Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology

UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH

Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

 Bhagavath discusses infertility coverage on Let’s Get Local podcast

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
 Stanic, Ong Labs publish in the Journal of Immunology

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
 Bhagavath discusses Dobbs’ implications on fertility care with Tone Madison

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

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
 REI professionals gather in Madison for 2023 Clinical Embryologists Summit Conference

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
 Healthy Women Community Talk: Navigating Your Fertility Journey

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

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
 Cooney promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

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
 Zweifel publishes article in Fertility and Sterility

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
 Former UW Ob-Gyn student presents at ASRM conference

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
 Bhagavath discusses fertility with Brava Magazine

Bhagavath discusses fertility with Brava Magazine

Bala Bhagavath, MD, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, provided insight into common causes and treatments of infertility in a recent article in Brava Magazine.In “When Fertility Is Fragile”, Bhagavath outlines criteria for infertility, discusses common treatment options, and shares information on how much some of the treatment o... more
 Women’s Healthcast: Finding Out About Fibroids, featuring Bala Bhagavath, MD

Women’s Healthcast: Finding Out About Fibroids, featuring Bala Bhagavath, MD

Uterine fibroids are incredibly common – between 20 and 70 percent of people with uteruses will develop fibroids during their lifetimes. And while they’re often benign, they can still cause some troublesome symptoms.Bala Bhagavath, MD joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about common symptoms of uterine fibroids, the broad variety of treatment options, and whether all fibro... more
 90 attendees gather in Madison for Clinical Embryologists Summit Conference

90 attendees gather in Madison for Clinical Embryologists Summit Conference

More than 90 professionals from reproductive endocrinology and infertility organizations across the country visited Madison for the 23rd Annual Clinical Embryologists Summit (CES) Conference April 29-30, 2022. 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
 Bhagavath co-authors publication in Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

Bhagavath co-authors publication in Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD, co-authored a study in the latest issue of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology!“Clinical and Patient Reported Outcomes of Pre- and Postsurgical Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Leiomyomas: A 12-Month Follow-up Review of TRUST, a Surgical Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing ... more
 Bhagavath discusses endometriosis and infertility in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Bhagavath discusses endometriosis and infertility in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In a recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a Wisconsin woman shares her experience with endometriosis and infertility. UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD adds insight into the challenges of endometriosis and the importance of insurance coverage for fertility services in the article. In “Summit woman shares... more
 Antony, Cooney publish in journal Women

Antony, Cooney publish in journal Women

A new study co-authored by Katie Antony, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Laura Cooney, MD, of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility examines whether screening for sleep apnea should be included for women seeking fertility treatment.Published in the journal Women, “Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Another Condition to Screen for in Wo... more
 Stanic promoted to Associate Professor with tenure

Stanic promoted to Associate Professor with tenure

We are thrilled to announce that Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Reproductive Sciences has been promoted to Associate Professor (tenure track). The promotion will be effective July 1, 2022.Since joining the UW Department of Ob-Gyn in 2014, Stanic has earned a reputation as a talented researcher, educa... more
 Advocacy Update: Bill for insurance coverage of infertility care introduced in Wisconsin legislature

Advocacy Update: Bill for insurance coverage of infertility care introduced in Wisconsin legislature

Fertility treatments can be costly, and most states across the country do not require insurance plans to cover fertility care (take a look at this Kaiser Family Foundation issue brief on coverage and use of infertility services in the United States). A bill recently introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature would require insurance companies to provide coverage for fertil... more
 Bhagavath discusses fibroids with HealthCentral

Bhagavath discusses fibroids with HealthCentral

Uterine fibroids can have big effects on menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, even sleep and exercise. In a new article on HealthCentral, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD discussed how to recognize and manage uterine fibroids:“Uterine fibroids aren’t cancerous—but that doesn’t mean they can’t affect your life profoun... more
 Welcome Zeki Beyhan, PhD!

Welcome Zeki Beyhan, PhD!

The UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility is so happy to welcome Zeki Beyhan, PhD, to the department! Beyhan joins our team as the Lab Director for Generations Fertility Care.Beyhan earned an MS and PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program. Prior to returning to Wisconsin, Beyhan served as labor... more
 HPV research from UW Ob-Gyn cited in PBS News Hour article

HPV research from UW Ob-Gyn cited in PBS News Hour article

Misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines is abundant. One of the most pernicious myths – that COVID-19 vaccines can cause infertility – may be deterring people from getting the vaccine. (Michael Beninati, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, already dispelled that myth on a recent episode of the Women’s Healthcast!)Making up fertility concerns is a common ... more
 Bhagavath accepted as AGOS fellow

Bhagavath accepted as AGOS fellow

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD, who was recently accepted as an active fellow of the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society (AGOS)!AGOS advances the health of women by providing dedicated leadership and promoting excellence in research, education and medical practice. In order to be cons... more
 Zweifel shares causes, signs of postpartum depression with CNET

Zweifel shares causes, signs of postpartum depression with CNET

While emotional changes after having a baby are not uncommon, many may not know how to identify the more severe symptoms of postpartum depression.In an article on CNET, Julianne Zweifel, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, outlines the differences between baby blues and postpartum depression, and discusses the factors that can cause ... more

Grand Rounds: Badger Bytes on PCOS

On December 2, 2021, three presenters offered different updates on PCOS during the UW Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds Badger Bytes research presentation. David Abbott, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences, Laura Cooney, MD, of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Leeann Bui, UW SMPH medical student, each presented updates on polycystic ovary... more

Bhagavath presents at SREI fellows forum

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD presented at the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellows forum in Utah on November 19!Bhagavath’s presentation on reproductive surgeries garnered a lot of excitement from the REI fellows and physicians in attendance, with more than half the fellows expressing a... more
 Bhagavath discusses fibroid treatment with HealthCentral

Bhagavath discusses fibroid treatment with HealthCentral

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD answered common fibroid questions in the HealthCentral article “10 Things to Know About Uterine Fibroid Treatment.” In the article, Bhagavath explains what fibroids are and what kinds of symptoms they can sometimes cause (including heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure) and how to brin... more
 Stanic presents at NICHD workshop on early pregnancy loss

Stanic presents at NICHD workshop on early pregnancy loss

Aleks Stanic, MD, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Reproductive Sciences, was recently invited to speak as part of a group of experts at the NIH National Institute on Child Health and Human Development’s workshop “Idiopathic/Non-aneuploid Early Pregnancy Loss: The State of the Science”. Stanic presented as part of the session ... more
 Stanic earns best poster award at ASRI annual meeting

Stanic earns best poster award at ASRI annual meeting

Our congratulations to Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Reproductive Sciences! He attended the American Society for Reproductive Immunology virtual meeting in May, where he won the Best Poster award. Stanic received the award for the poster “The integration of disparate single cell data in decidual im... more
 Bhagavath explains endometriosis with Spectrum News

Bhagavath explains endometriosis with Spectrum News

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Bala Bhagavath, MD discussed endometriosis in an article with Spectrum News. In “Founded in Milwaukee, Endometriosis Awareness Month Shines Light on Women’s Health”, Bhagavath explains what endometriosis is, common symptoms, options for treatment and management, and why it can take a long time to arrive at an... more
 Advocacy Update: Abbott, Cooney join virtual PCOS Advocacy Day

Advocacy Update: Abbott, Cooney join virtual PCOS Advocacy Day

On March 4, 2021, David Abbott, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences and Laura Cooney, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility attended the virtual PCOS Advocacy Day, hosted by PCOS Challenge. PCOS Advocacy Day focuses on building connections with federal legislators and advocating for increased access to better informe... more
 Lindsey Block, of Golos Lab, published in Biology of Reproduction

Lindsey Block, of Golos Lab, published in Biology of Reproduction

Lindsey Block, graduate student in the Golos Lab, is first author on a recent paper in the journal Biology of Reproduction entitled “The promise of placental extracellular vesicles: models and challenges for diagnosing placental dysfunction in utero”. Co-authors include Aleks Stanic, MD, PhD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Repro... more
 Bhagavath edits Textbook of Assisted Reproduction

Bhagavath edits Textbook of Assisted Reproduction

Pick up a copy of the newly released Textbook of Assisted Reproduction, and you’ll find a familiar name on the cover. UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD edited the book, which covers all aspects of assisted reproduction. Take a look at the book here – congratulations, Dr. Bhagavath!
 Welcome Marlane Angle, PhD

Welcome Marlane Angle, PhD

On September 8, 2020, Marlane Angle, PhD joins the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility as the Generations Fertility Care lab director. Welcome, Dr. Angle!Angle earned her PhD in Reproductive Physiology from Auburn University. After training in the University of California San Francisco IVF laboratory, she became an IVF laboratory director. She ha... more