Department of
Women’s HERstory Month started in 1980 when a consortium of women’s groups and historians (National Women’s History Project, now National Women’s History Alliance, advocated for a week long celebration, which President Jimmy Carter issued a Presidential Proclamation for. It wasn’t until 1987 that Congress passed Public Law 100-9, officially designating March as “Women’s 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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
WashU ObGyn Department Chair, Dr. Dineo Khabele, is the first Black Chair at the institution. She has firsthand seen the disparities in care and is set to be proactive in mending the problem. “Sometimes it feels hopeless, and sometimes people feel sort of dejected or like they can’t do anything. I want to let people […]
Last night, residents, students, and attendings gathered to view Michelle Alexander speak in regard to her book, The New Jim Crow, and race in America today. Delicious Ethiopian food catered by Meskerem was enjoyed! When asked about what keeps her hopeful, Alexander admitted that it’s hard to always be hopeful. But she has witnessed small […]
“It must be acknowledged that these advancements were made through the exploitation of enslaved women’s bodies…” Dr. Marion Sims, historically known as the Father of Gynecology, had surgical instruments named after him and monuments erected after he developed gynecologic surgical techniques, specifically vesicovaginal fistula repair. However, his surgical techniques and instruments were developed on the […]
This Feb/Mar MO American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is focusing on period poverty. Period poverty refers to the inability to afford period products (pads/tampons/cups). About 40% of US people with uteruses struggle with period poverty, causing about 1/3 of low-income people with uteruses to miss work or school due to the lack of access to […]
**TLDR: Dr. Howard P Venable, the first Black physician faculty member at WASHU, was an accomplished ophthalmologist, who had his land in Creve Couer taken away from him and his family by the mayor in 1959 under the basis of racial segregation and eminent domain. It wasn’t until 2021 that the land was rededicated and […]
**TLDR: Just blocks away from Barnes-Jewish Hospital, the “Delmar Divide” calls to attention the stark racial makeup and socioeconomic inequity that exits immediately north and south of Delmar Boulevard. Aiming to address the striking disparities in St. Louis, the “Delmar Divine” is a shared space for collaboration and innovation among many nonprofits and social service organizations in St. […]
Did you know that people who menstruate can spend up to a third to half of their lives experiencing some stage of menopause? Medical professionals are still learning about menopause and utilizing ways to normalize this period of life for their patients — making it possible to uncover inequities in menopausal care and discoveries in […]
Have you registered for Diversity 1.0 and 2.0? As our department engages in our culture calibration journey, we invite our colleagues to register for Diversity 1.0 and 2.0. If you participated in the sessions 3 years ago, you will notice that the sessions have been refreshed to reflect employees’ feedback. The sessions introduce participants to […]
The Resident DEIA committee hosted the department for viewing “City of Joy,” directed by Madeleine Gavin. The film, “follows the first class of students at a remarkable leadership center in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, a region often referred to as “the worst place in the world to be a woman.” These women have been through unspeakable violence spurred on by a […]
We discussed the New York Times regarding the Relf sisters (characters in the book) and the history of sterilization within the United States. We believe these articles are something that can help us be closer to our St. Louis community. We are ecstatic to bring more education to our Ob/Gyn Department to make us stronger […]
What is Transgender Awareness Week? Every year, from November 13 – 19, people around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week. This week raises visibility and awareness for the transgender community to address issues these members may endure. During this week, members of the community share stories, advance advocacy on how the public may help, […]
Watch the live stream below
After more than a year in the making, the OBGYN department successfully launched a video (iPad) interpreter through LAMP services. After recognizing a need for improved processes, both from a patient and business facing aspect, Clinical Operations Director, Ronald Griffin, led the initiative to establish this improved service within the department. “It’s great to have this […]
The DEIA committee hosted a supper club event with Dr. Prater and some local refugees to discuss the refugee experience in St. Louis. The event was catered by the Welcome Neighbor STL Supper Club. All proceeds from the event went to refugees preparing the meal at “Welcome Neighbor STL Supper Club” Thank you to everyone […]
The first Black department chair at WUSTL Medicine wants to make sure she’s not the last.
On August 6, Members of the C.A.R.E Clinic team and OBGYN Community Engagement participated in the CareSTL Health Project O Awareness Walk where they provided information, education, and resources for participants who may be affected by the opioid epidemic. C.A.R.E. stands for Clinic for Acceptance, Recovery & Empowerment. The service provides comprehensive, compassionate maternity care […]
Dr. Ebony Carter and Dr. Melissa Tepe, in EleVATE, a maternal and infant health program. Here, they are improving maternal health—especially for Black mothers and birthing people. “When you spend so much time with patients, you can’t help but feel the burden of the things they’re experiencing in their lives” Dr. Ebony Carter, Washington University […]
“OVAR-IT! Inequities in Ovarian Cancer Outcomes Among Black Women” Featured Speaker Dineo Khabele, MDMitchell & Elaine Yanow Professor of OB/GYN and Department HeadWashington University in St. Louis Watch Below
Last week, our DEIA Committee hosted a #SeeSTL Gay Liberation in the Gateway City walking tours at the @mohistorymuseum. Are you interested in learning about how the CWE was a hub of LGBTQIA+ community life and political activism? Join one of the museum’s next public tours! Check out the museum’s website here for all of the events and […]
Resident Dr. Halley Staples presented the new DEIA curriculum at ACOG/CREOG Advocacy Conference entitled “For Residents, By Residents: A Structured Diversity, Equity, Advocacy, and Inclusion Curriculum.“ #obgynlife #obgynresidentlife #obgyn #obgynresidency #obgyndoctor #obstetricsandgynecology #obstetrics #obstetrician #gynecologist #gynecology #residentlife #residency #residencylife @acog_org #creog2022
Considering the recently leaked Politico/Supreme Court article foreshadowing the repeal of Roe v Wade, participants had an open discussion about the current state of abortion in the United States. Other pre-work included The Daily Podcast on “The Anti-Abortion Activists” and the recent CREOGs Over Coffee about current abortion rights. In light of recent events, we […]
The IDEA2 subcommittee is a diverse group of people tasked with improving the quality of care provided to transgender and gender expansive patients. As part of this initiative, the team has begun to roll out a patient survey assessment which will inform future QI/QA interventions. Patient surveys will be offered in two places: one of the department’s […]
Considering the recently leaked Politico/Supreme Court article foreshadowing the repeal of Roe, participants had an open discussion about the current state of reproductive rights in the United States. Other pre-work included the recent CREOGs Over Coffee about current reproductive rights.
The Washington University Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion took us on a virtual tour of St. Louis so we as healthcare providers could get to know not only more about the city that we live in, but also the patients that we serve. What we learned: the history of politics in health care and […]
We are celebrating week 4 of Black History Month by sharing the story of two historic figures – Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler and Dr. Helen Octavia Dickens, who were trailblazers for women of color in medicine as the “first” of many.
TLDR – Honoring Henrietta Lacks, whose story highlights the long history of the dehumanization of Black women in the scientific community and underscores the importance of informed consent. Support local, black-owned businesses La Patisserie Chouquette and Creole Meet Soul. We are celebrating week 3 of Black History Month by sharing the story of our third historic figure: Henrietta Lacks – whose cervical cancer cells were the source of the HeLa cell line, which enabled significant scientific advances. […]
TLDR – Remembering Fannie Lou Hamer, one of the many victims of unwanted sterilization; join us for “For the Love Abortion Acess” fundraiser this Sunday 2/13. We are celebrating week 2 of Black History Month by sharing the story of our second historic figure: Fannie Lou Hamer (1917-1977) – a powerful leader in the civil and voting movements, whose story is a stark reminder of the racist history of […]
Given February is upon us, we wanted to take a moment each week over the course of the month to commemorate Black History Month. Each week we will be highlighting a prominent Black female figure and resources for you to learn more, along with spotlighting a local STL Black owned business for you to check out! This week we would like to spotlight Marsha P […]
This week we would like to spotlight Marsha P (“pay it no mind”) Johnson and transgender care in OBGYN. **TLDR: Marsha P Johnson was a prominent advocate and Black transgender woman, check out the article and documentary below. See attached for info on transgender health disparities and guidelines for care in the PERIOPERATIVE setting. Stop on Cherokee Street […]
This past week our Resident DEIA Committee hosted it’s 4th event this year, with a viewing of the documentary, The Color of Medicine. The film covers the rise of Homer G Philips Hospital, a premier over 700 bed hospital in St. Louis, that from 1937 to 1979 cared for the Black community and trained the largest number of Black physicians and nurses. It was tragically closed in 1979 […]
Dr. Keegan hosted. Discussion between participants regarding the inequities of Ob/Gyn and the history of St. Louis.
Hosted by Dr. Carter and her team. Trauma informed care workshop was given by the EleVATE team to prepare residents to best serve their patients from all walks of life.
Presented about maternal and infant mortality nation-wide and in St. Louis, including common topics such as preterm birth and Makena disparities.
In September 2021, Dineo Khabele, member of the SBAS executive council, served as the local co-host for the Society of Black Academic Surgeons Annual Meeting by Washington University Dept of Surgery, Dept of OBGYN
Drs. King and Eisenberg to host. Guest Missouri state legislators and NARAL attended to provide perspective on the current political climate and how to best be a resident physician advocate.
Residents came together to review Episode 4 of the 1619 podcast and reflected on how the history of medicine in the United States paralleled with the St. Louis community and their patients.
35-minute talk, 10-15 minute Q&A, explicitly tailored for IPV topics and sensitive pelvic exams. (During didactic time).
Dear Community, On behalf of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis, we condemn the murders in Atlanta of eight people, six of whom were Asian women. We are horrified by this senseless loss of life. We further denounce the continued gun violence and too frequent mass shootings that are […]
Dear Community, I joined the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University in St. Louis as its 9th Chair on June 1, 2020. While excited to take on this new role, I must admit this is a difficult time. As a Black woman, I am outraged that we have to keep reminding the world […]