Check out our fiscal year 2026 quarter two newsletter!
FY26 Q2 Newsletter
Author: Allison
Nelson Society Hosts 4th Annual Resident Career Day
WashU Medicine OBGYN hosted its annual Career Day, highlighting the wide range of professional opportunities within obstetrics and gynecology. Residents engaged with physicians from across the St. Louis area, gaining valuable perspectives on both private and academic practice through panel discussions. The 2026 agenda featured panels moderated by WashU faculty, highlighting alumni and experts from […]
WashU Medicine OBGYN Publishes Chair’s Report FY25
We are proud to share the Department of OBGYN’s Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) Annual Report from WashU Medicine. This year’s report reflects continued momentum across our mission: expanding clinical care to improve access, advancing innovative research, and strengthening our educational programs through professional development and meaningful community collaboration. Our faculty and staff have received numerous […]
Resident Dr. Anna Jones Awarded Dr. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship
Resident, Dr. Anna Jones, was awarded a Dr. David G. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship. Congrats on this accomplishment! The title of her poster is, “Real-world outcomes after Mirvetuximab Soravtansine treatment for recurrent ovarian cancer.” She will present at SGO in April. Dr. Jones’ primary investigator is Dr. Brooke Sanders. About the Scholarship This scholarship was […]
Dr. Kathy Bligard on Great Day St. Louis: My Mom Club, supporting through high-risk pregnancies
Dr. Kathy Bligard, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist with WashU Medicine OBGYN, chats about the best advice for what to do when a pregnancy is diagnosed as high-risk and how to support a patient during that time.
Dr. Jeannie Kelly Guides Care Through Triplet Pregnancy
When Marissa Chrismer learned she was expecting triplets, she was quickly referred to Jeannie Kelly, MD, MS, a WashU Medicine OB-GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist. From their first appointment, Dr. Kelly helped Marissa navigate the excitement and uncertainty of a high-risk trichorionic-triamniotic pregnancy, closely monitoring her for potential complications like preeclampsia and developing a proactive […]
Understanding the FDA’s Change to Hormone Therapy Warnings with Dr. Sanders and Dr. Blachut
Confusion and concern around hormone therapy have been common for years, especially for women navigating menopause and perimenopause. Recently, the FDA made a significant update, removing long-standing black box warnings from many hormone therapy treatments, a change that has sparked important conversations about safety, access, and women’s health. To help break down what this update […]
Gynecologic Oncology Chief Dr. Premal Thaker Joins FPP Board of Directors
Dr. Premal Thaker, Chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was elected to the Faculty Practice Plan (FPP) Board of Directors and Clinical Practice Committee (CPC) as a faculty-at-large representative. In this role, she will contribute to strategic and operational decision-making that supports physician practices across the institution. The Washington University School of Medicine Faculty […]
Dr. Maggie Mullen Honored with ASCI Young Physician-Scientist Award
Maggie Mullen, MD, MSCI, has been selected for an ASCI / Young Physician-Scientist Award. From the American Society for Clinical Investigation site, “The Young Physician-Scientist Awards (YPSA) recognize physician-scientists who are early in their first faculty appointment and have made notable achievements in their research.” The award honors investigators poised to become future leaders in […]
Dr. Lindsay Kuroki Selected for Leadership Role with ASCCP
Lindsay Kuroki, MD, MSCI, WashU Medicine Gynecologic Oncologist, has been nominated to serve on the board as a Member-at-Large for the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (ASCCP) Cervical Cancer Prevention & HPV Management. From the ASCCP site, “ASCCP is dedicated to advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and management of anogenital and HPV-related diseases through […]
Resident Dr. Sarah Cohen Awarded Dr. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship
Resident, Dr. Sarah Cohen, was awarded a Dr. David G. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship. Congrats on this accomplishment! The title of her poster is, “Impact of Proximity to Sources of Pollution on Birth Outcomes.” She will present at SMFM. Dr. Jones’ primary investigator is Dr. Nandini Raghuraman About the Scholarship This scholarship was generously started […]
Whitney Ross, MD, on Evaluating and Treating Chronic Pelvic Pain in The Green Journal
Chronic pelvic pain is a common but often misunderstood condition that affects millions of women and can deeply interfere with daily life, relationships, and emotional well-being. Rather than having a single cause, pelvic pain is usually the result of several overlapping factors in the body, which can make diagnosis and treatment frustrating for patients. In […]
L.A.B. Award Winners – Fall 2025
Congratulations to the latest recipient of the Department of OB/GYN’s Lucy, Anarcha, and Betsey (L.A.B.) Award named in honor of Lucy, Anarcha, and Betsey—the enslaved women whose sacrifice, without consent, nearly 200 years ago, allows surgical repair for women with vesicovaginal fistulas today. Rachel Crebessa, MDClinical Fellow, Complex Family Planning Project: Improving contraceptive counseling in a large, academic internal medicine clinic […]
Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Dr. Lindsay Kuroki Shares Prevention Insights on Show Me St. Louis
In recognition of January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, WashU Medicine gynecologic oncologist and surgeon Lindsay Kuroki, MD, MSCI, recently joined Show Me St. Louis to discuss the critical role of prevention, early detection, and access in reducing the risk of cervical cancer. Dr. Kuroki emphasized the importance of regular checkups, timely screening, and early […]
Maggie Mullen, MD, MSCI, Receives Siteman Investment Program Funding
Maggie Mullen, MD, MSCI, has been selected for funding through the Siteman Investment Program. “The Siteman Investment Program (SIP) Research Development Award (RDA) is designed to award pilot funding to faculty investigators to support pioneering cancer research and produce data to leverage further external peer-reviewed funding” via the Siteman Research Site. Dr. Mullen’s proposal, “Targeting […]
Collaborative W&I Safety and Quality Team Receives QUEST Award
The collaborative Women & Infants (W&I) Safety and Quality Team was honored with a QUEST Award, presented by Dr. Lynch at the recent BJH Employee Recognition Ceremony. QUEST = Quality, Equity, Safety, and Transparency. This recognition highlights the team’s commitment to improving patient safety and outcomes through meaningful, data-driven quality improvement efforts. The QUEST Award […]
Feasibility of Community-based Distribution of HPV Self-Collection Kits for At-Home Cervical Cancer Screening with Dr. Kuroki
The goal of this project is to reduce cervical cancer disparities by implementing and evaluating community-based interventions that enhance access to at-home HPV screening for medically underserved women, particularly those who are Black, have low incomes, or reside in rural areas. This project will test the feasibility of distributing at-home HPV self-collection kits through the […]
Clerkship Students Learn and Give Back with Doorways
Our education team met with Doorways, a valued non-profit community partner that hosts our clerkship students for a key component of their OB-GYN rotation. Doorways is the only agency in our region dedicated to providing housing and comprehensive supportive services for individuals living with HIV, making this partnership an especially meaningful learning opportunity for our […]
FY26 Q1 Newsletter
Check out our quarter one newsletter!
Chief Resident Dr. Sarah Combs Awarded Dr. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship
Chief Resident, Dr. Sarah Combs, was awarded a Dr. David G. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship. Congrats on this accomplishment! The title of her poster is, “Family Planning Curriculum: Student Satisfaction and Self-Reported Competence.” Dr. Combs’ primary investigator is Dr. Jennifer Reeves. About the Scholarship This scholarship was generously started by David G. Mutch, MD, Professor, in […]
Dr. Ferreira Awarded Male Contraceptive Initiative Fellowship
Juan Ferreira, PhD, a postdoctoral research associate in the laboratory of Celia Santi, MD, PhD, has been awarded a Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI) Fellowship Grant for his project, “High-Throughput Assay to Screen for Candidate Contraceptives Targeting Sperm Function.” Dr. Ferreira began his two-year MCI Fellowship in September 2025. The research conducted through Dr. Ferreira’s MCI-funded project builds on […]
WashU Medicine Fetal Care Nurse Earns Outstanding Nurse Award
Sarah Smith, RN, BSN, CLC, has been awarded the Fetal Therapy Nurse Network (FTNN) Outstanding Nurse Award. This award recognizes nurses who make an outstanding impact on the health of expectant families facing a fetal diagnosis, promoting excellence in fetal care. Sarah works as a Nurse Coordinator in our fetal care center, providing compassionate care […]
WashU Medicine MFM and the New approach to treating Hep C postpartum (Links to an external site)
A new study led by WashU Medicine in St. Louis is transforming how postpartum patients receive treatment for Hepatitis C. Dr. Jeannie Kelly, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Ultrasound, helped launch a “meds to beds” program at Barnes-Jewish Hospital to ensure patients leave the hospital with antiviral medication […]
Building Skills, Building Connections: WashU Students Explore OBGYN
Every fall, we welcome WashU Medicine medical students for an engaging, hands-on introduction to obstetrics and gynecology. During this event, students rotate through interactive stations led by our residents, fellows, and faculty, gaining practical experience in key clinical skills such as laparoscopic techniques, suturing, Nexplanon insertion, and LEEP procedures. This annual event offers a valuable […]
Showcasing Leadership in Family Planning: WashU OBGYN at SFP 2025
WashU Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Complex Family Planning participated in the Society of Family Planning Annual Meeting. Faculty contributions included a hands-on Deep Nexplanon removal simulation workshop led by Dr. Kathryn Thomas, and a “Stump the Professor”style complex case discussion on placenta accreta spectrum presented by CFP fellow Dr. Christine Jackson. The meeting […]
Dr. Nigaglioni Awarded Mutch Residency Research Scholarship
Chief Resident, Dr. Adriana Nigaglioni, was awarded a Dr. David G. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship. Congrats on this accomplishment! Dr. Nigaglioni’s title is “Female physicians and medical student perspectives on fertility coverage: access, satisfaction and career plans” and her primary investigator was Dr. Ashley Veade. About the Scholarship This scholarship was generously started by David G. […]
WashU Medicine OBGYN Launches New NIH-Funded Grant in Women’s Reproductive Health
Congratulations to multi-Principal Investigators, Dineo Khabele, MD, and Sarah K. England, PhD, in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at WashU Medicine, for recently receiving a Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) grant from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The K12 grant project is called […]
A Golden Era: Celebrating 50 Years of Surgical Advances in OBGYN
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at WashU Medicine hosted A Golden Era: Celebrating 50 Years of Surgical Advances in OBGYN, a two-day symposium and hands-on Surgical Skills Course held October 16–17, 2025. The event brought together clinicians, researchers, and trainees to celebrate five decades of innovation in women’s health and to explore the future […]
Dr. Sara Pietroforte Named Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar by WashU Medicine
Congratulations to Dr. Sara Pietroforte! Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Amargant i Riera lab, Dr. Pietroforte has been selected as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar by WashU Medicine’s Center of Regenerative Medicine. This honor highlights her exceptional contributions to regenerative science and her commitment to advancing the field.
Andy Liu Wins Best Presentation at the Upper Midwest Summit
Congratulations to Andy Liu! Andy, a WashU undergraduate researcher in the Amargant i Riera lab, was awarded Best Presentation at the Upper Midwest Summit for Reproductive Science hosted by Northwestern University this past weekend! 🏆 His winning presentation, titled “The mechanosensitive channel Piezo1 is highly expressed in theca cells and regulates follicle development and oocyte maturation,” showcased groundbreaking work in reproductive science.👏 Bravo, Andy! #WashU […]
Dr. Campbell Inducted as a Member of the Academy of Educators
Congratulations to Heather Campbell, MD, who was selected as a member of the Academy of Educators! The Academy of Educators at WashU Medicine is an institutional collaboration of educators who together will foster a culture of educational excellence and an institutionally valued community of leaders in health science education. We are the faculty development division […]
Team Shake Your Teal Feathers Runs for Ovarian Cancer Research
WashU Medicine OBGYN’s team Shake Your Teal Feathers joined the 19th Annual Families Run for Ovarian Cancer (ROC) Star 5K and 1-Mile Run/Walk, supporting ovarian cancer research and awareness through St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA). Funds raised benefit research efforts at Siteman Cancer Center. The team is proud to continue partnering with SLOCA to […]
Dr. Kyle Orwig Delivers 2025 Probstein Visiting Professor Lectures on Male Fertility
The Center for Reproductive Health Sciences was honored to host Dr. Kyle Orwig of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine as our 2025 Dr. Jacob Probstein Visiting Professor Lecturer. Dr. Orwig, a globally recognized leader in fertility preservation and male infertility, delivered two outstanding lectures that sparked meaningful dialogue and collaboration among clinicians and researchers in reproductive […]
FY25 Q4 Newletter
Check out our quarter four newsletter!
Fellow Match Day: 2026 Incoming Fellows and Graduating Chiefs
Maternal-Fetal MedicineDr. McKenzie BarberWash U Med/BJH/SLCH Consortium Dr. Christina FrasikUniversity of California – Irvine Reproductive Endocrinology and InfertilityDr. Sara PierpointUniversity of Virginia Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic SurgeryDr. Hannah Wavering-WaltersUniversity of Illinois-Chicago Gynecologic OncologyDr. Sara BrennerEmory University Dr. Anh LeUniversity of Arizona – Banner University Medical Center Phoenix Complex Family PlanningAva Moorhead, DO – University of […]
Join the Add-On Surgical Skills Course!
Add-On Surgical Skills Course Elevate your surgical expertise with our comprehensive hands-on Surgical Skills Course designed specifically for advanced gynecological procedures. Join us to enhance your proficiency in: Our course combines hands-on training, expert-led workshops, and state-of-the-art simulation exercises to ensure you leave with confidence and advanced skillsets. *must also be attending symposium
Jaime Strickland & Emily Dively graduated from the Emerging Leaders Program
Jaime Strickland and Emily Diveley completed leadership programs through the WashU Institute for Leadership Excellence. Emily completed the Emerging Leaders Program, and Jaime Strickland completed the Leadership Excellence and Development Program. This is a 9-month, competitive program for WashU Staff members who manage individual contributors and/or complex initiatives and are seeking an opportunity to better support their […]
CRepHS Hosts ‘Around the World’ Collaboration Event
The OBGYN Center for Reproductive Health Sciences (CRepHS) hosted a vibrant “Around the World” themed collaboration event. The potluck celebration highlighted the rich diversity of CRepHS team members, with attendees sharing a variety of cultural dishes, ranging from entrees to snacks and desserts. As attendees enthusiastically sampled the delicious offerings, many shared personal stories behind […]
Interpreting Fetal Heart Rate: Dr. Nandini Raghuraman on New Clinical Guidelines
Dr. Nandini Raghuraman, Chief of the Division of Clinical Research at WashU Medicine OBGYN, joins the Green Room podcast to discuss her recently published paper, “Intrapartum Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring: Interpretation and Management.” In this episode, she breaks down the new Clinical Practice Guideline, which offers a comprehensive overview of intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) […]
WashU Medicine Expert Shares Insights on Fertility Preservation (Links to an external site)
Dr. Kenan Omurtag, Chief of Fertility and Reproductive Medicine at WashU Medicine, joined Fox2 Now to discuss fertility preservation options—including egg and embryo freezing. As more women look for ways to extend their reproductive lifespan, Dr. Omurtag highlighted how preservation can provide peace of mind. “Reproductive journeys are long journeys. They are emotionally, physically, and […]
Dr. Thaker Plays Vital Role in Patient Journey (Links to an external site)
When Mary Catherine Riley was diagnosed with stage III low-grade serous ovarian cancer, she turned to Dr. Premal Thaker at Siteman Cancer Center. Known for her expertise and compassionate care, Dr. Thaker guided Mary through surgery, chemotherapy, and ultimately a groundbreaking clinical trial.
Happy National PostDoc Appreciation Week!
In honor of National PostDoc Appreciation Week, we give a huge THANK YOU to all Postdocs in OBGYN! Your research, mentorship, and dedication strengthen our academic community and drive progress locally & globally. We’re proud to celebrate you!
OBGYN Research Opportunities on Display at Career Expo
Our Center for Reproductive Health Sciences team represented OBGYN at the WashU Fall 2025 Career Expo on the Danforth Campus. Hundreds of employers attend this annual two-day recruiting event that is open to students from all WashU programs. Staff members Audrey Holland and Julie Emmerich created autumn ambiance at the WashU Medicine OBGYN table, and presented materials about student […]
Dr. Jeannie Kelly on Innovative ‘Meds to Beds’ Program for Postpartum Hepatitis C Care (Links to an external site)
WashU Medicine’s Dr. Jeannie Kelly, Chief and director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Ultrasound, on a new bedside program helping postpartum mothers with hepatitis C begin treatment before leaving the hospital. “Curing hepatitis C in these mothers has a huge ripple effect — it protects their health, their families and their future pregnancies,” Dr. Kelly explained. […]
Dr. Andrea Hagemann on Supporting Families Through Cancer
When a parent faces cancer, everyday life doesn’t stop. In this powerful episode, a young mother shares how she and her family navigated the realities of a stage 4 diagnosis while raising two small children. Dr. Andrea Hagemann, gynecologic oncologist at WashU Medicine, joins the conversation alongside clinical psychologist Dr. Amaris Tippey to explore how […]
Dr. Thaker in Women’s Health, ‘Cancer Doctors Reveal The 12 Symptoms They Would Never Ignore’
WashU Medicine’s Dr. Premal Thaker, Chief of Gynecologic Oncology at Siteman Cancer Center, was recently featured in Women’s Health discussing symptoms women should never ignore. She emphasized the importance of seeking care for persistent changes, even when they might seem minor. “If all benign reasons are ruled out, the next step is to get a […]
WashU OBGYN Physicians Honored at 2025 St. Louis Ignite The Fight
The WashU Medicine gynecologic oncology team was proud to come together at the 2025 St. Louis Ignite the Fight, celebrating the impact of Pink Ribbon Good and the vital support it provides to patients and families in our community. This year, Dr. Andrea Hagemann, gynecologic oncologist, was recognized with the Igniting Hope in Oncology Award […]
At the Fetal Care Center, Dr. Kathy Bligard Performs Lifesaving Laser Surgery to Helps Identical Twins Born at MoBap (Links to an external site)
When identical twins were diagnosed with Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) at just 17 weeks gestation, Dr. Kathy Bligard, maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Fetal Care Center, stepped in to perform a delicate, lifesaving laser ablation surgery—a procedure offered nowhere else in the St. Louis region. “We look with a camera at the […]
IDENTICAL TWINS KHLOE AND KARLEE ARE THRIVING AFTER IN UTERO SURGERY TO CORRECT TWIN-TO-TWIN TRANSFUSION SYNDROME at the Fetal Care Center (Links to an external site)
When Kelly Easton learned she was pregnant with identical twins, she had no idea she would soon face the same rare complication her mother did decades earlier—Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS). Diagnosed at her 20-week ultrasound, Kelly was referred to the Fetal Care Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the only center in Missouri offering minimally invasive fetal […]
Dr. Katie Carbonell named Resident Reporter at the 2025 ACOG Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting
Dr. Katie Carbonell, PGY-3 WashU Medicine OBGYN resident, was a Resident Reporter at the 2025 ACOG Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting. She shares her experience of going to the meeting below. “Attending the 2025 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting (ACSM) was a deeply inspiring experience—an energizing convergence of […]