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.
Women’s Healthcast: Health and Aging: Protect Your Pelvic Floor, featuring Maureen Sheetz, APNP
For the last few months, the Women’s Healthcast has been taking a look at health and aging, covering everything from perimenopause to sex to heart health. In the second-to-last episode of the Health and Aging series, the focus is on an all-important but sometimes under-appreciated group of muscles in the body: the pelvic floor.This complex basket of muscles and connective ti...
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Cooney joins WORT to clarify fertility myths
Laura Cooney, MD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, recently joined WORT FM to discuss a new pseudo-medical treatment called restorative reproductive medicine. Pro-choice advocates are warning about the rise of a new pseudo-medical treatment called restorative reproductive medicine. They see it as a back door way to push an an...
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Shapiro Summer Research students present Ob-Gyn-mentored projects at 2025 Research Forum
Students participating in the 2025 Shapiro Summer Research Program presented their work at the Annual Medical Student Research Forum on November 24, 2025. Students and their impressive presentations include: Alyssa Solberg, mentored by Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD: Trends in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Highlight Persistent Racial and Rural-Urban Disparities: A Statewide Analy...
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Stanic-Kostic to become director of the Division of Reproductive Sciences and Vice Chair for Basic and Translational Research
Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, will become Director of the Division of Reproductive Sciences and Vice Chair of Basic and Translational Research, effective January 1, 2026. He will take on these roles when Manish Patankar, PhD, steps down from these two roles to become the Senior Director of SMPH Shared Resources. Dr. Patankar has served as Director of the Division of Reproduc...
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Pennycuff to become Grand Rounds program director
Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, assistant professor in the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, will be the next UW Department of Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds program director. He will take on this role following the departure of Laura Bozzuto, MD, MS, who served as the Grand Rounds program director since 2020. Please help us thank Dr. Bozzuto for many years of excel...
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Ong receives Meriter Foundation grant
Congratulations to Irene Ong, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who received a 2026 Research and Education grant from the UnityPoint Health Meriter Foundation! Ong received a one-year grant for $99,997 to support a project aimed at predicting high-risk term and postpartum preeclampsia using UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter Hospital ele...
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Patankar receives grant from Meriter Foundation for endometriosis research
Congratulations to Manish Patankar, PhD, director of the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who received a 2026 Research and Education grant from the UnityPoint Health Meriter Foundation! The grant will fund the project “Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities: a non-hormonal approach for the treatment of the chronic reproductive disorder, endometriosis.” Patankar and the resear...
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Department of Ob-Gyn brings research to 2025 Society of Family Planning annual meeting
The Society of Family Planning hosted their annual meeting in Pittsburgh October 25-27, 2025. Faculty and researchers in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology brought their research to the event. Just a few of their exciting accomplishments: PRESENTATIONS: Brakes and accelerators to abortion access post-Dobbs: Where can we best intervene? – Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, dir...
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Trainees in the Stanic Lab present at Upper Midwest Summit for Reproductive Science
Trainees in the Stanic Lab brought their research to the Upper Midwest Summit for Reproductive Science last month! The summit was held at Prentice Women's Hospital in Chicago October 13-14, 2025. The summit brings together trainees, junior and senior faculty, and other research staff and scientists from institutions across the upper Midwest region to foster the exchange of k...
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Bennett passes Complex Family Planning senior candidate exam
Congratulations to Eliza Bennett, MD, professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! Bennett passed the Complex Family Planning senior candidate exam in October 2025. She is now American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology-certified in the subspecialty of Complex Family Planning. Incredible work, Dr. Bennett!
Welcome Bailey Pfander, PA, to Division of Gynecologic Oncology
Bailey Pfander, PA, joined the Division of Gynecologic Oncology on November 17, 2025. Bailey will work as an inpatient PA, providing collaborative care to gynecologic oncology patients. Please help us welcome Bailey to the department! What was your professional background before joining the UW Department of Ob-Gyn? Before joining the gynecologic oncology team as a physician ...
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Kushner and Codispoti co-author a study featured on cover of International Journal of Gynecologic Pathology
David Kushner, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and Nicolette Codispoti, MD, MS, MPH, PGY-3 resident, recently co-authored a study featured on the cover of the International Journal of Gynecologic Pathology. Additional authors include Jin Xu, MD, MS; Lauren Montemorano, MD; Elizabeth Sadowski, MD; and Paul Weisman, MD. In “A Case of CDKN2C/CIC Null Epit...
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Grand Rounds: Zeal presents “It's About Who We Are, Not When We Had Our Abortions: All Trimester Abortion Care”
On November 6, 2025, Carley Zeal, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “It’s About Who We Are, Not When We Had Our Abortions: All Trimester Abortion Care”. In the lecture, Zeal defined later abortion care; described procedure processes and barriers to abortion care; and discussed strategies for per...
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Women’s Healthcast: Health and Aging: Heart Health, featuring Anupama Joseph, MD
Cardiovascular disease – things like heart disease and high blood pressure – can have huge impacts on our overall health. For women in particular, life events like pregnancy and menopause can raise our risk of cardiovascular disease. Anupama Joseph, MD, assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Medicine, joine...
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Hoppe and STAC team publish in Contemporary Clinical Trials
Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD, professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and members of the Staying Healthy After Childbirth (STAC) program team recently published an article in Contemporary Clinical Trials. STAC is a program developed by Hoppe that helps new moms with high blood pressure safely monitor and treat their high blood pressure from the comfort of their home wit...
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Spencer presents at AAMC Learn Serve Lead conference
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and director of the Rural Residency Track, participated in an educational panel at the Annual Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Learn, Serve, Lead Meeting from November 1-5, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. Fellow panelists included Lori Rodefeld, Deputy Director of Rural GME Technical Assistan...
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Pennycuff joins the WInnovations podcast to talk about pelvic organ prolapse
Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH, assistant professor in the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, recently joined the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Urology’s WInnovations podcast to talk about pelvic organ prolapse. In “Pelvic Organ Prolapse: State of the Art”, Pennycuff, fellow guest Frank Lin, MD, MS, and host Kyle Richards, MD, explo...
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Wendland, Higgins to mentor ICTR community-engaged research project
Claire Wendland, MD, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health and the UW-Madison Department of Anthropology, and Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, director of the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, will mentor Brittanni Wright, PhD, MDiv, MPH, to develop an UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) community-engaged research ...
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Integrated Specialty Care for Women program showcased in Brava Magazine
UW Health’s Integrated Specialty Care for Women (ISCW) was recently showcased in Brava Magazine. The multidisciplinary clinical program, which opened its doors in November 2024, brings together physicians, advanced practice providers, and other clinicians from obstetrics and gynecology, urology, colorectal surgery, gastroenterology, behavioral health, and physical therapy to...
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Celebrating rural ob-gyn partners and residents on National Rural Health Day 2025
November 20, 2025 is National Rural Health Day, which celebrates the dedication and accomplishments of rural healthcare providers and acknowledges the unique healthcare needs and challenges in rural parts of our country. The University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology would like to thank the physicians and partners acr...
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Division of REI brings research to ASRM 2025 Annual Conference
Members of the UW-Madison Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility presented at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Scientific Congress & Expo, held from October 25-29, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. Their impressive presentations include:Roundtable – Disordered Eating and PCOS: Best Practices for an Overlooked Complicatio...
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Department of Ob-Gyn hosts successful 2025 Gloria Sarto Reproductive Health Equity Symposium
The UW Department of Ob-Gyn hosted the 2025 Gloria Sarto Reproductive Health Equity Symposium on October 23, 2025. The Gloria Sarto Reproductive Health Equity Symposium (formerly the Women's Health and Health Equity Research Lecture & Symposium) is an annual meeting that connects healthcare professionals, researchers, and community advocates dedicated to advancing reproducti...
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Stanic, Cooney research groups publish in Reproduction
The Stanic-Cooney research teams recently published a new article in Reproduction, led by co-first authors Andrea Wegrzynowicz, PhD (postdoctoral fellow with Drs. Stanic & Cooney) and Christina Dudley, MD (UW Ob-Gyn resident, who recently matched for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) fellowship at Cedar-Sinai program in LA), with senior mentorship from Laura C...
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Jacques talks about common gynecologic questions with Women’s Health Magazine
Laura Jacques, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined Women’s Health Magazine to talk about common gynecologic questions.In “7 Symptoms Gynecologists Don’t Want You To Stress About”, Jacques and fellow physicians from across the United States answered questions about symptoms such as vaginal discharge, fluctuations in the menstrual ...
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Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery presents at 2025 AUGS PFD Week
Members of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery presented at the American Urogynecology Society’s (AUGS) Pelvic Floor Disorder Week, held in Vancouver, Canada, from October 14-17, 2025. The meeting was held in collaboration with the Canadian Society for Pelvic Medicine. Their impressive presentations include:Coping with Comp...
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Madison Magazine features Department of Ob-Gyn menopause experts
Experts from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn joined Madison Magazine to talk about menopause. Laura Bozzuto, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Patrice Grzebielski, MD, clinical associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, were featured in the article. In “It’s about time we talk about menopause”, menopaus...
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Barroilhet, Patankar receive UW Carbone Cancer Center pilot grant
Congratulations to Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Manish Patankar, PhD, director of the Division of Reproductive Sciences! They recently received pilot funding from the UW Carbone Cancer Center to study new immunotherapeutic agent for ovarian cancer. The project "Investigating fusokine IL-6/1 as a novel immunotherapeutic agent ...
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Kittell nominated for Rising Star Coordinator Award
Congratulations to Dylan Kittell, Department of Ob-Gyn Fellowship Programs Coordinator, who was nominated for the Coordinator's Advisory Council (CAC) Rising Star Coordinator Award! The Rising Star Coordinator Award was established by the UW SMPH CAC to recognize the work of a dedicated residency or fellowship coordinator with less than five years in their position. Fellows...
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Vazquez, de Faria Oliveira awarded NIH Loan Repayment Program grants
Jessica Vazquez, PhD, scientist in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, and Gabriela de Faria Oliveira PhD, postdoctoral trainee in the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, successfully competed for NIH-funded loan repayment program (LRP) awards this summer. These awards put up to $50,000 annually toward qualified educational debt, in exchange for their continued NI...
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Dudley matches into reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at Cedars-Sinai
Congratulations to UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Christina Dudley, MD, who matched into reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University! Dudley will join the fellowship in the summer of 2026, following graduation from ob-gyn residency. Amazing work, Dr. Dudley!
Bajpai matches into gynecologic oncology fellowship at Ohio State
Congratulations to UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Rusha Bajpai, MD, who matched into gynecologic oncology fellowship at the Ohio State University College of Medicine! Bajpai will join the fellowship in the summer of 2026, following graduation from ob-gyn residency. Incredible work, Dr. Bajpai!
Bird and co-authors publish study in Journal of Molecular Endocrinology
Ian Bird, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, is senior author on a new paper published in the Journal of Molecular Endocrinology. Co-authors include: Rachel Dahn, PhD; Beth Lett, PhD; Luca Clemente, PhD; Jason Austin; Fuxian Yi; Derek Boeldt, PhD; Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD; and Irene Ong, PhD. “Single-cell analysis of uterine artery endothelial cell...
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Congratulations 2025 UW Health Advanced Practice Providers Excellence Award nominees
During National Advanced Practice Providers Week, UW Health celebrated advanced practice providers at the APP Excellence Awards ceremony on September 22. Several UW Department of Ob-Gyn APPs were nominated for excellence awards: Hannah Copp, CNM – Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn Megan Lyght, PA – Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility JoAnne Martin Koob, PA – Gynecologic ...
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Neal receives Wisconsin Partnership Program postdoctoral grant
Congratulations to Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH, T32 Primary Care Research Fellow with the Hoppe Research Group! Neal recently received a postdoctoral grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program (WPP) for the project Healthcare Experiences Assessing Resilience, Toxic Stress, and Prenatal Quality of Care (HEARTS-PQC). WPP postdoctoral grants support the professional development ...
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Grand Rounds: Hanks presents Breaking the Cycle: Inducing Amenorrhea in Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients
On October 9, 2025, Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Breaking the Cycle: Inducing Amenorrhea in Transgender and Gender Diverse Patients”. In the lecture, Hanks discussed the medical rationale and benefits of inducing amenorrhea in transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals; the d...
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Women’s Healthcast: Health and Aging: Let’s Talk About Sex, Part 2, featuring Madelyn Esposito, LPC
For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will dive into all aspects of aging and women’s health, through conversations with experts in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and beyond.A lot about our lives can change as we get older, and that includes our sex lives. The previous episode of the Women's Healthcast covered some of the physical changes that can i...
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Grand Rounds: Roselaar presents Exercise and Surgery - Inside and Outside the OR
On October 2, 2025, UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Naomi Roselaar, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Exercise and Surgery - Inside and Outside the OR”.In the lecture, Roselaar shared exercise-related intraoperative interventions for surgeons; the effects of exercising outside of the operating room; and discussed the utility of exercise for ob-gyns. Watch the w...
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Welcome Anna Landry, CNM, DNP, to Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn!
The Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn is pleased to welcome Anna Landry, CNM, DNP, to the midwives group in the department. Landry recently graduated from the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities with her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse-Midwifery. Previously, she had clinical rotations with the midwife groups at UW Health, Mayo Clinic-Eau Claire, and SSM Health i...
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Anderson-Carter receives CA2RE grant from ACOG
India Anderson-Carter, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Julia Reeves, MPH, Outreach Program Manager in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn, received a grant from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) for a project in collaboration with the Wisconsin Maternal Mortality Review Team and the Department of Health Serv...
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Adams, Alaniz bring presentations to 2025 WAPC Conference
Jacquelyn Adams, MD, MSCI, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Krissy Alaniz, MPH, PhD, clinical research manager in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, brought two impressive presentations to the Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care's 2025 Wisconsin Perinatal Conference held in Oshkosh, WI, from October 6-8, 2025. Their impressive pr...
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Resident presentations at HAGO 2025 Conference
UW Department of Ob-Gyn residents Rusha Bajpai, MD, PGY-4, and Nicolette Codispoti, MD, MS, MPH, PGY-3, presented their research at the 2025 Heartland Association of Gynecologic Oncology Conference in Iowa City, IA, from September 18-19, 2025. Their impressive presentations include: Poster: Trends Between ACOG Referral Criteria, Age and Surgical Histopathology – Rusha Bajpai...
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Welcome incoming REI fellow Chinormso Diribe, MD
The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility is pleased to share that Chinormso Diribe, MD, matched into the REI fellowship and will join the Department of Ob-Gyn in August 2026. Diribe received her medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Campus. She is currently completing residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Howard Unive...
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Faculty, residents bring research and leadership to 2025 ACOG District VI annual meeting
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District VI Annual Meeting was held September 19-21, 2025 in St. Louis, MO. UW Department of Ob-Gyn faculty and residents held leadership roles and presented research at the meeting. Learn more about their exciting accomplishments: Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, associate professor and director of the Division of Academic Spe...
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Gynecologic Oncology researchers publish study in Green Journal
Physicians and researchers in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn recently published an article in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Matthew Wagar, MD, the 2025 graduate of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology fellowship, is lead author on the publication; co-authors include Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, MS; Eric Reetz, MD; Dandi Huang, MD; Mary Kao, MD; Ahmed Al-Niaimi, MD; Natalia G...
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Welcome incoming Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellows Jeannette Larson and Emily O’Brien
After receiving ACGME approval to increase the Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship complement to two fellows per year, the MFM fellowship will welcome two new fellows next summer! Jeannette Larson, MD, and Emily O’Brien, MD, will join the MFM fellowship in July 2026. Larson earned her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and is ...
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Women’s Healthcast: Health and Aging: Let’s Talk About Sex, Part 1, featuring Jon Pennycuff, MD, MSPH and Javier Santiago, MD
For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will dive into all aspects of aging and women’s health, through conversations with experts in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and beyond.A lot about our lives can change as we get older, and that includes our sex lives. Two guest experts joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to talk about some of the phys...
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Welcome incoming Gynecologic Oncology fellow Taylor Stewart, MD
The Division of Gynecologic Oncology is pleased to share that Taylor Paige Stewart, MD, will join the gynecologic oncology fellowship program as a fellow in August 2026. Stewart completed medical school at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, followed by obstetrics and gynecology residency at the Mass General Brigham Combined OB/GYN Residency, wh...
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Barroilhet serves as research mentor for SGO Bridges program
In late July 2025, the SGO/GOG-F BRIDGES 2.0 Research Initiative convened at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., for a milestone gathering that brought early-career scholars face-to-face with leading experts in gynecologic oncology clinical trials. Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, served as a Translat...
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Anderson-Carter and Social Impact and Belonging Committee share resources at the Madison Public Library Period Party
On Saturday, September 20, the Madison Public Library collaborated with Public Health Madison & Dane County to host a Period Party. This year’s Period Party consisted of a series of three informational sessions followed by the Saturday celebration, aiming to provide information and understanding surrounding puberty and menstruation. India Anderson-Carter, MD, assistant profe...
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Badger, Ahrendt take on ACOG DVI leadership roles
Congratulations to UW Department of OB-GYN residents Taylor Badger, MD, PGY-2, and Hannah Ahrendt, MD, PGY-1, who were elected into American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) District VI junior fellow leadership roles for the 2025-26 year! Badger was selected to serve as the ACOG District VI Junior Fellow Vice Chair. Ahrendt will serve as the District VI Juni...
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Domeyer-Klenske, Hanks join ACOG State Legislative Roundtable
Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, director of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, attended the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) State Legislative Roundtable conference in Phoenix September 4-6, 2025. Domeyer-Klenske attended in her capacity as the ACOG Wis...
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Take Control of Your Pelvic Health community talk coming up November 5, 2025
Many of us have questions about topics like bladder leakage and pelvic organ prolapse, but we may not know how to bring them up. These conditions are common, especially in perimenopause and beyond, but they are not inevitable. Join us for an evening of conversation with experts from UW Health Integrated Specialty Care for Women. You'll have the opportunity to meet with phys...
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Knutson-Sinaise, Hoppe bring poster to AHA Hypertension annual meeting
Megan Knutson Sinaise, MS, research program coordinator, and Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD, brought a poster to the American Heart Association’s Annual Hypertension Meeting in Baltimore in early September. They presented the poster “STAC-MyHEARTp: A randomized controlled trial of health coaching and self-measured blood pressure to increase healthcare engagement and blood pressure con...
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Domeyer-Klenske joins panel at SASGOG annual meeting
Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, director of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, presented on a panel at the 2025 Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology (SASGOG) annual meeting! SASGOG hosted the annual conference in Denver September 11-12, 2025. Domeyer-Klenske joined the presentation “Working the Workforce”, where she spoke alongside Jack...
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Wellness committee’s Clean Birth Kits on their way to Banjul
Earlier this year, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Wellness Committee brought faculty, advanced practice providers, midwives, and staff together for a volunteer wellness activity to assemble clean birth kits. In collaboration with Awa Sanneh, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, the birth kits are on their way to Edward Francis Small Teachin...
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Srishti Gupta, Shapiro Summer Research student, wins poster award at ACP Wisconsin
Srishti Gupta, medical student in the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and former Shapiro Summer Research student, received the Best Poster and Presentation award amongst medical student and resident presenters at the American College of Physicians Wisconsin conference in early September! Gupta presented the work she completed with Kara Hoppe, DO,...
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Sharp discusses importance of education in pregnancy loss and Hope After Loss Clinic's memorial services
Early pregnancy loss is very common; about one in four pregnancies will end in loss. While medical care for early pregnancy loss is well-established, there has historically been less of a focus on the mental and emotional aspects of pregnancy loss. The UW Health Hope After Loss Clinic offers a warm and supportive atmosphere for those who have experienced pregnancy loss at an...
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Maternal-fetal medicine fellowship complement increase approved by ACGME
The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine is excited to announce that the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) approved a permanent complement increase for the Department of Ob-Gyn Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship. Beginning this fall, the MFM fellowship can now match two fellows per class, eventually bringing the total complement of MFM fellows up t...
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Department hosts successful 26th Annual Clinical Embryologists Summit Conference
More than 70 professionals from reproductive endocrinology and infertility organizations around the country visited Madison for the 26th Annual Clinical Embryologists Summit (CES) Conference from September 12-13, 2025.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...
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Stanic Lab publishes in Frontiers in Immunology
Aleksander Stanic, MD, PhD, associate professor in the Divisions of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and Reproductive Sciences, recently co-authored a publication published in Frontiers in Immunology. Soma Banerjee, PhD, currently a postdoctoral scholar in the iPEND program, was first author on the publication. Co-authors include Fernanda Leyva Jaimes; Mona Mohamed...
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Barroilhet, Sampene co-author study on endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia in Wisconsin Medical Journal
Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and Katherine Sampene, MD, clinical professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, recently co-authored a publication published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal. Matthew Wagar, MD, a recent graduate of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology fellowship, i...
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Women’s Healthcast: Health and Aging: Gynecologic Cancer, featuring Catherine Zhang
For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will dive into all aspects of aging and women’s health, through conversations with experts in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and beyond. Since September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month, Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined the Women’s Healthcast to h...
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Grand Rounds: Berry-Smith presents Circle of Care: Doulas as Catalysts for Community Wellness and System Transformation
On August 28, 2025, Micaela Berry-Smith, BA, Senior Program Manager for Community & Maternal and Child Health Initiatives for the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness (FFBWW), presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Circle of Care: Doulas as Catalysts for Community Wellness and System Transformation”. Berry-Smith is also the associate director of community engagement at the UW-...
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Cox discusses anatomy library on SGS Scalpel Sessions podcast
Caroline Cox, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, recently joined Scalpel Sessions, the official podcast of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS), for an episode on the SGS Pelvic Anatomy Group’s (PAG) digital library. Cox was selected to lead the SGS Pelvic Anatomy Group Digital Library in 2024.In “Inside the PAG ...
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UW Department of Ob-Gyn pregnancy experts to present on Informed & Empowered series September 15-October 13, 2025
Informed and Empowered is a free, community-centered webinar series offering practical, trusted information about common pregnancy conditions such as perinatal mood disorders, substance use, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and more. We’ll also explore how lifestyle factors and social factors – like stress, racism, and access to care – impact health. The webinar series wi...
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Hanks talks about fitness in pregnancy with local media
Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined WMTV15 News for a recent story on exercise recommendations for pregnant individuals.In “Madison OB-GYN encourages CrossFit for expecting mothers”, Hanks stated that it is safe to hit the gym during pregnancy, but with some slight variations. “‘You might see us doing some burpees to...
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Bojang discusses career journey with Spectrum1 News
UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Matida Bojang, MD, PGY-1, recently spoke with Spectrum1 News about her path to becoming a doctor and her motivations for pursuing obstetrics and gynecology.In “Everyday Hero: Delivering babies is a ‘full-circle moment’ for this Madison doctor”, Bojang shared how friends' and family's experiences in the Gambia during her childhood motivated he...
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Grand Rounds: Shapiro Student Research Presentations
On August 21, 2025, medical students participating in the Shapiro Summer Research Program presented a multi-part Grand Rounds lecture sharing their research projects. Six students presented their projects: Anna Heintz – “Rethinking the 2500: Optimizing ꞵ-hCG Cutoffs for Early Pregnancy Viability” – starts at 2:31Morgan Homme – “Incidence of New Eating Disorders in Young Pati...
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Bird publishes in Pediatric Research
Ian Bird, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, is senior author author of a new publication in Pediatric Research. This was a direct collaboration with first author Julie Kessel, MD, associate professor in the UW School of Medicine Department Pediatrics; additional co-authors include Patrice Held, PhD; Eric Bialk; and Ryan McAdams, MD.In “Elevation of cor...
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Women's Healthcast: Health and Aging: Perimenopause, featuring Laura Bozzuto
For the next few months, the Women’s Healthcast will dive into all aspects of aging and women’s health, through conversations with experts in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and beyond. And what better topic to kick off this series than perimenopause? Laura Bozzuto, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined this epi...
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Cutler, Williamson join panel discussion on abortion restrictions with Free & Just
On August 26, 2025, Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Amy Williamson, MPP, associate director of the Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE), joined a panel discussion hosted by the advocacy organization Free & Just and UW Medical Students for Choice on the impact of threats to reproductive healthcare and...
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Grand Rounds: Luellwitz presents “Shock Management for the OB/GYN”
On July 31, 2025, Ryan Luellwitz, DO, clinical associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Shock Management for the OB/GYN”. In the lecture, Luellwitz discussed the different types and causes of shock as well as how to manage the initial resuscitation for various shock states. Watch the whole lecture here.**by Ob...
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Hoppe co-authors secondary analysis from CHAP trial in Green Journal
Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD, professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, recently co-authored a secondary analysis of the Chronic Hypertension and Pregnancy (CHAP) trial in Obstetrics & Gynecology. In “Relationship Between Third-Trimester Low Maternal Blood Pressure and Small-for-Pressure and Small-for-Gestational-Age Birth weight in Pregnant Individuals With Mild Chronic ...
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Grand Rounds: Hamm presents Towards Evidence-Based Induction: Personalized Risk, Standardization, and Lessons in Implementation
On August 7, 2025, Rebecca Hamm, MD, MSCE, assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Director of the Achieving Maternal Equity and Transforming Health through Implementation Training (AMETHIST@Penn), presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Towards Evidence-Based Induction: Personalized Ris...
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Green, Anderson-Carter receive Wisconsin Partnership Program grant
Congratulations to Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, and India Anderson-Carter, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! Green and Anderson-Carter received a grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program’s Collaborative Health Sciences Program for the project “Examining inequities i...
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Cutler joins panel at State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting and Conference
Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, shared her expertise with Wisconsin attorneys at the State Bar of Wisconsin Annual Meeting and Conference. The event was held at Monona Terrace in Madison June 18-20, 2025. Cutler joined the panel “Reproductive Rights Update: In Wisconsin and Nationwide” to talk about the evolving...
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Xu, undergraduate mentee of Irene Ong, receives Sophomore Research Fellowship
Congratulations to Iris Xu, undergraduate student working with Irene Ong, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who received the 2025-2026 Sophomore Research fellowship funded by the Brittingham Wisconsin Trust, the Kemper K. Knapp Bequest and the Provost's Office! The research fellowship will support Xu’s work on the project "Leveraging Pre-trai...
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Green co-authors op-ed in Ms Magazine
Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, co-authored an opinion article published in Ms. Magazine in response to violence against Minnesota legislators in June 2025. In “The Minnesota Shooting Wasn’t Random—It Was a Predictable Resurgence of Violence”, Green and co-author Jamie Morgan draw connections between the shooting...
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Hartenbach appointed as senior UW SMPH representative on AAMC Council on Faculty and Academic Societies
Congratulations to Ellen Hartenbach, MD, chair of the Department of Ob-Gyn and professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Hartenbach was appointed by UW School of Medicine and Public Health Dean Nita Ahuja, MD, MBA to be the senior representative from the SMPH on the American Association of Medical Colleges Council on Faculty and Academic Societies (AAMC-CFAS). The a...
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Kelly accepted into APGO Academic Scholars and Leaders Program
Congratulations to Bridget Kelly, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! Kelly was accepted into the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Academic Scholars and Leaders (ASL) Program 2026-27 cohort. The ASL is a 15-month program that provides faculty with the opportunity to grow and acquire the skills critical to ad...
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Madison Promise Walk for Preeclampsia, September 13, 2025
Please join us again this year at the Madison Promise Walk for Preeclampsia. Our Walk raises funds to support the mission of the Preeclampsia Foundation. This day is full of family-friendly activities, music, speakers, information booths, food and refreshments, great prizes for our fundraising raffle, and celebrations of our survivors of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. ...
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Cheers to the Department of Ob-Gyn Education Team on GME Professionals Day 2025!
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 join us in thanking our incredible Department of Ob-Gyn education team! Providing high-quality, comprehensive education to medical students, graduate students, residents, and fello...
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Sobecki receives grant from University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center Palliative and Supportive Care DOT pilot program
Congratulations to Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Sobecki received a two-year grant from the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center Palliative and Supportive Care DOT pilot program. The grant will support Sobecki’s ongoing research into bone loss and gynecologic cancer treatment. She will collaborate with Neil Binkley...
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Senderowicz talks about US birth rate with CS Monitor
Leigh Senderowicz, ScD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health and UW-Madison Department of Gender & Women’s Studies, recently spoke with the Christian Science Monitor for a recent story about the birth rate in the United States and the potential impacts of trying to increase it. In “Trump sees budget bill promoting a baby boom. Others...
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Grand Rounds: Shirey presents “From Walking to Walking Handstands: Navigating the Conversation Around Exercise In Pregnancy with Confidence”
On July 24, 2025, Maura Shirey, RN, NBC-HWC, CPFE, retired nurse and founder of Bodies for Birth, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “From Walking to Walking Handstands: Navigating the Conversation Around Exercise In Pregnancy with Confidence”. In the lecture, Shirey spoke about current practices and knowledge surrounding exercise in pregnancy; current guidelines for prenata...
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Huffman becomes associate director of Gynecologic Oncology fellowship program
Congratulations to Laura Huffman, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! On July 1, 2025, she became the new associate director of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship, joining fellowship director Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, in leading the program.Huffman joined the UW Department Ob-Gyn for gynecologic oncology fellowship in 2014 an...
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Roselaar matches into Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery fellowship at UH Cleveland/Case Western
Congratulations to UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Naomi Roselaar, MD, who matched into Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery fellowship at Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center!Roselaar will join the fellowship program in the summer of 2026 following graduation from ob-gyn residency.Incredible work, Dr. Roselaar!
Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility celebrates 15 years with Generations of Joy event
On Friday, August 8, the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI) hosted 328 patients, children and families at the UW Health Fertility Care Generations of Joy event to celebrate 15 years of exceptional fertility care. UW Health Fertility Care physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, and clinic staff reconnected with families who received services...
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Grand Rounds: Sampene and Wallace present “Quality Improvement Update”
On July 17, 2025, Katie Sampene, MD, clinical professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn and Director of Obstetric Quality & Safety, and Sumer Wallace, MD, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Director of Gynecology Quality & Safety, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Quality Improvement Update”.In the lecture, Sampene and Wallace...
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Abbott publishes review on origins of PCOS in Reproduction
David Abbott, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, co-authored a new publication published in Reproduction. Co-authors include Jon Levine, PhD; Phillip Dumesic, MD, PhD; Vasantha Padmanabhan, MS, PhD; and Daniel Dumesic, MD.In “Origins and Implications: Gestational anti-Müllerian hormone and testosterone excess combined with maternal adiposity program for...
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Women’s Healthcast: Reproductive Autonomy in 2025, featuring Leigh Senderowicz and Amy Williamson
Reproductive autonomy is defined as an individual’s ability to make decisions about their reproductive health and access reproductive health services without interference or coercion. In 2025, there are a lot of social and policy factors at play that impact people’s reproductive autonomy both in the U.S. and worldwide. On this episode of the Women’s Healthcast, Leigh Sender...
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Grand Rounds: Hirshberg presents “Approach to Diagnosis and Management of Postpartum Hypertension”
On June 26, 2025, Adi Hirshberg, MD, director of Obstetrical Services at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Approach to Diagnosis and Management of Postpartum Hypertension”.In the lecture, Hirshberg outlined the evaluation and diagnosis of postpartum hypertension; discussed treatment of varying severity of postpartum hypertens...
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Welcome incoming URPS Fellow Saule Tamkus, MD!
The Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery celebrates a successful match season with the news that Saule Tamkus, MD, has matched to the URPS fellowship! Tamkus will join the fellowship program in August 2026. Tamkus earned her medical degree from Rush Medical College, followed by ob-gyn residency at the University of Wisconsin. She graduated from residen...
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O’Brien talks about helping teen patients understand health information with Wisconsin media
Katie O’Brien, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke to state media outlets about her work with adolescents. O’Brien, who is one of two specialty-trained pediatric adolescent gynecologists in Wisconsin, uses social media as a way to connect with patients:"We know that they're getting their medical information mostly from interaction...
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Virumbrales-Munoz awarded R21 grant from NIDCR
Congratulations to María Virumbrales-Muñoz, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences! Virumbrales-Muñoz received a R21 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research for the project “Microphysiological systems to recapitulate and interrogate Sjögren’s disease salivary gland pathogenesis” (1R2...
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Keding publishes study in Placenta, defends thesis on August 15
Logan Keding, MS, PhD candidate in the Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program mentored by Aleks Stanic, MD, PhD, co-authored a new publication published in Placenta. Co-authors include Jessica Vazquez, PhD, Ruo-Yu Liu, Emily Bove, Jessica Dorobek, Heather Simmons, DVM, DACVP, Kathleen Antony, MD, Jenna Racine, MD, Dinesh Shah, MD, Oliver Wieben, PhD, Thaddeus Golo...
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Welcome Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH, to Hoppe Research Group
The Hoppe Research Group recently welcomed postdoctoral scholar Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH. Neal is a T32 Primary Care Research Fellow whose appointment began on July 1, 2025. Learn more about Dr. Neal’s past experience and what she will focus on in her new role!What are your primary responsibilities in this role?In my postdoctoral role, my key responsibilities are to gain more ...
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Cutler talks about Wisconsin Supreme Court decision with WPR
Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, recently joined Wisconsin Public Radio’s Wisconsin Today program to talk about the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s decision regarding the state’s 1849 law on abortion.In “State Supreme Court rules against 1849 abortion ban”, Cutler talked about the significance, for patients and provide...
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CORE researchers publish study in Journal of Sex Research
Researchers in UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) co-authored a new article published in The Journal of Sex Research. Co-authors include Madison Lands, MPH, MSW; Lindsay Cannon, MPH, MSW; Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH; and Laura Swan, PhD, LCSW. In “Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Queer+ Patients’ Preferences for Contraceptive Counseling and Experiences of Coercion in Con...
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Cooney talks about fertility preservation services in UW Health story
The UW Health Carbone Cancer Center works collaboratively with UW Health Fertility Care to help educate patients about fertility options before starting cancer treatments, including effects on fertility, available assistance freezing sperm or eggs, or creating and preserving embryos if they choose. In a recent article from UW Health, Laura Cooney, MD, associate professor in ...
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Hanks talks about extreme heat and pregnancy with Cap Times
Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, recently spoke to the Cap Times about the impacts the recent Madison heat wave can have on pregnancy. In “Madison doctor warns extreme heat can affect pregnancies”, Hanks spoke about the impacts of extreme heat on pregnant individuals, as well as how people can protect themselves from ext...
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Domeyer-Klenske discusses WI Supreme Court decision with state media
Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, associate professor and director of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, discussed the recent Wisconsin Supreme Court decision in Kaul v. Urmanski at a press conference covered by a variety of statewide media:“‘I recall caring for a patient with a life-threatening complication who needed abortion care in this time. I looked around the oper...
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CORE brief: Removing Family Planning Organizations from Medicaid Would Harm Tens of Thousands of Wisconsinites
The UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) recently published a brief highlighting a federal legislative effort that may affect essential reproductive healthcare services. This bill, which was signed into law in July 2025 and would prohibit family planning clinics that provide abortion care from participating in the Medicaid program, could severely limit access to b...
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Jacques publishes study on STIs in Wisconsin Medical Journal
Laura Jacques, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, co-authored a new publication published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal. Co-authors include Kyla Quigley, PhD; Elise S. Cowley, MD, PhD; Kaitlyn Landry, BS; Jessica Dalby, MD; Ryan Westergaard, MD, PhD, MPH.In “Chlamydia and Gonorrhea Infection Rates in Wisconsin, 2010-2022”, Jacques a...
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Women’s Healthcast: Know Your STIs, featuring Jess Dalby, MD
Chlamydia and gonorrhea are two of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States. For Wisconsin in particular, rates of both diseases are on the rise.Jess Dalby, MD, associate professor in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Family Medicine and Community Health and medical consultant on sexually transmitted infections for the City...
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Green, Sobecki celebrated at SMPH Faculty Investiture Ceremony
The UW School of Medicine and Public Health hosted the 2025 SMPH Faculty Investiture Celebration on June 18. Two faculty in the Department of Ob-Gyn with recent appointments to endowed professorships and fellowships were celebrated during the ceremony.Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, became the Gloria E. Sarto MD,...
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Passing of Dolores (Dee) Buchler, MD
Dolores (Dee) Buchler, MD, longtime faculty member in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Division of Gynecologic Oncology, died on June 15, 2025. Dr. Buchler grew up in Casper, Wyoming. She graduated from the Medical College of Pennsylvania, followed by obstetrics and gynecology residency and fellowship in general surgery and radiation oncology. Dr. Buchler joined t...
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Cutler, Higgins talk about post-Dobbs research in Cap Times
Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, was the lead author on a study published in JAMA Open Network about the impact of the Dobbs decision on the ability of ob-gyns in Wisconsin to provide adequate health care to patients with pregnancy risks or complications. Cutler and co-author Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, professor an...
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Bozzuto appointed to Research on Women’s Health Scholars program
Congratulations to Laura Bozzuto, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, who was selected for the UW School of Medicine and Public Health Research on Women’s Health Scholars (RoWHS) program! Bozzuto’s year-long RoWHS appointment begins July 1, 2025. Bozzuto will use the RoWHS funding for the project “Patient and provider decision makin...
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Domeyer-Klenske talks about COVID vaccine recommendations with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD, associate professor and director of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for a recent story on COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.In “State health officials urge kids, pregnant women to get COVID-19 vaccine despite federal pullback”, Domeyer talked about COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for pregn...
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Sobecki publishes study in Osteoporosis International
Janelle Sobecki, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, published a new article published in Osteoporosis International. Co-authors include Diane Krueger; Perry Pickhardt, MD; Neil Binkley, MD; and Paul Anderson, MD. In “Optimizing region of interest size and placement for clinical opportunistic CT trabecular bone Hounsfield unit measurements”, Sobe...
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Bozzuto talks about menopause with Wisconsin Public Radio
Laura Bozzuto, MD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined Wisconsin Public Radio’s Wisconsin Today program for a recent story about menopause.In “New bill would require menopause education from health care providers”, Bozzuto discussed the basics of menopause and its outcomes, the variety of treatment options, and the importance of ...
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Bharucha presents poster at ASCO conference
Congratulations to UW Department of Ob-Gyn Kharmen Bharucha, MD, PGY-2, who brought a poster to the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting! ASCO hosted the event May 30-June 3, 2025 in Chicago. Bharucha presented the poster “Progression free survival as a surrogate end point of overall survival in randomized controlled trials of ovarian cancer maintenance ...
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Graduation Feature: Hutcherson completes MS in Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program
Congratulations to Beverly Hutcherson, MS, who graduates from the Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology program with a master’s degree! Hutcherson completed the thesis project “Elevated Antimullerian Hormone, Inhibitor of Oocyte Maturation?”. Hutcherson shared some reflections of her academic journey: Why were you interested in your research topic? When I was an underg...
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Stanic Lab at the 2025 ASRI Conference
The American Society for Reproductive Immunology held the ASRI 2025 Annual Meeting in St. Paul, Minnesota May 18-21, 2025. Faculty and researchers from the Division of Reproductive Sciences helped shape the conference agenda and shared their research at the event, and even received conference awards! Just some of their exciting accomplishments: Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD,...
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UW Department of Ob-Gyn pregnancy experts to present on Informed & Empowered series June 30-July 28
Informed and Empowered is a free, community-centered webinar series offering practical, trusted information about common pregnancy conditions such as perinatal mood disorders, substance use, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and more. We’ll also explore how lifestyle factors and social factors – like stress, racism, and access to care – impact health. Designed for pregnan...
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Research and leadership at the AcademyHealth 2025 Annual Research Meeting
Faculty, scholars, and staff from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn brought research and provided leadership at the AcademyHealth 2025 Annual Research Meeting. AcademyHealth hosted the event in Minneapolis June 7-10, 2025. Podium presentations: Partnering with Community and Applying Evidence to Advance Reproductive Health - Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division o...
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Department of Ob-Gyn education leaders bring presentations to UW SMPH Medical Education Day
The UW School of Medicine and Public Health hosted Medical Education Day on May 29, 2025 in the Health Sciences Learning Center. Faculty and staff from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn brought posters and presentations to the annual event. A few of their exciting accomplishments: Post-Event Session: Phase 2 and 3 Meeting – led by Kathy Stewart, MD, Phase 2/3 Director Posters: M...
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Farewell, Residency Class of 2025!
This week, we say goodbye to the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Residency Class of 2025! 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 2025!John Gravelle, MDWhere will you be going and what will you be doing after residency? I will...
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Congratulations to winners of the 2025 UW Department of Ob-Gyn awards!
On June 12, 2025, 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, including both service in the Department of Ob-Gyn and at the University of Wisconsin or UW Health overall. Service years at UW/UW Health in parentheses:...
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Infusino departs following Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship
After three years of training in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellowship, Scott Infusino, MD, is preparing to graduate. Infusino shares what’s next after fellowship, the important lessons learned during training, and messages of gratitude for people who shaped his time at UW.Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?I will be st...
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Patel shares reflections on Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery fellowship
After three years of training in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery fellowship, Ushma Patel, MD, is preparing to graduate. Patel shares what’s next after fellowship, the important lessons learned during training, and messages of gratitude for people who shaped her time at UW.Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW O...
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Wagar shares what's next after Gynecologic Oncology fellowship
After three years of intense fellowship training in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Matthew Wagar, MD, is preparing to graduate. Wagar shares what’s next after fellowship, the important lessons learned during training, and messages of gratitude for people who shaped his time in fellowship.Where will you be going and what will you be doing after UW Ob-Gyn?I w...
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Women’s Healthcast: Preparing for Your First Period, featuring Katie O’Brien, MD
For many young people, the idea of starting to get a period is at least a little bit stressful. Katie O’Brien, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, helps kids and families in her pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic feel more prepared for periods. She joined this episode of the Women’s Healthcast to talk about what periods are, ho...
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Cutler presents at Northwestern Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology event
Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, visited the Northwestern Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology on May 30, 2025, to present during the program’s Celebration of Education Day. Cutler was invited to give the Elliot Silbar Endowed Lecture during the event. She presented “Dobbs Downstre...
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Grand Rounds: Gravelle presents We Built This Mistrust: Addressing the Legacy of Medical Harm in Ob-Gyn
On May 29, 2025, UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident John Gravelle, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “We Built This Mistrust: Addressing the Legacy of Medical Harm in Ob-Gyn.” In the lecture, Gravelle identified key historical and contemporary events driving medical mistrust in ob-gyn; described how systemic inequities and biases in reproductive and gender-affirmin...
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Wallace accepted into 2025 UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program cohort
Sumer Wallace, MD, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was accepted into the UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program’s 2025-26 cohort! Wallace is one of just 24 selected from a highly competitive pool. The Physician Leadership Development Program (PLDP)is a UW Health initiative designed to equip physicians with the leadership skills necess...
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Integrated Specialty Care for Women program featured in Quarterly Magazine
The UW Health Integrated Specialty Care for Women (ISCW) program, a multidisciplinary clinic to address common conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, fibroids, pelvic pain, and sexual dysfunction, launched in late 2024. The program is prominently featured in the spring 2025 issue of Quarterly, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health magazi...
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Patankar brings research to World Congress on Endometriosis
Manish Patankar, PhD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Sciences, brought an oral presentation and poster to the 16th World Congress on Endometriosis 2025, hosted in Sydney, Australia May 21-24, 2025. At the conference, Patankar presented as part of the seminar session Benefits and Bugbears of Modeling Endometriosis Outside of the Human Body: Mediobasal...
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Grand Rounds: Wagar presents Advances in Gynecologic Malignancies: Mitigating Care Disparities in Novel Cancer Approaches
On May 22, 2025, UW Department of Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology Fellow Matt Wagar, MD, presented the Ob-Gyn Grand Rounds lecture Advances in Gynecologic Malignancies: Mitigating Care Disparities in Novel Cancer Approaches. In the lecture, Wagar described new advances in treatment, evaluation, and surgical management of gynecologic malignancies; discussed how advances in cancer...
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Department of Ob-Gyn brings research to 2025 American Association for Cancer Research annual conference
Researchers from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Sciences and Division of Gynecologic Oncology brought posters to the 2025 American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting, held in Chicago April 25-30, 2025. The AACR published conference proceedings, including abstracts, in a supplemental issue of Cancer Research. Each abstract is also linked belo...
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Wegrzynowicz receives oral presentation award at Madison Scholars Symposium
Congratulations to Andrea Wegrzynowicz, PhD, postdoctoral trainee in the Stanic Lab in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who received the oral presentation award at the Madison Scholars Symposium in early May 2025! The Madison Scholars Symposium was hosted by the T32 Biology of Aging and Age-Related Diseases Training Grant in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Departme...
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UW Health Fertility Care fertility preservation services highlighted in UW Health story
UW Health recently published a story about one patient’s experience with a surprising cancer diagnosis and the supportive services offered by the health system to help her through treatment. One such service mentioned in the article was fertility preservation through UW Health Fertility Care and the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertili...
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Betancourt Ponce graduates from Barroilhet Lab
Congratulations to Mayra Betancourt Ponce, PhD, first-ever PhD graduate from the Barroilhet Lab in the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology! She graduated in May 2025 with the thesis project “Oxidative Phosphorylation Inhibition in Solid Tumors.” After finishing her PhD, Betancourt Ponce will complete her final year of medical school at the UW School of Medicine and Pu...
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Department of Ob-Gyn mentees share research at 2025 UW–Madison Undergraduate Symposium
Undergraduate student researchers mentored by faculty in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn brought four posters and eight oral presentations to the 2025 UW–Madison Undergraduate Symposium on April 25, 2025.The annual Undergraduate Symposium showcases undergraduate creativity, achievement, research, service-learning and community-based research from all areas of study at UW–Madison...
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Grand Rounds: Luthardt presents Rural Maternal Health: Reflecting on the Past and Confronting the Present
On May 1, 2025, UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Jackie Luthardt, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Rural Maternal Health: Reflecting on the Past and Confronting the Present.”In the lecture, Luthardt summarized the history of rural maternal and infant health, discussed rural maternity care deserts and the various obstetrics factors that affect access, and examin...
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Presentations at Department Research Day 2025
On May 15, 2025, the UW Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology hosted Department Research Day, an annual presentation of graduating fellows’ thesis projects, research from members of the Department of Ob-Gyn, and posters showcasing a variety of ob-gyn and reproductive health research.Margareta Pisarska, MD, director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertil...
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Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
Gynecologic Oncology
Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Reproductive and Population Health
Reproductive Sciences
Education
Research
Fellowship
Events
Collaborative for Reproductive Equity
Stanic-Kostic Research Team
Abigail Cutler
Barroilhet talks about rare cancer case with state and national media
Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, recently spoke with various media channels about a patient’s experience with an extremely rare cancer after childbirth.In early May 2025, UW Health published the story Rare cancer disrupts Lydia's newborn baby bliss, covering a local patient’s experience with choriocarcinoma, an uncommon diagnosis. In...
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Wagar shares thoughts on phenotype testing for endometrial cancer with OncLive
Matt Wagar, MD, a gynecologic oncologic fellow in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, spoke with OncLive for a recent story about endometrial cancer and potential treatments and tests for it.In “Dr. Wagar on the Use of T-DXd in Patients With HER2+ Endometrial Cancer,” Wagar recommended that healthcare providers testing or working with endometrial cancer should use HER2 tes...
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Wendland publishes study about maternal mortality misinformation in Global Public Health
Claire Wendland, MD, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, co-authored a new study published in Global Public Health. Co-authors include Lynn Morgan.In “Debunking misinformation about abortion-related maternal mortality in Africa,” Wendland and co-authors noted how misinformation in Africa about abortion that justifies its restriction and cri...
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Spencer talks about postpartum Medicaid and rural maternal health with PBS Wisconsin
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined PBS Wisconsin for a recent story about recent issues with maternal care coverage in rural areas.In “Maternal health care in Wisconsin and the future of Medicaid,” Spencer talked about challenges with rural maternal care in Wisconsin, disparities in pregnancy risk across the state, and m...
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Cutler talks about Dobbs' impacts on physicians with WPR
Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology, spoke with Wisconsin Public Radio for a recent story about the continued effects of the Dobbs Decision for Wisconsin healthcare providers.In “Study: Varying abortion care directives confuse Wisconsin doctors, jeopardize patient health,” Cutler talked about a new...
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