Author: Allison

The Marathon of Medicine: What sports teach us about resiliency, recovery, and how to avoid being benched

WashU Medicine OBGYN’s Discuss the Importance of Addressing RED-S in Adolescents and Professionals Dr. Andrea Hagemann, Gynecologic Oncologist, led a discussion with Dr. Dineo Khabele, Gynecologic Oncologist, and Dr. Maggie Dwiggins, Pediatric Gynecologist, who shared valuable insights into the importance of recognizing and addressing Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in both adolescent athletes and […]

Phase 2 Medical Student Work with Dignity Period

Phase 2 medical students stuffing 1000 period kits for non-profit Dignity Period. Dignity Period’s mission: “To impact period poverty around the globe by improving access to accurate menstrual information and distributing high quality washable/reusable menstrual hygiene products. We are motivated by the belief that those who menstruate should do so with comfort and in dignity.” […]

DEIA Committee Celebrates Black History Month

The following information was curated by: Dr. Halley Staples (bio), DEIA Committee. Alexa Irene Canady, MD (1950 – present)  Alexa Irene Canady was born in Michigan in 1950, where she ultimately attended University of Michigan and received a B.S. in zoology. Prior to her graduation, Canady nearly dropped out due to lack of self-confidence, however, […]

DEIA Committee Celebrates L.A.B. Days

The following information was curated by: Dr. Bridget Huysman (bio), DEIA Committee. From February 28 to March 1 we recognize the Betsey, Lucy, and Anarcha Days of Recognition.  Lucy, Anarcha, and Betsey were three enslaved women who underwent multiple experimental surgical procedures without anesthesia under the care of James Marion Sims.  Take a moment during these […]

Dr. Powell receives Dean’s Impact Award

Dr. Matthew Powell has received a 2024 Dean’s Impact Award! The 2024 Dean’s Impact Awards recognize faculty who have demonstrated enduring commitment to advancing the careers of others through exceptional mentorship and sponsorship. The time and commitment of mentors and sponsors are too often underrecognized, but without leaders like them, we could not achieve our potential as a School of Medicine.

WashU Meets at SMFM 2024

WashU ObGyn went to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine 2024 Pregnancy meeting. Faculty, fellows, residents Nandini Raghuraman, MD, MSCI was awarded Best Oral Plenary for “The effect of supplemental oxygen for Category II fetal resuscitation on oxidative stress: a randomized controlled trial.”

Dr. Portugal was Selected as the ASRM/Diversity Fellowship Research Award recipient

Dr. Aileen Portugal was selected as an ASRM/Diversity Fellowship Research Award recipient from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Research Institute. Dr. Portugal was awarded $15,000 to support her project. The project is titled, “Language Matters: Exploring the Impact of Language Concordance on Fertility Treatment Progression.” This project will be monumental in moving the needle forward […]

Celebrating some of The First Black Women Surgeons

The following information was curated by: Dr. Rachel Furuya (bio), DEIA Committee The DEIA committee is proud to present our third annual Black History Month programming, which will feature two of the first Black female surgeon pioneers of their time. Patricia E. Bath, MD (1942-2019) Dr. Patricia Bath was an ophthalmologist, research scientist, and advocate […]

Apply for the 2024 Cycle 1 of LAB Awards

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 […]

Update to Wang’s reproductive health research

Yong Wang, PhD, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Electrical and System Engineering, Radiology, and Biomedical Engineering, in collaboration with Valerie Ratts, MD, Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, is making strides in discovery related to his project titled “Understanding Uterine Function and How it Relates to Reproductive Health.” This project was recently expanded to investigate […]

Two OBGYN clinical fellows receive project funding

Congratulations to Julia Burd, MD, and Bridget Huysman, MD, MPH, Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellows in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, who are both recipients of grants from the Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital. Dr. Burd’s project is titled “Mode of cervical assessment in preterm prelabor rupture of membranes,” and Dr. Huysman’s is titled “Racism and discrimination on L&D: Birth […]

“Dr. Gomez-Lopez on “Deciphering maternal-fetal cross-talk in the human placenta during parturition using single-cell RNA sequencing”

On the weekly Science Podcast, producer Kevin McLean talks with researcher Nardhy Gomez-Lopez, a professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology and pathology and immunology in the Center for Reproductive Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The two discuss signaling between fetus and mother during childbirth and how understanding this crosstalk may one […]

Dr. Kuroki Podcast: “Learn about the importance of cervical cancer screening” (Links to an external site)

While cancer can be a scary and overwhelming subject, ‘This is Cancer’ aims to leave listeners feeling empowered and supported. The podcast is for anyone who has been touched by cancer. By having honest, raw, and informative conversations about cancer on this podcast, they hope to bring listeners hope, resources about prevention and wellness, and […]

Dr. Diane Merritt Portrait Reveal and Celebration

Diane Frances Merritt, MD obtained her Doctor of Medicine degree from New York University School of Medicine in 1975 and post-doctoral training in both General Surgery and Obstetrics & Gynecology at Barnes Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine from 1975-1980. She joined the Faculty of Washington University in 1980 and rose to the rank […]

Dr. Gomez-Lopez published in Science Translational Medicine

An atlas revealing the activity of individual placental cells during childbirth offers insight on what happens at the maternal-fetal interface during term labor, according to a study supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The atlas provides a single-cell analysis of the human placenta and its surrounding membranes and is the first to use […]

Dr. Sassin presents at CRepHS Seminar Series

The Center for Reproductive Health Sciences (CRepHS) welcomed visiting speaker Alexa Sassin, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, on Jan. 5th as part of the CRepHS Seminar Series. Dr. Sassin’s impactful presentation on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) research was well-received by seminar attendees over Zoom and in person at BJC-IH. […]

Dr. Mitchell Named Associate Clerkship Director

The Education Team is excited to announce that Dr. Jennifer Mitchell will be assuming the role of Associate Clerkship Director beginning January 2024. Dr. Mitchell will be leading the OBGYN Clerkship along with (incoming) Clerkship Director Dr. Katherine Massa. Dr. Mitchell joined the Division of Academic Specialists of Obstetrics & Gynecology in August of 2022 […]

Nelson Alumni Society hosts happy hour

Last night our Nelson Society met for a holiday happy hour! We were thrilled to catch up with Jennifer Smith – residency class of 2003, and Denise Meckler – residency class of 1996!

Collaborative Open House a success for CRepHS/CWHE

The Center for Reproductive Health Sciences (CRepHS) and the Center for Women’s Health Engineering (CWHE) hosted an open house event on December 5, 2023. At this collaborative event held on the Medical Campus, more than 70 attendees from the McKelvey School of Engineering and the School of Medicine were able to network and learn about reproductive health research, education […]

DEIA Committee hosts Dr. Chemen Neal on “Health Equity Solutions: Cultivating and Leveraging Diversity”

On Wednesday, 11/8/23, the Washington University in St. Louis Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology had the privilege of learning from Dr. Chemen Neal, who is both an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics & Gynecology and Executive Associate Dean for Equity & Inclusion, and Chief Diversity Officer at Indiana University School of Medicine.  The 2-hour session included […]

Dr. Gomez-Lopez published in eBioMedicine

Dr. Nardhy Gomez-Lopez’s paper “Blockade of IL-6R prevents preterm birth and adverse neonatal outcomes” was published in eBioMedicine. Evidence before this study Prematurity remains as the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality before five years of age globally. One in every three preterm infants is born to a pregnant individual with inflammation of the […]

Annual Procedure Night for Medical Students featuring Residents and Fellows

Every fall we recruit our residents, fellows, and faculty to lead various hands-on stations for a three-hour period. We recently hosted this event to great success! Thank you to everyone who joined us. A big thank you to our residents and fellows who helped teach! Residents: Dr. Alexis Allihien, Dr. Sarah Combs, Dr. Kati Turner Fellows: Dr. […]

WashU ObGyn at 3rd Annual Health Equity Seminar with the First Ladies of St. Louis

Left to right: Kim Snyder, REI Clinical Nurse; Tori Whelan, Assistant Professor; Bridget Huysman, MFM Fellow; Dineo Khabele, Dept Chair; LaShanda Jackson, W&I Women’s Health Educator and Outreach Coordinator; Darius Whitaker, IDEA2s Program Manager; and Bisiayo Fashemi, Research Associate (not pictured) On November 4, 2023 the Department of OBGYN at Washington University in St. Louis […]

Portrait of Dr. Sarah England Unveiled

Sarah England, PhD, Alan A. and Edith L. Wolff Professor of Medicine, Vice Chair of Research for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Director of the Center for Reproductive Health Sciences at Washington University School of Medicine, recently received distinctive recognition of her exceptional research accomplishments and service in the field of obstetrics and […]

Saying Goodbye to Dr. Carter

Dr. Ebony Carter, former division chief, and associate professor of MFM, is leaving the department, “I am writing to share bittersweet news that Dr. Ebony B. Carter, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, will be leaving our Department at the end of October 2023. She has been named chief of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel […]

L.A.B Award Winners – Fall 2023

Congratulations to the latest recipients 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. Bridget Huysman, MD, MPH (bio) Project: Birth experiences of discrimination and racism on labor and delivery Mentor: Candice […]

Dr. Sonn was named “Exemplary Educator”

The Exemplary Educator Award, established in 2022, recognizes current Washington University faculty members with at least six years of service as faculty in an academic teaching setting who are actively building a legacy as an educator through contributions in one or more domains of education and mentorship. Congratulations to Dr. Sonn!

Meet Dr. Farners Amargant i Riera

Farners Amargant i Riera, PhD, (she/her) is our new Assistant Professor for Ob/Gyn and CRepHS. She started with us this month. Dream the impossible, go out and make it happen. Where did you grow up? In Girona, a beautiful region in the north of Catalonia, Spain. What is your favorite part about your job? Every […]

Meet Dr. Victoria Whelan

Dr. Victoria Whelan (she/her) is an Assistant Professor for ObGyn. She has been with us for one month! Be curious, not judgemental. Ted Lasso Where did you grow up? The coasts – NYC, NJ, and the Bay Area of San Francisco What is your favorite part about your job? The interaction with patients. It is […]

Meet Dr. Sara Wood

Dr. Sara Wood (she/her) is the new Division Chief of Urogynecology & Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. She just started in October! Failure is the greatest equalizer. It is in the rising that separates the excellent from the great. My mom Where did you grow up? Audubon Iowa – a small farming town in southwest Iowa that […]

R01 Grant Recipients

Peinan Zhao, PhD, Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, received a new five year R01 grant from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) with co-principal investigator Molly Stout, MD, MS, Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan. The R01 grant provides […]

Dr. Carter: Living Well: The Maternal Crisis (Links to an external site)

Dr. Ebony Carter, Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist, speaks with First Alert 4′s Taylor Holt on the maternal crisis in the United States. Black women in the United States are nearly three times more likely to die during pregnancy or delivery than any other race. [We have] different community events that are commenting moms and babies to […]

Khabele Delivers Keynote at Meharry Research Week

In September, Dr. Dineo Khabele, Professor and Chair of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, delivered the Keynote address at Meharry Research Week at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Khabele spoke on the topic of OB/GYN related cancers. Every summer, the Office of Medical Student Research hosts the WUSM Meharry Summer Research Program (Meharry […]

R00 grant for ovarian aging research

Farners Amargant i Riera, PhD, was awarded an R00 for her project titled, “Mechanotransduction mechanisms of ovarian aging.” Dr. Amargant i Riera will examine how the increase in the biomechanical properties of the ovary with age are spatially and hormonally regulated and how they influence follicle transcriptome through the YAP1 pathway. Overall, the proposed studies […]

Meet Dr. Nardhy Gomez-Lopez

Dr. Nardhy Gomez-Lopez (she/her) is a Professor in ObGyn, CRepHS, and Pathology and Immunology. She will officially be on the team in October! I’m deeply passionate about research that directly benefits our community. Our team is dedicated to unraveling the complexities of pregnancy complications with the aim of discovering effective prevention strategies. To achieve this […]

Match Day: Incoming Fellows 2024

Welcome New OBGYN Fellows 2024! Shannon Beermann, MD – MFM – Washington University Raina Advani, MD – MFM – Emory University Joshua Brill, MD – GO – University of Minnesota Deanna Wong, MD – GO – UCLA Rand El Sharaiha, MD – REI – University of Toledo Christine Jackson, DO – Complex Family Planning – […]

2023 Match Day: Our Chiefs

Congrats to our Chiefs on their Fellowship Match! ⭐️ Shannon Beerman, MD – MFM at Washington University ⭐️Elizabeth Buckley, MD GynOnc at Montefiore ⭐️Melissa (Missy) Cantave, MD MIGS at Mayo Clinic – Florida ⭐️Vanessa Fuentes, MD MIGS Cleaveland Clinic – Florida ⭐️Caroline Min, MD MIGS at Columbia University

Dr. Williams featured in ‘People’ magazine (Links to an external site)

One of the most common menopause symptoms, hot flashes usually last between two and five minutes and are often more intense in the two years leading up to menopause itself (defined as 12 months with no period), says Dr. Makeba Williams, an OB-GYN and associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis who is a certified […]

WashU OBGYN represents at STL OBGYN Society

Drs Mittal, Combs, Wood, McCourt, Khabele, Bligard, Raghuraman, and Whelan attended the STL OBGYN Society meeting. The September Topic: “Medication Management of Obesity”

WashU OBGYN celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and National Latino Day

Almost 20% of the US population is Latino. With this growing number, the population is on track for 1 in 3 people to be Latino by the year 2050. Despite this increase, Hispanic doctors make up only 6% total of the physician population. “Increasing the total number of Latino physicians in medicine is imperative for […]

2023 National Postdoc Appreciation Week

Happy National Postdoc Appreciation Week! WashU has a diverse community of over 850 postdocs from different parts of the world.  Their commitment to research, teaching, and mentorship not only enhances the academic community at Washington University, but also plays a pivotal role in advancing science, technology, and scholarship across the country and around the world. We […]