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