Calendar of Events

Nov
12
Tue
2019
Breastfeeding: Beyond the Basics with Sarah Mess, CNM @ Moorland Reserve Health Center
Nov 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

When significant breastfeeding challenges are expected or met, creating a plan ahead of time can reduce stress and improve the breastfeeding experience

Presentation by: Sarah Mess, CNM.

Register online by going to Froedtert Health’s Classes and Events

Nov
13
Wed
2019
Developing Novel Biomarkers and Therapies Against Ovarian Cancer – Manish Patankar, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Nov 13 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Presented by

Manish Patankar, PhD
Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences
Associate Director, Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology (ERP) Program
University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health

About

Dr. Manish Patankar is a Professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences. Dr. Patankar grew up in Thane, India, a city that borders Mumbai (Bombay). His wife is a physical therapist at the American Family Children’s Hospital and they have a 7 year old daughter who is in first grade at Glenn Stephens Elementary.

Dr. Patankar graduated from the University of Bombay, India with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1987. Subsequently, he received his Masters of Science in Organic Chemistry from the University of Bombay in 1990, and his Masters of Chemistry from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia in 1993. Dr. Patankar then completed his PhD in Biomedical Sciences at Eastern Virginia Medical School/Old Dominion University in 1998.

Dr. Patankar was an instructor and Research Professor at Eastern Virginia Medical School until 2004 when he joined the department as Professor and also became a member of the UW-Madison Carbone Cancer Center. His current research includes developing diagnostic tests for ovarian cancer and preeclampsia and strategies for treating ovarian cancer.

Collaborations at UW-Madison include: Drs. Joseph Connor, David Abbott, Paul Sondel, David Beebe, Ralph Albrecht, Mark Cook, Sean Fain, Ian Rowland, Hirak Basu and and Lingjun Li. Non UW-Madison collaborations include: Drs. Mitchell Ho and Ira Pastan (National Cancer Institute), Dr. Jennifer Gubbels (Augustana College, SD), Rebecca Whelan (Oberlin College, OH), Biotech Industry: Neoclone Biotechnology (Madison), and Gentel Biosciences (Fitchburg).

Dr. Patankar teaches Endocrine Physiology, Biology 151, and lectures on immunology in several different courses on campus.

What does he do in this spare time? He loves music and watching SpongeBob with his daughter.

One of the most interesting places that Dr. Patankar has visited is Bergen, Norway.

Research Focus

The primary focus of my research is to devise specific methods for early diagnosis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and to understand the effect of factors produced by ovarian tumors on the functional capacity of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes. This research involves extensive utilization of glycoproteomic analysis in conjunction with cellular immunology, molecular biology and glycobiology.

Learn more about the WHRP Seminars

Dec
12
Thu
2019
Anxiety in Women: Healthy Ways to Respond with Abbey Kruper, PsyD @ Froedtert Menomonee Falls Hospital
Dec 12 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Learn basic information about how anxiety can present in women and develop strategies to manage distress in order to have a fuller life.

Presentation by: Abbey Kruper, PsyD, psychologist

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

Dec
18
Wed
2019
Investigating Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners Exposure in Pregnancy and Lactation – Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Dec 18 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Presented by

Stephanie Olivier-Van Stichelen, PhD
Assistant Professor, Biochemistry
Medical College of Wisconsin

About

Dr. Olivier-Van Stichelen received her PhD degree in Biochemistry from the University of Lille, France in 2012. Her work was focused on the understanding of the nutrient-sensing O-GlcNAcylation in colorectal cancer development with a special interest in diet-dependent modification of the oncogene beta-catenin.

After completion of her degree, she was appointed as a post-doctoral Fellow in the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Biology at the National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA. In this lab, Dr. Olivier-Van Stichelen worked on different aspects of O-GlcNAcylation during development including X-inactivation of the O-GlcNAc Transferase gene. She also developed a brain O-GlcNAcase knockout model and studied the impact of sugar consumption during pregnancy on O-GlcNAc-dependent development of metabolic homeostasis. More recently, she developed interests in understanding the importance of artificial sweeteners for offspring’s metabolism and microbiome.

Dr. Olivier-Van Stichelen established her lab at the Medical College of Wisconsin at the crossroad of sweeteners, pregnancy, development and metabolism.

Research Focus

Due to the global trend of growing sweetener consumption, determining the interplay between diet and pre- and post-natal development is emerging as a critical area for research. Currently, the average American eats around 22 teaspoons of added sugar every day (30 sugar cubes/day hidden in foods). This modern glucose-rich diet correlates with an increase in the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and others metabolic syndromes. Moreover, the effort to reduce sugar consumption has led people to consume more non-caloric sweeteners (Aspartame, Sucralose, Acesulfame-K…). While they appear healthier for glucose homeostasis than a high carbohydrate diet, recent studies have shown that artificial sweeteners impact glucose metabolism as well as gut microbiota, rising questions about their excessive use.

Therefore, understanding what happens when caloric and non-caloric sweeteners are metabolized is of utmost importance for public health and the focus of my research group.

Nutrient-dependent O-GlcNAc cycling in development and disease

O-GlcNAcylation is one of the key components of diet-responsive signaling. This unique glucose rheostat is a ubiquitous and dynamic glycosylation of intracellular proteins with approximately 1000 modified proteins described to date. Two key enzymes drive O-GlcNAc cycling: The O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) adds the modification and the O-GlcNAcase (OGA) removes it. Although many studies have focused on the decrease or complete absence of O-GlcNAc cycling by modulating the expression or activity of OGT, only a few studies have targeted hyper-O-GlcNAcylation by disturbing OGA. Because this post-translational modification is directly dependent on glucose input, depleting OGA creates an artificial and constant hyperglycemia-induced O-GlcNAcylation state. Using Oga and Ogt knockout (KO) cellular and mouse models, we can decipher the impact of high carbohydrate diet on embryonic development.

Non-Nutritive Sweeteners in pregnancy and lactation

Part of my lab is interested in understanding the impact of Non-Nutritive Sweetener (NNS) consumption through pregnancy and lactation. Although, NNS have been found in mother’s milk and in placental blood circulation, no study has focused on the fundamental effect of those non-caloric sweeteners on the developing organism.

Among the impacts described in adults are changes in intestinal hormonal secretion, glucose metabolism and most fascinating, re- duction of the gut microbiota. Nevertheless, the fundamental mechanisms of those changes are far from understood. Glycoproteins found on the surface of the intestinal epithelium define the glycocalyx and are an essential mammalian mechanism of communication with the gut microbiome. Their reciprocal relationship with the gut microbiome regulates not only nutrient breakdown, and food absorption, but also infection. We are convinced that by altering both microbiome and the detoxification process, NNS exposure in early life will impact metabolic homeostasis later in life.

Learn more about the WHRP Seminars

Jan
15
Wed
2020
Alcohol-Induced Developmental Brain Injury – Xiaowen Bai, MD, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Jan 15 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Presented by

Xiaowen Bai, MD, PhD

Xiaowen Bai, MD, PhD

Xiaowen Bai, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Cell Biology, Neurobiology & Anatomy
Medical College of Wisconsin

About

Dr. Bai’s research interests are centered on the application of stem cells on disease modeling and tissue regeneration. The current major focus of the laboratory is to utilize gain- and loss-of-function approaches to examine the novel molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of non-coding RNAs, mitochondria, and genetic factors in neurodegeneration and cardiotoxicity in mice, and translate the findings to humans using stem cell-derived brain cells, heart cells, three-dimensional mini brains, and heart organoids.

Research Area 1:

Non-coding RNAs, mitochondria, and cell stress-related genes in neurodegeneration:
Neurological disorders have emerged as a predominant healthcare concern in recent years due to their severe consequences on quality of life and prevalence throughout the world. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of these diseases and the interactions between different brain cell types is essential for the development of new therapeutics. Many drugs (e.g., anesthetics), environmental factors (e.g., alcohol), diseases, and genetic risks are related to neurodegeneration. We examine the novel molecular mechanisms underlying the roles of microRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, mitochondria, immediate early and other cell stress-related genes in neurodegeneration using both mouse, and human stem cell-derived brain cell and three-dimensional mini brain models

Research Area 2:

Stem cell-mediated myocardial regeneration
Myocardial infarction is one of the major causes of death throughout the world. Currently, there is not a highly effective approach for treatment. Stem cells hold promise in repairing injured cardiac tissue. Our lab is involved in studying the effect of the transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes on myocardial regeneration following ischemia injury. A molecular imaging method has been developed to investigate the molecular mechanisms controlling homing, engraftment, and survival of injected cells in vivo.

Research Area 3:

The mechanisms of impaired cardioprotection under diabetic conditions
Hyperglycemia has been shown to be particularly detrimental to the cardioprotective effects, with the underlying mechanisms remaining largely unknown. We have developed and validated a clinically relevant model of functional human cardiomyocytes derived from both normal induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and diabetes mellitus iPSCs. This in vitro model of human disease will enable developmental and comparative studies of normal and diabetic cardiomyocytes to address genetic and environmental mechanisms responsible for attenuation of cardioprotection signaling in diabetics.

Learn more about the WHRP Seminars

Feb
3
Mon
2020
Taking Control of Your Bladder with Emily Davidson, MD @ Froedtert Fitness Center, Wauwatosa
Feb 3 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Urinary issues including urgency and leakage are not something you should have to live with or schedule your life around. Learn about types of leakage and the options that exist for treatment.

Presentation by: Emily Davidson, MD, Urogynecologist

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

Feb
6
Thu
2020
Does My Diet Affect Getting Pregnant? with Carol Eling, APNP @ Froedtert Drexel Town Square Health Center
Feb 6 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

We will take a look at the latest research on reproductive nutrition to improve your chances of conceiving.

Presentation by: Carol A. Eling, Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

Feb
19
Wed
2020
Analysis of Collagen Alterations in Human Ovarian Cancer by High Resolution Optical Microscopy – Paul Campagnola, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Feb 19 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Presented by

Paul Campagnola, PhD
Professor, Biomedical Engineering
University of Wisconsin-Madison

About

Campagnola’s research is directed toward developing high resolution imaging modalities. The technologies his group has developed can readily be applied to problems in eye and vision research. For example, the technique of Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) to image collagen fibrillar structure has been used by other labs to image the corneal structure. Expanding into eye research is a natural direction for the Campagnola Laboratory.

Alterations to the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and structure are thought to be critical for tumor initiation and progression for several epithelial carcinomas, including those of the ovary and breast. Our lab develops Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) microscopy tools to quantitative assess these alterations in the stroma where we correlate the optical signatures with structural changes in the fibrillar assembly between normal and diseased tissues. This physical approach provides objective measurements that may be used to understand disease progression. To further investigate how remodeling enables invasion and metastasis in vivo we use multiphoton excited (MPE) photochemistry to fabricate biomimetic in vitro models of the ovarian ECM. The nano/microstructured models simulate the crosslinked fibrillar structure of the native ECM.

Tissue engineering has vast potential to improve human health by repair and maintenance of existing tissue or generation of replacement of tissues and organs. A major limitation has been an incomplete understanding of the underlying cell-ECM interactions that govern cell adhesion which will ultimately affect downstream functions. Our approach to this problem utilizes MPE photochemistry to create 3D biomimetic scaffolds directly from crosslinked proteins. Beginning with bio-inspired designs we will seek to achieve improved function.

Learn more about the WHRP Seminars

May
1
Fri
2020
Blood, Sweat and Tears – The Challenges of Hematologic Disorders in Pregnancy with Jennifer McIntosh, DO, MS @ Virtual WebEx - email below for link
May 1 @ 8:00 am – 9:00 am
Nov
9
Mon
2020
Family History in Cancer Screening and Treatment – Elizabeth Hopp, MD @ Virtual
Nov 9 @ 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm


Please join us virtually. This talk will detail what constitutes a significant family history along with discussion of genetic testing. The talk will also touch on management of hereditary cancer syndromes, such as Lynch syndrome and BRCA.

Presentation by: Elizabeth Hopp, MD, Gynecologic Oncologist

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

Nov
10
Tue
2020
Anxiety in Women: Healthy Ways to Respond with Abbey Kruper, PsyD @ Virtual
Nov 10 @ 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm

Please join us virtually to learn basic information about how anxiety can present in women and develop strategies to manage distress in order to have a fuller life.

Presentation by: Abbey Kruper, PsyD, psychologist

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

Nov
18
Wed
2020
Infertility: Fact or Fiction with Bo Rydze, MD @ Virtual
Nov 18 @ 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm


Please join us virtually! This talk is geared towards giving both individuals and couples the knowledge to make informed decisions about how to best go about building their families or preserving their fertility. During this time we will dispel common myths surrounding fertility and answer any questions you may have. We will also cover red flags that could mean a potential risk for infertility down the road.

Presentation by: Bo Rydze, MD, Reproductive Endocrinologist

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

Dec
9
Wed
2020
How Does Preeclampsia Impact Your Pregnancy and Your Future Health with Jennifer Jury McIntosh, DO @ Virtual
Dec 9 @ 5:45 pm – 7:00 pm


Please join us virtually! We will discuss what preeclampsia is and the signs and symptoms to watch for in pregnancy, as well as how it’s managed.

We will also explain the impact of preeclampsia on a woman’s future heart health.

Presentation by: Jennifer Jury McIntosh, DO, Perinatologist

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

May
13
Thu
2021
Autoimmune Disorders and Fertility with Jayme Bosler, MD @ Virtual Event (register below)
May 13 @ 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Please join us virtually! Women with existing autoimmune diseases may be at higher risk of infertility and some autoimmune conditions can increase a woman’s risk of miscarriage.

Together we will discuss these conditions and what to do to increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.

We will also explain the impact of preeclampsia on a woman’s future heart health.

Presentation by: Jayme Bosler, MD, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility physician

Register Online

Register online through the link to Froedtert’s classes and events below.

May
19
Wed
2021
Patient Education Webinar: Urinary Incontinence with Dr. Emily Davidson @ Virtual Event (register below)
May 19 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Urinary issues including urgency and leakage are not something you should have to live with or schedule your life around. Learn about types of leakage and the options that exist for treatment.

Presentation by: Emily Davidson, MD, Urogynecologist

Sep
11
Sat
2021
Black Birth: A Maternal Health Conversation and Resource Fair @ Wisconsin Black Historical Society
Sep 11 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm


The Milwaukee Film Festival and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin present Black Birth: A Maternal Health Conversation and Resource Fair.

The short film Black Birth serves as the backdrop to a community dialogue about the joys, fears, complexities, and disparities of Black motherhood in America and locally in Milwaukee. Following the film screening will be a panel discussion including an OB-GYN physician and resident, community doula, African American breastfeeding expert, and other maternal-fetal care specialists, as well as a resource fair featuring leading health and wellness community partners.


This in-person event is FREE and open to the public. Space is limited to the first 150 people. Masks are REQUIRED and will be provided if needed. There is no virtual option. No Tickets required.

TimeTopic
11:00 AMWelcome and Introduction
11:15 AMShort Film
11:45 AM Discussion
12:15 - 1:00 PMPanel Questions and Discussion

Panelists

  • Moderator: Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD – Obstetrician and Gynecologist
  • OBGYN Providers: Seema Menon, MD – Obstetrician and Gynecologist and Ciera Oshodi, MD – OBGYN Resident
  • Breastfeeding Expert: Dalvery Blackwell, BA, IBCLC with the African American Breastfeeding Network I
  • Doula
  • Patient
Oct
21
Thu
2021
Professionalism Week 2021: Navigating Pandexit – Rebounding from Individual and Collective Challenges @ Virtual Event (register below)
Oct 21 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Professionalism Week 2021: Navigating Pandexit - Rebounding from Individual and Collective Challenges @ Virtual Event (register below)

Please join us as we discuss how groups can successfully navigate collective trauma with the COVID-19 pandemic as a model. It is how we cultivate resilience as a group, foster communication and individually and collectively recover and grow that determines whether an initial trauma will cause additional fall out. We propose to review some best practices for how to collectively navigate “pandexit” or recovery from any traumatic or stressful situation that affects a large group of people. In this session, we will discuss individual and group tools for resilience, go over acute and chronic reactions to trauma and discuss how leadership can steer groups of people into recovery.

Speakers:

      Kate Dielentheis, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology
      Kristy Graettinger, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology
      Abbey Kruper, PsyD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and behavioral medicine

Jan
19
Wed
2022
Professional Development Series – “Psychological Safety – An Essential Ingredient for Teamwork” – Martin Muntz, MD, FACP, January 19th @ Virtual Invite via Outlook
Jan 19 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am

The Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology invites you to our 2021-2022 Professional Development Series

Guest Speaker:

Martin Muntz, MD, FACP
Professor of Medicine, Curriculum Pillar Director – Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Institute for the Transformation of Medical Education, Vice-Chair for Faculty Development – Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine

Dr. Muntz oversees several avenues of Kern Institute work relating to “what and how” students learn in medical school, including topics like interprofessional education, communication skills, clinical reasoning, and leadership skills, as well as tools such as learning communities, reflection, and narrative writing. He also is dedicated to increasing transparency and facilitating culture change in the clinical learning environment, as well as exploring innovative curricular models and schedules.

Jan
26
Wed
2022
Babbette LaMarca, PhD, University of Mississippi Medical Center- to present “The Importance of T and B Lymphocytes in Causing Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia” Jan 26th @ Virtual
Jan 26 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Babbette LaMarca, PhD, University of Mississippi Medical Center- to present "The Importance of T and B Lymphocytes in Causing Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia” Jan 26th @ Virtual

[vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]Please join us for a presentation by Babbette LaMarca, PhD, University of Mississippi Medical Center – “The Importance of T and B Lymphocytes in Causing Pathophysiology of Preeclampsia”

Dr. LaMarca is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pharmacology / Toxicology.

Babbette’s laboratory is interested in identifying immune mechanisms that cause hypertension during pregnancy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”34047″ style=”vc_box_border_circle_2″ qode_css_animation=””][vc_column_text]

Babbette LaMarca, PhD

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][vc_column_text]Specifically, her research focuses on the interactions between lymphocytes and autoantibodies in the pathophysiology of hypertension in response to placental ischemia. Over the years, they have developed models designed to identify how immune cells or their products cause changes in blood pressure during pregnancy. Moreover, they have developed an autoantibody specific clinically relevant inhibitory peptide to block hypertension and endothelial dysfunction which could have potential clinical use in the future.

They have a strong translational research component with their tight collaborations with the Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) Division in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department. Dr. LaMarca has served as MFM Thesis Director since 2006. Through this collaboration, they obtain human tissues to study alterations in genes and/or proteins in response to low oxygen environment or placental ischemia. Furthermore, they examine how novel therapeutics may provide an avenue for treatment in preeclamptic women by modulating specific immunopharmacological pathways that play a role in causing hypertension during pregnancy.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css_animation=”” row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” angled_section=”no” text_align=”left” background_image_as_pattern=”without_pattern”][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Mar
26
Sat
2022
Black Birth: A Symposium on Black Maternal Health @ Saint Kate Arts Hotel - 139 E KILBOURN AVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53202
Mar 26 @ 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Black Birth: A Symposium on Black Maternal Health @ Saint Kate Arts Hotel - 139 E KILBOURN AVE, MILWAUKEE, WI 53202

Please join us for this in-person full day event – “Black Maternal Health Symposium”! It’s Saturday, March 26th from 8am – 4:30pm.

Featuring local healthcare advocates including our own:
– Amy Domeyer-Klenske, MD as a panelist for “Laying the Groundwork: Care Provider Panel Discussion #1” from 10am-11am
– Lisa Lockett-Neumuth, WHNP-BC, CNM talking about “Birth Planning as a Trust Model” from 11:15am-12:15pm

Orienting critical attention to the health disparities and staggering rates of Black maternal mortality, this Milwaukee Film’s 2022 Black Maternal Health Symposium brings together local healthcare advocates for a one-of-a-kind learning experience. What makes this event unique is the use of film to spark dialog between community members and service providers around a wide range of maternal health issues. Harnessing the affective power of cinema to provide insight, confront stigmas and remove barriers to understanding, the Black Maternal Health Symposium offers a variety of participant-driven discussions that humanize complex topics in an approachable manner.

Jun
8
Wed
2022
2022 E. James Aiman Lecture @ Medical College of Wisconsin - Kerrigan Auditorium
Jun 8 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am

Featured Speaker: AnnaMarie Connolly, MD, FACOG – “We Can All Agree: No One Starts the Day Wanting to Do a Bad Job – Getting to Our Best Days Through Critical Thinking, Feedback, and Innovation”

Chief of Education and Academic Affairs for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)

About Dr. Connolly

Dr. Connolly obtained her MD from Tufts University. After completing her residency in OBGYN at the University of North Carolina (UNC), she worked as a specialist in private practice for 2 years. She then returned to UNC and completed a fellowship in Urogynecology/Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery. Dr. Connolly continued her career at UNC where she was named the Annie Louise Wilkerson, MD ’36 Distinguished Professor, served as the Obstetrics and Gynecology clerkship director for 7 years, Residency Program Director for 11 years, the Fellowship Program Director for the Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship for 4 years and was also the Vice Chair for Education in the department of OBGYN. She is now the chief of education and academic affairs of ACOG.

While her clinical experience focused on urogynecology, her primary academic interests include medical education and the effect of childbirth on the pelvic floor. She has published original research on educational and clinical programming and tool development.

Her commitment to clinical practice and medical education has been recognized by the UNC School of Medicine. This includes her Directorship of the UNC Teaching Scholars Program for the past 13 years. Dr. Connolly has been honored for her educational efforts with multiple awards throughout her career at UNC. She is nationally recognized for her leadership in medical education.

Learn more about the E. James Aiman, MD, Endowed Lectureship

Oct
12
Wed
2022
2022 E. James Aiman Lecture: Isabel C. Green, MD, MEHP @ Medical College of Wisconsin - Alumni Center. Zoom available
Oct 12 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am

Featured Speaker: Isabel C. Green, MD, MEHP

“Not Just SIM-antics: Maximizing Simulation for Surgical Skills”

About Dr. Green

Dr. Green completed her Obstetrics & Gynecology residency at John Hopkins University and fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Georgetown University-MedStar. She serves as the Associate Program Director for the OB/GYN residency program at Mayo Clinic and directs a transition to residency course in the Mayo Medical School. She is also the Fellowship Director for Minimally Invasive Gynecology and a consultant of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Gynecology at Mayo Clinic.

Her practice interests are in office hysteroscopy and also the management of abnormal uterine bleeding, cervical dysplasia and chronic pelvic pain. Since residency she has been engaged in undergraduate and graduate medical education, with a focus in surgical education. In 2017 she completed a Masters of Education in the Health Professions from Johns Hopkins University.

Register via Zoom

Learn more about the E. James Aiman, MD, Endowed Lectureship

Feb
22
Wed
2023
Precision Pathology and PDX Models for Breast Cancer Drug Response Prediction – Hallgeir Rui, MD, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Feb 22 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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Presented by

Hallgeir Rui, MD, PhD
WBCS Endowed Professor of Breast Cancer Research
Vice Chair of Research, Department of Pathology
Director of MCW Tissue Bank
Associate Director of Shared Resources, MCW Cancer Center
Medical College of Wisconsin

About

Hallgeir Rui, MD, PhD is internationally recognized for his research on hormone signaling in breast cancer, and has a strong track record of leadership, mentoring and collaboration. He is the WBCS Endowed Professor of Breast Cancer Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW), with his primary appointment in the Department of Pathology, and a secondary appointment to the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology. In addition, Dr. Rui serves as the Associate Director of Basic Science and Shared Resources at the MCW Cancer Center. With his past experience as a Program Leader and Shared Resource Director at the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Dr. Rui brings valuable experience to the MCW Cancer Center efforts toward NCI-designation. Dr. Rui serves on the Breast Cancer Translational Research Committee of NRG Oncology.

A central focus of hisresearch is on molecular profiling of solid tumors, with published track record in malignancies of the breast, pancreas, prostate, colon, head and neck and melanomas. Key areas of interest are therapy-relevant protein expression, including pathway-activation status and tumor immunology-related markers, with development of better predictive markers and improved personalized cancer care as the overarching goal. Efforts are dedicated to improving methods and applications for quantitative, multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) for single-cell protein marker analyses – histocytometry – in solid tumors.

His laboratory invented novel ultrahigh density tissue arraying technology termed cutting-edge matrix assembly (CEMA) that overcomes limitations of core-based tissue arrays (US patent 8,349,584). Our laboratory, in collaboration with Dr. Kay-Uwe Wagner, developed novel prolactin-humanized NSG-Pro mouse strain for more accurate modeling and drug response testing of human breast cancer and other prolactin receptor-positive cancers, and my team has established a panel of new patient-derived breast cancer xenograft models in NSG-Pro mice.

Dr. Rui has extensive experience in facilitating multidisciplinary and collaborative program projects, including a concluded $6.7 million Promise Project Award funded by Susan G. Komen Foundation. Attesting to the productive use of immunofluorescence-based quantitative histocytometry and tissue arraying technologies for high-throughput application of innovative and nonstandard technologies for immunoprofiling of solid tumors, I led a multidisciplinary team that quantified levels of more than 100 therapy-relevant protein markers in nearly 3,000 breast cancer specimens, using tissue arrays and accompanying clinical data assembled and procured by a consortium of five institutions. As the leader of this consortium, I coordinated extensive efforts to combine tissue resources, data, equipment resources and broad areas of expertise.

Learn more about the WHRP Seminars[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Apr
21
Fri
2023
22nd Annual Women’s Health Conference – April 21, 2023 @ Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Event Center
Apr 21 @ 7:30 am – 5:00 pm

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The Annual Women’s Health Conference is a one-day CME accredited program through MCW, ACOG and AAFP, providing up-to-date information in all aspects of Women’s Health and medical updates in General OBGYN and subspecialties. While most conferences focus on the needs of our patients, we have taken an active approach to incorporate provider wellness. In recent years, we have featured topics such as provider burnout, self-care, and second victim. Some of our most popular topics have included contraception, sexual dysfunction and menopause.

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Guest Speaker – Lauren Streicher, MD:

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Clinical Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Northwestern Medicine
Medical Director – Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause

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Educates women through consumer publications, media appearances, and writing books, such as:

  • Chicago’s WGN Morning News
  • The Today Show
  • The New York Times
  • Wall Street Journal
  • Women’s Health
  • Sex RX
  • Slip Sliding Away

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Speakers and Topics:

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Apr
26
Wed
2023
“Epigenetic Regulated Heterogeneity in Endocrine Resistant Breast Cancer” – Victor Jin, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Apr 26 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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Presented by

Victor Jin, PhD
Linda T. and John A. Mellowes Endowed Chair of Bioinformatics and Data Analytics
Director, Bioinformatics Shared Resources
Professor, Institute for Health and Equity/Biostatistics
Medical College of Wisconsin

About

Dr. Jin has extensive experience in developing computational and genomics approaches for analyzing various omics-seq data, and runs a systems biology lab with a balanced dry and wet components.

Research Interests:

1) Developing genomics and computational approaches for the identification of three-dimensional (3D) chromatin interactions from the various omics-seq data.
2) Functionally and mechanistically characterizing the roles of epigenetic marks in cancer development and progression using novel techniques such as 3C/ChIP/RT-qPCR, 3D-FISH and CRISPR/Cas9.
3) Adapting/applying genome-wide omics-seq techniques in patient tissues to identify epigenetic-driven therapeutic targets and biomarkers.

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May
10
Wed
2023
2023 E. James Aiman Lecture: Serena H. Chan, MD, FACOG @ Medical College of Wisconsin - Bolger (previously HRC) Auditorium, Medical Education Building
May 10 @ 8:30 am – 9:30 am

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Featured Speaker: Serena H. Chan, MD, FACOG – “Gynecologic Surgery in Pediatric/Adolescent Patients: Special Considerations & Management of Mullerian Anomalies”

About Dr. Chan

Serena H. Chan, MD, FACOG, is Chief of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology division at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. She is also an Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Chan earned her Medical Degree from Oregon Health and Science University before completing her Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. She also completed a Fellowship in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Chan’s clinical specialties include medical and surgical management of pediatric and adolescent gynecologic concerns, congenital abnormalities of the female reproductive tract, and fertility preservation and reproductive endocrine issues in girls undergoing gonadotoxic therapy. Her research interests include gynecological concerns in females with anorectal malformations, trainee education in provision of adolescent reproduction health services. She has published and presented on the topics of surgical management of reproductive tract anomalies, fertility preservation, and gynecologic concerns in adolescent/young adult cancer survivors. She is a member of the North American Society for Pediatric/Adolescent Gynecology (NASPAG), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

Register via Zoom for those not able to attend in person

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Jul
26
Wed
2023
Protein Arginine Methylation: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Vulnerabilities – Wei Xu, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Jul 26 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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Presented by

Wei Xu, PhD
Professor of Oncology, Marian A. Messerschmidt
Associate Director,, McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research
Director of MCW Tissue Bank
Co-Director, Genetic and Epigenetic Mechanism Program, Carbone Cancer Center

About

Dr. Xu’s laboratory explores the protective roles of environmental and nutritional estrogenic compounds in mammals for breast cancer prevention and treatment. Estrogen receptors (ERs) exist in two forms, ERa and ERb, which have opposing roles in cell proliferation. Estrogenic compounds can control balance between mammary cell proliferation and differentiation via stimulating the formation of different forms of ER dimers. Xu lab has developed the Bioluminescent Resonance Energy Transfer (BRET) assays for detecting in vivo homodimerization and heterodimerization of ERa and ERb induced by estrogenic compounds. Biological functions of these estrogenic compounds are currently being investigated in cell-based and breast cancer mouse models. Dr. Xu’s laboratory has also employed biochemical and functional genomic approaches, as well as mouse genetics to decipher the contribution of histone arginine methylation to the epigenetic control of cancer cells. The major focus of Xu lab is on a protein arginine (R) methyltransferase CARM1/PRMT4, a nuclear hormone receptor co-activator. Dr. Xu has identified a number of non-histone substrates for CARM1 and is in the progress of elucidating the functions of protein arginine methylation in breast cancer initiation and progression.

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Sep
27
Wed
2023
Application of Human Amniotic Membrane in Tissue Engineering – Bo Wang, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Sep 27 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

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Presented by

Bo Wang, PhD
Director – Tissue Regenerative Engineering Laboratory (TRE Lab)
Assistant Professor – Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin

About

Dr. Bo Wang, Director and Principal Investigator of the TRE Lab, received her PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Mississippi State University in 2012 and completed her Postdoctoral Fellowship at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, in 2016. She joined the Marquette-MCW Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering in January of 2019 with research interests that include stem cell engineering, hard-tissue engineering and 3D bioprinting, as well as vascular tissue engineering, imaging, modeling and simulation.

The Tissue Regenerative Engineering Laboratory is developing bio-functional engineered tissues that provide advanced therapeutic options for such conditions as birth defects, bone disorders, and liver and vascular diseases. To do this, the TRE Lab will first develop a greater understanding of the biological and molecular processes involved in regenerative regression.

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Mar
27
Wed
2024
“Advances Toward the Next Generation Tools For Precision Medicine” – Navonil De Sarkar, PhD @ Ob-Gyn Conference Room #252 (2nd floor Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab Building)
Mar 27 @ 12:10 pm – 1:10 pm

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Presented by

Navonil De Sarkar, PhD
Assistant Professor – Department of Pathology at the Medical College of Wisconsin

About

Navonil De Sarkar is an Assistant Professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center with a dual background in computational and experimental genomics; he brings a multidisciplinary approach to studying human cancers. His research focuses on understanding the natural history of the disease, devising noninvasive approaches to track adaptive and molecular evolutionary changes in cancer accurately, and ultimately developing practical strategies for precision medicine in advanced cancer patients (Augmented precision medicine).

Navonil received his Ph.D. from the Indian Statistical Institute and joined Peter Nelson’s lab at the University of Washington & Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, for postdoctoral training. Through adopting integrative genomics approaches, Navonil developed extensive experience analyzing tumor genomes to study functionally relevant mutations and structural aberrations using tumor tissue and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). Navonil participated in several large-scale consortium data analyses, including Stat-up-to-cancer germline and prostate tumor analysis efforts. Navonil led the bioinformatics analysis of the large-scale germline sequence work that highlighted the importance of inherited DNA repair genes in shaping the fate of advanced prostate cancer. He is one of the early discoverers of CDK12 loss-associated tandem duplicator signature. Subsequently, De Sarkar developed a machine learning-based classifier that accurately predicts functional homologous recombination deficiency. Recently, he co-led a study interrogating whole genomes of advanced prostate cancers using cell-free DNA sequencing and discovered imprints of cancer epigenomes in native cell-free DNA sequence data.

Navonil is a recipient of several trainee awards. To mention in 2019 Navonil received the very competitive Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Award. Then onwards, Navonil is co-leading Prostate Cancer Foundation DNA repair-focused working group activities. He is the editorial board member for Translational Oncology and an associate editor for the Genitourinary Oncology edition of Frontiers journals.

Navonil re-joined MCW in March 2023 and committed to establishing a multidisciplinary research group to develop cutting-edge but practical precision medicine tools for prostate and other cancers. Building on strong biological fundamentals and detailed understandings of the disease, De Sarkar Lab (DeTAnomics Lab) is developing novel therapeutic strategies and working to co-develop new genomic assays and computational genomics tools to help us tackle the most lethal types of prostate and other cancers. DeTAnomics Lab adopts long-read genomic sequencing techniques to better understand cancer genome, transcriptome, and epigenome. In the lab, DeTAnomics lab explores the complex interplay between the genome and epigenome to uncover new insights that can lead to the development of more effective therapeutics and biomarkers. Currently, DeSarkar and his team are working on developing a practical strategy to degrade BRCA2 in tumor cells so as to confer DNA-damaging mediated therapy benefits to a wider pool of patients.

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Apr
10
Wed
2024
2024 E. James Aiman Lecture: Sloane L. York, MD, MPH @ Medical College of Wisconsin - Bolger (previously HRC) Auditorium, Medical Education Building
Apr 10 @ 9:00 am – 10:00 am
2024 E. James Aiman Lecture: Sloane L. York, MD, MPH @ Medical College of Wisconsin - Bolger (previously HRC) Auditorium, Medical Education Building

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Featured Speaker: Sloane L. York, MD, MPH – “Reconsidering Abortion Training Post-Dobbs: Why is this integral to OBGYN education?”

About Dr. Chan

Sloane L. York, MD MPH, (she/her), is currently an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology division of Complex Family Planning at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. She completed her residency in OBGYN in 2011 and Family Planning Fellowship in 2013 at Northwestern University, where she also received a Masters in Public Health. Dr. York joined the faculty at Rush in 2013 where she established family planning services and helped develop the Division of Family Planning. Since 2018, she has been the OBGYN Residency Program Director at Rush. Dr. York is also the Associate Program Director for the Complex Family Planning Fellowship at Rush which began in 2022. Additionally, she works as an OB Hospitalist at Rush and is a mom to two very active children.

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