Department of
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Check out our quarter four newsletter!
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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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) […]
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 […]
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.
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!
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, 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 […]
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, […]
The Department is pleased to announce that Premal Thaker, MD, MS, the David & Lynn Mutch Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Trials, has been appointed as Chief of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, effective June 1, 2025. Dr. Thaker served for almost 18 months as Interim Chief and […]
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 […]