, MS, is the lead author on a new article about the Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy (CHAP) trial published in Obstetrics and Gynecology! Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, is senior author on the article; co-authors include other researchers who were involved in this l... more

Department hosts successful Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture and Symposium

On October 12, 2023, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn hosted the UW Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture and Symposium, an event created in 2005 by Gloria Sarto, MD, and Gloria Johnson-Powell, MD. Katie Sampene, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, chaired the event planning committee.The event included Brief and Brilliant presen... more

Bhagavath accepted into 2024 UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program cohort

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Professor and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD! He was accepted into the UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program’s 2024 cohort.As part of the program, Bhagavath will participate in 10 live courses on topics including leadership, strategy and human resources. The curriculum includes lead... more

Barroilhet discusses gynecologic cancer signs and symptoms with WISN

During Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month in September, Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined WISN 12 News to share common gynecologic cancer signs and symptoms.In the interview, Barroilhet outlined the variety of gynecologic cancers, risk factors for developing different types of gynecologic cancers, warning signs or sy... more

Cooney featured in UW Health IVF success story

An area family shared their IVF experience at Generations Fertility Care with UW Health in the story “Second IVF try a charm for the McMahon family”. Laura Cooney, MD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, worked with the couple and added perspective on their care to the UW Health article.“While IVF never comes with a guarantee, D... more

Department of Ob-Gyn helps raise cancer research funds at Badger Challenge

The 2023 Badger Challenge, the annual walk, run, and bike event that raises funds for cancer research at UW–Madison, took place on September 24, 2023. Many members of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn supported the event, which raised nearly $1 million for research.Angie Sergeant, NP, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Joanne Rash, PA, Division of Gynec... more

Heisler earns Top Reviewer award from Urogynecology

Congratulations to Christine Heisler, MD, MS, associate professor and director of the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery! She was named a 2023 Top Reviewer by the journal Urogynecology.Urogynecology selected the Top Reviewer Award recipients based on their high-quality, timely reviews of articles for the publication.Thanks to Dr. Heisler for her ex... more

Grand Rounds: Bailey presents “To give or not to give: antenatal corticosteroids”

On October 5, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow Erin Bailey, MD, MS, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “To give or not to give: antenatal corticosteroids”.In the lecture, Bailey summarized the history of betamethasone (BMZ) administration in preterm birth; assessed the available literature on corticosteroid administration; and outlined future recommendations fo... more

Higgins presents post-Dobbs research perspectives to HHS, NASEM

UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director and Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, brought important perspectives on reproductive health research in a post-Dobbs landscape to two national leadership organizations this fall.In late September 2023, Higgins and UW CORE Research Scientist Jane Seymour, PhD, MPH, presented at a ... more

Sobecki discusses chemical hair straighteners with CBS 58

As the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reportedly considers a ban on some chemical hair straightening products, Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, talked with CBS 58 News about recent research on connections between those products and uterine cancer.“Data was collected from more than 30-000 women for 11 years and women who fre... more

Grand Rounds: Sampene, Adams present “Optimizing Contraceptive Counseling”

On August 10, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn Associate Professor and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee Chair Katherine Sampene, MD, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Optimizing Contraceptive Counseling”. Jackie Adams, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Laura Berghahn, MD, private practice ob-gyn at Associated Physicians of Madison, co-pre... more

Hall nominated for UW Health APP Unsung Hero Award

Congratulations to Melanie Hall, NP, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who was recently nominated for a UW Health APP Excellence Unsung Hero Award! Hall and other members of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and the APP team celebrated her nomination at the UW Health APP Awards Ceremony on September 26, 2023.Nominees to the Unsung Hero category demonstrat... more

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, an... more

Women’s Healthcast: E-Visits for Contraception, featuring Eliza Bennett, MD, and Nicole Shapiro, NP, CNM

Can starting a new birth control method, or changing your method, be as easy as opening an app, answering a few questions about your health, and picking up your prescription? E-visits for contraception are increasingly popular, whether offered through clinics or online-only services. Associate Professor Eliza Bennett, MD, and Nicole Shapiro, NP, CNM, both members of the UW O... more

Grand Rounds: Shapiro Students present research projects

Every summer, Shapiro Summer Research students collaborate with UW Department of Ob-Gyn faculty on research projects. On August 3, the 2023 Shapiro Summer Research students presented their projects during Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds. Presenters, mentors, and projects were: Camille Phillips, mentored by Laura Hanks, MD - “Sterilizations Rates of Pregnancy Capable People at a Single I... more

Phillips earns Junior Fellow prize paper at ACOG District VI meeting

Huge congratulations to Camille Phillips, UW School of Medicine and Public Health medical student and mentee of Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! Phillips earned the Junior Fellow Prize Paper at the ACOG District VI Meeting in early October 2023. Phillips presented the paper “Sterilizations Rates of Pregnancy Capable Peo... more

Ladanyi discusses endometriosis with Wisconsin Public Radio

Camille Ladanyi, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio for a recent story about endometriosis. In “'I wasn't crazy': Wisconsin women hope painful disease gains more attention”, Ladanyi discussed common signs, treatment options, and how awareness efforts around the disease may advance research ef... more

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.Do... more

Local family hosts fundraiser for Hope after Loss clinic

In early October, during Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, a local family hosted the fundraiser Cheers to Hope at Octopi Brewing in Waunakee to support the Hope After Loss Clinic!Kristen Sharp, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn and founder of the Hope After Loss Clinic, and Julianne Zweifel, PhD, clinical assistant professor a... more

Grand Rounds: Goetz presents “NAS/NOWS: A Continuing Evolution in Care”

Elizabeth Goetz, MD, MPH, professor in the UW SMPH Department of Pediatrics, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “NAS/NOWS: A Continuing Evolution in Care” at Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds on July 20, 2023.In the lecture, Goetz described current management of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS); provided equitable and evidence-based approac... more

Women’s Heathcast: Palliative Care and Advance Care Planning, featuring Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH

Palliative care – medical care to help relieve symptoms and improve quality of life for people with serious illnesses – is often a key component of cancer care and treatment. Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined the Women’s Healthcast during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month to talk about palliative care, p... more

Welcome incoming Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow Katy Hallman, MD!

The UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine is excited to announce that Katy Hallman, MD, matched to the Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship! Hallman received her MD from the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine and is currently completing ob-gyn residency at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She comes highly recommended by our MFM colleague... more

Welcome incoming Gynecologic Oncology Fellow Julia Gelissen, MD!

The UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology is excited to announce that Julia Gelissen, MD matched to the Gynecologic Oncology fellowship! Gelissen received her MD from Brown University and is currently completing ob-gyn residency at Yale School of Medicine. She comes highly recommended by her gynecologic oncology colleagues and we are very excited to welcome her to Madi... more

Women’s Healthcast: Perineal Tears: Cause and Recovery, featuring Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH

Perineal tears, or perineal lacerations, are a very common complication that can happen during childbirth – somewhere between 60-70 percent of people who give birth experience some degree of tearing in the skin or muscles between the vagina and anus. Despite their frequency, they’re not a commonly-discussed topic. Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gy... more

Jacques and VCAT team publish in Medical Education Online

Laura Jacques, MD, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, is the senior author on a new study about online values clarification workshops in Medical Education Online. Co-authors on the study include Margaret Williams, MD, PGY-3; Elise Cowley; Taryn Valley; Alma Farooque, MD, PGY-1; Zoey Schultz; Amy Godecker, PhD; and Jackie Askins. ... more

Barroilhet discusses PARP inhibitors with OncLive

Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined OncLive to talk about the role of PARP inhibitors for patients with ovarian cancer. In the video, Barroilhet discusses findings from two trials that seem encouraging for PARP inhibitor use: “All patients with ovarian cancer displaying somatic or germline BRCA mutations should receiv... more

Faculty Development Funding Feature: Luther Gaston, MD

Each fiscal year, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Development Committee makes available a total of $10,000 for professional development. Faculty may submit applications at any time (until funds are exhausted for the current fiscal year). Read more about Dr. Gaston’s experience with the Faculty Development Funding Program, and learn how you can apply for f... more

Barroilhet publishes editorial in Gynecologic Oncology Reports

Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, published an editorial about the intersection of gynecologic cancer care and post-Dobbs restrictions on health care in Gynecologic Oncology Reports. In “Editorial on vaginal cancer diagnosed in pregnancy and current abortion law on cancer care in Louisiana”, Barroilhet lays out the ways abo... more

Shoutout to Lisa Scott!

Originally shared in In the Know​, the UW SMPH internal newsletter: Megan Knutson Sinaise, MS, says that Lisa Scott, PhD, sponsored projects post award accountant in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, exemplifies these Guiding Principles and Behaviors: Commit to Respect, Kindness, Compassion and Altruism and Demonstrate Innovation and Excellence "A big thanks goes ... more

Barroilhet co-authors article in Abdominal Radiology

Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, co-authored a new study published in Abdominal Radiology. In “Distribution of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA) on PET-MRI in patients with and without ovarian cancer”, Barroilhet and co-authors outline a proof-of-concept study comparing the results of an imaging protocol in patient... more

Cooney, Stanic co-author publication in Women

Associate Professor Laura Cooney, MD, and Associate Professor Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, both of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, co-authored a recent study in the journal Women. In “Rapid Ovarian Reserve Decline in a Woman with Pericentric Inv(9) Variant”, Cooney, Stanic, and lead author Leeann Bui, MD, UW SMPH graduate and current ob... more

Celebrate Advanced Practice Provider Week – September 25-29, 2023

This year, National Advanced Practice Providers Week is September 25-29, 2023. Please join us in thanking the many skilled, dedicated APPs who work in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn! National APP Week celebrates the hard work of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Certified Nurse Midwives, and other specialists who help elevate the fields of medicine and nursing to ensur... more

Spencer presents first-ever WCRGME Rural Health Grand Rounds

On August 9, 2023, Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented the first Rural Health Grand Rounds lecture for the Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural Graduate Medical Education (WCRGME). Spencer presented an update on maternity care deserts, a growing issue in Wisconsin and other parts of the country. Incredible work, Dr. Spenc... more

Green quoted in New York Times opinion about maternal mortality

A recent opinion article published in the New York Times includes perspective from Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health! In “America Already Knows How to Make Childbirth Safer”, the author outlines options for reducing maternal mortality; the author cites Green in discussion of racial bias and its effect on health outc... more

In the News: Sobecki discusses cancer risk and hair straighteners

Recent research found that using chemical hair straighteners or relaxers may be linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer. Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, spoke with several media outlets during Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month to share the research and help people recognize common signs and symptoms of uterine cancer. ... more

Zheng earns Editor’s Choice distinction in Journal of Physiology

Congratulations to Jing Zheng, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, whose recent article was selected as the Editor’s Choice in the August issue of The Journal of Physiology! Zheng is senior author on the article; Chi Zhou, PhD, former postdoctoral trainee in the Department of Ob-Gyn and current assistant professor at the University of Arizona, is the fir... more

McDonald discusses new postpartum depression medication with CBS 58 News

Earlier this summer, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved a new pill to treat postpartum depression. Ryan McDonald, MD, clinical professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke with CBS 58 News about the medication.“Dr. Ryan McDonald also notes that postpartum depression is underdiagnosed and under-treated. The cost, and if the pill is s... more

Hartenbach joins editorial board of Gynecologic Oncology

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Department Chair Ellen Hartenbach, MD, who was invited to join the editorial board of the journal Gynecologic Oncology! Gynecologic Oncology is an international journal devoted to the publication of clinical and investigative articles that concern tumors of the female reproductive tract. Gynecologic Oncology is an official journal of the Society ... more

Cutler discusses Convenient Contraception Act in Cap Times

In summer 2023, members of Congress introduced the Convenient Contraception Act, which could require insurers to cover up to a year’s supply of birth control at a time, with the potential of reducing the number of times an individual would need to pick up certain methods of birth control in a year. Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is a co-sponsor of the bill. Abigail Cutler, ... more

Support the 2023 UW Ob-Gyn Diaper Drive

Did you know the average baby uses 3,000 diapers in the first year? For some families, the cost is overwhelming. These families are supported through the annual UW Department of Ob-Gyn Diaper Drive. Our annual Diaper Drive supports families in need in the Madison area by collecting monetary donations. The department's Healthy Women Healthy Babies Fund supports the annual dri... more

Women’s Healthcast: Over-the-Counter Birth Control, featuring Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD

In July 2023, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved a birth control pill for over-the-counter use, meaning most consumers could buy it from a pharmacy without a prescription. The pill will likely be available sometime in 2024.Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, joined the Women’s Healthcast share information about th... more

Welcome Carley Zeal, MD, MPH, to Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn

We are pleased to welcome a familiar face back to the UW Department of Ob-Gyn: on January 1, 2024, Carley Zeal, MD, MPH will join the Division of Academic Specialists as an ob-gyn nocturnist and assistant professor. Zeal graduated from ob-gyn residency in our department in 2017.Zeal attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison for her undergraduate, medical, and residency tr... more

Leadership transition in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology

Later this fall, the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology will undergo a leadership transition: Stephen Rose, MD, who has served as Division Director of Gynecologic Oncology since 2017, will step down from that role. Dr. Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS will become the new Division Director on November 13, 2023. Please help us thank Dr. Rose for his steadfast, supportive, and i... more

Ladanyi discusses endometriosis on Wisconsin Public Radio’s Central Time

Camille Ladanyi, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined the Wisconsin Public Radio program Central Time on September 6, 2023 to talk about endometriosis. In the interview, Ladanyi shared an explanation of what endometriosis is and what symptoms can look like, common barriers to arriving at an endometriosis diagnosis, medic... more

Register now for UW Prevention Research Center Annual Meeting – October 24, 2023

Registration for the UW Prevention Research Center 2023 Annual Meeting is now open! The UWPRC 2023 Annual Meeting will be held October 24, 2023 from 8:30AM-4:30PM at the Goodman Community Center in Madison, WI. Jackie Adams, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, will give a keynote address during the PRC Annual meeting! The purpose of the UW... more

Welcome María Virumbrales-Muñoz, PhD, to Division of Reproductive Sciences

Please help us welcome María Virumbrales-Muñoz, PhD, to the Department of Ob-Gyn’s Division of Reproductive Sciences! Virumbrales-Muñoz will joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn as an assistant professor (tenure track) on September 1, 2023. Virumbrales-Muñoz earned a Master of Science in Molecular and Cell Biology and PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Zarago... more

Welcome incoming FPMRS Fellow Julie Dorland, MD

The UW Ob-Gyn Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship is excited to announce that Julie Dorland, MD, has matched as our August 2024 incoming FPMRS Fellow!Dorland received her MD from the Baylor College of Medicine and is currently completing her OBGYN Residency at the University of Texas at Austin. She comes highly recommended by our FPMRS Colleagues, a... more

Celebrate the UW Ob-Gyn Education Office on GME Professionals Day 2023

The third Friday in August is National Graduate Medical Education (GME) Professionals Day, an opportunity to recognize the work of professionals at all levels of graduate medical education. Please help us thank the amazing individuals in the UW Ob-Gyn Education Office!Providing a high-quality, comprehensive educational experience to learners of all levels is an essential pie... more

Chair's Check-In: UW Obstetrics and Gynecology is Ranked #9 in the Nation!

US News and World Report just released the 2023-24 Best Hospital guide and, once again, UW Obstetrics and Gynecology has achieved an exceptional ranking: this year, we are the #9 Ob-Gyn program in the nation! UW Ob-Gyn also earned High Performing scores for uterine cancer and ovarian cancer surgeries for the second year running. This ranking is an acknowledgment of our nati... more

Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center featured in Quarterly Magazine

The UW Health Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center has celebrated many successes in the past several months, including rebuilding a baby’s airway partway through delivery, supporting a Wisconsin woman who gave birth and received a heart transplant all within eight weeks, and treating twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. Michael Beninati, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gy... more

Barroilhet, Wallace co-author review article in Radiology

Associate Professor Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, and Associate Professor Sumer Wallace, MD, MS, co-authored a review article in the journal Radiology. In “Adnexal Lesion Imaging: Past, Present, and Future”, Barroilhet, Wallace, and co-authors discuss ways imaging has affected treatment of adnexal lesions, current data supporting the use of ultrasound, MRI, and CT imaging to diff... more

Wagar hosts episode of International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer podcast

UW Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology fellow Matt Wagar, MD, guest-hosted an episode of the International Journal of Gynecologic Oncology podcast as part of his role as an editorial fellow for the journal! In the episode, Wagar and another editorial fellow outlined the contents of the July 2023 issue of the International Journal of Gynecologic Oncology. Listen to the whole episode ... more

CORE brief: Impacts of abortion restrictions on pregnant people, their partners, families, and communities

The UW-Madison Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) released a brief outlining the impacts of abortion restrictions on pregnant peoples’ wellbeing, family and community health, economic health, and more. Since the June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, abortion services have been nearly unavailable in Wisconsin, and restricted or banned in... more

Grand Rounds: Heisler presents “Reconstructive Vulvar Surgery: Beyond Cosmetic Gynecology”

On July 6, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Director Christine Heisler, MD, MS, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Reconstructive Vulvar Surgery: Beyond Cosmetic Gynecology”. In the lecture, Heisler explained relevant vulvar anatomy, described specific clinical conditions that may present for surgical management, discussed availa... more

Domeyer-Klenske discusses pharmacist-prescribed birth control with WISC-TV

In early July, the Wisconsin State Senate Committee on Health held a hearing on a bill​ that would allow pharmacists to prescribe some forms of birth control. UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, spoke with WISC-TV about what the change could mean for birth control access: “"By breaking down these barriers for a medication,... more

Abbott published in Journal of the Endocrine Society

A new article published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society by David Abbott, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, uses a cross-sectional, cohort study to compare hormonal concentrations and body fat distribution between normal-weight women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and age and BMI-matched controls. In “Interplay of Cortisol, Testosterone, ... more

Sobecki presents Healthy Women Community Talk “Straight Talk: Chemical Hair Straighteners and Reducing Your Risk of Uterine Cancer”

Recent research found that using chemical hair straighteners or relaxers may be linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer. On July 13, 2023, Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented the Healthy Women Community Talk “Straight Talk: Chemical Hair Straighteners and Reducing Your Risk of Uterine Cancer” to a lively audience ... more

Golos, Stanic receive NIH R21 grant

Congratulations to Ted Golos, PhD, professor in the School of Veterinary Sciences and the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences, and Aleks Stanic, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Divisions of Reproductive Sciences and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility! They received a new NIH R21 grant for the project “Gestationally driven trafficking of decidual lymphocyt... more

Green discusses infant health disparities with WKOW

Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, spoke with WKOW as part of a story on ConnectRx, the prenatal program meant to help connect pregnant people who meet screening criteria for any of several social determinants of health metrics with community health workers. In “Digging Deeper: Wisconsin's persisting racial gap in i... more

Domeyer-Klenske shares post-Dobbs essay with ACOG

In recognition of the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD wrote an essay for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists about the challenges of providing care in the year since Roe v. Wade was overt... more

Zheng, Zhou publish in Journal of Physiology

Jing Zheng, PhD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences, recently published an article in the Journal of Physiology entitled “MicroRNA-29 differentially mediates preeclampsia-dysregulated cellular responses to cytokines in female and male fetal endothelial cells.” Chi Zhou, PhD, a formal member of Division of Reproductive Sciences, is the first author a... more

Grand Rounds: Carter presents “A Practical Approach to EleVATE Equity in Reproductive Health”

On June 8, 2023, Dr. Ebony Carter, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, joined us to present the Grand Rounds lecture “A Practical Approach to EleVATE Equity in Reproductive Health”.In the lecture, Carter discussed drivers of health disparities in the U.S., examined the impact of implicit bias and raci... more

Chair's Check-In: Acknowledging the one-year anniversary of Dobbs

Over the weekend, we reached a difficult milestone: Saturday, June 24, 2023 marked one year since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned the constitutionally protected right to abortion in our country.The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) released a statement on the anniversary of the decis... more

Cutler and Cox to become Associate Program Directors of UW Ob-Gyn Residency

Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Caroline Cox, MD, incoming assistant professor in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, will become Associate Program Directors of the UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program in September 2023. Cutler and Cox will join incoming Residency Program Director Bridg... more

Barroilhet appointed co-DOT leader of Chemoprevention

Congratulations to Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Barroilhet was appointed co-leader of the UW Carbone Cancer Center’s Chemoprevention Disease-Oriented Team. She will lead the team alongside Howard Bailey, MD, associate dean for oncology at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and director of ... more

Higgins, Williamson co-author editorial in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Just before the one-year anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, and Associate Director Amy Williamson, MPP, co-authored an opinion in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.In “Even if Wisconsin abortion ban overturned, women will face obstacles to care”, Higgins ... more

Spencer to present WCRGME Rural Medicine Grand Rounds on August 9

Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Residency Program Director, will present the first-ever Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural GME Rural Medicine Grand Rounds on August 9, 2023!Spencer will present the lecture “Maternal Deserts” via Zoom from 12-1pm.Meeting ID: 895 0272 6489Passcode: 2023

Swan, Senderowicz publish study in Health Services Research

UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity postdoctoral researcher Laura Swan, PhD, and Leigh Senderowicz, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, and co-authors published a study in the journal Health Services Research!In “Health care provider bias in the Appalachian region: The frequency and impact of contraceptive coercion”, authors u... more

In the News: Higgins reflects on abortion access one year after Dobbs decision

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the United States Supreme Court decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, 2023, UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director and UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, spoke with news outlets about the consequences of restricted abortion acc... more

Spencer accepted into AAMC 2023-2024 GME Leadership Development Certificate Program

Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology as well as UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director and Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director, was selected to participate in the 2023-24 Association of American Medical Colleges GME Leadership Development Certificate Program.The GME Leadership Development Certificate helps participants build th... more

Cowley, Jacques, and Values Clarification Workshop research team receive Paster Award

Congratulations to Laura Jacques, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, Elise Cowley, UW SMPH MD/PhD student, and the whole research team involved with the Values Clarification Workshops (VCAT) on abortion! The VCAT team earned the 2022 Paster Family Foundation Innovation Award for their work.The Paster Family Foundation Innovation Award ... more

Luellwitz to co-lead Rural Family Medicine OB fellowship

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) recently awarded the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (DFMCH) a Graduate Medical Education Residency GME Program Development Grant to support the Rural Family Medicine OB Fellowship. Ryan Luellwitz, DO, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in O... more

Spencer co-authors Dean’s Corner article on rural training in Wisconsin Medical Journal

Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Residency Program Director, co-authored an editorial piece in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal about the importance of rural physician training with UW SMPH Dean Robert Golden, MD, and Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Assistant Professor Jillian Landeck, M... more

Beninati and Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment team save baby with innovative surgical intervention

UW Health recently shared a remarkable story from the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center: the team performed a specialized surgery in February 2023 that saved a Waupun baby’s life. Michael Beninati, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, co-directs the center along with pediatric general surgeon Inna Lobeck, MD and was a crucial membe... more

Green promoted to Associate Professor with tenure

Congratulations to Tiffany Green, PhD, who was recently promoted to Associate Professor with tenure! Green holds a joint appointment with the UW SMPH Department of Population Health Sciences and the Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health. Green, a health economist who has researched and published widely on topics related to health equity, racial ... more

Banerjee, Stanic, Cooney published in Immunohorizons

Congratulations to Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology graduate student Soma Banerjee, MD, who is lead author on a new article in the journal Immunohorizons! Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Reproductive Sciences, and Laura Cooney, MD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive... more

Farewell, Resident Class of 2023!

This week, we say goodbye to the UW Ob-Gyn Residency Class of 2023! Read more about where these brilliant physicians are headed after residency, what they’ll miss about Madison, and how their time here set them up for success in the future. Congratulations, Class of 2023!Kathryn Dryer, MD:Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?I am headed to Charl... more

Bosse reflects on training time, shares what’s next after MFM Fellowship

After three years of intense fellowship training in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Bradley Bosse, MD, is preparing to graduate. Bosse shares what’s next after fellowship, the important lessons he will carry forward, and messages of gratitude for people who shaped his time in Madison.Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?I am m... more

Zhang reflects on training time, shares what’s next after Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship

After three years of intense fellowship training in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Ran (Catherine) Zhang, MD, MPH, is preparing to graduate. Zhang shares what’s next after fellowship, the important lessons she will carry forward, and messages of gratitude for people who shaped her time in fellowship.What are you looking forward to about your next career step... more

Rose helps host Ukrainian surgeon at UW

In the spring of 2023, the UW Carbone Cancer Center and UW Department of Surgery hosted a Ukrainian surgeon for trauma care training. Dr. Olena Renkas, a surgical oncologist from Kyiv, Ukraine, spent four weeks of training in American trauma care standards. Stephen Rose, MD, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was instrumental in supporting Dr. Renkas... more

Congratulations to winners of the 2023 UW Ob-Gyn department awards!

On June 15, 2023, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year.The ceremony started by celebrating service milestones:Five Years:Carol Hulland - Administrative ManagerIrene Ong, PhD - Assistant ProfessorJennifer Karnowski, MD - Clinical Assistant ProfessorLaura Cooney, MD... more

Racine passes MFM board exams!

Our sincere congratulations to Jenna Racine, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine! Racine passed the ABOG subspecialty boards in maternal-fetal medicine in April 2023.Racine joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn faculty in 2021 after completing her maternal-fetal medicine fellowship in our department. Though she will leave the department for a new ... more

Spencer brings chemotherapy shortages to legislators’ attention at House Cancer Caucus briefing

On June 6, Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, helped organize and participated in the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s House Cancer Caucus briefing on chemotherapy shortages. Spencer is the chair of the SGO’s Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee.The briefing was co-sponsored by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Rep. Brian H... more

Domeyer-Klenske discusses mifepristone case on WUWM’s Lake Effect

On June 1, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, joined the WUWM show Lake Effect to talk about legal challenges to mifepristone and how they could affect health care in Wisconsin.In the interview, Domeyer-Klenske provided background about mifepristone and its uses, discussed the current landscape of abortion care in Wisconsin... more

Grand Rounds: Badger Bytes – Industry-Sponsored Trials in Ob-Gyn

On June 1, 2023, three members of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn with expertise in clinical research presented the Grand Rounds Badger Bytes session “Industry-Sponsored Trials in Ob-Gyn.”Clinical Research Manager Kellie Baumann, MS, presented “Industry-Sponsored Clinical Trials: An Overview”, during which she shared the benefits of participating in industry-sponsored trials.Div... more

Kushner elected to UWSMPH Academic Planning Council

Congratulations to Dave Kushner, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Kushner was recently elected to a three-year term on the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Academic Planning Council (APC).The APC advises the Dean’s Office on school programs and budgetary planning, including strategic and long-range planning for the SMPH, program review, and oth... more

Welcome Caroline Cox, MD, to Division of FPMRS

Caroline Cox, MD, will be joining the UW Department of Ob-Gyn’s Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery as an assistant professor on September 11, 2023! Dr. Cox completed ob-gyn residency with our department in 2017; please help us welcome her back to Madison!Dr. Cox graduated from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, follo... more

Grand Rounds: Dalby presents “Syphilis in Pregnancy: Addressing Rising Syphilis Rates in Wisconsin”

On May 25, 2023, UW SMPH Department of Family Medicine and Community Health associate professor Jessica Dalby, MD, presented the Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds lecture “Syphilis in Pregnancy: Addressing Rising Syphilis Rates in Wisconsin”. UW SMPH medical student Helena Reising co-presented along with Dalby.In the presentation, Dalby and Reising discussed the epidemiology of syphilis i... more

Mojdehbakhsh selected as BIRCWH Women’s Health Scholar

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn resident and incoming gynecologic oncology fellow Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD! Mojdehbakhsh was selected to be a Women’s Health Scholar in the UW Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program.As a Women’s Health Scholar, Mojdehbakhsh will have access to UW BIRCWH monthly seminars and research training opportunities, ... more

Adams passes Maternal-Fetal Medicine board exam

Huge congratulations to Jacquelyn Adams, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine! Adams passed the ABOG subspecialty boards in maternal-fetal medicine in April 2023.Adams joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn faculty in 2020 after completing her maternal-fetal medicine fellowship here. Incredible work, Dr. Adams!

Share your health equity research at the 2023 UW Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium on October 12

Do you have health equity or health disparities research you’d like to showcase? Submit a Brief & Brilliant talk proposal or poster to the UW Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium, coming up October 12, 2023!CALL FOR BRIEF & BRILLIANT TALK PRESENTATIONSThe Brief & Brilliant (B&B) talks are TedX-style presentations aimed to translate women's health and... more

Stewart elected to UWSMPH Technical Standards and Access to Accommodations Committee

Congratulations to Kathy Stewart, MD, professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine! Stewart was elected to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Technical Standards and Access to Accommodations Committee (TSAAC) for a two-year term.The TSAAC is appointed and charged with reviewing and maintaining best practices related to medical school technical standards an... more

Residency leadership transition: Spencer to step down, Kelly to become Residency Program Director

Later this summer, the UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program will undergo a leadership transition – current Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, will step down from this role. Bridget Kelly, MD, current associate residency program director, will become Residency Program Director on September 1, 2023. Please help us thank Dr. Spencer for his many years of incredible leaders... more

Funding available for UWPRC Small Grants

The UW-Madison Prevention Research Center (UWPRC) announced the 4th annual Small Grant Competition to support research promoting maternal and child health and health equity. Grants are intended to support small-scale and innovative research projects, especially those that will provide preliminary data leading to larger research efforts in population health and wellbeing, hea... more

CHAP trial awarded trial of the year by Society for Clinical Trials

The Chronic Hypertension And Pregnancy (CHAP) trial, a multisite study led by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) with a collaborating site at the University of Wisconsin, received the David Sackett Annual Trial of the Year Award from the Society for Clinical Trials!Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was the lead inv... more

Register for free community talk on chemical hair straighteners and uterine cancer on July 13

Recent research found that using chemical hair straighteners or relaxers may be linked to an increased risk of uterine cancer. If you’ve used chemical hair relaxers in the past, join the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for a free, virtual Healthy Women Community Talk about reducing your uterine cancer ris... more

Barroilhet selected as 2023-2024 Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Program fellow

Huge congratulations to Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Barroilhet was selected as a 2023-24 Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine® (ELAM) Program fellow!The ELAM Program, offered by the Drexel University College of Medicine, is a year-long, part-time fellowship for women faculty in schools of med... more

Bhagavath discusses infertility coverage on Let’s Get Local podcast

During National Infertility Awareness Week in April, Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, joined the Let’s Get Local podcast to talk about efforts in Wisconsin to improve access to fertility care.During the interview, Bhagavath contrasted his experience working in states with state-mandated infertility cove... more

Sobecki talks about relationships and intimacy after 50 on Doctor Radio

Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and medical director of the UW Health Women's Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) Program, joined SiriusXM Doctor Radio on Monday, May 15 to discuss sex, relationships, and intimacy after age 50!Sobecki was a guest on the Doctor Radio’s Healthy Aging program, alongside UW Health AASECT certified se... more

Higgins talks contraceptive access issues with Tone

A recent article on Tone Madison covered peoples’ emerging concerns about contraceptive access following the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs that struck down Roe v. Wade.In the article “Contraception has a new weight post-Roe in Madison”, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MP... more

Holmes-Drammeh receives Jerry Noack Friend of the Program Award from UW PA Program

Huge congratulations to Emelle Holmes-Drammeh, PA, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! She was selected for the Jerry Noack Friend of the Program Award by the UW-Madison Physician Assistant Program! She was honored during the PA graduation ceremony on May 12, 2023.The Friend of the Program Award recognizes someone not employed within the program, but whose con... more

Senderowicz publishes in Studies in Family Planning

​Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, published an article in Studies in Family Planning about a common indicator in global family planning programs.In “Assessing the Suitability of Unmet Need as a Proxy for Access to Contraception and Desire to Use It”, Senderowicz and co-authors used survey data from Burkin... more

In the News: Green discusses first year of ConnectRx

In April 2022, the Dane County Health Council launched ConnectRx, a care coordination tool within the electronic health record to help providers working with Black pregnant patients navigate supportive resources for patients that are available in the community, in all Madison ob-gyn clinics. Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive an... more

Stanic, Ong Labs publish in the Journal of Immunology

A new study in collaboration between the Stanic and Ong research groups in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn will be published in the July 2023 issue of the Journal of Immunology!“Proteogenomic and V(D)J Analysis of Human Decidual T Cells Highlights Unique Transcriptional Programming and Clonal Distribution”, by Deborah A. Chasman; Rene Welch Schwartz; Jessica Vazquez; Melina Chav... more

Domeyer-Klenske visits White House Gender Policy Council

On a recent visit to Washington, D.C., UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, met with staff from the White House Gender Policy Council to discuss challenges and experiences practicing in a post-Dobbs environment. Domeyer-Klenske is currently serving as the Chair of the Wisconsin Section of the American College of Obstetricians... more

Sobecki becomes Gynecology Disease-Oriented Team leader

Congratulations to Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Sobecki became the Gynecology Disease-Oriented Team (DOT) leader on May 15, 2023. She takes over from Department Chair Ellen Hartenbach, MD, who will stay on as co-leader during a transition period. DOTs are research groups embedded in specific UW Carbone Cancer Cen... more

Hoppe’s Staying Healthy After Childbirth project with PRC publicized on WORT

The Staying Healthy After Childbirth​ program, led by Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, is the new core research project in the UW-Madison Prevention Research Center. WORT Community Radio in Madison covered the launch of Hoppe’s research with UWPRC at a recent community event.The radio story “CDC-Funded Center Prioritizes Bir... more

Grand Rounds: Wang presents “Stepping into the OR: Examining the Transition from Training to Surgical Practice”

On May 8, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn resident Connor Wang, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Stepping into the OR: Examining the Transition from Training to Surgical Practice”.In the lecture, Wang identified key factors that contribute to resident preparedness for the transition to independent practice and identified key challenges junior surgeons feel during the transitio... more

CORE releases statement on mifepristone ruling

While legal challenges to the United States Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the medication mifepristone work their way through the courts, the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity is tracking the decisions and their potential impact on health care in Wisconsin.CORE published an update in late April after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that temporarily protect... more

Patankar Lab publishes study on endometriosis treatment in Reproduction

According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects roughly 10 percent of reproductive-aged women around the world; despite this prevalence, treatment options are limited. In a new study in Reproduction, members of the Patankar Lab describe a novel treatment strategy for the disease.“Oxidative phosphorylation inhibitors inhibit proliferation of endometriosis ce... more

Sobecki named as BIRWCH Scholar

Congratulations to Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who was recently appointed to a fully funded position in the UW Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program!The UW BIRCWH program provides interdisciplinary career development opportunities for a diverse cohort of early career faculty to fo... more

Bills honored for more than 25 years of service

Huge congratulations to Greg Bills, MD, professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, who recently reached the milestone of 27 years of service to UW Health and the UW Department of Ob-Gyn! Bills will be recognized at the UW Health Honoring You Recognition Event on June 8, 2023.In addition to exceptional patient care and resident education, Bills’ career withi... more

Rose delivers Katz Memorial Lecture to University of Pittsburgh Department of Ob-Gyn

On May 9, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology Director Stephen Rose, MD, gave the David and Lenore Brundige Katz Memorial Lecture to the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine's Department of Ob-Gyn. Rose gave the presentation “Laughing in the face of Cancer: How humor may benefit patients.”The Katz Memorial Lecture is an annual event hosted for the UPMC De... more

Jacques publishes study in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

A new study by Laura Jacques, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, uses anonymous posts on social media to document the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on people’s abortion experiences in the United States.““I'm going to be forced to have a baby”: A study of COVID-19 abortion experiences on Reddit”, published in the journa... more

In the News: Beninati on Wisconsin woman’s heart failure in pregnancy

UW Health shared the remarkable story of a Wisconsin woman who gave birth and received a heart transplant within an eight-week span in late 2022 and early 2023. Michael Beninati, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was a critical part of the team that cared for the patient and her baby:““We put together a huge team of experts at UW H... more

Bhagavath discusses Dobbs’ implications on fertility care with Tone Madison

In a recent article on Tone Madison, Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, weighted in about the impact of the Dobbs decision on infertility care.In “Fertility care in Wisconsin faces worrisome unknowns in the wake of Dobbs”, Bhagavath discussed common questions and concerns he has heard from patients, and w... more

Grand Rounds: Department Research Day 2023

On May 4, 2023, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn hosted Department Research Day. You can watch all the research presentations given that day here. Keynote by Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD – 0:00:00-1:01:45Menopause Management: Where are we now? Graduating Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow Brad Bosse, MD – 1:01:46-1:20:45Preeclampsia: It’s in the water?Graduating Gynecologic Oncology... more

Archer and Sergeant present at Wisconsin Nursing Association Conference

Sari Archer, NP and Angie Sergeant, NP, both nurse practitioners in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, presented at the Wisconsin Nursing Association’s 37th annual APRN Pharmacology and Clinical Update in April!Archer and Sergeant brought the presentation “Pee, Poop, and the Pelvic Floor: They are not taboo subjects!” to the intensive, three-d... more

Rose receives UW Health Physician Excellence Award

Stephen Rose, MD, professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, received the 2023 UW Health Regional Services Physician Excellence Award at a ceremony on May 3! The award recognizes physicians who exemplify UW Health’s strategic priority in providing extraordinary regional services care for patients at neighboring health care facilities in Wisconsin and bey... more

UW Ob-Gyn presentations at 2023 Society for Reproductive Investigation Conference

In March 2023, the Society for Reproductive Investigation hosted their 70th Annual Scientific Meeting in Brisbane, Australia. Members of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn brought fantastic representation to the meeting: Irene Ong, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, was invited to present during the “Circulating Factors Regulating Maternal/Fetal Immu... more

Welcome Olga Fajardo, MD, to ASOG Division!

Olga Fajardo, MD, has accepted our offer to join the UW Department of Ob-Gyn as a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon (MIGS). Dr. Fajardo will start on August 14, 2023; in this role, she will be part of the faculty of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn. Fajardo graduated from the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, followed by Obstetrics and G... more

Women’s Healthcast: What’s Next in Menopause Management?

Vasomotor symptoms, also known as hot flashes, are one of the most common and most disruptive symptoms of the perimenopause transition. For some people, they can happen more than seven times a day. And once hot flashes start, people experience them for an average of 2 years (but sometimes as long as 10 to 12 years).On this episode of the Women’s Healthcast, Genevieve Neal-Pe... more

Funding available for maternal-child health pilot projects through UW SMPH

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and state Department of Health Services (DHS) are teaming up to improve maternal and infant health across Wisconsin through a new funding opportunity, Healthy Wisconsin Families: Investing in the Infrastructure of Maternal and Infant Health​. Applications for pilot projects are due May 30, 2023.Proposals from n... more

Save the Date: Black Women’s Wellness Day, September 30, 2023

The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness will present the 15th Annual Black Women’s Wellness Day on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at the Monona Terrace. Registration opens soon for Black Women’s Wellness Day, featuring a powerful mix of information, inspiration, and empowerment. Learn more about the event and how to register here.

Grand Rounds: Dryer presents “Obstetrics & Oncology: The Unique Landscape in a Post-Roe Era”

On April 27, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn resident Kathryn Dryer, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Obstetrics & Oncology: The Unique Landscape in a Post-Roe Era”.In the lecture, Dryer defined the general principles of oncology care during pregnancy; identified the most common cancers during pregnancy, and how pregnancy can affect their treatment; and evaluated how current l... more

REI professionals gather in Madison for 2023 Clinical Embryologists Summit Conference

More than 80 professionals from reproductive endocrinology and infertility organizations across the country visited Madison for the 24th Annual Clinical Embryologists Summit (CES) Conference April 21-22, 2023. The CES Conference is an annual event designed to give participants an informal setting to share ideas and to interact with invited speakers and other clinical embryol... more

Women’s Healthcast: Equity and Access in Fertility Care

​In early April 2023, the World Health Organization released a new report that suggests one in six adults – or roughly 17.5% of the world’s adult population – will be affected by infertility in their lifetime. Despite how common infertility is, access to treatment in the United States is inconsistent.During National Infertility Awareness Week, the Women’s Healthcast focused ... more

Staying Healthy After Childbirth selected for Phase II HHS Hypertension Innovator Award Competition

Huge congratulations to Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, whose Staying Healthy After Childbirth program was chosen as one of 15 Phase II awardees for the HHS Hypertension Innovator Award Competition by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health (OWH)!The Hypertension Innovator A... more

Jennings discusses syphilis symptoms with Giddy

Cases of syphilis are on the rise in the United States and around the world, making it crucial that people understand risks, signs and symptoms, and how to find treatment for this common sexually transmitted infection.Ashley Jennings, MD, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke with Giddy about how common syphilis can be in “The... more

Brown receives Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship

Congratulations to Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, associate professor in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, who recently received a Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship!Brown is one of 13 awarded the 2023 Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorships, an award recognizing distinguished scholarship as well as standout efforts in teaching and s... more

Williamson’s UW-Madison Academic Staff award featured in UW News

UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Associate Director Amy Williamson, MPP, received the 2023 UW–Madison Robert and Carroll Heideman Award for Excellence in Public Service and Outreach! A recent article published by UW-Madison News outlines Williamson’s statewide outreach efforts that helped earn the award:“She has produced many evidence-based policy briefs (such as Roe... more

Higgins joins WORT to talk about future of medication abortion in Wisconsin

Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity, spoke with WORT Community Radio in Madison about recent federal court rulings around FDA approval of the drug mifepristone and what it could mean for abortion and miscarriage patients.In “What Now For Medication Abortions?”, Higg... more

Molly Willging, PhD candidate in Abbott Lab, receives UW mentoring award

Sincere congratulations to Molly Willging, PhD student in the UW Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program and member of the Abbott Lab! Willging is one of just two graduate students to receive the 2023 Undergraduate Symposium Mentor Award in Research, Scholarly and Creative Activities.The Office of the Provost offers these awards to recognize the important role ment... more

Adams to co-chair Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team

We are pleased to share that Jackie Adams, MD, MS, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was recently named co-chair of the Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team! Adams will co-chair alongside Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the UW SMPH Department of Pediatrics and Chief Medical Officer for Community Health in the Wiscon... more

Sobecki and WISH program featured by UW Health

Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, discussed the importance of attention and conversation about sexual side effects of cancer treatment with UW Health in a new article about the UW Health Women’s Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) Program.Sobecki, who is medical director of the WISH Program, offered support and advice fo... more

Green publishes op-ed in The Hill

Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, published an opinion piece in The Hill during Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17.In “Ending the COVID emergency will further harm Black maternal mortality”, Green shares recent maternal mortality statistics that show an uptick in maternal mortality that aligns with t... more

Spencer receives SGO Congressional Ambassador Award

Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who received the Society of Gynecologic Oncology Congressional Ambassador Award! Spencer received the award during the 2023 SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in March 2023.The Congressional Ambassador Award recognizes SGO members who have worked hard to educate ... more

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,... more

CORE brief outlines #WeCount data on changes in abortion access

A new brief from the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity synthesizes findings from the Society of Family Planning’s #WeCount report that aims to capture changes in abortion access across the United States since the June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.“Post-Dobbs changes in abortion access in Wisconsin and nationally” adds important context to t... more

M1 Samantha Williams in Abbott Lab receives Shapiro Summer Research grant

Congratulations to Samantha Williams, M1 student in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, who received a 2023 Shapiro Summer Research Program Award! Samantha was previously an undergraduate student in the lab of Professor David Abbott, PhD, and will be co-mentored by Abbott alongside Dan Ulrich, PhD, professor in the UW SMPH Department of Neuroscience.Samantha’s proje... more

UW Ob-Gyn presentations at 2023 Society of Gynecologic Oncology conference

UW Ob-Gyn faculty, advanced practice providers, fellows, and residents prepared an impressive slate of presentations and posters, and served in key leadership roles, for the 2023 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer! Here are just some of their exciting contributions to the conference, which took place March 25-28, 2023 in Tampa, FL:Associate Proe... more

Higgins discusses #WeCount survey in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel summarizes findings from the Society of Family Planning’s #WeCount report that highlights a marked decline in abortions performed across the United States since the June 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.In “National report finds sharp decline in abortions in the U.S. since Dobbs decision”, UW Ob-Gyn D... more

Hutcherson receives Student National Medical Association Excellence in Pre-Medical Education Award

Beverly Hutcherson, graduate student in the Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program, received the Student National Medical Association Excellence in Pre-Medical Education Award at the 2023 Annual Medical Education Conference in Hartford, CT! Hutcherson is an MS student in the Abbott Lab, as well as Diversity and Inclusion Manager in the UW SMPH Dean's Office.Hutche... more

Moureau shares incontinence research on UroToday

Research Specialist Madeline Moureau, member of the Brown Research Group, presented the study “Zoom To Scale? Real World Implementation Of Online Versus In-Person Community-Based Continence Promotion” in a video on UroToday! Moureau discussed the project with Diane Newman, DNP, adjunct professor of urology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. In the... more

Rhoades to become Associate Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Janine Rhoades, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, will become associate director of the division on July 1, 2023! She will work closely with Division Director Igor Iruretagoyena, MD, MS, in this role.Rhoades joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn in 2018 following MFM fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis. She has been a leader in fel... more

Hartenbach elected to CUCOG Executive Board

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Department Chair Ellen Hartenbach, MD, who was elected to serve as Member-At-Large on the Council of University Chairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology (CUCOG) Executive Board. Hartenbach’s term begins during the 2023 CUCOG Annual Meeting in Baltimore, MD on May 18, 2023 and ends during the annual meeting in 2025.CUCOG is dedicated to supporting OB-G... more

Kushner selected to serve on UW-Madison Biological Sciences Tenure Committee

Congratulations to David Kushner, MD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology! In this spring’s UW-Madison faculty committee elections, Kushner was selected to serve on the Biological Sciences Divisional Committee. His term on the committee begins in July 2023.The Biological Sciences Divisional Committee, the executive committee of the Faculty Division of... more

Hanks passes ABOG board exams

Sincere congratulations to Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! We are proud to share that Hanks passed her ABOG board exams.Hanks joined our department faculty in May 2022. Incredible work, Dr. Hanks!

Iruretagoyena to become Vice Chair of Finance in July 2023

Later this year, the UW Ob-Gyn Finance Committee will undergo a leadership change: 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. He will follow Dobie Giles, MD, MS, MBA, associate professor in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, w... more

Healthy Women Community Talk: Navigating Your Fertility Journey

Starting or growing a family is a deep desire for many people, but the path to parenthood is not always straightforward. A panel of experts answered fertility questions during the well-attended virtual community talk "Navigating Your Fertility Journey" on April 10, 2023: Generations Fertility Care Director Dr. Bala Bhagavath discussed physical and medical aspects of fertili... more

Women’s Healthcast: Back to Basics: Contraception, featuring Dr. Ryan Luellwitz

There’s a lot to consider when choosing the right birth control - what will work with your lifestyle? What are your goals? Are there other health issues you should consider before starting a method? Where can you go to find the right birth control for you? On the final Back to Basics episode of the Women’s Healthcast, guest experts Ryan Luellwitz, DO, assistant professor in ... more

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,... more

Brown publishes editorial on implementation science in Urogynecology

Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, published a new editorial “Beyond Effectiveness: Implementation Science 101 for Clinicians and Clinical Researchers” in Urogynecology.Brown has a proven expertise in implementation science, serving as faculty in the UW Institute for Clinical and Translati... more

Hartenbach interviewed on NPR

UW Ob-Gyn Department Chair Ellen Hartenbach, MD, is included in a National Public Radio story that aired on Weekend Edition on March 18, 2023!In “How the overturn of Roe v. Wade is impacting medical students entering gynecology”, Hartenbach adds some context to residency candidates’ concerns about training environments post-Dobbs, discusses the impact of traveling for traini... more

In the News: Green discusses new infant, maternal mortality statistics with Channel 3000, WPR

Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, joined local and statewide news outlets to talk about the latest U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics about infant and maternal mortality in the U.S.Uncovering the causes of infant and maternal mortality – Wisconsin Public RadioIn this intervie... more

Jacques, Higgins co-author article in Wisconsin Medical Journal

Laura Jacques, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, director of the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and Division of Reproductive and Population Health, are co-authors on a new study in the Wisconsin Medical Journal. Taryn Valley, MA, an MD-PhD student in the UW School of Medicine and Public... more

Obstetrics and Gynecology features video demonstration of fluorescein mapping for Paget’s Disease

In February, UW Ob-Gyn gynecologic oncology fellows Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH and Matt Wagar, MD, published a new Procedures and Instruments piece, “Fluorescein Mapping in Vulvar Paget Disease”, in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Co-authors on the article include Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and David Kushner, MD, professor in ... more

Patankar trainee Sejal Sharma accepted into Morgridge Entrepreneurial Bootcamp

Huge congratulations to Sejal Sharma, PhD candidate in the UW Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program and member of Manish Patankar’s lab, who was accepted into the Morgridge Entrepreneurial Bootcamp (MEB) for 2023!The MEB is a one-week intensive training program in technology entrepreneurship for graduate students in the sciences, engineering, and math. MEB is co-... more

Pennycuff publishes editorial in Green Journal

Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, published an editorial in the April 2023 issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology!In “Is Two Better than One? Concurrent Surgery for Gynecologic Cancer and Pelvic Floor Disorders”, Pennycuff outlines the low frequency of concurrent surgeries, despite increas... more

UWPRC invites you to two Birthing Justice screenings and launch of Hoppe’s research project in April

The UW-Madison Prevention Research Center invites community members, faculty, students, and staff to two screenings of the film Birthing Justice, “a documentary that flips the victim-blaming narrative by centering the lived experiences of Black women and their advocates as they fix a broken system one birth at a time.” The film screening will be followed by a panel discussio... more

Green talks about Wisconsin’s post-Dobbs landscape on MSNBC

Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, joined American Voices on MSNBC to discuss Wisconsin’s current abortion restrictions and what the outcome of the April 4, 2023 Wisconsin State Supreme Court election could mean for abortion access in the future.In the interview, Green added important context about barrier... more

Healthy Women Community Talk: Navigating Your Fertility Journey – April 10, 2023

Starting or growing a family is a deep desire for many people, but the path to parenthood is not always straightforward. All are invited to a free, virtual community talk about navigating your fertility journey, presented by the UW Department of Ob-Gyn! Bring your questions about all aspects of fertility to a panel of experts at 6:30pm on April 10, 2023:Generations Fertility... more

Grand Rounds: Walker presents “Nobody warned me about this part: The complexities of postpartum care”

On March 23, UW Ob-Gyn resident Jessica Walker, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Nobody warned me about this part: The complexities of postpartum care.”In the lecture, Walker defined the “fourth trimester” and highlighted its importance in obstetric care; outlined the typical inpatient postpartum course at our institution; and discussed common postpartum compla... more

Women’s Healthcast: Back to Basics: STIs and Safer Sex, featuring Ryan Luellwitz, DO

Sexually transmitted infections (or STIs) are incredibly common – over half of people in the U.S. will have an STI at some point in their life. Despite being so common, we still approach STIs with a lot of stigma and shame, and maybe even avoid talking about them at all!On this Back to Basics episode of the Women’s Healthcast, guest experts Ryan Luellwitz, DO, assistant prof... more

Faculty and residents attend 2023 ACOG Congressional Leadership Conference

UW Ob-Gyn faculty and residents learned about effective engagement and visited members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation during the 2023 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congressional Leadership Conference March 5-7 in Washington, D.C.UW Ob-Gyn Residency Director and Associate Professor Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, Clerkship Coordinator and Assistant Prof... more

Williamson receives UW-Madison Heideman Award for Excellence in Public Service and Outreach

Huge congratulations to UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Associate Director Amy Williamson, MPP, who received the 2023 UW–Madison Robert and Carroll Heideman Award for Excellence in Public Service and Outreach! This award is one of the campus-wide Academic Staff Excellence Awards chosen by the UW Academic Staff Assembly’s Professional Development and Recognition Comm... more

Wagar published in Obstetrics and Gynecology, featured on Green Journal Editors’ Picks podcast

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn gynecologic oncology fellow Matt Wagar, MD, who coauthored a new study in Obstetrics and Gynecology! Wagar also joined the latest Obstetrics and Gynecology Editors’ Picks podcast to discuss his article “Postpartum Opportunistic Salpingectomy Compared With Bilateral Tubal Ligation After Vaginal Delivery for Ovarian Cancer Risk Reduction: A Cost-Ef... more

Green discusses hope for infant mortality disparities in On Wisconsin

The Spring 2023 issue of the UW–Madison alumni magazine On Wisconsin set its sights on the future of UW. In the article “Fixing the Future”, UW–Madison researchers shared breakthroughs in their fields that make them optimistic about tomorrow.In the article, Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, described a pr... more

Rose to receive UW Health Regional Services Physician Excellence Award

Our sincere congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology Director Stephen Rose, MD, who will receive the 2023 UW Health Regional Services Physician Excellence Award at a ceremony on May 3, 2023!Rose was nominated by colleagues to receive the Regional Services Physician Excellence award, which recognizes physicians who exemplify UW Health’s strategic priority... more

Wendland published in Advances in Health Sciences Education

Claire Wendland, MD, PhD, Professor and Chair of the UW-Madison Department of Anthropology and professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, co-authored a new publication in the journal Advances in Health Sciences Education!In the article “Admitting privileges: a construction ecology perspective on the unintended consequences of medical school ad... more

Anderson-Carter featured in Carbone’s Pancreas Cancer Task Force news

UW Ob-Gyn resident India Anderson-Carter, MD, PGY-3, was included in the UW Carbone Cancer Center’s Pancreas Cancer Task Force Women’s History Month newsletter as a Resident Hero!Anderson-Carter served on a Women in Health Care Career panel at West High School alongside oncologist Noelle LoConte, MD, on March 3, 2023.We are so proud of the outreach work Dr. Anderson-Carter d... more

Casey’Grant and Sorensen to join Aftershock film discussion panel on April 13

The UW Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (UW CIPE) and the Master Public Health Program in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health present a Knowledge Exchange Series (KES) which includes a film screening of the film AFTERSHOCK and a panel discussion to follow.Following the preventable deaths of their loved ones due to childbirth complications, two fami... more

It’s a Match! Welcome incoming UW Ob-Gyn Resident Class of 2027!

We are thrilled to introduce the incoming UW Ob-Gyn Resident Class of 2027, who matched into our residency on March 17, 2023. Please help us welcome these future ob-gyns to our department!Emily ChiuUniversity of MinnesotaNicolette CodispotiLoyola UniversityAlma Farooque University of WisconsinOlivia Johnson - Rural trackUniversity of WisconsinAbbey KnickerbockerWashington St... more

Grand Rounds: Eichelberger presents Resident Research Day keynote

At the UW Ob-Gyn Resident Research Day event on March 2, 2023, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville professor of obstetrics and gynecology Dr. Kacey Eichelberger gave the keynote presentation “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): How Understanding Your Patients’ Early Life Traumas Will Make You a Better Ob/Gyn (Promise!)”.In the presentation, Eichelber... more

Hartenbach nominated to Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

Our sincere congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Department Chair and Professor Ellen Hartenbach, MD, who was nominated to join the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society as a Class of 2023 faculty inductee!Alpha Omega Alpha is a medical honor society that recognizes individuals for their excellence in scholarship, professionalism, leadership, and teaching. Each year, faculty members are s... more

Beninati discusses maternal mortality statistics with CBS 58

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated maternal mortality statistics showing an increase in maternal mortality from 2018 to 2021, with significant racial disparities in the rates of increase.Michael Beninati, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, discussed these statistics with CBS-58: “"I think that w... more

Grand Rounds: Wetterhahn presents “More Than “OSH”: Why Outside Hospitals Transfer Patients and How You Can Help”

On March 9, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn resident Madeline Wetterhahn, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “More Than “OSH”: Why Outside Hospitals Transfer Patients and How You Can Help”. In the lecture, Wetterhahn discussed the frequency of maternal transfers to the Madison birthing hospital where UW Ob-Gyn physicians practice; outlined most common reasons for transfers; talke... more

Sobecki discusses sexual health and cancer on WPR’s The Morning Show

On March 1, 2023, Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined Wisconsin Public Radio’s The Morning Show to discuss a recent study from the UW Health Women’s Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) Clinic team and talk about sexual health after cancer. In the interview, Sobecki answered questions about what aspects of cancer care can affe... more

Register for 3rd Annual Virtual Black Maternal & Child Health Summit on April 20, 2023

Register today for the 3rd Annual Virtual Black Maternal & Child Health Summit on Thursday April 20, 2023 9am – 3pm CST! Register here for the event.The annual BMCH Summit is the outgrowth of the Saving our Babies work the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness and the Black Maternal and Child Health Alliance and partners are deeply engaged in here in Wisconsin, to address an... more

Women’s Healthcast: Back to Basics: Consent and Bodily Autonomy, featuring Ryan Luellwitz, DO

Understanding bodily autonomy and consent can be crucial tools for navigating healthy relationships of all kinds, including romantic relationships. But helping young people build a strong sense of self and understand boundaries and autonomy should start when kids are as young as possible, well before romantic relationships are on the horizon. On this Back to Basics episode o... more

UW Ob-Gyn brings presentations, posters, film to 2023 CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting

The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics hosted their 2023 Annual Meeting in National Harbor, MD February 27-March 1. Faculty, residents, fellows, students, and staff in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn brought a variety of presentations to this education-focused conference. Just some of their in... more

Brown to depart for Kaiser Permanente in San Diego

It is bittersweet to announce a sad loss for our department, but an exciting life change for our friend and colleague: Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, will be leaving UW Ob-Gyn for a new opportunity at Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, CA later this year. Her last day in the department will be June 30, 2023.Please join us in thanking Dr. Brown for her tremendous contributions to the dep... more

Hoppe’s MyHEART study results published in JAMA

Huge congratulations to Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine! Results from the long-running MyHEART study, which Hoppe became principal investigator of in 2019, were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.“Effect of a Telephone Health Coaching Intervention on Hypertension Control in Young Adults: The MyHEART... more

Jacques promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

Our sincere congratulations to Laura Jacques, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee met in February 2023 and overwhelmingly endorsed her promotion to the rank of Associate Professor (CHS).The promotion will be effective June 18, 2023. Incredible work, Dr. ... more

Grand Rounds: Rassier delivers Resident Research Day keynote

On February 23, 2023, Sarah Rassier, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Director of Fibroid Clinic at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science, presented the keynote lecture “From Hysteria to Heart Disease: A Biography of the Uterus” at UW Ob-Gyn Resident Research Day.In the lecture, Rassier discussed the history and evolution of hysterectomy as... more

Women’s Healthcast: Back to Basics: Sex, Gender, Sexuality featuring Ryan Luellwitz, DO

Our understanding of gender identity, gender expression, sexuality, and sexual orientation has expanded so much over time. On this Back to Basics episode of the Women’s Healthcast, guest experts Ryan Luellwitz, DO, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Paula Cody, MD, MPH, associate professor in the UW SMPH Department of Pediatrics, make ... more

Zhang, Wagar publish in Obstetrics and Gynecology

UW Ob-Gyn gynecologic oncology fellows Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH and Matt Wagar, MD, published a new Procedures and Instruments piece in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Co-authors on the article include Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and David Kushner, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology.In “Fluorescein Mapping ... more

UW Ob-Gyn brings impressive slate of research to 2023 SMFM meeting

​Faculty, residents, and fellows brought an exciting variety of posters and presentations to the 2023 Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Annual Pregnancy Meeting February 6-11 in San Francisco! Just some of their incredible accomplishments:Erin Bailey, MD, MS (MFM fellow) presented “Treatment for mild chronic hypertension during pregnancy: is tighter better?” during an oral... more

Rose invited to present Grand Rounds to Weill Cornell Department of Ob-Gyn

Steve Rose, MD, professor and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented Grand Rounds to the Weill Cornell Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology on Monday, January 30! The Weill Cornell Ob-Gyn residents were allowed to select a Grand Rounds speaker for the first time, and Rose was their first choice! Rose presented the lecture “A Revised Markov Mo... more

Green quoted in New York Times article about infant mortality disparities

The New York Times shared a study out of California that found huge racial disparities in infant mortality, regardless of family income. “Childbirth Is Deadlier for Black Families Even When They’re Rich, Expansive Study Finds” summarizes a study of infant mortality published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.In the article, Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor i... more

Cooney promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

Our sincere congratulations to Laura Cooney, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee met in February 2023 and overwhelmingly endorsed her promotion to the rank of Associate Professor (CHS).The promotion will be effective June 18, 2023. Incredible work, Dr. Cooney! more

Grand Rounds: Iruretagoyena presents “Communication milestones for the OB/GYN resident”

On February 9, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn Professor and Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Director Igor Iruretagoyena, MD, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Communication milestones for the OB/GYN resident”.In the lecture, Iruretagoyena summarized the new Ob-Gyn milestones from ACGME, defined the different components needed to advance in the milestones, identified tools needed to a... more

Senderowicz publishes in Studies in Family Planning

Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, MPH, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, is building a distinguished reputation as a leading scholar in contraceptive autonomy, with numerous publications and international presentations on the topic. Her 2020 article suggesting contraceptive autonomy as a novel family planning indicator even informed t... more

Jacques, Cutler discuss sterilization trends with WPR

Since the US Supreme Court’s decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022, health care providers across the state have seen an increase in requests for permanent sterilization.Wisconsin Public Radio reported on new sterilization services to be offered at Planned Parenthood in Milwaukee. In “Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin to begin vasectomy ... more

Adams accepted into Johns Hopkins Mixed Methods Research Training Program

Congratulations to Jackie Adams, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, who was recently accepted into the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Mixed Methods Research Training Program for the Health Sciences!The Mixed Methods Research Training Program for the Health Sciences is funded by the National Institutes of Health through th... more

UW Ob-Gyn celebrates Thank A Resident/Fellow Day!

On February 24, 2023, the Gold Foundation hosted Thank A Resident/Thank A Fellow Day, an opportunity to celebrate trainees’ invaluable contributions to health care.Faculty and APPs from across the department shared messages of thanks for the residents and fellows who are truly the heart of our department. You can watch the whole video here!

Wagar discusses ERAS on SGO podcast

UW Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology fellow Matt Wagar, MD, joined a panel of guests on the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s SGO On the Go podcast to discuss Enhanced Recovery After Surgery!As part of a panel of 2022-2023 SGO Opioid/ERAS Subcommittee members, Wagar and others guests provided practical tips on developing Enhanced Recovery After Surgery programs that could be appli... more

Rash, Peterson, Sobecki, Kushner publish in Supportive Care in Cancer

​The UW Women’s Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) Clinic team of Joanne Rash, PA, Megan Peterson, DNP, Janelle Sobecki, MD, and David Kushner, MD published a new article in the journal Supportive Care in Cancer.In “Patient reported improvement in sexual health outcomes following care in a sexual health clinic for women with cancer", Rash and co-authors aimed to determine the ... more

Grand Rounds: Pellebon presents Next Steps: Disclosures of Sexual Violence

​On February 2, 2023, Dane County RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center Co-Director Dana Pellebon presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Next Steps: Disclosures of Sexual Violence”.In the lecture, Pellebon defined sexual assault, explained strategies for mandated reporting versus protective interrupting during disclosures, discussed victims’ rights and advocates’ roles, explained... more

Beninati and UW Health Fetal Surgery Center successes in news

​UW Health, in partnership with UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital, launched the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center in 2022. Michael Beninati, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, co-directs the center along with pediatric general surgeon Inna Lobeck, MD. A recent surgery at the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center was featured in s... more

Women’s Healtcast: Back to Basics: Period Products, featuring Ryan Luellwitz

Just about half the world’s population has had or will have a period at some point. But despite how common menstruation is, there can still be some confusion or even stigma around period products like pads, tampons, menstrual cups, and more. And that’s not even getting into the huge industry around so-called feminine hygiene products that can often do more harm than good. O... more

Cutler, Higgins publish in Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health

In new research published in the journal Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Abigail Cutler, MD, UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, and co-authors use survey data to examine factors associated with physicians' level of concern and perceived con... more

Welcome Erin Bailey, MD, MS to the MFM Division!

The UW Department of Ob-Gyn is thrilled to announce that Erin Bailey, MD, MS will join the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine faculty as an assistant professor (CHS) upon completing fellowship in September 2024!Bailey earned a Master of Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Population Health Sciences in 2013. She graduated from the University of Wis... more

Anderson-Carter, Andes, Harrison named chief residents for 2023-24 academic year

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn residents India Anderson-Carter, MD, Alex Andes, MD, and Margaret Harrison, MD! After a period of transition and training, they will all step into chief resident roles on May 1, 2023.Anderson-Carter will be the Education Chief, taking over from graduating resident Maya Gross, MD. Andes and Harrison will be Administrative Chiefs, taking over from ... more

Wallace promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

In a unanimous decision, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee approved the promotion of Sumer Wallace, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, to the rank of Associate Professor (CHS)!Wallace’s promotion will be effective June 18, 2023. Congratulations, Dr. Wallace!

Welcome Kimberly Bannon, MD to ASOG Division!

We are thrilled to share that Kimberly Bannon, MD, will join the UW Department of Ob-Gyn as a member of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn faculty! Dr. Bannon will start on June 15, 2023.Bannon joins us from Edward-Elmhurst Health in Naperville, IL, where she has been a partner in a full-scope ob-gyn practice since 2019. In that practice, she cares for high-risk ... more

Adams named Co-chair of UW Health/Meriter Maternal Child Health Steering Group

Jackie Adams, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was recently named co-chair of the UW Health/UnityPoint Health-Meriter Maternal and Child Health Steering Group!The Maternal and Child Health Steering Group is comprised of stakeholders from UW Health and UPH- Meriter in clinical/non-clinical areas such as OB, Pediatrics, Family Medicine, S... more

Wang publishes study on digital cervicography in Gynecologic Oncology Reports

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn resident Connor Wang, MD, PGY-4, who published a new study in Gynecologic Oncology Reports! The study was a cooperative effort with the UW SMPH Department of Family Medicine and Community Health.In “Digital cervicography for cervical cancer screening in low-resource settings: A scoping review”, Wang and co-authors synthesized data from past studi... more

Grand Rounds: Gross presents Put Me In, Coach: Surgical education beyond “see one, do one, teach one”

On January 12, 2023, UW Ob-Gyn resident Maya Gross, MD, MPH, PGY-4 presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Put Me In, Coach: Surgical education beyond “see one, do one, teach one””.In the lecture, Gross discussed the history and terminology of surgical education and coaching, compared the nuances of surgical coaching in a formal training environment versus coaching as part of co... more

Residency alum Carballo publishes in Scientific Reports

Erica Carballo, MD, UW Ob-Gyn residency graduate in the class of 2021, published a new article in Scientific Reports! Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, is senior author on the article.In “Surgical outcomes of adnexal masses classified by IOTA ultrasound simple rules”, Carballo and co-authors conducted a retrospective study ... more

Women's Healthcast: Back to Basics: Menstrual Cycle and Periods with Ryan Luellwitz, DO and Paula Cody, MD, MPH

The Women’s Healthcast, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn podcast, kicked off 2023 with a new series designed to answer some of the most common questions about sexual and reproductive health and provide resources for parents and supportive adults who may want to start having these conversations with the kids in their lives.Guest experts Ryan Luellwitz, DO, assistant professor in t... more

Spencer discusses rural GME opportunities with ACGME blog

As part of an ongoing series of interviews with programs offering rural graduate medical education experiences, UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, spoke with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) about the successes and challenges of sustaining the nation’s first-ever rural ob-gyn residency track: ACGME: What advice do you h... more

UW Ob-Gyn named Preeclampsia Center of Excellence by Preeclampsia Foundation

After a highly successful visit from Preeclampsia Foundation CEO Eleni Tsigas in the summer of 2022, the Department of Ob-Gyn was named a Preeclampsia Center of Excellence!In June 2022, Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Ian Bird, PhD, professor of Reproductive Sciences, and Derek Boeldt, PhD, assistant professor of Reproductive Sciences, pre... more

Faculty Development Funding Feature: Wallace attends AAMC Early Career Women Faculty Leadership Development Seminar

Each fiscal year, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Development Committee​ makes available a total of $10,000 for professional development. Faculty may submit applications at any time (until funds are exhausted for the current fiscal year).Sumer Wallace, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, used a Faculty Development Gr... more

Sobecki presents Carbone Cancer Center Grand Rounds

Janelle Sobecki, MD, MA, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented a Grand rounds lecture to the UW Carbone Cancer Center on January 11, 2023.In the presentation "What We Don't Talk About When We Don't Talk About Sex & Cancer", Sobecki provided attendees with an overview of sexual health and cancer as well as strategies to improve screening for ... more

Bailey earns funding from UPH-Meriter Foundation

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow Erin Bailey, MD! She recently received a grant from the UnityPoint Health-Meriter Foundation to support her fellowship research project “AT GOAL: Adopting technology for glucose optimization and lifestyle in pregnancy.”In addition to the UPH-Meriter Foundation grant, she also received a generous equipment donation f... more

Save the date: Department Research Day, May 4, 2023

Please join us for several exciting research presentations at Department Research Day, coming up May 4, 2023 from 7:00-10:00am. The event will be held in 1335 HSLC.Department Research Day will open with a keynote presentation from Genevieve Neal-Perry, MD, PhD, Robert A. Ross Distinguished Professor and Chair in the University of North Carolina School of Medicine Department ... more

Mojdehbakhsh published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn resident (and soon-to-be gynecologic oncology fellow) Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, PGY-4, who published a new study in Gynecologic Oncology Reports!In “Efficacy and safety of a restrictive blood transfusion protocol in gynecologic surgical patients”, Mojdehbakhsh and co-authors compared postsurgical outcomes for patients before and after the hospital... more

Women’s Healthcast: Back to Basics of Anatomy and Puberty, with Ryan Luellwitz and Paula Cody

The Women’s Healthcast, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn podcast, kicked off 2023 with a new series designed to answer some of the most common questions about sexual and reproductive health and provide resources for parents and supportive adults who may want to start having these conversations with the kids in their lives.Ryan Luellwitz, DO, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn D... more

McDonald promoted to Clinical Professor

Congratulations to Ryan McDonald, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! The UW SMPH Clinician Teacher Track Appointments and Promotions Committee recently met and overwhelmingly endorsed his promotion to Clinical Professor.His promotion will be effective June 18, 2023. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Dr. McDonald!

Senderowicz to present at Wednesday Nite at the Lab on February 1

Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, MPH, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, will share her research at the UW-Madison Science Outreach event Wednesday Nite @ the Lab at 7:00pm on February 1, 2023! More information about the event and how to attend is available here.In the talk "I Was Obligated to Accept: Coercion and Autonomy in Contempo... more

Don’t miss Resident Research Day events on February 23 and March 2

Mark your calendars now for both UW Ob-Gyn Resident Research Days, coming up February 23 and March 2, 2023! Both events will be held in HSLC 1335 from 7:00-9:00am.On February 23, Sarah Rassier, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and director of the Mayo Clinic’s Fibroid Clinic, will present the keynote. Fourth-year residents Kathr... more

Boeldt earns UPH-Meriter Foundation grant for preeclampsia research

Exciting news from Derek Boeldt, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences: he received a UnityPoint Health-Meriter Foundation grant for the project “Developing a Novel Diagnostic Test for the Early Detection of Preeclampsia”!The grant will support a research project that will investigate a novel approach to develop specific biomarkers for e... more

Sobecki appointed medical director of UW Health WISH Program

Janelle Sobecki, MD, MA, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, recently stepped into the role of medical director for the UW Health Women’s Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) Program. Congratulations, Dr. Sobecki!The WISH Program provides clinical consultation, resources, education, emotional support and appropriate referrals related to sexual health con... more

Adams earns Masters in Clinical Investigation from UW ICTR

Congratulations to Jackie Adams, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, who recently completed a master’s in clinical investigation through the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research!Adams started the master’s program during her time as MFM fellow in our department and continued to work on it when she joined the MFM division fac... more

Heisler to serve as Interim Division Director of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery

Christine Heisler, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS), has agreed to serve as Interim Division Director of FPMRS! She will step into the role on February 1, 2023.Dr. Heisler joined the department in 2016, developing a distinguished reputation as a leader in clinical care, education, and research over the p... more

Yemane promoted to Clinical Associate Professor

We are thrilled to share that Ruth Yemane, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, has been promoted to Clinical Associate Professor! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health Clinician Teacher Track Appointments and Promotions Committee met in mid-January 2023 and overwhelmingly endorsed Yemane’s promotion. The promotion will be effective June 18, 2023. Con... more

Harrison and Cutler publish op-ed on Medicaid sterilization consent practices in Health Affairs

In a new opinion piece published on Health Affairs, UW Ob-Gyn resident Margaret Harrison, MD, PGY-3, reflects on the origins of the Medicaid Sterilization Consent Form and suggests revisions to the consent form and process that could improve patient-centered, evidence-based, equitable ethical health care. In “Medicaid Sterilization Consent Practices Increase Barriers To Effe... more

Karnowski promoted to Clinical Associate Professor

Huge congratulations to Jennifer Karnowski, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health Clinician Teacher Track Appointments and Promotions Committee met in mid-January 2023 and endorsed Karnowski’s promotion to Clinical Associate Professor!Karnowski’s promotion will be effective June 18, 202... more

Grand Rounds: Jones and Robbins present “Improving Birth Outcomes for Black Families by Connecting Care and Community to Advance Health Equity”

​On January 5, 2023, Adrian Jones, MPH and Ariel Robbins, MPH, both of UW Health, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Improving Birth Outcomes for Black Families by Connecting Care and Community to Advance Health Equity”.In the presentation, Jones and Robbins outlined Community Health Improvement and its role in health program development; explained gaps in resources for pat... more

Wallace and Sampene to co-lead department’s Quality and Safety program

As part of the ongoing changes to the UW Department of Ob-Gyn’s Quality and Safety platform, Sumer Wallace, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and Katie Sampene, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, will co-lead the Department of Ob-Gyn’s Quality Improvement Review Committee!Wallace was appointed the first-e... more

Heidi Janzen to join department as Research Program Associate Director

Heidi Janzen, MBA, has accepted an offer to join us as the UW Department of Ob-Gyn’s first-ever Research Program Associate Director. She will start in this role on January 30, 2023.Heidi is an experienced research administrator and leader with an extensive background in university administration. She has held a variety of research and business administration roles at the Uni... more

Domeyer-Klenske to join UW Department of Ob-Gyn as ASOG Division Director

After a highly competitive search with many exceptional candidates, Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, has accepted our offer to join the UW Department of Ob-Gyn as the next Director of the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, with an anticipated start date of May 1, 2023. Please help welcome Dr. Domeyer-Klenske to the department! Dr. Domeyer-Klenske went to... more

Women’s Healthcast: Surgical Sterilization, featuring Dr. Laura Hanks

Since the spring of 2022, ob-gyn clinics around the U.S. have reported an increase in questions about tubal ligation, also known as surgical sterilization or salpingectomy. On a recent episode of the Women’s Healthcast, Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, talked about why those requests are up, and answered questi... more

Abbott published in Fertility and Sterility

David Abbott, PhD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences, co-authored a new publication in Fertility and Sterility!“Randomized clinical trial: effect of low-dose flutamide on abdominal adipogenic function in normal-weight women with polycystic ovary syndrome” shares results from a human clinical trial that demonstrates that a low dose of the androgen r... more

Cowley, Jacques mentee, earns Paster Award for values clarification workshop

Huge congratulations to Elise Cowley, UW SMPH MD/PhD student and mentee of Laura Jacques, MD, who earned the 2022 Paster Family Foundation Innovation Award for the project ““We had to put ourselves in their shoes”: A Values Clarification Workshop on Abortion with Medical Students”!The Paster Family Foundation Innovation Award is given for a project, system improvement, or in... more

Zweifel publishes article in Fertility and Sterility

Julianne Zweifel, PhD, assistant clinical adjunct professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, published a Views and Reviews piece in the journal Fertility and Sterility!In “The risky business of advanced paternal age: neurodevelopmental and psychosocial implications for children of older fathers”, Zweifel and co-author Julia Woodward, P... more

Higgins talks about crisis pregnancy centers with Cap Times

A recent article in the Cap Times dives into crisis pregnancy centers in Wisconsin and nationwide. “Do crisis pregnancy centers help women or mislead them?” discusses the importance of understanding what crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are and offer in light of statewide abortion restrictions.Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Pop... more

Grand Rounds: Jacques, Bennett present “At a Loss? Diagnosis and Management of Nonviable Early Pregnancy”

On November 10, 2022, Assistant Professor Laura Jacques, MD, and Associate Professor Eliza Bennett, MD, both of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “At a Loss? Diagnosis and Management of Nonviable Early Pregnancy”.In the lecture, they examined the data for ultrasound diagnosis of early pregnancy loss, explained the op... more

Senderowicz’s presentation at International Conference on Family Planning featured in Global Health Now

Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, presented at the International Conference on Family Planning in Thailand in November. She presented “The effect of a postpartum IUD program on contraceptive method choice in Tanzania: Results from a cluster-randomized stepped-wedge trial” and was part of a session on ... more

Cutler and Higgins talk about impact of abortion restrictions with National Public Radio

A recent story on National Public Radio profiled a Wisconsin woman whose pregnancy plans changed in light of abortion restrictions in the state. UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Abby Cutler, MD, and Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, both added perspective to the story.Cutler talke... more

Green weighs in on Wisconsin’s C grade from March of Dimes

This year’s March of Dimes report card on maternal and infant health assigned Wisconsin a C for the state’s preterm birth rate of 10 percent. Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, spoke with CBS 58 in Milwaukee about what that grade means for our state.“Green said decades of research don't point to one specific reason ... more

Grand Rounds: Mojdehbakhsh presents “No stopping it: How telemedicine is changing how we deliver women’s healthcare”

On December 1, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn resident Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, PGY-4 presented the Grand Rounds lecture “No stopping it: How telemedicine is changing how we deliver women’s healthcare”.In the lecture, Mojdehbakhsh outlined the status of telemedicine today in ob-gyn, assessed why telecontraception is safe and effective at reducing contraception access barriers, and explaine... more

Hoppe earns UPH-Meriter grant to expand Staying Healthy After Childbirth program

Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was recently awarded a grant from the UnityPoint Health-Meriter Foundation to expand the Staying Healthy After Childbirth program!Hoppe’s original program, Staying Healthy After Childbirth (STAC), is a six-week postpartum home blood pressure monitoring program with demonstrated succ... more

Jacques talks about Roe reversal’s impact on medical education with Matter of Fact

​A story produced by Matter of Fact profiled two Wisconsin medical students with different thoughts on what the United States Supreme Court decision in June 2022 that overturned Roe v. Wade will mean for their future training.In “SCOTUS’s Reversal Of Roe V Wade Sends Some Ob-Gyn Medical Students Into Uncertainty”, Laura Jacques, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Divis... more

Zhang to join Division of Gynecologic Oncology faculty

The UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology is thrilled to announce that Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH will join the faculty in September 2023!Dr. Zhang attended the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. While in Iowa, she also earned a Master’s in public health from the University of Iowa College of Public Health. She completed ob-gyn residency at the U... more

Casey’Grant, Greene appointed to WAPC Risk-Based Care/Levels of Care Group

UW Ob-Gyn Outreach Specialist Cheryl Casey’Grant and Madelyne Greene, PhD, RN, assistant professor in the UW-Madison School of Nursing and faculty affiliate in the Department of Ob-Gyn, were appointed to the Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care’s Risk-Based Care/Levels of Care work group!The Risk-Based Care Work Group is responsible for creating and implementing statewid... more

Hartenbach talks about hereditary cancer risk in article from Carbone Cancer Center

A recent article published by the UW Carbone Cancer Center shares one patient’s experience with ovarian and breast cancer related to BRCA genetic mutations. In the article, UW Ob-Gyn Department Chair and Professor of Gynecologic Oncology Ellen Hartenbach, MD, discusses hereditary cancer risk:“Hartenbach said it’s important for people to know their family history with cancer,... more

Williamson discusses federal travel funding bill with WPR

In an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Associate Director Amy Williamson, MPP, shares context around a new bill proposed by U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) that would provide federal funding for grants to support abortion-related travel.The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act would fund grants to support travel, child care, an... more

CORE researchers publish conference abstracts in Contraception

Faculty, researchers and trainees in the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity brought posters and presentations to the 2022 Society of Family Planning annual meeting in Baltimore, MD in December. Three abstracts presented at the conference were published in Contraception!Characterizing physician concerns with publicly supporting abortion – AS Cutler, LT Swan, M Lands, NB... more

Grand Rounds: Adams and Bhatanagar present “Pregnancy and Drug Use: Dispelling the Myths and Understanding Legal Implications”

Jacquelyn Adams, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Ritu Bhatnagar, MD, MPH, of the UW SMPH Department of Psychiatry, presented the Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds lecture “Pregnancy and Drug Use: Dispelling the Myths and Understanding Legal Implications” on August 4, 2022.In the lecture, they explained the benefits of medications for addic... more

Brown receives GWIMS Advancing Women in Medicine & Science Award

​Please help us congratulate Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery! Brown received the 2022 UW School of Medicine and Public Health Group on Women in Medicine and Science Advancing Women in Medicine & Science Award, which was presented during the Women in Medicine & Science Symposium on Novemb... more

Iruretagoyena to serve as ABOG board examiner in 2023

​Huge congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division Director Igor Iruretagoyena, MD! He was invited to serve as an American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology examiner for the Maternal-Fetal Medicine certifying exams in April 2023.Iruretagoyena has previously served as an ABOG examiner for the Obstetrics boards. Returning as an examiner for the MFM certifying... more

Women’s Healthcast: Robotic-Assisted Surgery, featuring Laura Hanks, MD

On a recent episode of the Women’s Healthcast, Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, discussed different ways surgery can be performed, with a focus on robotic-assisted surgery.In the episode, Hanks talked about how robotic surgery works, what kinds of procedures in the ob-gyn world can and can’t be performed with t... more

Barroilhet earns GWIMS Impact Award

Congratulations to Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Barroilhet earned the 2022 UW School of Medicine and Public Health Group on Women in Medicine and Science Impact Award! The award was presented at a ceremony on November 29, 2022.The Impact Award recognizes significant contributions with ongoing, substantive imp... more

Green authors editorial on masking protocols in New England Journal of Medicine

In a new editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine, Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, responds to a study examining the effects of universal masking policies on rates of COVID-19 infection in schools.The study “Lifting Universal Masking in Schools — Covid-19 Incidence among Students and Staff” compares COVID... more

Senderowicz publishes in Health Policy and Planning

In a new study in Health Policy and Planning, Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, evaluates postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) programs on outcomes related to contraceptive choice.“The effect of a postpartum intrauterine device program on choice of contraceptive method in Tanzania: a secondary analy... more

Bird published in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology

Congratulations to Ian Bird, PhD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences, who published a new study in the Journal of Molecular Endocrinology!Bird and postdoctoral scholar Luca Clemente, PhD, published “The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor in Healthy Pregnancy and Preeclampsia”, which consider evidence for the possibility that the endothelial dysfunctio... more

In the News: Cutler talks stigma and challenges in post-Dobbs Wisconsin

Abby Cutler, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke with Grid News and appeared on a Wisconsin Health News panel about challenges to accessing abortion care in recent weeks.More doctors are speaking out against abortion bans ahead of the 2022 midterm elections – Grid NewsIn this article, Cutler talks about how stigma may sw... more

Barroilhet presents keynote speech at Middleton Society event

On September 30, 2022, Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented the keynote speech at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s Middleton Society event.Barroilhet presented “Women Need Us Now: The Science and Strategy of Cancer Prevention” to an audience of UW SMPH alumni, friends, and supporters. In her ta... more

Green published in Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine

A new article in the journal Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine examines racial/ethnic differences in post-operative pain experience and opioid medication use in the first day after C-section delivery! Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, is senior author on the article. UW Ob-Gyn residency graduate John Poehlmann, ... more

Diaper Drive delivery to Reach Dane

Though the UW Ob-Gyn Diaper Drive takes place in August, we have the pleasure of distributing diapers to community partners throughout the year! On Thursday, November 10, UW Ob-Gyn Outreach Program Manager Melody Bockenfeld, MPH, BSN, brought a delivery of diapers to Reach Dane!Reach Dane provides high-quality early childhood services to over 1,000 underserved children ages ... more

Barroilhet joins Crossing the Line podcast to discuss Dobbs’ impact on health care

On a recent episode of the new podcast Crossing the Line, Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, discussed Wisconsin’s abortion ban and the challenges of navigating the “life of the mother” exception.In the episode “A Matter of Life or Death”, Barroilhet talks about the lack of clarity that affects the kinds of health care patie... more

In the News: Jacques discusses impacts of Dobbs decision on medical education

Since the United States Supreme Court decision in June 2022 overturned Roe v. Wade, medical schools and ob-gyn residencies have struggled with the question of how abortion restrictions will affect training programs. Laura Jacques, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn and UW SMPH ob-gyn clerkship director, discussed challenges to... more

Swan, Cutler, Higgins in publish study in AJOG

A new article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology uses data from a 2019 survey of UW SMPH physicians to assess physicians’ understanding of whether contraceptive methods work by causing abortion. Laura Swan, PhD, LCSW, postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Population Health Sciences Green Inequality Lab, is first author on the study.In “Physic... more

Grand Rounds: Stewart presents “Will you write me a letter? Teaching, coaching, mentoring and the art of letter writing”

On October 27, 2022, Professor Kathy Stewart, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Will you write me a letter? Teaching, coaching, mentoring and the art of letter writing”.In the lecture, Stewart explained the history of letters of recommendation, outlined the role of the letter writer, discussed competency domains as ... more

In the News: Higgins talks about state of reproductive health care access

Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022, overturning the constitutionally protected right to abortion, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH spoke with several news outlets to answer questions... more

Former UW Ob-Gyn student presents at ASRM conference

Sincere congratulations to Leeann Bui, MD, who recently presented an abstract at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress in Anaheim, California! Bui, now an ob-gyn resident at Stanford Medicine, graduated from the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in 2022.Bui presented “Assessing the Effectiveness of a Pregnancy-Specific Obstructive Sleep Apn... more

Huffman presents at HAGO conference

Laura Huffman, MD, assistant professor and newest member of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented at the Heartland Association of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting in September!Huffman presented during the Tumor Board session at the HAGO conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she gave an excellent overview of PARP inhibitor therapy in ovarian cancer.C... more

CORE research brief projects access issues after Dobbs decision

A new research brief by UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity researcher Jason Fletcher, PhD and CORE alumna Joanna Venator, PhD estimates changes in birth rates and number of abortions following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision earlier this year. “Assessing access to abortion services for Wisconsin residents post-Roe” builds on previous research conducted by Fletc... more

Betancourt Ponce presents poster at SACNAS Conference

Congratulations to Mayra Betancourt Ponce, UW School of Medicine and Public Health MD/PhD student, who recently presented a poster at the SACNAS National Diversity in STEM Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico!Betancourt Ponce presented the poster “Characterizing T cell exhaustion in ovarian cancer ascites” during the three-day conference in late October. In addition to being ... more

Tamkus presents at 2022 HAGO meeting

UW Ob-Gyn resident Saule Tamkus, MD, PGY-2, presented at the Heartland Association of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting in Ann Arbor, Michigan on September 29, 2022!Tamkus presented the abstract “Analysis of the Initial Years of Gynecologic Oncology Standardized Letters of Evaluation (SLOE) for Fellowship Applications” at the conference. UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Directo... more

Higgins named new Jeanne Bissell Professor in Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice

Please help us congratulate UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, who was recently named the next Jeanne Bissell Professor in Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice! Higgins and Bissell, longtime supporter of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, were honored at the first-ever UW Schoo... more

Grand Rounds: Barroilhet presents “The Dobbs Decision: Implications for Health Care in Wisconsin”

On October 6, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn Associate Professor Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “The Dobbs Decision: Implications for Health Care in Wisconsin”.In the lecture, Barroilhet explained current law surrounding abortion care in Wisconsin, outlined some clinical situations where abortion would be legal under today’s law, and discussed access to abortio... more

Congratulations 2022 Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium award winners!

The 2022 UW Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture and Symposium took place on October 20. This annual event brought together healthcare professionals, population health experts and community advocates dedicated to advancing health equity for a busy morning of presentations and poster sessions highlighting research that addresses persistent gender, racial, and oth... more

Cutler talks about post-Dobbs impacts on ob-gyn training with WPR

A recent article published by Wisconsin Public Radio discusses the challenges facing ob-gyn and family medicine physicians after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision earlier this year, including uncertainty around how Wisconsin’s law criminalizing abortion will be enforced.In “While enforceability of 1849 abortion ban is debated, health experts worry about OB-GYN recruitm... more

Sobecki presents “Sex After Cancer: A Candid Discussion” Community Talk

On September 29, 2022, Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented the Healthy Women Community Talk “Sex After Cancer: A Candid Discussion” to an engaged, enthusiastic group of community members.Along with Lori Seabourne, physician assistant in the UW Health Women’s Integrative Sexual Health (WISH) clinic, Sobecki pro... more

Grand Rounds: Spivak presents “Sexpertise: A Review of Sexual Health Education Around the World”

On September 29, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn resident Talya Spivak, MD, PGY-4 presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Sexpertise: A Review of Sexual Health Education Around the World”.In the lecture, Spivak defined comprehensive sexual health education, gave an overview of the history of sexual health education in the United States, compared the current state of sexual health in the U.S. to... more

Kushner to become Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Education and Wellness

David Kushner, MD, Professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, has accepted the appointment of Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Education and Wellness. This appointment will be effective November 1, 2022!As Vice Chair of Faculty Development, Education and Wellness, Kushner will be integrally involved with the department’s faculty mentoring program, recruitment, facu... more

Green discusses flu vaccination disparities with WKOW

As influenza season picks up, Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, discussed disparities in flu vaccine rates with WKOW News.Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services show racial disparities in flu vaccination. In “Data: Wisconsin, country s... more

Hoppe to become Vice Chair of Clinical Research

Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, has been appointed the new Vice Chair of Clinical Research in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn! This appointment is effective November 1, 2022.Hoppe will be an incredible asset to the Department of Ob-Gyn’s research platform as Vice Chair of Clinical Research. In this role, she will provide oversi... more

Jacques discusses Dobbs’ impact on ob-gyn residency applicants with Hechinger Report

As medical students consider which residency programs to apply to this year, some may add a new consideration to the mix: whether abortion training is available in the states where they apply.In an article published by The Hechinger Report, “Overturning Roe created new barriers, not just to abortion, but to OB-GYN training”, UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Laura Jacques, MD, d... more

Brown hosts monthly ICTR dissemination and implementation seminar

Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, is the host of a new interactive, monthly lunchtime seminar about the growing science of dissemination and implementation research and practice!Presented by the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, the Dissemination Research and Implement... more

Kushner published in Gynecologic Oncology

Dave Kushner, MD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, is senior author on a new publication in the journal Gynecologic Oncology.In “SGO and the elephant that is still in the room: Wellness, burnout and gynecologic oncology”, Kushner and co-authors analyzes survey responses from physician and advanced practice provider members of the Society of Gyneco... more

Senderowicz publishes study in SSM – Qualitative Research in Health

In a new study in SSM – Qualitative Research in Health, Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, uses focus group data to assess peoples’ experiences having long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) removed when desired.In previous works, Senderowicz laid out a definition of contraceptive autonomy that in... more

Cutler discusses Dobbs’ impact on patient autonomy with New York Times

Abby Cutler, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke with the New York Times as part of an article examining the impact of abortion bans in Wisconsin, Arizona, and Texas.“Medical Impact of Roe Reversal Goes Well Beyond Abortion Clinics, Doctors Say” outlines the way abortion bans can affect pregnancy care, cancer care, emerg... more

Wang published in AJOG

UW Ob-Gyn resident Connor Wang, MD, PGY-4, is the lead author on new research in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology!In “Trends in public- and industry-funded uterine cancer clinical trials and disability-adjusted life years from 2007 to 2019”, Wang and co-authors Shannon Rush, MD, Shitanshu Uppal, MD, Laurel Rice, MD, and Ryan Spencer, MD, MS queried a databas... more

Final Sparkle of Hope Gala draws dedicated crowd for cancer research

On September 16, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn hosted the final Sparkle of Hope Gala for gynecologic cancer research. More than 240 gynecologic cancer survivors, loved ones, health care providers, and other members of the gynecologic cancer community gathered at Monona Terrace to celebrate the incredible progress we’ve made in gynecologic cancer research over 14 years of hosti... more

Dryer, Gross, Wang match into Gynecologic Oncology fellowships!

Please join us in congratulating the PGY-4 residents who matched into Gynecologic Oncology fellowships!Kathryn Dryer, MD, matched into the University of Virginia Gynecologic Oncology fellowship in Charlottesville, VA. Maya Gross, MD, MPH, matched with the University of Washington Gynecologic Oncology fellowship in Seattle, WA.Connor Wang, MD, matched into the Northwestern Un... more

Join us for UW Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium on October 20

The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is pleased to invite you to attend the Women’s Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium on October 20, 2022.Join other healthcare professionals, population health experts and community advocates in person in 1325 HSLC or online via Zoom from 6:45-10:00am on October 20 for an exciting morning of pre... more

Wagar discusses ERAS on SGO on the Go podcast

UW Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology fellow Matt Wagar, MD joined other members of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s Opioid/Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) subcommittee on the SGO on the Go podcast in September to talk about ERAS.In the episode “Key Concepts of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. ERAS–Why Do We Do It?”, Wagar and other guests talked about key concepts and ... more

Welcome incoming MFM Fellow Jacqueline Powell!

The UW Ob-Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship program is thrilled to welcome incoming Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow Jacqueline Powell, MD, to the department! Powell will arrive in August 2023.Powell attended medical school at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and is currently completing ob-gyn residency at Oregon Health & Science University. We can’t wait to welcome Dr. ... more

Welcome incoming Gynecologic Oncology fellow Rachel Mojdehbakhsh!

The UW Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology fellowship program is thrilled to announce Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, has matched as the incoming 2023 Gynecologic Oncology fellow!Mojdehbakhsh completed medical school at Drexel University and is currently finishing ob-gyn residency in our department. Our selection committee was impressed by Dr. Mojdehbakhsh’s passion for medical education a... more

UW Ob-Gyn presents at ACOG District VI meeting

Many people from across the UW Department of Ob-Gyn were active participants in the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District VI annual meeting in Chicago September 16-18, 2022! Just a few of their amazing contributions:Ryan McDonald, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, served as the District VI CME Representative on ... more

Congratulations to UW Health APP Excellence award nominees!

Please help us congratulate the incredible UW Ob-Gyn advanced practice providers who were nominated for 2022 UW Health Advanced Practice Provider Excellence Awards!Ann Baggot, WHNP, Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn – nominated for the Excellence in Teaching AwardAngela Sergeant, NP, Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery – nominated for the U... more

Spencer presents at AMGO meeting in Chicago

Ryan Spencer, MD, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology and director of the UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program, presented at the 2022 Association of Managers of Gynecology and Obstetrics annual meeting in Chicago!Spencer presented “Rural Residency Programs” to a full, attentive room during a one-hour session on Monday, September 26. Incredible work, ... more

UW Ob-Gyn celebrates National Advanced Practice Provider Week!

​National Advanced Practice Providers Week is September 26-30, 2022! Please join us in learning a little bit more about some of the incredible APPs who support the clinical, educational, and research missions in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn and thanking them for their expertise, excellence, and dedication! [image]ObGyn News Files/CNM1.png[/image] [image]ObGyn News Files/CNM... more

Cutler to take over as Ryan Residency Program director

Later this year, Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, will become director of the Ryan Residency Program. She will take over from Associate Professor Eliza Bennett, MD, who has led the program since 2010.The Ryan Residency Program “works directly with ob-gyn residency programs to integrate training in abort... more

UW Ob-Gyn ranks #14 in US News and World Report Best Hospitals list

The 2022 US News and World Report Best Hospital rankings were released in late July, and once again, UW Health Obstetrics and Gynecology is the highest-ranked specialty in our institution! UW Health Ob-Gyn ranked #14 on the list of best Ob-Gyn hospitals in the country.This year, US News and World Report also added performance scores for some procedures within specialties. UW... more

Wang published in Menopause

UW Ob-Gyn resident Connor Wang, MD, PGY-4 is the lead author on a new study published in Menopause!In “Barriers to surgical menopause counseling in gynecologic cancers: a quantitative and qualitative study of patients and providers”, Wang and co-authors used a mix of chart review and surveys to better understand experiences with menopause counseling and care:“Younger age at ... more

Barroilhet joins WPR to talk about impacts of Wisconsin abortion laws

During her time as interim chair of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, Associate Professor Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio on two occasions about the impacts of Wisconsin’s 1849 law restricting the availability of abortion care in the state.In Wisconsin, what are my options if genetic testing shows the fetus isn't viable? – WHYsconsinIn this listener-ques... more

Green discusses economic impacts of policy changes in panel

In a panel discussion hosted by Opportunity Wisconsin and 9to5 Wisconsin, Tiffany Green, PhD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, discussed the economic effects of changes in abortion access, as well as other reproductive health policies. Green served on the panel with U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin; she discussed inequities that ... more

Greene published in Wisconsin Medical Journal

A new study by UW Ob-Gyn faculty affiliate Madelyne Greene, PhD, RN (whose primary faculty appointment is in the UW School of Nursing) and several former members of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn was published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal!In “Difficult Questions With Many Gray Areas: Nuanced Abortion Attitudes Among Physicians”, Greene and co-authors used qualitative survey... more

SHAWL Study featured in World Conference on Lung Cancer media event

The Sexual Health Assessment in Women with Lung Cancer (SHAWL) study, co-authored by David Kushner, MD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was featured in a media event during the 2022 World Conference on Lung Cancer in August!The SHAWL study overall found that 77% of participants experienced moderate to severe sexual dysfunction. During a media con... more

Mojdehbakhsh publishes in Gynecologic Oncology Reports

A new article from UW Ob-Gyn resident Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, PGY-4 was published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports! Co-authors on the article include UW SMPH medical student and Shapiro Summer Student Carolina Hurtado and Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology.In “The long game: Telemedicine patient satisfaction metrics and methods ... more

Sobecki to present Healthy Women Community Talk “Sex and Cancer: A Candid Discussion”

Cancer treatment may result in a variety of physical and emotional side effects. Sometimes, these side effects might change our ability to have or enjoy sex. For some, it may be challenging to discuss these issues with a medical provider.Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and physician assistant Lori Seabourne will present free,... more

Green discusses challenges with pregnancy care on WORT

In an interview on WORT Community Radio in Madison, UW Ob-Gyn assistant professor Tiffany Green, PhD, of the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, discussed obstacles to pregnancy care in Wisconsin:“Even before this summer’s landmark Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, many pregnant patients were not receiving the care they need…. “People were already l... more

Rose and patient featured in 2022 Sparkle of Hope grateful patient story

Ten years ago, avid Wisconsin Badgers football fan Shirley Pokorski received a gynecologic cancer diagnosis that put her tailgating traditions in peril. After working with UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology Director Steve Rose, MD, and an incredible care team at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, Shirley has been cancer-free and back at the field for years.On WISC-TV News... more

Spencer presents at RRPD/THCPD conference

On August 31, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, MS presented at the Rural Residency Planning and Development / Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Grantees Annual Meeting in Chicago.Spencer presented “Creating an Effective Resident Evaluation System” on the second day of the three-day event for recipients of grants to expand their rural... more

Higgins discusses abortion misinformation with CNN

After the U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade in June, misinformation about self-managed abortions has blown up on social media. CNN reporters spoke with experts across the country, including UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity and UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, about self-managed abortion (SMA)... more

Hoppe presents Community Talk “High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy & Beyond”

In the first UW Ob-Gyn Healthy Women Community Talk​ of the year, Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, associate professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, shared research and resources about hypertension and pregnancy.In “High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy and Beyond”, Hoppe helped participants understand blood pressure basics, get to know blood pressure ranges during pregnancy... more

Jacques publishes in AJOG

In a new article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Laura Jacques, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, examines types of bacteria found at surgical site infections (SSIs) to help inform prophylactic antibiotic choices. In “Characterization of bacterial composition of surgical site infections after gynecologi... more

Barroilhet discusses challenges of post-Dobbs health care with Wisconsin Watch

In a new article, media outlet Wisconsin Watch highlights the effects of Wisconsin’s 173-year-old abortion ban law on patient care. In the article, Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, weighed in about the challenges of interpreting the law’s exception for “therapeutic abortions”:““It’s really important to understand... more

New publications from the Golos Lab!

Researchers in the lab of Ted Golos, PhD, professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences and Chair of the Department of Comparative Biosciences in the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, have recently published exciting papers!Lindsey Block, Cellular and Molecular Pathology trainee in the Golos Lab, published the paper “Zika virus impacts extracellular vesicle co... more

Racine published in Wisconsin Medical Journal

Jenna Racine, MD, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, is the lead author on a new study published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal!In “Perinatal Outcomes Associated With Institutional Changes Early in the COVID-19 Pandemic”, Racine and co-authors (including Maternal-Fetal Medicine Division Director Igor Iruretagoyena, MD, and Kara Hoppe,... more

Women’s Healthcast: “Vasectomy: Asked and Answered” with David Paolone, MD

Over the last few months, Google searches about vasectomy – the procedure for male sterilization – have skyrocketed. David Paolone, MD joined the Women’s Healthcast to share the basics about vasectomy.During the episode, he discussed what preparation and recovery for vasectomy look like, cleared up some common vasectomy myths, and talked about how he counsels patients to mak... more

Stanic, Golos earn pilot grant from Wisconsin National Primate Research Center

Congratulations to Aleks Stanic, MD, PhD, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Divisions of Reproductive Sciences and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Ted Golos, PhD, professor and Chair of the Department of Comparative Biosciences in the UW School of Veterinary Medicine! They are co-investigators on a pilot grant from the Wisconsin National Primate Research C... more

Welcome incoming FPMRS fellow Kelley Stewart!

The Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship is excited to announce that Kelley Stewart, MD, has matched as our August 2023 incoming FPMRS Fellow!Stewart received her MD from the University of New Mexico and is currently completing her ob-gyn residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. She comes highly recommended by our FPMRS collea... more

Grand Rounds: Eglash presents “Hot Topics in Lactation for OB/Gyn Physicians and Other Providers”

On August 25, 2022, Anne Eglash, MD, professor in the UW SMPH Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, presented the lecture “Hot Topics in Lactation for OB/Gyn Physicians and Other Providers” at UW Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds.In the lecture, Eglash discussed recent data on improved long term cardiovascular and metabolic health among women who breastfeed/lactate, explaine... more

Grand Rounds: Eastman presents “What's the Real Risk? Pre-Operative Geriatric Evaluation”

On August 11, 2022, Alexis Eastman, MD, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “What's the Real Risk? Pre-Operative Geriatric Evaluation” to the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. Eastman is an associate professor in the UW SMPH Department of Medicine.In the lecture, Eastman explained the physiologic changes of aging that increase peri-operative risk, identified key factors that determine... more

Women’s Healthcast: Privacy, Security, and Cycle Tracking Apps, with Jenna Nobles, PhD

Lots of questions about menstrual tracking or cycle tracking apps popped up after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to an abortion in June 2022. Questions like: are these apps secure? Could data tracked in these apps be used to criminalize people who seek abortion care? Should people be concerned about using cycle tracking apps?Jenna Nobles, PhD, pr... more

Patankar and Ong earn grant from UW Prevention Research Center

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences Director Manish Patankar, PhD, and Irene Ong, PhD, earned a Special Interest Project grant from the UW-Madison Prevention Research Center! Their project will focus on detecting early-stage ovarian cancer, with a goal of developing computational tools to help identify early-stage ovarian cancer and improve patient outcomes.In collab... more

Celebrate the UW Ob-Gyn Education Team on GME Professionals Day

National Graduate Medical Education (GME) Professionals Day, the third Friday in August every year, is an opportunity to recognize the work of professionals at all levels of graduate medical education. Everyone in the incredible UW Ob-Gyn Education Office works tirelessly to make sure that our residency and fellowships run smoothly, are successful, and recruit stellar learne... more

Rhoades published in AJOG MFM

UW Ob-Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellowship Director Janine Rhoades, MD, has published a new article in AJOG-MFM!In “Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship program director perspective on virtual interviews following matriculation of the first virtual interview class”, Rhoades and co-authors compared program directors’ experiences with fellows who interviewed virtually to their... more

Brown and research team win ICS abstract award

Huge congratulations to Associate Professor Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, and research team members Madeline Moureau and Zoe Rozema! Their abstract “Zoom to scale? Real world implementation of online versus in-person community-based continence promotion” will be awarded the Best In Category – Prevention ... more

Rose’s patient profiled by UW Carbone Cancer Center

In a new profile published by UW Health and the UW Carbone Cancer Center, a grateful patient who worked with Professor Stephen Rose, MD, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, shared her cervical cancer treatment story.In “A Remarkable Outcome”, Rose and patient Phyllis Stokes share her clinical experiences with cervical cancer and multiple treatment mod... more

Cutler published in Women’s Health Issues

UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Abigail Cutler, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, published a randomized trial in Women’s Health Issues.In “The Impact of First-Person Abortion Stories on Community-Level Abortion Stigma: A Randomized Trial”, Cutler and co-authors randomized participants to view either three video stories about someone’s abortion experience,... more

Kushner published in International Journal of Obesity

Professor David Kushner, MD, of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, is a co-author on a new study published in the International Journal of Obesity. In "Obesity and "obesity-related" cancers: Are there body mass index cut-points?", Kushner and co-authors used a retrospective cohort study to look for statistically significant associations between rising body mass index (BMI... more

CORE postdoc Seymour published in AJPH

Jane Seymour, PhD, postdoctoral trainee in the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity, is the lead author on a new publication in the American Journal of Public Health examining telemedicine policies for medication abortion.In “Potential Impact of Telemedicine for Medication Abortion Policy and Programming Changes on Abortion Accessibility in the United States”, Seymour an... more

Al-Niaimi publishes in Annals of Surgical Oncology

UW Ob-Gyn Professor Ahmed Al-Niaimi, MD, of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, co-authored a new article in the Annals of Surgical Oncology.In “Rethinking Routine Intensive Care After Cytoreductive Surgery With Heated Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy: The Fiscal Argument”, Al-Niaimi and co-authors used a cohort comparison of patients admitted to the intermediate care unit com... more

CORE’s WOMB Lab publishes brief on abortion education for medical students

A new brief published by the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity WOMB Lab (led by Abigail Cutler, MD and Laura Jacques, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn) examines the availability of abortion training for medical students and outlines the ways increasing abortion training can improve patient care and expand physician skills.“Medical Studen... more

Green discusses paid parental leave in WI State Journal

UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Tiffany Green, PhD, discusses paid parental leave policies in a new article in the Wisconsin State Journal.In “‘Paying their fair share’: Madison companies embrace paid parental leave, but experts say more is needed”, Green expands on some of the supports needed to make a difference for families:“The work of governments and employers needs to go... more

Ob-Gyn earns “exemplary” rating in NSQIP report

The American Council of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) released the semiannual report evaluating surgical outcomes between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021, including University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority scores.At the UW Health site, the surgical review team samples hysterectomy and myomectomy cases to assess for qualit... more

In the News: Bennett discusses post-Roe realities

Since the United States Supreme Court overturned the constitutionally protected right to abortion on June 24, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn Associate Professor Eliza Bennett, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, discussed post-Roe realities in Wisconsin with several news outlets:With abortion blocked, what happens to the health of the mother? – Wisconsin ExaminerIn an ar... more

Grand Rounds: Bird presents “The role of Th17 associated immune and endothelial cell fate changes in hypertensive pregnancy”

On July 14, 2022, Professor Ian Bird, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “The role of Th17 associated immune and endothelial cell fate changes in hypertensive pregnancy”.In the lecture, Bird identified recent advances being made in the department on immune cell endothelial cell interactions in preeclampsia and discusse... more

Rhoades becomes Director of MFM Fellowship

UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Janine Rhoades, MD became the director of the Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship on July 1, 2022! Rhoades takes over the fellowship director role from Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Director Igor Iruretagoyena, MD. Iruretagoyena will be the associate fellowship director for a transition period.Rhoades served as associate director of the fel... more

In the News: Green discusses post-Roe issues

Assistant Professor Tiffany Green, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, spoke with many media outlets about the implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe v. Wade: Wisconsin health providers navigate a new world without abortion rights – Wisconsin ExaminerIn an article about new initiatives to expand contraceptive acces... more

Pennycuff published in International Urogynecology Journal

Assistant Professor Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, of the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, published a new study in the International Urogynecology Journal!“Prevalence of pelvic floor disorders, associations of endocrine therapy, and surgical intervention among breast cancer survivors” is a retrospective cohort study matching more than 19,000 women di... more

Grand Rounds: Christopher presents “Solutions to Maternal Morbidity and Mortality: Is Quality Improvement the Answer?”

On June 30, 2022, University of Colorado Assistant Professor Diane Christopher, MD, presented the lecture “Solutions to Maternal Morbidity and Mortality: Is Quality Improvement the Answer?” at UW Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds.In the lecture, Christopher named leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality, illustrated ethnic and racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, exam... more

In the News: Cutler shares insight in post-Roe reporting

Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, overturning the constitutionally protected right to abortion, UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Abigail Cutler, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, has spoken with many news outlets to discuss what that decision could mean for the futu... more

Wendland publishes op-ed in Cap Times

Professor Claire Wendland, MD, PhD, Chair of the UW-Madison Department of Anthropology and faculty member in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, published an editorial in the Cap Times drawing on her many years of clinical and research experience to share potential consequences of overturning abortion rights.In “I've seen what happens when abortions... more

Jacques discusses challenges in medical education with Wisconsin State Journal

When the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and overturned the constitutional right to an abortion, clinics in Wisconsin stopped offering abortion services. That raises questions about ob-gyn resident education in the state.In “Medical residents struggle to receive training after Planned Parenthood halts abortion s... more

Senderowicz published in Contraception

Assistant Professor Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health, is lead author on a new study published in Contraception!In “Contraceptive method denial as downward contraceptive coercion: A mixed-methods mystery client study in Western Kenya”, Senderowicz and co-authors analyze mystery client interactions, focus groups, key infor... more

In the News: Higgins shares insights in post-Roe reporting

Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, overturning the constitutionally protected right to abortion, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH spoke with several news outlets to answer questions a... more

Green, Cutler, Jacques discuss Wisconsin’s post-Roe future with Wisconsin Watch

Three UW Ob-Gyn faculty joined Wisconsin Watch in an audio interview on July 18 to discuss the current landscape of reproductive health care in Wisconsin after the United States Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. Wisconsin Watch hosted the conversation on Twitter, which you can listen to here. Assistant Professor Abby Cutler, MD, of the Division of Academic ... more

Advocacy Update: 2022 elections

It takes more than good medical care to ensure optimal health outcomes in our community. Health is mainly influenced by where we live, work, learn, and play. Civic engagement can improve the conditions that influence health and well-being for all.Learn more about election resources on campus, options for providing voting information in clinical spaces, and voting guidelines ... more

Senderowicz talks about gender pain gap in Good Housekeeping

A recent article in Good Housekeeping discusses several aspects of intrauterine device (IUD) experiences, including pain during the procedure, options for pain management, what removal looks like, and more. In the article, UW Ob-Gyn Assistant Professor Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, of the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, offered a perspective on why pain with this p... more

Gravelle nominated to Gold Humanism Honor Society

Huge congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn resident John Gravelle, MD, PGY-2! Gravelle was nominated to join the Gold Humanism Honor Society by UW School of Medicine and Public Health medical students. Every year, the newest medical student members of the Honor Society from the UW SMPH nominate two faculty members and one resident from the entire medical school to the society. Gravel... more

UW–Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology response to U.S. Supreme Court decision

The following statement comes from the UW–Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Chair Ellen Hartenbach, MD:The U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case all but eliminated access to abortion in Wisconsin, except to save the life of the patient. The uncertainty over the status of existing state law interferes with the relat... more

Hoppe discusses updated treatment recommendations for hypertension in pregnancy with Spectrum News

Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, was a co-author on the recent Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. She joined Spectrum News to discuss updated treatment recommendations for hypertension during pregnancy, strategies for staying on top of blood pressure during pregnancy, and more.Wa... more

Green discusses disparities to come from abortion restriction on Here and Now

On June 10, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn assistant professor Tiffany Green, PhD, of the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, spoke with Here and Now on Wisconsin Public Television about economic and racial disparities likely to increase after Roe v. Wade is overturned:“…the effects of abortion or limiting access have been very well established and as we said, they can lead to ... more

Wang publishes in Gynecologic Oncology

UW Ob-Gyn resident Connor Wang, MD, PGY-4, is lead author on a new publication in Gynecologic Oncology!In “Mechanical and oral antibiotic bowel preparation in ovarian cancer debulking: Are we lowering or just trading surgical complications?”, Wang and co-authors Rana Al-Rubaye, MD, Lauren Montemorano, MD, Vienna Tran, MD, and Ahmed Al-Niaimi, MD, examined postoperative compl... more

Cutler and Higgins discuss possible impacts of Roe decision on physician training

A recent article in the Wisconsin Examiner investigated potential difficulties for physician training programs after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.“Medical training programs teach abortion procedures. What happens if abortion is outlawed?” outlines the national standards for training set by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), whi... more

Wagar published in Reproductive Medicine

Incoming UW Ob-Gyn gynecologic oncology fellow (and recent residency graduate) Matt Wagar, MD, is co-author on a new publication in Reproductive Medicine.“A Standardized Protocol for Post-Partum Salpingectomy with Suture Ligation: A Prospective Feasibility Study” compared operative outcomes of 157 patients who underwent post-partum salpingectomy with 300 historical cases of ... more

Higgins discusses future of abortion research in challenging atmosphere with STAT

A new article in STAT talks to researchers who specialize in reproductive health about what the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 24 decision overturning Roe v. Wade might mean for research about abortion in the future.In “These researchers study abortion in states likely to ban it. That will make their jobs even harder”, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health and ... more

UW Health and Meriter launch innovative Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center

Earlier this year, UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital launched the new Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center, a collaboration between maternal-fetal specialists, pediatric surgeons, neonatologists and multiple pediatric sub-specialties located in the Meriter Center for Perinatal Care.The Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center is the only fetal surgical center in W... more

Brown, Williams published in AJOG

Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, interim Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Director, and Makeba Williams, MD published a new article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Williams presented the research in this article at the annual Society of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology conference in May, where it earned the fir... more

Zhang earns Humanism in Medicine Award

The UW SMPH Department of Medicine’s Hospice and Palliative Care fellows recently named UW Ob-Gyn gynecologic oncology fellow Catherine Zhang, MD the 2022 recipient of their annual Humanism in Medicine Award. Congratulations, Dr. Zhang!The Humanism in Medicine award is given to a non-palliative care member of the UW SMPH community who most embodies the attributes of compassi... more

Sergeant to present at UW Health APP Grand Rounds on July 21

Angie Sergeant, NP, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, will present at the UW Health APP Grand Rounds on July 21, 2022!In the lecture “Let’s talk about incontinence! Providing care for females with urinary incontinence in any setting”, Sergeant will:Describe prevalence and risk factors for female urinary incontinenceExplain the ma... more

Women’s Healthcast: Choosing Lubricants and Vaginal Moisturizers, featuring Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH

Vaginal moisturizers, lubricants, and vaginal estrogen can be helpful tools for improving sexual wellbeing, but how many people are confident navigating the products and choosing the right ones for them?Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, assistant professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, joined the Women’s Healthcast to discuss why peop... more

Grand Rounds: Hoppe presents “Hypertension in Pregnancy and Young Adults”

On June 9, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn associate professor of maternal-fetal medicine Kara Hoppe, DO, MS, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Hypertension in Pregnancy and Young Adults”.In the lecture, Hoppe shared how to classify hypertension, outlined current management recommendations for pregnant and non-pregnant young people with hypertension, discussed the recent Chronic Hypertens... more

Wang published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports

UW Ob-Gyn resident Connor Wang, MD is lead author on a new article published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports! Wang’s mentor on this project (and senior author on the publication) is UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gyencologic Oncology Director Steve Rose, MD.“Adaptive and maladaptive humor styles are closely associated with burnout and professional fulfillment in members of the Societ... more