Department of
A St. Louis native and former Division I athlete, Dr. Megan Gornet is now a fertility and reproductive physician at WashU Medicine. She partnered with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) to create a groundbreaking rule that protects player rankings during fertility treatments—ensuring athletes are supported on and off the court.
It’s 2025 NRMP Urogynecology Match Day! We are excited to announce that we matched Dr. Hannah Wavering-Walters! She will be joining us in August 2026 from the University of Illinois-Chicago.
Welcome New Fellows! Complex Family PlanningRachel Crebessa, MD Gynecologic OncologyMostafa Eyada, MDAnnalyn Welp, MD Maternal Fetal MedicineHaley Baker, MDDuy Hoang Dinh, MDKatherine Zhu, MD Minimally Invasive Gynecologic SurgeryNaomi Atobiloye, MD Reproductive Endocrinology and InfertilityMitra Sharifi, MD Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic SurgeryChristina Herbosa, MD
A groundbreaking surgery at the Fetal Care Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital is giving children like Wesley a brighter future, thanks to the expertise of Dr. Kathy Bligard, Associate Director of the Center. Wesley was the first patient at the Center to undergo a fetoscopic spina bifida repair, a minimally invasive procedure offered at only a […]
Dr. Magdaleena Mbadhi, Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Frolova lab of WashU Medicine OBGYN, was elected President of the WashU Black Postdoctoral Association (BPA)! “The WashU Black Postdoctoral Association (WashU BPA) is an interdisciplinary community of postdoctoral fellows committed to creating, cultivating, and solidifying a protected, inclusive space of advocacy and support. The mission of the WashU […]
Congratulations to Dr. Shweta Bhagwat from the Santi Lab on her first-author publication, “Bacterial vaginosis toxins impair sperm capacitation and fertilization,” in Human Reproduction! This study uncovers a new way bacterial vaginosis (BV) may contribute to infertility. BV-related toxins (LPS and VLY) were found to disrupt crucial steps sperm need to fertilize an egg, including […]
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has adopted a groundbreaking new “Fertility Protection Special Entry Ranking Rule,” designed to support female tennis players who choose to undergo fertility preservation procedures. WashU Medicine’s Dr. Megan Gornet, infertility specialist and reproductive surgeon in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Medicine and Infertility played a key […]
Our education team met with Doorways, a non-profit community partner that hosted students for a key component of their clerkship. HEJ is a part of the Gateway Curriculum and is designed to help students explore how social and structural challenges impact health outcomes. Doorways was an ideal site for this experience, as it’s the only […]
WashU Medicine gynecologic oncologists Dr. David Mutch and Dr. Dineo Khabele are at the forefront of research with the Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE. They bring together interactive research teams from three institutions to create a dynamic translational research program aimed at developing and testing new strategies to prevent and treat endometrial cancer. – Illumination is […]
We proudly celebrated our 2025 graduating class of OBGYN residents! We’re thrilled to welcome back several familiar faces as our newest fellows, send warm farewells to those continuing their training elsewhere, and begin an exciting journey with our incoming interns. Every one of these exceptional physicians—trained right here at WashU Medicine—successfully matched into fellowship programs, […]
Congratulations to gynecologic oncologist Dr. Premal Thaker; gynecologic oncology fellows Dr. Whitney Grither and Dr. Mark Valentine; maternal–fetal medicine fellow Dr. Cassandra Trammel; and reproductive medicine and infertility fellow Dr. Mitra Sharifi on their induction into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society Class of 2025. Premal Thaker, MD, MS Whitney Grither, MD, PhD Mark Valentine, […]
WashU Medicine OBGYN’s Discuss the Importance of Addressing RED-S in Adolescents and Professionals It’s well studied in athletes—chronic low energy availability leads to performance implications. It turns out that rest and recovery are essential for top performance, even for Type A doctors. Is it possible to create space for rest, recovery, and recharging in our […]
Congrats to Dr. Bree Goodman and Dr. Sydney Thayer, were unanimously selected to the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Class of 2024, representing WashU Medicine! “WashU Medicine values inclusion, diversity, innovation and critical thinking – all of which are aligned with AOA’s core principles,” said Renée Shellhaas, MD, the David T. Blasingame Professor of Neurology and senior associate […]
We are honored to share Dr. Thaker’s recognition as a 2024 Gynecologic Surgery Research All-Star! This accolade celebrates the significant research contributions made through co-authored publications. The Healthcare Research All Star lists, curated by Avant-garde Health, which features only the top 5% of hospitals and surgeons whose research defines the forefront of Gynecologic Surgery care. […]
WashU Medicine proudly announces David G. Mutch, MD, as the recipient of the 2025 WashU Medicine Alumni Achievement Award. This prestigious honor is awarded to a distinguished alum celebrating more than 25 years since graduation, recognizing exceptional accomplishments in the medical field, community impact, and enduring service to the university. About Dr. David Mutch A […]
Our Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Gynecology division had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate and support young girls from across the St. Louis area during the Girls on the Run 5k: a milestone event the participants had been enthusiastically training for over the past several weeks. The event brought together thousands of runners, families, and […]
The Education team joined other specialties on the WashU Medicine campus to meet medical students and educate them on what residency and fellowship with WashU ObGyn is about. The team included coordinators Kim Coombs & Rayna Mittler, Dr. Tammy Sonn, and Education Manager, Elizabeth Wanken.
The St. Louis Men’s Group Against Cancer held its annual luncheon to come together to celebrate sponsors and the incredible organizations making a difference in people’s lives. Dr. Holly Hoefgen was honored with a philanthropic grant in partnership with the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation – Integrated Care and Fertility. “The Preservation Program helps even […]
Our Center for Reproductive Health Sciences team represented OBGYN at the WashU Researcher Services and Equipment Expo. Here, they met with other professionals and researchers throughout the university to share their tools and services available to support research across the board. Both our Gynecologic Oncology Tissue Bank and our new master’s program, Master of Science […]
Celia Santi, MD, PhD, James P. Crane Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, presented on SLO3 potassium channels and was a panelist for the “Female Contraceptive Development (Male Targets in Females)” session at the 2025 National Contraception Meeting that took place April 28th-May 1st in Durham, NC. The National Contraception Meeting is a multidisciplinary meeting about the […]
Viju Gupta, PhD, senior scientist in the Khabele Lab, presented a poster titled “Precision targeting of HDAC3 in ovarian cancer” at the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Annual Meeting that was held April 25th-30th in Chicago. Also during the meeting, Dr. Khabele chaired a forum titled “Lifelong Career Development: Strategies for Success at Every Stage.” Scientists, […]
This week, the 5900 location was recognized for its exceptional service to gynecology patients, earning 5-star patient satisfaction scores: the highest level of recognition awarded by BJC HealthCare. This achievement highlights the team’s consistent dedication to providing compassionate, high-quality, and patient-centered care. The recognition reflects a strong commitment to excellence and meaningful impact in the […]
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 39th Annual Rothman Research Day, a proud tradition that highlights the dedication, innovation, and scholarly excellence of our residents, fellows, and basic science researchers. Each year, this event brings our community together to showcase the impactful research being conducted across a wide range of disciplines. We […]
Women’s Chemo Infusion Center was awarded a 5-Star award from PRC (Professional Research Consultants) for being in the top 10th percentile nationally for NPS. This means 90% or more of our patients state they would recommend us when surveyed about their care in WCIC. This site has achieved this for multiple years in a row and just continues to confirm […]
Dr. Jamie Doss was recently honored with the “Friends of Nursing” award, a recognition given by his nursing colleagues in appreciation of his outstanding collaboration, compassion, and dedication to patient care. As a Chief Resident, Dr. Doss has consistently demonstrated a deep respect for the nursing team, actively fostering a supportive and team-oriented environment. His […]
Washington University School of Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology proudly attended the annual St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness (SLOCA) Living Out Loud Gala, an inspiring evening dedicated to raising awareness and support for ovarian cancer research and advocacy. The event brought together leading physicians, survivors, supporters, and community members in a shared commitment to […]
Dr. Denise Willers, Associate Professor and Interim Chief of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics & Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine, has been honored with a prestigious Dean’s Impact Award. This recognition celebrates faculty who embody the compassion, innovation, and dedication necessary to advance clinical care, education, and research in ways that are both dynamic […]
Dr. Sara Wood, Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, has been honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award by the Graduate and Professional Student Council at WashU Medicine. This prestigious recognition reflects Dr. Wood’s unwavering commitment to the success of WashU graduate students. Through exceptional mentorship, impactful research guidance, […]
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. Shannon Beermann, MD – DCR L.A.B. Award Clinical Fellow, Maternal-Fetal Medicine “Electronic fetal monitoring patterns and acidemia in […]
Dr. Holly Hoefgen has received a Distinguished Teaching Service Award. This award is presented to WashU Medicine by medical students to faculty and house staff in appreciation of exemplary service in medical student education. We commend Dr. Hoefgen for being an exemplary leader for medical students, tirelessly supporting their education and development. Her dedication and […]
WashU Medicine OB-GYN Chair, Dr. Dineo Khabele, and Postdoctoral Research Associate, Bisi Fashemi, PhD, recently presented at the Keystone Regenerative Biology of the Female Reproductive System meeting. Dr. Fashemi received a travel award to present a poster and talk on the project entitled “Single-Cell Signatures of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoids”. Dr. Khabele sat […]
Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, PhD, was elected to the Publications Committee of the American Association of Immunologists. Congrats to Dr. Gomez-Lopez! The term begins on July 1, 2025. To read more about the election results, please visit the link below. Congratulations to everyone who was elected!
The Center for Reproductive Health Sciences is thrilled to announce that research from the lab of Dineo Khabele, MD, was recently published in BMC Cancer. The research article is titled “The Tie2 antagonist rebastinib reduces ovarian cancer growth in a syngeneic murine model” and was authored by Gupta et al. The researchers of this study concluded that “Rebastinib […]
Uterine peristalsis imaging (UPI) as an endometriosis diagnostic The team proposes measuring uterine peristalsis, which are muscle contractions in the uterus that occurs during the menstrual cycle. UPI is a new type of technology developed by the team. Using wearable sensors, UPI measures patterns of electrical activity, similar to how an electrocardiogram works for the […]
The Black Family Wellness Expo serves as a vital platform where community and healthcare converge, offering a unique opportunity for individuals and families to connect with medical professionals. WashU Medicine ObGyn was proud to have a table at the event, engaging directly with community members and providing valuable information about women’s health. This year’s Expo […]
A Herrin, Illinois couple expecting identical twin girls turned to worry when doctors diagnosed her with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). This rare condition affects twins sharing a placenta. TTTS causes an imbalance in blood flow between twins, with one receiving too much while the other receives too little. The couple was rushed to Barnes-Jewish Hospital […]
WashU Medicine Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology proudly sponsored the Energy Award at the Power of One Gala for Girls on the Run St. Louis (GOTR-STL). As a strong advocate for youth empowerment and community well-being, WashU Medicine Peds Gyn is honored to support an organization that fosters confidence, health, and achievement in young girls. Girls […]
WashU Medicine OBGYN hosted its annual Career Day to showcase the diverse career paths available in obstetrics and gynecology. This event connected residents with physicians from the greater St. Louis area, offering insight into private and academic practice through panel discussions. The 2025 agenda featured panels moderated by WashU faculty, highlighting alumni and experts from […]
On average in the US, 1 in 10 babies is born prematurely and, in many cases, the cause is unknown. However, there could be many contributing factors, nearly 40% of pregnant people who deliver before 37 weeks exhibit chronic placental inflammation, which happens when the mother’s immune system attacks the placenta. If we understood this […]
The Michael D. Nelson Society Board is delighted to announce Dr. Rachel Furuya and Dr. Christina Herbosa, as awardees of the David G. Mutch Residency Research Scholarship Award. This honor is given to support and enhance the scholarly research activity of residents while at this level of their professional journey. Rachel Furyua, MD Poster presentation: “Comparison of […]
Curated by Dr. April Lewis, and the DEIA Committee The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Advocacy Resident Committee invites you to celebrate Black History Month! Highlight: Joan Y. Reade, MD, MS, MPH, MBA Joan Y. Reede, MD, MS, MPH, MBA was appointed Harvard Medical School’s first dean for diversity and community […]
The Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research has released its 2024 rankings for top NIH funding to US medical schools. The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is proud to share that they are ranked #8 in the country. This demonstrates ongoing growth in a highly competitive research environment. This accomplishment reflects the outstanding contributions of the department’s faculty, whose innovation, […]
Candice Woolfolk, PhD, MPH selected as Statistical Editor for Green Journal! We are so exited for Dr. Woolfolk taking on this new role and advancing her career. We are fortunate to have her as a part of our team. “Candice L. Woolfolk, PhD, MPH, is an Assistant Professor in the Divisions of Clinical Research and […]
The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 100,000 women develop obstetric fistulas annually. Vesicovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas are debilitating complications of obstructed labor resulting in the continuous flow of urine and/or feces, damaged pubic bones, lower extremity contractures, recurrent infections, shame, and social isolation. The surgical repair of vesicovaginal fistulas today is only […]
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. Magdaleena Mbadhi, MBBS, MMed Postdoctoral Research Associate “Sphingosine-1-phosphate regulation in LPS-induced preterm labor mouse model” Mentor: Antonina Frolova, […]
The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 100,000 women develop obstetric fistulas annually. Vesicovaginal and rectovaginal fistulas are debilitating complications of obstructed labor resulting in the continuous flow of urine and/or feces, damaged pubic bones, lower extremity contractures, recurrent infections, shame, and social isolation. The surgical repair of vesicovaginal fistulas today is only […]
The 2025 Researcher Forum is an event supporting Washington University researchers to continue excelling as exemplary leaders in research. The forum provides our faculty with information regarding the wealth of tools and resources available to them at the university, as well as the opportunity to network with potential collaborators across campus. The Research Education and Information Department, […]
The Gomez-Lopez lab’s recently published article in The Journal of Immunology has been featured as a top read by the editor for the December 1st issue. Notably, only two articles are selected per issue for this recognition. Congratulations to the Gomez-Lopez lab!
The Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award recognizes outstanding contributions to medical education, celebrating educators who demonstrate exceptional dedication and innovation in teaching. This year, the award celebrates the remarkable achievements of Dr. Elise Bardawil, Assistant Professor and Interim Chief of the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery. […]
The U.S. Health Preventative Services Task Force has endorsed self-testing to help reduce cancer rates across the country. Washington University gynecologic oncology surgeon Dr. Stewart Massad says the goal is to make testing more accessible for those who don’t get pap smears. The self-testing kits are available in the office now and are less invasive. […]