Hello Colleagues,

October is nearly over and we are moving fast into fall. Last week was Medical Assistants week, and I want to take this opportunity to thank all of our amazing medical assistants for the support they provide for our patients, our learners, our faculty and for each other. The medical assistants are the glue that often holds our clinics together. It is wonderful that we have special recognition days for our nurses, clerks, MAs, etc., but I hope that in our department, we pause to say thank you to our colleagues every day. Appreciation and acknowledgment of a job well done, a smile, or a hello can go a long way in turning a bad day into a good day.  

Thank you all!

Dee E. Fenner, MD
Introducing the OBGYN Department's 2020 Fellows!
  • Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery: Whitney Horner (U-M)
  • Gynecologic Oncology: Alli Straubhar (University of Utah, currently doing an ovarian cancer research fellowship year at Kettering)
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Ajleeta Sangtani (Northeast Ohio Medical School)
  • Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility: Amanda Schwartz (Rush Medical College of Rush University Medical Center)
  • Cancer Genetics & Breast Health: Versha Pleasant (U-M)
  • Family Planning: Alison Lutz (University of Vermont Medical Center)
  • Minimally Invasive Surgery: Gabrielle Whitmore (University of Colorado)
  • Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology: Olivia Winfrey (University of Kentucky)
  • Women’s Health: TBA
  • Global Health: Recruiting in 2020
PGY IV Successful Matches
  • Katie Peng, MD: GYN Oncology, University of Virginia
  • Nayla Kazzi, MD: MFM, University of Texas at Houston
  • Jenny George, MD: REI, Brigham and Women’s
  • Ashley Hesson MD, PhD: Cardio-Obstetrics (MFM/Research Fellow), Michigan Medicine
  • Whitney Horner, MD: FPMRS, Michigan Medicine
WH Division at Quality Month
The Women’s Health Division presented two posters at the 2019 Quality Month Symposium on October 22nd, 2019.

Don't Forget to Get Your Flu Shot!
The deadline to get your flu vaccine is Dec. 1, 2019! Vaccines are available at free flu clinics and Occupational Health Services here at Michigan Medicine. 

If you get a flu shot at your doctor’s office, pharmacy or any other location outside of UMHS, make sure to get paper documentation with your name on it. Be sure to send this documentation to Ashley Kirk!

Additional information about the flu program, including FAQs and exemption requests can be found here.
Provider Profile Updates - We're Getting There!
We greatly appreciate you taking the time to review your current provider profile and complete the Faculty Profile Update Form!
Dr. Dalton Named First Timothy R.B. Johnson, M.D., Collegiate Professor of Global Women’s Health
This named Chair is a lasting tribute to our friend, colleague, mentor and leader, Timothy R. B. Johnson, M.D.

Congratulations to Dr. Vanessa Dalton, who will be installed as the first Timothy RB Johnson Collegiate Professor on November 7th, 2019!
Dr. Haefner Receives Special President's Award
Hope K. Haefner, MD received the Special President’s Award at the 2019 International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) meeting in Turin, Italy. She was recognized for her outstanding dedication, service, and commitment to the society as a mentor.

Congratulations, Dr. Haefner!
Melissa Schon Rec Prestigious Award from the Office of Research
Melissa Schon, our Department's Senior Pre-Awards Grant Specialist, is the 2019 recipient of the annual Camille Mrozowksi Award for Service Excellence in Research.

This award recognizes Melissa's exceptional job performance, her deep commitment to the success of the research mission and the goals of the ObGyn faculty, and her ability to ease the administrative burdens of the grant submission process.

All research staff and faculty are welcome to attend the award ceremony and reception on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. For details & registration, click here.

Dr. Townsel Captures Attention of Audience & Judges at Fast Forward Medical Innovation fastPACE Finale
On Friday October 18, 2019 Dr. Courtney Townsel and her mentee Hannah Floyd, a 4th year BIomedical Engineering student here at UM, were awarded “ 1st place” and “ Crowd Favorite” for their novel medical device pitch at the FFMI (Fast Forward Medical Innovation) fastPACE finale.

Dr. Townsel created a prototype of her Natasure device intended to be a non-invasive alternative to the standard surgical cerclage placed for cervical insufficiency or short cervix. 
OBGYN Recognized for Leadership in Improving Learning Environment for Students at Michigan Medicine
Drs. Jennifer Villavicencio, Sarah Bell (Resident, PGY-3), and Luke Burns (Resident, PGY-2) were selected by the Michigan Medicine Students’ Learning Environment Task Force (LETF) as exemplary role models in cultivating and upholding a positive learning environment.
Lisa Kane Low Elected to AACN Health Policy Advisory Council
Congratulations to Lisa Kane Low, PhD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN on her appointment to the The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Health Policy Advisory Council.

The Council provides contextual and policy guidance to the Association surrounding issues in health care & higher education.
New OBGYN Staff Members:

  • Jessica Souva, Clinical Site Engagement Coordinator, Obstetrics Initiative
  • Li (Charley) Jiang, Statistician Senior
  • Maeve Sullivan, (new position) GME Program Administrator
  • Brian Hurd, (new position) Administrative Specialist

New OBGYN Faculty Members:

  • Daphna Stroumsa, Clinical Lecturer, REI
27th Annual Primary Health Care of Women Conference 
The Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Family Medicine jointly present the 27th Annual Primary Health Care of Women Conference. Attend to discuss the latest updates in women’s health care and earn up to 13.25 CME credits. 

Date: December 5-6, 2019
Location: Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Rd, Ann Arbor

Top 5 Reasons to Attend:
  1. Discuss the new 2019 recommendations for BRCA screening.
  2. Understand how to prepare diabetic women for pregnancy.
  3. Meet the Michigan state-mandated CME requirement for medical ethics.
  4. Recognize when to refer women with joint pain to a rheumatologist.
  5. Understand the appropriate use of CBD oil for chronic pain. 

Too busy? You can register for just one day. Early bird registration rates end on November 18th, so register now! 

Visit http://www.UMFamilyMedCME.com to see the full agenda and to register.  
Upcoming MFM Division Director Candidate Vision Talks
OBGYN Wellness Initiatives
Please take a few moments to complete the 2019 OBGYN Department Wellness Survey! We want to hear from you about wellness within the department and upcoming wellness committee opportunities!
Michigan Harvest Gathering (Oct 21 - Nov 8)
Michigan Medicine is participating again this year in the Michigan Harvest Gathering, a food and fund drive sponsored by the Michigan Hospitals and Health Association. There is a donation box outside L4100 in UH South. Significant need for food items include: cans of fruit; vegetables; tuna; chicken; soup; beef stew; peanut butter; dry cereal, lentils, beans, pasta, granola bars; baby food and formula. Please note: glass, expired, or opened containers cannot be accepted!
November Gratitude Initiative (Nov 1 - Nov 30)
November is a great time to reflect on all the things that we have to be grateful for! Your OBGYN MHealthy Champions have created a 30-Day Gratitude Journal for individuals to complete throughout the month of November. Stop by L4113 to pick one up for yourself, or several to share with your co-workers!

We will have an email group and a few huddles throughout the month to share our good vibes as well as to encourage each other to continue filling in journal entries! Let us know if you are participating so you can be included on the communications.
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