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Spencer talks about postpartum Medicaid and rural maternal health with PBS Wisconsin
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined PBS Wisconsin for a recent story about recent issues with maternal care coverage in rural areas.In “Maternal health care in Wisconsin and the future of Medicaid,” Spencer talked about challenges with rural maternal care in Wisconsin, disparities in pregnancy risk across the state, and m...
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Spencer talks about rural obstetrics closures with Insight
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined Insight for a recent story about the current state of rural labor and delivery departments in Wisconsin.In “Changing direction: More rural hospitals ending labor and delivery services,” Spencer discussed the variety of reasons why labor and delivery services in more rural parts of the s...
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Spencer supports gynecologic cancer research with SGO in Washington
In February, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) organized a women’s health research roundtable and congressional outreach event in Washington, D.C. in support of gynecologic cancer research funding. Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, attended the event as part of his role as chair of the SGO Health, Policy, & Socioeconom...
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Spencer promoted to Professor (CHS)
Please join us in congratulating Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology! The UW School of Medicine and Public Health Clinician Teacher Track Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee endorsed the Department of Ob-Gyn’s recommendation that Spencer be promoted to the rank of Professor (CHS), starting June 29, 2025.Spencer received his MD in 2007 with...
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Spencer to present on rural ob-gyn training at University Roundtable on February 26
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, is the featured speaker for an upcoming University Roundtable event! Spencer will present Investing in the Future: the Potential of Rural Training for OB-GYNs on February 26, 2025 at Varsity Hall in Union South.University Roundtable events share interesting programs and scholarship with member...
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National Rural Health Day 2024: Training Tomorrow's Rural Ob-Gyn Physicians
Across the United States, rural access to obstetrics and gynecology providers is on the decline. According to the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health, 40 percent of hospitals in rural Wisconsin do not offer obstetrics services. “There is an actual crisis in rural medicine,” says Department of Ob-Gyn Chair Ellen Hartenbach, MD. “Hospitals in rural communities are closing their m...
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Spencer presents on rural health at National Governors Association meeting
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and rural residency track director, spoke with the National Governors Association in September about the maternal healthcare workforce in the United States.Spencer was one of three panelists on a Maternal-Child Health panel convened to discuss increasing the maternal health workforce in the cou...
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Spencer discusses rural obstetrics closures with WAOW
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Rural Residency Track Director, spoke with WAOW about a recent pre- and postnatal care unit closing.“Doctors react to Aspirus Medford OB/GYN news” noted that beginning October 1, Aspirus’s Medford clinic will no longer offer prenatal and postnatal care, making patients in labor have to trav...
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UW Department of Ob-Gyn receives HRSA grant to expand rural residency
The University of Wisconsin Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Rural Residency Track, the first-ever ob-gyn residency track in the nation to support rural-specific training, received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grant is part of an $11 million investment in rural residenc...
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Spencer invited to ACGME Review Committee for Ob-Gyn
Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and director of the Gynecologic Oncology fellowship! Spencer was invited to join the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Review Committee for Obstetrics and Gynecology. He will begin a six-year term in academic year 2025-26.Members of the Review Comm...
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Spencer discusses clinical trials during Uterine Cancer Awareness Month
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joined CBS 58 for a recent story about one patient and her experience with a clinical trial at the UW Health Carbone Cancer Center.In “’An extension on life:’ Madison survivor shares clinical trial experience during Uterine Cancer Awareness Month,” patient Judi Trampf described her journey wit...
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Spencer to become UW Health ADIO
Please help us congratulate Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, on a very exciting career development! Spencer has accepted an offer to become the UW Health Associate Designated Institutional Official (ADIO), Graduate Medical Education (GME). Dr. Spencer will take on this new .25FTE role on July 1, 2024.As ADIO, Spencer will hel...
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Rural Ob-Gyn Residency mentioned in UW SMPH article
A new story from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health highlights several programs aimed at increasing the number of physicians practicing in rural parts of the state. Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, Associate Professor (CHS) in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, explained the importance of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn Rural Residency Track in the article....
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Spencer presents at AAMC Group on Resident Affairs conference
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented at the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Group on Resident Affairs Professional Development Conference in Arlington, VA in early April 2024. Spencer presented a project that analyzed resident and fellow evaluation systems across all UW Health GME programs; the project r...
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Spencer invited to co-chair the PROLOG 9th Edition of Gynecologic Oncology and Critical Care
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was invited by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to co-chair the ninth edition of PROLOG: Gynecologic Oncology and Critical Care.The PROLOG (Personal Review of Learning in Obstetrics and Gynecology) books are self-directed study resources for ob-gyn physicians and trainee...
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Spencer selected for ACGME Residency Tracks in Programs Work Group
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was invited to join the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) Residency Tracks in Programs Work Group. This work group will contribute to the ACGME’s learning about different types of “track” experiences across all specialties. They will offer considerations for how best...
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Spencer joins panel on GME grants at Wisconsin Healthcare Workforce Summit
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, participated in the 2023 Wisconsin Healthcare Workforce Summit, hosted by the Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural Graduate Medical Education (WCRGME) October 29-31, 2023. During the summit, Spencer joined the GME Grant Programs panel discussion to talk about residency development and expansion i...
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Spencer co-authors article about rural health disparities in Quarterly Magazine
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, co-authored an article in the Fall 2023 issue of Quarterly Magazine, the UW School of Medicine and Public Health’s alumni publication, that outlines rural health disparities and highlights programs in the School of Medicine and Public Health designed to alleviate them. In “Easing Rural Health ...
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Spencer receives Rural Health Day Community Hero Award
Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who received a Rural Health Day Community Hero Award from the Wisconsin Office of Rural Health in November!Spencer was nominated by the Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural Graduate Medical Education (WCRGME) for his efforts to expand rural maternity care training in Wisconsin ...
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Spencer presents first-ever WCRGME Rural Health Grand Rounds
On August 9, 2023, Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, presented the first Rural Health Grand Rounds lecture for the Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural Graduate Medical Education (WCRGME). Spencer presented an update on maternity care deserts, a growing issue in Wisconsin and other parts of the country. Incredible work, Dr. Spenc...
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Spencer to present WCRGME Rural Medicine Grand Rounds on August 9
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Residency Program Director, will present the first-ever Wisconsin Collaborative for Rural GME Rural Medicine Grand Rounds on August 9, 2023!Spencer will present the lecture “Maternal Deserts” via Zoom from 12-1pm.Meeting ID: 895 0272 6489Passcode: 2023
Spencer accepted into AAMC 2023-2024 GME Leadership Development Certificate Program
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology as well as UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director and Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director, was selected to participate in the 2023-24 Association of American Medical Colleges GME Leadership Development Certificate Program.The GME Leadership Development Certificate helps participants build th...
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Spencer co-authors Dean’s Corner article on rural training in Wisconsin Medical Journal
Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and Residency Program Director, co-authored an editorial piece in the latest issue of the Wisconsin Medical Journal about the importance of rural physician training with UW SMPH Dean Robert Golden, MD, and Department of Family Medicine and Community Health Assistant Professor Jillian Landeck, M...
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Spencer brings chemotherapy shortages to legislators’ attention at House Cancer Caucus briefing
On June 6, Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, helped organize and participated in the Society of Gynecologic Oncology’s House Cancer Caucus briefing on chemotherapy shortages. Spencer is the chair of the SGO’s Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Committee.The briefing was co-sponsored by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Rep. Brian H...
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Residency leadership transition: Spencer to step down, Kelly to become Residency Program Director
Later this summer, the UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program will undergo a leadership transition – current Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, will step down from this role. Bridget Kelly, MD, current associate residency program director, will become Residency Program Director on September 1, 2023. Please help us thank Dr. Spencer for his many years of incredible leaders...
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Spencer receives SGO Congressional Ambassador Award
Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, who received the Society of Gynecologic Oncology Congressional Ambassador Award! Spencer received the award during the 2023 SGO Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer in March 2023.The Congressional Ambassador Award recognizes SGO members who have worked hard to educate ...
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UW Ob-Gyn presentations at 2023 Society of Gynecologic Oncology conference
UW Ob-Gyn faculty, advanced practice providers, fellows, and residents prepared an impressive slate of presentations and posters, and served in key leadership roles, for the 2023 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer! Here are just some of their exciting contributions to the conference, which took place March 25-28, 2023 in Tampa, FL:Associate Proe...
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Obstetrics and Gynecology features video demonstration of fluorescein mapping for Paget’s Disease
In February, UW Ob-Gyn gynecologic oncology fellows Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH and Matt Wagar, MD, published a new Procedures and Instruments piece, “Fluorescein Mapping in Vulvar Paget Disease”, in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Co-authors on the article include Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and David Kushner, MD, professor in ...
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Faculty and residents attend 2023 ACOG Congressional Leadership Conference
UW Ob-Gyn faculty and residents learned about effective engagement and visited members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation during the 2023 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Congressional Leadership Conference March 5-7 in Washington, D.C.UW Ob-Gyn Residency Director and Associate Professor Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, Clerkship Coordinator and Assistant Prof...
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UW Ob-Gyn brings presentations, posters, film to 2023 CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting
The Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics hosted their 2023 Annual Meeting in National Harbor, MD February 27-March 1. Faculty, residents, fellows, students, and staff in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn brought a variety of presentations to this education-focused conference. Just some of their in...
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Zhang, Wagar publish in Obstetrics and Gynecology
UW Ob-Gyn gynecologic oncology fellows Catherine Zhang, MD, MPH and Matt Wagar, MD, published a new Procedures and Instruments piece in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Co-authors on the article include Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, and David Kushner, MD, professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology.In “Fluorescein Mapping ...
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Spencer discusses rural GME opportunities with ACGME blog
As part of an ongoing series of interviews with programs offering rural graduate medical education experiences, UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, spoke with the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) about the successes and challenges of sustaining the nation’s first-ever rural ob-gyn residency track: ACGME: What advice do you h...
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Wang published in AJOG
UW Ob-Gyn resident Connor Wang, MD, PGY-4, is the lead author on new research in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology!In “Trends in public- and industry-funded uterine cancer clinical trials and disability-adjusted life years from 2007 to 2019”, Wang and co-authors Shannon Rush, MD, Shitanshu Uppal, MD, Laurel Rice, MD, and Ryan Spencer, MD, MS queried a databas...
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Spencer presents at AMGO meeting in Chicago
Ryan Spencer, MD, associate professor in the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology and director of the UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program, presented at the 2022 Association of Managers of Gynecology and Obstetrics annual meeting in Chicago!Spencer presented “Rural Residency Programs” to a full, attentive room during a one-hour session on Monday, September 26. Incredible work, ...
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Mojdehbakhsh publishes in Gynecologic Oncology Reports
A new article from UW Ob-Gyn resident Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, PGY-4 was published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports! Co-authors on the article include UW SMPH medical student and Shapiro Summer Student Carolina Hurtado and Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology.In “The long game: Telemedicine patient satisfaction metrics and methods ...
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Spencer presents at RRPD/THCPD conference
On August 31, 2022, UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, MS presented at the Rural Residency Planning and Development / Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Grantees Annual Meeting in Chicago.Spencer presented “Creating an Effective Resident Evaluation System” on the second day of the three-day event for recipients of grants to expand their rural...
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UW SMPH Shapiro research student Hailey Milakovich presents at SGO conference
Huge congratulations to UW SMPH phase II medical student Hailey Milakovich, who gave an oral plenary presentation at the 2022 Society of Gynecologic Oncology Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer!Milakovich presented “What’s the Value of a Pelvic Exam? Endometrial Cancer Surveillance in the Era of Telemedicine.” The presentation was featured in the SGO Women’s Cancer News, a dail...
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Spencer nominated for Dean’s Excellence in Medical Student Mentorship Award
Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, associate professor in Division of Gynecologic Oncology, director of the Gynecologic Oncology fellowship, and director of the UW Ob-Gyn residency program! Spencer was nominated for the UW SMPH Dean’s Excellence in Medical Student Mentorship Award.These awards recognize faculty members who exemplify dedication and excellence in medical...
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Spencer and Zorbas talk women’s health research funding with Congress
On March 9, 2022, members of the UW Department of Ob-Gyn discussed funding for women’s health research with members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation during a virtual advocacy day organized by the Women First Research Coalition.In conversations with Senator Tammy Baldwin and Representative Mark Pocan, department Research Manager Andrea Zorbas, MBA, MS, Residency Prog...
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Presentations, posters, and more at the 2022 CREOG/APGO Annual Meeting!
UW Ob-Gyn faculty, residents, and affiliated medical students with interest and expertise in medical education showcased their work at the CREOG/APGO Annual Meeting! The conference, which was organized around the theme “Together Again, Together Forever: Med Ed Family Reunion”, took place in Orlando, Florida March 9-12. Some of the exciting highlights from our department:Rya...
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Spencer steps into Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Director role
As of February 1, 2022, Ryan Spencer, MD, MS, is the new director of the UW Ob-Gyn Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship! Spencer takes over for Division of Gynecologic Oncology Director Stephen Rose, MD, who has led the fellowship since 2011.Spencer has served as Associate Fellowship Director since 2017 and has been invaluable in supporting our fellows and the program in that tim...
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Wetterhahn and Spencer discuss rural residency with TMJ4 in Milwaukee
Access to ob-gyn health care in rural Wisconsin has trended downward over the last couple decades. In this interview with WTMJ-TV Milwaukee, UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD discusses the motivation behind creating the first rural ob-gyn residency training track in the country.In “UW Health hopes to curb rural Wisconsin’s OBGYN shortage”, UW Ob-Gyn rural...
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Spencer appointed as central hub leader for THCGME grant
UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, has been appointed as the Central Hub Leader for the Teaching Health Center Technical Assistance Center. In this role, he will oversee the development of new residency programs in Teaching Health Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in the ...
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Rural residency (and first graduate) featured on Minneapolis news
In June 2021, Laura McDowell, MD became the first graduate of the first rural ob-gyn residency program in the country when she finished her residency training in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn. Following graduation, McDowell moved to Willmar, Minnesota to join a general ob-gyn practice.Her experience as a rural ob-gyn physician is highlighted in this story from KSTP in Minneapo...
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Spencer appointed as hub lead for HRSA Rural Residency Program Development Center
UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, has been appointed to be the Central Hub Lead for the Rural Residency Program Development Technical Assistance Center (RRPD-TAC). The RRPD-TAC is funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).The grant provides $4.6 million of total funding over four years....
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UW-Madison Department of Ob-Gyn thanks rural training partners on National Rural Health Day
As the state of Wisconsin celebrates National Rural Health Day on November 18, 2021, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology would like to thank the physicians and partners across Wisconsin who are training future ob-gyn physicians in rural practice.The UW–Madison Department of Ob-Gyn created the first rural ob-gyn residency training track...
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Spencer, Rice published in Obstetrics and Gynecology
A new study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology compares operative times in the American College of Surgeons’ National Surgical Quality Improvement Project with physician-reported operative times from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to assess for the impact on RVUs.
“Discrepancies Created by Surgeon Self-Reported Operative Time and the Effects on Procedura...
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Spencer’s gynecologic cancer research funding disparity mentioned in NIH hearing
Ryan Spencer, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, has studied differences in funding for gynecologic cancer research compared to other cancer types for several years. His work led to the publication of the study “Disparities in the allocation of research funding to gynecologic cancers by Funding to Lethality scores” in Gynecologic Oncology in 2018.
In a N...
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Spencer presents on rural health at ACOG annual meeting
At the virtual 2021 ACOG Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, UW Ob-Gyn Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD joined a panel of experts to discuss rural health.
During the clinical seminar, Spencer discussed the importance of supporting pipelines to bring ob-gyns to rural areas, and of building clinical partnerships between rural and urban practices to facilitate l...
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Spencer promoted to Associate Professor (CHS)
Ryan Spencer, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was promoted to Associate Professor (CHS) by the School of Medicine and Public Health CHS Faculty Appointments and Promotions Committee, effective July 1, 2021.
Spencer joined the UW Department of Ob-Gyn in 2012 as a gynecologic oncology fellow. After finishing his fellowship, Spencer joined the Division o...
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Mojdehbakhsh published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports
A quality improvement study by lead author Rachel Mojdehbakhsh, MD, PGY-2, was published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports. Co-authors include Stephen Rose, MD, Megan Peterson, DNP, Laurel Rice, MD, and Ryan Spencer, MD, all of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology.
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic that began in early 2020, industry organizations like the National C...
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Gaston, Hoppe, Spencer earn UW Health Excellence Awards
Three faculty from the UW Department of Ob-Gyn were honored at the UW Health Physician Excellence Awards ceremony on December 7, 2020. The virtual ceremony recognized recipients of 17 excellence awards across the health system. Recipients in our department:
Luther Gaston, MD, of the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, received the UW Health Physician Excellence Risi...
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Rural Residency earns DHS rural health care grant
Incredible news out of the UW Ob-Gyn Rural Residency track! The program was awarded a Wisconsin Department of Health Services Grant for Rural GME Training. Residency Program Director Ryan Spencer, MD, will serve as PI on the grant.
The DHS grants are intended to “increase
access and enhance quality care in rural Wisconsin” by supporting
education and training to help ru...
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Spencer earns UW Health Rising Star Leadership award!
Congratulations to Ryan Spencer, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology! Spencer earned the 2020 UW Health Physician Excellence Rising Star – Leadership Award!
Spencer and other awardees will be honored in a virtual ceremony coming up December 7, 2020. Congratulations, Dr. Spencer, on this well-deserved achievement!
Spencer, Silva, McDowell serve on CREOG rural training panel
On September 23, 2020, members of the UW Ob-Gyn residency team led the panel discussion “Increasing the Rural OB/GYN Pipeline: a Pathway for Rural Track Training”, presented by the Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology!Residency program director Ryan Spencer, MD, program manager Jody Silva, M.Ed, and resident Laura McDowell, MD, PGY-4 presented to over 4...
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First HAGO Conference was a great success!
On September 10-11, the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology hosted the first-ever Heartland Association of Gynecologic Oncology (HAGO) meeting. More than 70 gynecologic oncology professionals tuned in for the virtual conference, which included two keynote presentations and 21 research abstract presentations.HAGO was founded in 2020 by UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gyn Onc Dir...
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Women’s Healthcast: Spencer discusses Endometrial Cancer
September is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. On this episode of the Women’s Healthcast, Ryan Spencer, MD, of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Gynecologic Oncology, joins us to talk about endometrial cancer, the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States.In the episode, Spencer covers risk factors for endometrial cancer, what diagnosis and treatment look like, and ways ...
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