Dear OBGYN Family,

January indeed has been the best and worst of times: the Omicron surge that is thankfully declining, leadership embarrassments, and negativity in our community. Despite it all, you have thrived, overcome adversity, and once again risen to the occasion.

I am looking to brighter, easier days ahead as we continue to live our values and excel in our tripartite mission.

Thank you to each and every one of you!

Dee E. Fenner, M.D.
'We Must Do Better!' Dr. Fenner Advocates For Women & Underrepresented Minorities
In a recent guest blog, Dee Fenner, MD, discusses how the recent removal of Mark Schlissel has impacted faculty, staff, and learners, particularly among women and underrepresented individuals.

She suggests that recent events “have forced us to examine our culture and values,” so we can move forward and do better.
Drs. Peahl and Moniz cited in New York Times
Expecting or Planning? There's Nothing Magic About 35

Many of the decisions I made around my pregnancies were based on the looming specter of "advanced maternal age," which is typically defined as 35 or older. Rudely, this used to be called a " geriatric pregnancy," but that term is thankfully now...

Read more
www.nytimes.com
New Health Affairs Study by Spector-Bagdady
A new study by Kayte Spector-Bagdady, JD, MBE, shows how bias can creep into medical databanks that drive precision health and clinical AI.

Findings have already prompted improvements in how the University of Michigan recruits new participants for its biobank
New Music Therapy Wellness Program at Von Voigtlander Hospital
The Music Therapy Wellness Program successfully launched this month! Emma Wymer, our music therapist, has been working with our antepartum patients. Patient responses have been tremendously positive: expressions of joy, relaxation, and appreciation for the focus on their wellbeing.

In addition to supporting our patients, Emma is supporting you! She is providing relaxation-focused live music in the L&D Board Room 4-4:15 Monday-Friday. Everyone is working so hard. Please come find respite during these informal sessions.

Questions? Please contact Emma at wymere@med.umich.edu or Kenzie Corbin at cmcorbin@med.umich.edu.
Dr. Townsel on Cultivating Physician-Scientists in OBGYN
More than grit: growing and sustaining physician-scientists

Obstetrics and gynecology-trained physician-scientists are uniquely positioned to fill critical knowledge gaps by addressing clinically-relevant problems through fundamental research and interpreting insights from basic and translational studies...

Read more
www.ajog.org
New Podcast By Dr. Peahl!
In a recent episode of the University of Michigan Reverb Effect Podcast, Alex Freidman Peahl, MD, MSc, discusses the history of prenatal care.
Erica Marsh Appointed Associate Director at MICHR
Erica E. Marsh, MD, MSCI, FACOG, has been appointed as an Associate Director at the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR).

In her new role, Dr. Marsh will help to shape MICHR’s vision for clinical and translational research across the University of Michigan and beyond.
Dr. Smith Co-Investigator on New RO1
Obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at high risk of health complications, including type 2 diabetes. Experts recommend diet and lifestyle interventions as the first-line treatment for obese women with PCOS, yet they disagree about specific nutritional advice. Creating evidence-based dietary interventions for individuals with (PCOS) is fundamental to the management of this common and costly endocrine disorder.

Yoland Smith, MD, is a co-investigator on a new R01 grant that funds a 12-month randomized control trial comparing a very low carbohydrate diet and a standard-of-care low-fat, Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet in overweight and obese adults with PCOS. The diet programs are both delivered online. The information gained from this study could facilitate the formulation of effective, widely accessible treatments for PCOS. The PI is Dr. Laura Saslow from the School of Nursing.
Congratulations, Dr. Mmeje!
Okeoma Mmeje, MD, MPH, has been selected as the new Associate Chief Clinical Officer (ACCO) for Health Equity.

As the ACCO for Health Equity, Dr. Mmeje brings her enthusiasm, collaborative spirit, commitment, and interdisciplinary leadership to promote equity in access and care delivery, reduce disparities, and provide oversight throughout the University of Michigan Medical Group (UMMG) ambulatory care delivery system. She is excited to partner with the other health system leaders and team members to reduce health disparities with established best practices and standards across clinical areas.

Please join us in welcoming Dr. Mmeje to her UMMG leadership role.
Cindy Stroup Appointed to NORDS Advisory Committee
Cindy Stroup, PA-C, was recently appointed to the Nursing Orders Simplification (NORDS) Advisory Committee for Michigan Medicine. The vision of the NORDS Advisory Committee is to create nursing orders that are easier for providers to order & easier for nurses to interpret and execute.
Dr. Lee Inducted into Gold Humanism Honor Society
The Gold Humanism Honor Society is a national society that honors senior medical students, residents, role-model physician teachers, and other exemplars recognized for excellence in clinical care, leadership, compassion, and dedication to service. Cindy Lee, MD, was formally inducted on January 27th.

Congratulations, Dr. Lee!
Dr. Marsh to Join the ABOG REI Division
Erica Marsh MD, MSCI, FACOG, was elected to the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ABOG) Board of Directors as the REI Chair. Dr. Marsh's term begins on July 1, 2022.
Olivia De Bear Joins SGO Advanced Practice Provider Committee
Olivia De Bear, PA-C, has been selected to serve as a Member of the Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Committee for the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO).

The role of the APP Committee is to identify and address issues relevant in Gynecologic Oncology for Advanced Practice Providers. In addition, the APP Committee will support and foster the role of APP’s and advise the society as well as the SGO Board of Directors on emerging issues as they relate to education, practice, and research.
Faculty Recognized for Mentorship of Medical Student Scholarship
Deborah Berman, MD, Jason Bell, MD, MPH, and Alex Peahl, MD, MSc, were recognized for their mentorship of students on Global Health and COVID-19 related projects in the 2021 Univesity of Michigan Medical School Capstone for Impact Annual Report.
New OBGYN Staff Members:
  • Mary Ann Stock, Administrative Assistant Senior
  • Becky Hovatter, Center for Education Program Manager
  • Kamilah Davis-Wilson, Clinical Research Project Manager 
Welcome to our New Women's Health Nurse Practitioners!
  • Sara Holda, Chelsea
  • Sarah Peterson, East Ann Arbor
  • Abby Brown, Brighton
  • Megan Doot, Canton
  • Jill Burns, Northville
Dr. Admon Invited to Present at F.I.R.E Grand Rounds
Lindsay Admon, MD, MSc, is presenting at the Department of Pediatrics "Fairness, Inclusion, Respect and Equity (F.I.R.E.) Grand Rounds."

Date: February 1, 2022
Time: 8:00 am - 9: 00 am
Location: Zoom

Dr. Admon will speak about disparities in birth outcomes (related to implicit bias and structural racism).
Celebrating Black History Month
Office for Health Equity and Inclusion (OHEI) Events:

Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA) Events:
32nd Annual MLK Health Sciences Program
Pelvic Floor Research Group Day 2022
Save the date for the 2022 Pelvic Floor Research Group (PFRG) Day! Our keynote - "Novel insights and approaches to pelvic floor imaging and analysis from the University of Pittsburgh" - will be delivered by Steven Abramowitch, Ph.D.

Date:  Wednesday, March 2nd
Time: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Zoom

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person attendance will be limited. We invite you to join us virtually. We hope to see you there!
Check Out the Region 9 PQC Vaccination Testimonial Video!
The Region 9 Perinatal Quality Collaborative (PQC) asked community members from across Region 9 why they decided to get vaccinated while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Listen to their stories in their COVID-19 vaccination testimonial video, featuring some familiar faces!
Our OBGYN Family is Growing!
Baby Liang-Walters
Angela Liang, MD, and family welcomed a baby girl on November 11th! Mina Lin Liang-Walters was delivered by Carrie Bell, weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces.
Baby Fernbacher
Congratulations to Erin Swor, MD, and family on the birth of Aiden Robert Fernbacher! Aiden was delivered by Anita Malone on December 28th, weighing 6 pounds, 10 ounces.
Baby D'Souza
Congratulations to Molly Stout, MD, MS, and family on their new addition, Lillian Louise D'Souza! Baby Lillian was delivered by Beth Campbell and Caitlin Clifford on January 21, 2022, weighing 7 pounds, 3 ounces.
Ugly Sweater Themed OBGYN Admin Huddle!
Our admins were feeling festive at their holiday-themed huddle. Check out their best ugly sweaters!
Active U 2022
Active U is a free 12-week challenge to keep active, achieve your goals, and connect with colleagues. Register today and join the OB/GYN department’s team, the Gyno-Mites! Questions? Contact our team captains, Sarah Block and Tammy Moorey.
Program Details:

  • Aim to get moving at least 120 minutes per week.

  • Log activity minutes to track your progress and boost our team's rankings

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