Prof. Spector in ASCO Ethical Guidance

Kayte Spector, JD, MBE, contributed to the recent ASCO guidance for the US oncology community where reproductive health care is limited by law. In it, ASCO takes the position that patients should not be denied access to cancer treatment because of pregnancy – and this includes presenting patients with options to terminate a pregnancy to treat the patient's cancer.

It also explores several Principles for Cancer Care and Pregnancy, a framework for ethical reflection and action for oncologists in the United States, and recommendations for individual and institutional action to support evidence-based, patient-centered care for patients with the capacity for pregnancy. 

Drs. Morgan and Fenner in JAMA Health Forum

In their recently published article, Helen Morgan, MD, and Dee Fenner, MD, discuss the need for the leadership of hospital systems and graduate medical education programs to address the effects of abortion restrictions on medical residents’ health, well-being, and training.

Dr. Pleasant in Gynecologic Oncology

A new commentary by Versha Pleasant, MD, MPH, and team highlights that chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) can be a devastating side effect of breast cancer treatment for all racial groups, but may carry unique historical, social, political, and cultural significance for Black patients.

Pregnancy to Parent Wellness (PTPW), a text-based wellness program, has been live for 6 months! This program has been a true collaboration across multiple departments, sites of care, and roles. A big thank you to everyone who made this happen. Here are some quick stats:

• 500+ patients have enrolled since October
• 30% of deliveries in March enrolled in the program
• 85% of total enrollees are still in the program
• 17% of enrolled patients have wanted to be connected to a member of the postpartum care team for questions about recovery, baby, or mental health

For more information, check out the internal website.

View the TV Coverage!

The study was also featured on CNN Early Start.

The Department of Communication recently launched Health Lab, formerly known as the Michigan Health and Michigan Health Lab blogs. Same Michigan Medicine experts, and same compelling health and research stories, but now all in one convenient location with a brand new look!

Previous stories from our department include: 

• Life-threatening birth experiences among Medicaid enrollees vary widely by state and race-ethnicity
• Including the patient voice when addressing racial disparities in maternal health
• Sexual assault-related ER visits increase more than tenfold

The Von Voigtlander Women's Hospital has established a new associate leadership triad. This change is being made thanks to team member feedback and to ensure Von Voigtlander has the same level of high leadership as all of our other hospitals at U-M Health. 

Congratulations to Rosalyn Maben-Feaster, MD, on her appointment as the Interim Associate Chief Clinical Officer for Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital!

Ashley Hesson, MD, PhD, was recently recognized for going above and beyond in helping to advance health to serve Michigan and the world.

"Dr. Hesson went above and beyond while taking care of a complicated patient on Labor and Delivery. She essentially stayed in-house for approximately 48 hours (but with ACGME-adherent breaks!) marshaling all the resources for a patient in labor with severe cardiac complications. She went to great lengths to explain the complex physiology to each new team at every shift, and coordinated multiple teams.

There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that this patient will have had the best possible outcome in large part due to Dr. Hesson’s efforts. This is emblematic of the level of care Dr. Hesson provides to all of her patients. Thank you, Dr. Hesson!" 

The Department of OBGYN thanks you and your teams for all you do for our patients, families , and teammates to provide exceptional care. Congratulations on all of the achievements below: 

We continue to be the #1 call center in the institution for service level, call length (handle time), hang-ups (abandonment rate), and average speed of answer.

The following clinics scored ≥ 75th percentile for “Overall Rating of Care”:

• Briarwood (ObGyn)

• Brighton (ObGyn)

• Canton (ObGyn)

• Rogel Cancer Center (GynOnc)

• WAA (ObGyn Specialty)

• Center for Reproductive Medicine

We know we still have work to do, but we have come a very long way and achieved many goals so far. Kudos!

Daphna Stroumsa MD, MPH, was selected by the American Medical Women’s Association student group and the student body as this year’s University of Michigan Medical School faculty member to receive AMWA’s Gender Equity Award.

This award honors faculty members who promote a gender-fair environment for the education and training of physicians, and who assure equal opportunities for women and men to study and practice medicine.

Third-year REI fellow, Amanda Schwartz, MD, received the second-place prize at the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society 71st Annual Meeting for her oral presentation: "Short and long-term testosterone administration impairs in vitro fertilization outcomes with improvement following a washout period in a mouse model of gender-affirming hormone care."

Dr. Schwartz's mentors were Molly Moravek, MD, MPH, MSCI, and Ariella Shikanov, PhD.

Please join us in congratulating Shitanshu Uppal, MBBS, MBA, on the completion of his MBA Degree!

Go Blue!

Congratulations to Suzie As-Sanie, MD, MPH, on being named an Active Fellow of the American Gynecological & Obstetrical Society (AGOS)!

This is an accomplishment that reflects Dr. As-Sanie's training, scholarly productivity, and major institutional and national leadership roles.

Miller Society ACOG Mix & Mingle

The Mix & Mingle Alumni Reception at ACOG is back! Going to Baltimore for ACOG in May? Be sure to connect with colleagues from near and far at the 9th Annual Mix & Mingle Alumni Reception. Yummy nibbles and drink tickets will be provided.

Date: Saturday, May 21, 2023

Time: 6:00-8:00 pm

Location: Booth #2

Mark your Calendars for Miller Day!

Millar Day will take place on Friday, October 13, 2023.

A variety of presentations and group discussions regarding current challenges and opportunities encountered by women’s healthcare providers and patients will be planned. The Classes of 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 will be highlighted and welcomed back.

In addition, a tailgate is planned prior to the UM v. Indiana football game on Saturday, October 14.  Contact MaryAnn Stock to reserve your tickets to the game. Additional information and registration materials will be sent in July.

Please join us for a ceremony celebrating the installation of Erica Marsh, MD, MSCI as the S. Jan Berman Collegiate Professor of Reproductive Medicine.

Date: Monday, May 22, 2023

Time: 5:00 pm

Location: D. Dan and Betty Kahn Auditorium, A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building

This event will also be streamed live online. When responding, please indicate if you will attend in person. Cocktail reception to follow for those guests attending in person.

Please RSVP to Kelly Berch by May 12, 2023.

The Reproductive Sciences Program and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology are excited to present our 27th Annual Research Forum!

Date: June 9, 2023

Location: Towsley Center

Join us for a day celebrating innovative reproductive science research. The Research Forum will feature a research showcase, poster presentations, and the annual Anita Payne & John F. Randolph Lectures.

Thank you to all who attended the first annual Department of OBGYN Research Day and 38th Annual Sager Day! It was an energizing day full of innovative research, connection, and community.

We want to hear from you! Please share your feedback on Research Day by May 10th!

Congratulations to Adam Baruch, MD, and his family on their new daughter, born on April 16th at 1:05 am!

Dr. Baruch sends a special thank you to Dr. Treadwell for prenatal care, countless people in the FDC for their tireless monitoring, Natalie Saunders and Sarah Maguire for welcoming our daughter into the world, and Monica Rosen for being the best photographer the family could imagine.

Our Department was well-represented at the Green Journal Editorial Board Retreat this month by Lindsay Admon, MD, MSc, and Courtney Townsel, MD, MSc.

Congratulations to Sam Kempner, MD, on running the Boston Marathon on April 17th!

We continue to respond to all OBGYN Inequity Inbox submissions. This serves as a forum to document our environment and learn from our colleagues’ experiences to drive changes in our workplace culture and clinical practices. Your entries are anonymous – your name will not be connected to your entry.

To make a submission: Submit a form to the Inequity Inbox (level 2 login required.) You can also find links to the Inequity Inbox from the Von Voigtlander SharePoint and internal OBGYN DE&I SharePoint.

While we hope to use your stories to create awareness and help improve the working environment, we will not be investigating any particular incident. Any submission to the Inequity Inbox that meets the requirements for reporting sexual misconduct, discrimination, and/or harassment will be submitted to the institution’s reporting system for further investigation. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Rivkin.