Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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! Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn – Certified Nurse MidwivesH... 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Congratulations to winners of UW Ob-Gyn 2022 department awards!

On June 23, 2022, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year.The ceremony started by acknowledging a few momentous departures. Many people retired from the department this academic year, including:Carol Carr, CNM (Midwife in the ASOG Division)Janet Short (Medical Studen... more

Wisconsin Watch interviews UW Ob-Gyn faculty on abortion laws

Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit news organization, recently published two articles about the complex future of abortion in Wisconsin and physician opinions on why abortion is a necessary part of health care. UW Ob-Gyn faculty shared their expertise in both articles.“Wisconsin faces a ‘tangled series’ of abortion laws dating back to 1849 as it heads into a possible post-Roe futu... more

2022 Department Research Day

On May 26, 2022, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn hosted Department Research Day, which included many research presentations from across the Department.Jeffrey Peipert, MD, chair of the Indiana University School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, kicked off Department Research Day with the keynote presentation “The Contraceptive CHOICE Project to Path4You: Les... more

UW Ob-Gyn research and presentations at 2022 ACOG Annual Meeting

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists held the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting in San Diego May 6-8, 2022. Faculty, fellows and residents in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn brought many exciting presentations and projects to the conference. Read more about some of their awesome accomplishments:Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Makeba Wi... more

Williams earns 1st place oral abstract award at SASGOG conference

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Makeba Williams, MD presented “BP Connect: Referring Gynecology Patients with Elevated Blood Pressure to Primary Care Follow-up” during the Society of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology Annual Meeting in San Diego on May 5, 2022.Williams’ presentation earned the First Place Oral Presentation... more

Lick and BME students earn SMPH/BME Tech Collaborative Innovation Award

Our congratulations to Jay Lick, DO, and UW-Madison biomedical engineering students Elizabeth Wacker, Nesya Graupe, Sakina Tariq, Lauren Hicks, Annika Rossebo, and UWSMPH medical student Ansley Hartney, who earned the Biomedical Engineering and UW SMPH Tech Collaborative Innovation Award!The team earned the award for their project “Elevator for the Impacted Fetal Head During... more

Faculty Development Funding Feature: Katie Sampene, 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. Katie Sampene’s experience with the Faculty Development Funding Program, and learn how you can apply... more

UW Ob-Gyn prepares posters, presentations for SASGOG Annual Meeting

The Society of Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology Annual Meeting, coming up in May 2022, will include exciting presentations and posters from faculty and residents in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn! Some of the great work that will be featured at the conference:Presentation:UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Makeba Williams, MD,... more

Presentations, posters, and more at the 2022 CREOG/APGO Annual Meeting!

UW Ob-Gyn faculty, residents, and affiliated medical students with interest and expertise in medical education showcased their work at the CREOG/APGO Annual Meeting​! The conference, which was organized around the theme “Together Again, Together Forever: Med Ed Family Reunion”, took place in Orlando, Florida March 9-12. Some of the exciting highlights from our department:Rya... more

Faculty Development Feature: McDonald graduates from APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders program

Ryan McDonald, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, graduated from the American Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Academic Scholars and Leaders Program during the 2022 APGO/CREOG annual meeting! McDonald used funding from the UW Ob-Gyn Faculty Development Committee’s Faculty Development Funding Program to support his experience in the APGO p... more

Peebles highlighted by WISC-TV, UW Health and SMPH

Jackie Peebles, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, was featured in stories and social media posts from WISC-TV Madison, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health, and UW Health during Black History Month.In “UW Health working to improve healthcare equity”, an article on WISC-TV’s website, Peebles discussed her work with the UW SMPH Building Eq... more

Sharp gives keynote speech at 3rd annual Butterfly Ball

On Saturday, February 26, Kristen Sharp, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn gave the keynote address at the 3rd annual Butterfly Ball, an event that raises awareness and provides hope and healing to families that have experienced pregnancy or infant loss.Hosted by the Alana Rose Foundation, the event included a virtual program, silent auction, an... more

Gaston published in Journal of Ob-Gyn Hospital Medicine

Luther Gaston, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, is senior author on a new article in the most recent issue of the Journal of Ob-Gyn Hospital Medicine!“Prediction of Vaginal Delivery Using Intrapartum Transperineal Ultrasound”, co-authored by Jackie Adams, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine as well as UW Ob-Gyn residency a... more

Wagar published in Journal of Ob-Gyn Hospital Medicine

A new article in the latest issue of the Journal of Ob-Gyn Hospital Medicine looks at rates of removal of fallopian tubes during postpartum sterilization procedures.“Trends in Postpartum Opportunistic Salpingectomy During Vaginal Delivery Admissions”, by UW Ob-Gyn resident Matt Wagar, MD, PGY-4 and co-authors Amy Godecker, PhD, Maria Landeros, Lisa Barroilhet, MD MS, and Mak... more

Heisler published in Journal of Surgical Education

What can professional introductions before Grand Rounds lectures tell us about hierarchical, gender, or descriptive bias? A new article in the Journal of Surgical Education aims to find out.“Professional Address during Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds Introductions: Setting the Stage, Setting the Standard”, by Christine Heisler, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of FPMRS, ... more

Williams’ research earns DFMCH Small Grant

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Makeba Williams, MD, is a co-investigator on a study that recently earned a UW SMPH Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Small Grant!Williams is co-PI on “African American Women’s Experiences of Menopause: A Focus Group Study” with WREN Medical Director Sarina Schrager, MS, MS, WREN Associate Directo... more

Williams to present special lecture at ACOG Clinical and Scientific Meeting

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Makeba Williams, MD will present a special endowed lecture at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting this May! Williams will present the Morton and Diane Stenchever Lecture “The Women’s Health Initiative: Controversy, Confusion, Consensus” at the opening of t... more

Women’s Healthcast: “Know Your STIs: Syphilis”, featuring Ryan Luellwitz, DO

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, rates of the sexually transmitted infection syphilis have been climbing across the country. In Wisconsin in particular, the state’s Department of Health Services recently recommended pregnant people be screened twice during pregnancy for syphilis, which can have significant affects on fetal health and development.On this epi... more

Women’s Healthcast: Understanding Your Breast Health, with Laura Bozzuto

About one in eight U.S. women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we’re replaying this interview with Laura Bozzuto, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn. Bozzuto is double certified in ob-gyn and breast cancer surgery.In the episode, Bozzuto talks about breast cancer symptoms, the latest in... more

Kwitek and Sergeant nominated for UW Health APP Excellence Awards

During National Advanced Practice Provider Week in October, UW Health recognized outstanding clinicians across the institution with the APP Excellence Awards. Two incredible APPs from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn were nominated for awards – please help us congratulate them!Laura Kwitek, DNP, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, was nominated for a Leadership Awa... more

Higgins and Jacques publish in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

A recent article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health by UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Director Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, Laura Jacques, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and co-authors, used anonymized data from an online forum to examine how cost-related barriers affect peoples’ ability ... more

Welcome Ryan Luellwitz, DO!

Please help us welcome Ryan Luellwitz, DO, to the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! Luellwitz comes to us from SSM Health, where his work with our UW Ob-Gyn residents earned him the St. Mary’s Adjunct Faculty Educator Award in 2021. Luellwitz earned his DO from Midwestern University, Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by osteopathic intern... more

Welcome Cholene Espinoza, MD!

The UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn is pleased to welcome Cholene Espinoza, MD to our faculty as of October 1, 2021!Espinoza earned an MD from the St. George’s University School of Medicine, followed by an obstetrics and gynecology residency at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Espinoza recently completed a surgical critical care fellowship at ... more

Brown, Williams featured at national conference on dissemination and implementation in health

Two faculty from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn were featured at the 14th Annual Conference on the Science of Dissemination and Implementation in Health (D&I), co-hosted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and AcademyHealth. Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists Director Makeba Williams, MD and Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive... more

Williams talks about hormones and menopause on Well Wisconsin Radio

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Makeba Williams, MD appeared on a recent episode of Well Wisconsin Radio to address some myths about hormones.During the interview, Williams discussed the primary hormones active in women’s bodies, why hormone testing is rarely recommended, how to recognize common signs and symptoms of menopause, and more.Listen t... more

Jennings promoted to Clinical Associate Professor

Please join us in congratulating Ashley Jennings, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! The UW SMPH Clinician Teacher Track Appointments and Promotions Committee voted overwhelmingly to approve Jennings’ promotion to Clinical Associate Professor.The promotion will be effective July 1, 2022. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, Dr. Jennings! more

Jacques publishes in AJOG

A new article in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology analyzed posts on Reddit to help better document peoples’ decision-making processes regarding abortion modality. “Medication or surgical abortion? An exploratory study of patient decision making on a popular social media platform”, by Laura Jacques, MD and other researchers from the UW Collaborative for Repr... more

Brown, Williams edit book on older women’s health

What happens when two world-class experts on menopause and pelvic floor disorders work together? They literally write the book on older women’s health concerns. Heidi Brown, MD, MAS, of our Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, and Makeba Williams, MD, Director of our Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, edited the book “Challenges in Older W... more

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

On June 24, 2021, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn held its annual awards ceremony, recognizing educational, research and administrative accomplishments throughout the year. The ceremony started by acknowledging a few momentous departures: Klaus Diem, MD is retiring after many years of service in the department. Diem is a past director of the Division of Gynecology, and served a... more

McDonald published in Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Ryan McDonald, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, co-authored a recent publication in Neurotoxicology and Teratology! “A socioecological framework for engaging substance-using pregnant persons in longitudinal research: Multi-stakeholder perspectives” sought feedback from community stakeholders, including people with lived experience of subst... more

Farewell to nurse midwives Kiley Hewett and Carol Carr

The UW Ob-Gyn certified nurse midwife team has announced two upcoming departures. Please join us in thanking these wonderful nurse midwives for the exceptional care they provided during their time with our department! Kiley Hewett will join a practice in Bend, Oregon this August to be closer to extended family. She has been a wonderful member of our team for the past two an... more

Grand Rounds: Sampene presents “Leveraging Quality Improvement to Promote Health Equity”

Katie Sampene, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Leveraging Quality Improvement to Promote Health Equity” to the department on May 27, 2021. In the lecture, Sampene described the principles of health equity and how they relate to medical practice, walked through the basic process of quality improvement, and ... more

Women’s Healthcast: Yemane discusses transgender health care in ob-gyn settings

Ruth Yemane, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, is one of our department’s leading experts in gender affirming surgery and gynecologic care for transgender people. On this episode, Yemane shares recommendations for safe, trust-filled patient-provider relationships, and what surgical, clinical and preventive health care can look like for trans a... more

Williams promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

We are thrilled to announce that UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Director Makeba Williams, MD has been promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)! The UW the School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee unanimously endorsed her promotion, which will be effective July 1, 2021. Williams joined the UW Department of Ob-G... more

McDonald published in Neurotoxicology and Teratology

Congratulations to Ryan McDonald, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, who recently co-authored an article published in Neurotoxicology and Teratology! The paper “Recruitment and retention of pregnant women in prospective birth cohort studies: A scoping review and content analysis of the literature” sought to review the literature for best practi... more

Jennings shares insights on HPV and Pap testing with Insider

In a new article from Insider, Ashley Jennings, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, helps answer some common questions about Pap and HPV testing. Jennings helps explain what people can expect during the test, what happens to samples after they’re collected, and when to expect results from the tests. The article also includes updated guidelines o... more

Women’s Healthcast: Emergency Contraception, featuring Molly Lepic

Discussions around emergency contraception often include some myths and misunderstandings. Even the nickname of the morning-after pill gives us an inaccurate sense of emergency contraception’s effective timeframe. Molly Lepic, DO, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined the Women’s Healthcast to help clear up some common questions about emergenc... more

Women’s Healthcast: Jacques talks Vulvar Health, Care and Cleaning

On the latest episode of the UW Ob-Gyn podcast, Laura Jacques, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, discussed vulvar health, care and cleaning. She talked about how to care for vulvas and vaginas, what products are safe to use, how vulvar health can change with age, and more. Listen to Vulvar Health, Care and Cleaning now! Did you know the Women’s Healthca... more