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. 

It’s a Match! Meet the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Resident Class of 2030!

We are thrilled to introduce the incoming UW Department of Ob-Gyn Resident Class of 2030, who matched into our residency on March 20, 2026. Please help us welcome these future ob-gyns to our department!Erica Deming – Case Western Reserve UniversityEmily Fortman – Ohio State UniversityMichael Kaden-Hoffmann – University of WashingtonLumnie Lika – Drexel UniversityJohnny Malic... more

Sharp receives UW Health 2026 Clinical Educator Physician Excellence Award

Congratulations to Kristen Sharp, MD, professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! Sharp was selected to receive a 2026 UW Health Clinical Educator Physician Excellence Award. Sharp will be celebrated on May 20, 2026 at the UW Health Physician Excellence Awards ceremony. The Clinical Educator Physician Excellence Award recognizes an outstanding educator who t... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Kristen Sharp

Cutler presents on panel at UW interfaith bioethics conference

In February 2026, the Center for Interfaith Dialogue and the Islamic STEM Association at the University of Wisconsin-Madison hosted Faith, Justice and Pluralistic Futures, the UW’s first interfaith bioethics conference. The event brought more than 200 people together to discuss bioethical questions at the complex intersections of faith, ethics, and medicine. During the conf... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Abigail Cutler

Bhagavath, Patankar discuss endometriosis with Badger Herald

Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, and Manish Patankar, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, spoke with the Badger Herald about endometriosis in honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month. In “During endometriosis awareness month, experts detail disease, current research”, Bhagavath and Pa... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Reproductive Sciences Research Manish Patankar Bala Bhagavath

Hoppe co-authors new study in AJOG Global Reports

Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD, professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Vice Chair for Clinical Research, recently co-authored a new study published in AJOG Global Reports. Co-authors include Srishti Gupta, BS; Megan Knutson Sinaise, MS; and Jennifer Zaborek, MS.In “A comparative analysis of blood pressure categorization using 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitori... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Publication Research Kara Hoppe

Study by Division of Gynecologic Oncology members selected for ACOG Roy M. Pitkin Award

A study authored by Matt Wagar, MD, former Gynecologic Oncology fellow, and Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, current Gynecologic Oncology fellow, have recently been selected for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Roy M. Pitkin Award! Division of Gynecologic Oncology Director Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, and UW Department of Ob-Gyn Data Management and Statisti... more
Gynecologic Oncology Publication Research Education Fellowship Rachel Mojdehbakhsh Lisa Barroilhet Amy Godecker

Grand Rounds: Bajpai presents Carcinogens in the workplace: Increased cancer risk for healthcare workers

On February 26, 2026, UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Rusha Bajpai, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Carcinogens in the workplace: Increased cancer risk for healthcare workers”. In the lecture, Bajpai examined how carcinogens affect our bodies on a molecular and cellular level; outlined which cancers are more and less common in healthcare workers; and discusse... more
Education Residency Grand Rounds

Luellwitz co-authors publication in Biological Research for Nursing

Ryan Luellwitz, DO, clinical associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, recently co-authored a publication in Biological Research for Nursing. Co-authors include Katelyn Desorcy-Sherer, PhD, RN; Kerry McNamara, BSN; Eliot Stanton, PhD; and Ibrahim Zuniga-Chaves, PhD. In “Early Insights Into Maternal Antidepressant Use and the Human Infant Gut Micr... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Publication Research Ryan Luellwitz

UW Department of Ob-Gyn at ACOG Congressional Leadership Conference 2026

Faculty and residents from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn attended the Congressional Leadership Conference, hosted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington, D.C., March 8-10, 2026. The theme of this year’s event was Ob-Gyns in Action: Transforming Expertise into Influence, highlighting the ways ob-gyn experts can have a role in shaping health pol... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Education Residency Amy Domeyer-Klenske Ben Pickus Abigail Nelezen Carley Zeal

Celebrating trainees on Thank A Resident Day 2026

The last Friday of every February is Thank a Resident Day, a day led by the Gold Humanism Honor Society to show gratitude for the integral role physician trainees have in our health care team.Training residents and fellows is one of the most important functions as a clinical department in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. We are so grateful to have each of the 29 ... more
Education Residency Fellowship

Barroilhet presents at 2026 SGO Winter Meeting

Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented at the 2026 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Winter Meeting, held in Olympic Valley, CA January 29-31, 2026.Barroilhet presented “Homologous Recombinant Proficient Ovarian Cancer” at the event, which celebrated 30 years of sharing innovation and discovery in gynecologic oncology this year. Cu... more
Gynecologic Oncology Research Fellowship Lisa Barroilhet

Berube in Barroilhet, Virumbrales-Muñoz Labs receives SMPH Collaborate Travel Award

Michael Berube, DVM, PhD, postdoctoral research associate in the Barroilhet and Virumbrales-Muñoz Labs, received a travel award at the 2026 SMPH Collaborate poster session! The February 6, 2026 SMPH Collaborate event was focused on postdoctoral research and accomplishments. This is the second year in a row that a postdoctoral researcher from the Department of Ob-Gyn received... more
Gynecologic Oncology Research Virumbrales-Muñoz Research Team Lisa Barroilhet Maria Virumbrales-Munoz

CORE and REAL researchers contribute chapters to When Roe Fell

Researchers and staff from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology contributed chapters to a new book published by Rutgers Press in late 2025 that explores the consequences of overturning Roe v. Wade.When Roe Fell includes scholarship about how the Dobbs decision impacted who could access abortion care, how physicians navigated a changing legal landscape, and more. Resea... more
Reproductive and Population Health Collaborative for Reproductive Equity

Residents celebrate 2026 ACOG Resident Wellbeing Week

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) partner each year to raise awareness of and celebrate the critical importance of physician wellness during Resident Wellbeing Week. This year, UW Department of Ob-Gyn residents celebrated the week with dedicated events February 1-6, 2026.T... more
Education Residency

Naik selected to join Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Aaditi Naik, MD, PGY-4, has recently been selected for induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Medical Society! Naik was selected for induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society as a member of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Alpha Omega Alpha is a medical honor society that recognizes individuals for their excelle... more
Education Residency

Barroilhet elected to SGO Board of Directors

Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was recently elected to the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) Board of Directors. She will serve as a member-at-large. Barroilhet’s term will begin during the SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in April 2026.SGO’s mission is to accelerate innovative, high-quality, equitab... more
Gynecologic Oncology Lisa Barroilhet

Giles presents keynote at 2026 Mayo Clinic OB-GYN Clinical and Surgical Updates meeting

Dobie Giles, MD, MS, MBA, professor in the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Surgery, delivered a keynote address at the 2026 Mayo Clinic OB-GYN Clinical and Surgical Updates meeting. The meeting was held in Kamuela, HI, from February 5-8, 2026. Giles presented the keynote lecture “Work Related Neuromuscular Injuries: How to Successfully Pivot in Your Career.” The... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Dobie Giles

Ahrendt, Badger selected as ACOG Junior Fellow Section Vice Chairs

UW Department of Ob-Gyn residents Taylor Badger, MD, PGY-2, and Hannah Ahrendt, MD, PGY-1, are the newly elected ACOG Junior Fellow Section Vice Chairs! As Section Vice Chairs, they are also members of the District VI Junior Fellow District Advisory Council. The Junior Fellow Section vice chair/chair position is a two-year term beginning on May 3, 2026, and ending at the con... more
Education Residency

Anderson-Carter, Barroilhet join American Medical Student Association reproductive health panel

India Anderson-Carter, MD, Department of Ob-Gyn Director of Social Impact and Belonging and assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, recently joined a reproductive health panel with the UW School of Medicine and Public Health chapter of the Ame... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Gynecologic Oncology Outreach Social Impact and Belonging Lisa Barroilhet India Anderson-Carter

Grand Rounds: Research Team presents “From Concept to Completion: Navigating a Research Project in Ob-Gyn”

On February 5, 2026, the Department of Ob-Gyn Research Team presented the Grand Rounds lecture “From Concept to Completion: Navigating a Research Project in Ob-Gyn”. The Research Team includes Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD; Jaison Hampson, MD, MBBBS, MPH; Todd Forsythe, BS; Paul Hoppe, MS; Lydia Rosennabum, DrHSc; Elizabeth Albert, MA; Grace Jensen, MA; and Amy Godecker, PhD, MS.In th... more
Research

Spencer co-authors article about residency program trends in Green Journal

Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, recently co-authored an article published in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Co-authors include Anchal Dhawan, BS; Natalia Gontarczyk Uczkowski, MPH; Amy Godecker, PhD, MS; and Emily Morris Hawes, PharmD.In “Trends in Comparative Growth in Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Programs Over the Past 20 Years (20... more
Gynecologic Oncology Education Publication Research Ryan Spencer

Department of Ob-Gyn brings presentations, leadership to 2026 CREOG/APGO Annual Meeting

Members of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn presented at the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) & Association of Professors of Gynecology & Obstetrics (APGO) Annual Meeting, hosted from February 18-21, 2026, in Seattle, WA. The theme for this year’s meeting was ‘Igniting Ob-Gyn Education with Intention, Imagination, and Integrity’. Our department’s... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Gynecologic Oncology Education Research Residency Laura Jacques Ellen Hartenbach Bridget Kelly Abigail Cutler Sumer Wallace Katherine Sampene Ryan Spencer Caroline Cox

Grand Rounds: Catherino presents Resident Scholars Day keynote Uterine Fibroids: Novel Therapies, Future Advances

On February 12, 2026, William Catherino, MD, PhD, professor and vice-chair of research at the Uniformed Services University Department of Gynecologic Surgery and Obstetrics, and Laurel W. Rice visiting professor, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Uterine Fibroids: Novel Therapies, Future Advances”.In the lecture, Catherino described current surgical interventions for uteri... more
Podcast Grand Rounds

Green and REAL researchers co-author article in Social Science and Medicine

Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Population Health Sciences and Ob-Gyn, recently co-authored an article published in Social Science and Medicine with fellow researchers in the Reproductive Equity Action Lab (REAL). Co-authors include Lindsay Cannon; Meaghan Bethea; and Laura Swan, PhD, LCSW. In “‘It should have been my decision’: A mixed methods ... more
Reproductive and Population Health Research Publication Tiffany Green

Grand Rounds: Vakili presents Neurophysiology of Chronic Pelvic Pain

On January 29, 2026, Babak Vakili, MD, professor in the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery and the Medical Director of Integrated Specialty Care for Women, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Neurophysiology of Chronic Pelvic Pain”.In the lecture, Vakili described different characteristics of somatic pain and visceral pain; discussed neural pathways ... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Grand Rounds Babak Vakili

Olenska selected to attend Pathways in Reproductive Medicine conference

UW Department of Ob-Gyn resident Yuliia Olenska, MD, PGY-2, was recently selected to attend the Reproductive Medicine Associates’ Pathways in Reproductive Medicine conference, to be held March 13-14, 2026 in Bernards, New Jersey. The conference is designed for ob-gyn residents who have an interest in subspecialty training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI). ... more
Education Residency

Department of Ob-Gyn brings research to SMFM 2026 Pregnancy Meeting

The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine hosted the 2026 Pregnancy Meeting in Las Vegas February 8-13. Faculty, trainees, and staff in the department brought an impressive slate of research to the event. Learn more about their posters: The relationship between agentry during antepartum hospitalization and postpartum depression or anxiety symptoms – John Soehl, MD Adopting Tec... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Jacqueline Powell Erin Bailey Jacquelyn Askins Kara Hoppe Janine Rhoades

Hanks is first guest on Birth with Babylist podcast

Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, recently joined the Birth with Babylist podcast as their first guest. Birth with Babylist aims to inform listeners about the birth process by sharing real stories and expert insights.In “Own Your Birth Experience”, Hanks and fellow guest Victoria Dean, CPM, LM, walk through what birth act... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Laura Hanks

Residency program announces 2026-27 chief residents

The UW Department of Ob-Gyn residency program is pleased to announce the residents selected for leadership positions for the 2026-27 academic year. These residents will move into their leadership roles on May 1, 2026, following a training and onboarding process with the current chief residents.Administrative Chiefs:Raiven Owusu, MD, and Nicolette Codispoti, MD, MS, MPH, will... more
Education Residency

Kushner reappointed as John M. and Jeanne C. Flesch Professor in Gynecologic Oncology

Congratulations to David Kushner, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Kushner was reappointed for a five-year term as the John M. and Jeanne C. Flesch Professor in Gynecologic Oncology. Jeanne and John Flesch established this professorship to provide financial support for an outstanding faculty member in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology who conducts re... more
Gynecologic Oncology David Kushner

Spencer in top 10 percent of Green Journal reviewers in 2025

Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who ranked in the top 10 percent of reviewers for the journal Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2025! The top 10 percent of reviewers were identified based on the number and quality of reviews completed in 2025, as well as the time spent on completing them.Serving as a peer reviewer requir... more
Gynecologic Oncology Ryan Spencer

Virumbrales-Muñoz receives Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research Fall Research Competition award

Congratulations to María Virumbrales-Muñoz, PhD, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences! Virumbrales-Muñoz received a Fall Research Competition award from the UW–Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research! The $66,000 award will support the project Immune-endothelial interactions in preeclampsia-associated vascular dysfunction. The award period ... more
Reproductive Sciences Research Maria Virumbrales-Munoz

ASOG Family Planning, CORE faculty publish article in SSM-Health Systems

Researchers from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn and the UW Collaborative for Reproductive Equity (CORE) recently published an article in SSM – Health Systems. Authors include Laura Jacques, MD; Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH; Corinne Hale; Eliza Bennett, MD; and Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH.In “How U.S. healthcare institutions’ actions, or inactio... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Laura Jacques Eliza Bennett Jenny Higgins Abigail Cutler

Healthy Women Community Talk: Zhang presents Know Your Risk: Cervical Cancer

Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented a Healthy Women Community Talk on January 15, 2026. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, so the talk, titled “Know Your Risk: Cervical Cancer”, delves into the history of cervical cancer, as well as risks and prevention. Healthy Women Community Talks provide an opportunity... more
Gynecologic Oncology Community Outreach Events Catherine Zhang

Higgins co-authors article in Contraception

Jenny Higgins, PhD, MPH, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive and Population Health and the Collaborative for Reproductive Equity, recently co-authored an article published in Contraception. Additional authors include Laura Swan, PhD, LCSW; Jane Seymour, PhD, MPH; Allison Hung, MPH; and Megan Kavanaugh. In “Reasons for contraceptive and LARC non-use: How pr... more
Reproductive and Population Health Publication Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins

Adams promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

Huge congratulations to Jacquelyn Adams, MD, MS, of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Promotion Committee unanimously voted to approve Adams’ promotion to Associate Professor (CHS), effective June 28, 2026. Adams joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn as faculty in 2020, following MFM fellowship training at our department. S... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Jacquelyn Adams

Department of Ob-Gyn presentations at 2026 APGO Faculty Development Seminar

Members of the UW-Madison Department of Ob-Gyn presented at the Association of Professors of Gynecology & Obstetrics (APGO) Martin L. Stone, MD, Faculty Development Seminar (FDS). The seminar was held January 10-13, 2026, on Amelia Island, Florida. Their impressive presentations include:Workshop – Mitigating Cohort Effects: Group Advising for More Equitable Residency Signali... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Education Residency Kristina Kaljo Amy Domeyer-Klenske Laura Jacques

Beninati promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

Huge congratulations to Michael Beninati, MD, of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Promotion Committee unanimously voted to approve Beninati’s promotion to Associate Professor (CHS), effective June 28, 2026. Beninati joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn in 2019 and has served as the interim director of the UW Health Fetal ... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Michael Beninati

Grand Rounds: Wilkes presents Addressing Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Improving Quality of Life in Midlife and Beyond

On January 8, 2026, Margaret Wilkes, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Addressing Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: Improving Quality of Life in Midlife and Beyond”.In the lecture, Wilkes described the impact of genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM) on sexual, urinary, and ov... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Margaret Wilkes

Kelly promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

Huge congratulations to Bridget Kelly, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Promotion Committee unanimously voted to approve Kelly's promotion to Associate Professor (CHS), effective June 28, 2026. Kelly joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn in 2019 and since then has become the UW Ob-Gyn Resid... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Bridget Kelly

Zhang talks with the Cap Times about cervical cancer rates and screening

Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, spoke with the Cap Times about cervical cancer rates and screening. Despite having a proven vaccine, cervical cancer rates are on the rise among U.S. women aged 30-44, raising questions about the reasons behind the rise.In "Cervical cancer is up in one group. This doctor wants to talk abou... more
Gynecologic Oncology Catherine Zhang

Cox promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)

Congratulations to Caroline Cox, MD, of the Division of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Promotion Committee unanimously voted to approve Cox’s promotion to Associate Professor (CHS), effective June 28, 2026. Cox joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn in 2023 following completion of ob-gyn residency with our departm... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Caroline Cox

Grand Rounds: Mojdehbakhsh presents What’s the Deal with Endometrial Cancer?

On November 20, 2025, UW Department of Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology Fellow Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, MS, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “What’s the Deal with Endometrial Cancer?”. In the lecture, Mojdehbakhsh discussed how endometrial cancer is affecting people today; examined reasons why endometrial cancer is a rising issue; and reviewed areas in which ob-gyns are making ... more
Gynecologic Oncology Education Fellowship Rachel Mojdehbakhsh

Sampene talks about new ACS cervical cancer screening guidelines with Beckers Oncology

Katherine Sampene, MD, clinical professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, was recently featured in an article by Beckers Oncology highlighting the American Cancer Society’s new cervical cancer screening guidelines. The update includes recommendations for self-collection and provides clearer guidance on when to discontinue screening safely.When asked whethe... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Katherine Sampene

Women’s Healthcast: Weight and Wellness, Part 2, featuring Kate Sample, MD

Over the last few months, the Women’s Healthcast has focused on how aging can affect our health. For the last two episodes in the Health and Aging series, we consider the impact of aging on metabolism – including societal implications. In Weight and Wellness, Part 1, Kate Sample, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined the Women's He... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Podcast Kate Sample

Cooney receives ICTR Translational Basic and Clinical Research Pilot Award

Laura Cooney, MD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, was recently awarded the ICTR Translational Basic and Clinical Research Pilot Award. The project Functional and Structural Impacts of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) on Brain Health, which is in collaboration with Co-PI Bill Schrage, PhD, of the UW-Madison Department of Kine... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Research Laura Cooney

Green to collaborate with Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness on WPP grant

Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health and the Department of Population Health Sciences, will collaborate with the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness on a Community Impact Grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program!The project, Accelerating Birth Equity in Wisconsin Through a Community-based Doula Workforce, seeks t... more
Reproductive and Population Health Research Tiffany Green

Barroilhet to collaborate on WPP new investigator grant

Lisa Barroilhet, MD, MS, associate professor and director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, will be collaborating on a New Investigator Grant from the Wisconsin Partnership Program! Barroilhet will work with principal investigator Daniel Matson, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and fellow collaborator Pam Kreeger, Ph... more
Gynecologic Oncology Research Lisa Barroilhet

Green receives 2026 UW–Madison Distinguished Teaching Award

Huge congratulations to Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of REproductive and Population Health, who was selected to receive a 2026 UW–Madison Distinguished Teaching Award! Green earned the Chancellor’s Inclusive Excellence Teaching Award; she will be honored at a ceremony on April 15, 2026. The Chancellor’s Inclusive Excellence Teaching Award celebrate... more
Reproductive and Population Health Education Tiffany Green

Pickus selected to inaugural GLMA LGBTQ+ Health Equity & Advocacy Leadership (HEAL) Fellowship

Congratulations to Ben Pickus, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology! Pickus was selected to join the inaugural LGBTQ+ Health Equity and Advocacy Leadership (HEAL) Fellowship, convened by GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality.The HEAL Fellowship is a two-year program supporting early-career LGBTQ+ and BIPO... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Advocacy Ben Pickus

Neal receives WPP Postdoctoral Grant Award

The Wisconsin Partnership Program recently announced 17 recipients of Postdoctoral Grant Program Awards. Two researchers in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn received awards, which provide career development grants to enhance and expand postdoctoral research, education and professional development at SMPH. Grants are up to $20,000 each over one year.Melissa Neal, PhD, MPH, is a po... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research

Kim receives WPP Postdoctoral Grant Award

The Wisconsin Partnership Program recently announced 17 recipients of Postdoctoral Grant Program Awards. Two researchers in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn received awards, which provide career development grants to enhance and expand postdoctoral research, education and professional development at SMPH. Grants are up to $20,000 each over one year.Taehyun Kim, PhD, postdoctoral ... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity

Hoppe receives grant to connect Meriter and UW SMPH maternal-child health data

Kara Hoppe, DO, PhD, professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Vice Chair for Clinical Research, received a grant from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Office of Social Health Sciences and Programs to support the project Data Link for Healthy Families! Hoppe will be the principal investigator for the project, working in collabor... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Kara Hoppe

Gelissen passes ob-gyn boards!

Congratulations to Julia Gelissen, MD, second-year gynecologic oncology fellow in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn! Gelissen passed American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology board exams and is now officially board-certified in Ob-Gyn. Taking time out of busy and intense fellowship to complete the boards is always extra impressive. Incredible work, Dr. Gelissen!
Gynecologic Oncology Education Fellowship

REAL Lab resource shared with clinicians nationwide by Power to Decide

Members of the Reproductive Equity Action Lab (REAL), which is led by Tiffany Green, PhD, associate professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health, developed a resource to provide more background about trans and gender diverse health care which has been disseminated to clinicians around the country through Power to Decide! “Trans & Gender Diverse Health 101:... more
Reproductive and Population Health Tiffany Green

Cutler shares thoughts on abortion legislation with Cap Times

Abigail Cutler, MD, MPH, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, spoke with the Cap Times about legislative proposals with the potential to impact reproductive healthcare in Wisconsin. The article “Madison doctor says abortion control proposals are meant to scare” shares overviews of a few different items of legislation that aim to regulate, re... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Abigail Cutler

Faculty, residents and fellows bring research to 2025 AAGL Global Congress on MIGS

The AAGL hosted the 54th Global Congress on MIGS November 8-11, 2025 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Congratulations to the UW Department of Ob-Gyn faculty, residents, and fellows who co-authored videos and abstracts presented at the conference: Video Session – Endometriosis: Hatching from the Myometrium: Unusual Excision of an Endometrioma – UW Department of Ob-Gyn reside... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Gynecologic Oncology Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Residency Fellowship Education Olga Fajardo Bala Bhagavath

Virumbrales-Muñoz selected for BIRCWH program

Congratulations to María Virumbrales-Muñoz, PhD, MS, assistant professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, who is one of just three scholars selected for the 2025-27 cohort of the UW Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRCWH) program! Virumbrales-Muñoz began the two-year appointment on November 1, 2025. The BIRCWH award will support Virumb... more
Reproductive Sciences Research Virumbrales-Muñoz Research Team Maria Virumbrales-Munoz

Bhagavath talks about IVF legislation with Cap Times

Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, was recently featured in an article by The Cap Times discussing a potential bill that would require insurance plans to cover fertility treatments, including IVF.In “IVF cost $15k for her first pregnancy. A new bill could make it free.”, Bhagavath described his experience... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Advocacy Bala Bhagavath

Grand Rounds: Anderholm presents “Ob-Gyns as Public Health Providers”

On December 4, 2025, UW Department of Ob-Gyn rural track resident Kaitlyn Anderholm, MD, PGY-4, presented the Grand Rounds lecture “Ob-Gyns as Public Health Providers”.In the lecture, Anderholm discussed ob-gyns as advocates for patients and for public health as a whole; the implementation of public health within the ob-gyn sphere; and examples of successes.Watch the whole l... more
Education Residency Grand Rounds

Women's Healthcast: Health and Aging: Weight and Wellness, Part 1, featuring Kate Sample, MD

Over the last few months, the Women’s Healthcast has focused on how aging can affect our health. For the last final episodes in the Health and Aging series, we consider the impact of aging on metabolism – including societal implications. Kate Sample, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined the Women’s Healthcast to share her insight... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Podcast Kate Sample

Jacques receives APGO Humanism in Teaching Award

Congratulations to Laura Jacques, MD, associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn! Jacques was selected as a 2025 recipient of the Humanism in Teaching Award from the Association of Professors in Gynecology and Obstetrics. The APGO Humanism in Teaching Award honors ob-gyn educators from APGO member departments who are outstanding role models in the... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Education Laura Jacques

Bhagavath discusses fertility coverage with Wisconsin Today on WPR

Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, joined Wisconsin Public Radio’s Wisconsin Today to discuss fertility coverage amidst bills circulating in the Wisconsin state legislature to reduce the cost of IVF treatment. In “Wisconsin lawmakers discuss competing bills to reduce IVF costs”, Bhagavath discussed covera... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Bala Bhagavath

Wendland receives 2025 SMPH GWIMS/BIRCWH Women’s Health Research Mentorship Award

Congratulations to Claire Wendland, MD, PhD, professor in the Division of Reproductive and Population Health and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Anthropology, who was selected to receive the 2025 UW School of Medicine and Public Health Group on Women in Medicine and Science (GWIMS)/Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health (BIRWCH) Women... more
Reproductive and Population Health Claire Wendland

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... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Podcast

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... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Laura Cooney

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... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Reproductive Sciences Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Bala Bhagavath Laura Cooney Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic Manish Patankar Katie O'Brien Kara Hoppe

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... more
Reproductive Sciences Research Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic

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... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Grand Rounds Jon Pennycuff

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... more
Reproductive Sciences Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Ong Research Team Irene Ong Kara Hoppe

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... more
Reproductive Sciences Research Patankar Research Team Virumbrales-Muñoz Research Team Manish Patankar

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Research Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Jenny Higgins Abigail Cutler

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... more
Reproductive Sciences Research Stanic-Kostic Research Team

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!
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Eliza 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 ... more
Gynecologic Oncology

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... more
Gynecologic Oncology Education Publication Research Residency David Kushner

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds Carley Zeal

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... more
Podcast

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... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Staying Healthy After Childbirth Kara Hoppe

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... more
Education Ryan Spencer

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... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Jon Pennycuff

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 ... more
Reproductive and Population Health Research Jenny Higgins Claire Wendland

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... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery

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... more
Education Residency

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... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Research Education Residency Bala Bhagavath Laura Cooney Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic Julianne Zweifel

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... more
Reproductive and Population Health Events

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... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Reproductive Sciences Education Publication Research Residency Stanic-Kostic Research Team Laura Cooney Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic

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 ... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Laura Jacques

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... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Research Fellowship Dobie Giles Caroline Cox Babak Vakili Margaret Wilkes

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Patrice Grzebielski Laura Bozzuto

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 ... more
Gynecologic Oncology Reproductive Sciences Research Patankar Research Team Lisa Barroilhet Manish Patankar

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... more
Education Dylan Kittell

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... more
Reproductive Sciences

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!
Education Residency

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!
Education Residency

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... more
Reproductive Sciences Publication Research Bird Research Team Ian Bird Irene Ong Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic

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 ... more

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 ... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds Laura Hanks

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... more
Podcast

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... more
Education Residency Grand Rounds

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology India Anderson-Carter

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... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Jacquelyn Adams

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... more
Gynecologic Oncology Education Research Residency

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... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship Education

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Education Research Residency Amy Domeyer-Klenske Ryan McDonald Laura Hanks

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... more
Gynecologic Oncology Education Publication Research Fellowship Rachel Mojdehbakhsh Lisa Barroilhet

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 ... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Education Fellowship

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... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Podcast Jon Pennycuff Jacquelyn Askins Rob Garza

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... more
Gynecologic Oncology Education Fellowship

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... more
Gynecologic Oncology Lisa Barroilhet

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Outreach India Anderson-Carter

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... more
Education Residency

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Advocacy Amy Domeyer-Klenske Laura Hanks

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... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery

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... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Research Kara Hoppe

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Amy Domeyer-Klenske

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... more

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,... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Education Research Kara Hoppe

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Kristen Sharp

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... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Education Fellowship

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... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Events

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... more
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Reproductive Sciences Publication Research Stanic-Kostic Research Team Aleksandar Stanic-Kostic Laura Cooney

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Gynecologic Oncology Publication Research Education Fellowship Katherine Sampene Lisa Barroilhet

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... more
Gynecologic Oncology Outreach Podcast Catherine Zhang Jacquelyn Askins Rob Garza

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-... more
Grand Rounds

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 ... more
Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Caroline Cox

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine Staying Healthy After Childbirth Kara Hoppe Jacquelyn Adams India Anderson-Carter

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Laura Hanks

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... more
Education Residency

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... more
Research Grand Rounds

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... more
Reproductive Sciences Publication Research Bird Research Team Ian Bird

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Podcast Laura Bozzuto Jacquelyn Askins Rob Garza

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Collaborative for Reproductive Equity Amy Williamson Abigail Cutler

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Grand Rounds Ryan Luellwitz

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 ... more
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Publication Research Kara Hoppe

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... more
Grand Rounds

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Reproductive and Population Health Research Social Impact and Belonging Tiffany Green India Anderson-Carter

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... more
Academic Specialists In Obstetrics and Gynecology Abigail Cutler

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... more
Reproductive Sciences Ong Research Team Irene Ong

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... more
Reproductive and Population Health Tiffany Green

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... more
Gynecologic Oncology Ellen Hartenbach