August 2022 | Volume 1 Issue 1 |
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From Dr. Catherine Spong: |
Exceptional changes are happening in our department. Our almost 200 faculty and trainees are diligently working and achieving clinical, educational, and research excellence. Our administrative staff has continued to be the strong pillars of support behind our daily operations, supporting our changes at every stage.
As we bring summer to a close, I hope you can look proudly over all that we have been able to achieve together. Our clinical growth is seen in outstanding Press Ganey comments and the recognition of Clements University Hospital as the #1 ranked hospital in the region. We are actively working on adding specialty clinics to enhance our reach in the metroplex.
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As we prepare for the Maternal Levels of Care Survey at Parkland, we are reminded of the incredible care, quality initiatives, and complexity of cases we see. Across the department, we are working toward understanding and improving our US News and World Report rankings of maternity and gynecological services. Many staff and faculty have received awards and we have many new roles to facilitate our efforts and increase productivity.
Please enjoy reading this inaugural newsletter, which highlights new team members, awards, research grants and accomplishments, and upcoming events. I am so proud to be leading this department and I recognize this is a remarkable time to be an obstetrician gynecologist. Thank you for your continued commitment to the success of our department.
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PACT cards honor UT Southwestern employees and faculty who demonstrate superior organizational values through quality customer service. Recognition can come from managers, co-workers, internal or external customers, faculty, patients, or visitors. |
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The PACT program has three pin award levels: Blue (four PACT recognitions), Silver (eight PACT recognitions), and Gold (16 PACT recognitions). Submit a recognition online for nonclinical UTSW members each time great service is noticed. Congratulations to all the winners! |
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Recent PACT Pin Recipients |
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Blanca Barron
Sr. Administrative Assistant II
Blue PACT Pin
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Mary Ellen Culbreth
Administrative Assistant
Blue PACT Pin
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Sharon Edwards
GME Program Coordinator I
Blue PACT Pin
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Justine Petros
Education Programs Supervisor
Blue PACT Pin
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Crystal Preza
Sr. Administrative Assistant II
Blue PACT Pin
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Recent PACT Card Recipients: |
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Blanca Barron, Senior Administrative Associate II
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Lucy Berry, Education Coordinator
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Sandra Davis, GME Program Coordinator I
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Sharon Edwards, GME Program Coordinator I
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Xavier Jones, GME Program Coordinator I
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Toshia Lee, Education Programs Manager
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Bettina Long, Administrative Associate
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Yalonda Mitchell, Faculty Coordinator
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Michael Montemayor, Accountant II
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Lisa Moseley, Clinical Research Manager
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Justine Petros, Education Programs Supervisor
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Crystal Preza, Senior Administrative Assistant II
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Our DEI Committee is currently in the process of finalizing an outreach program to allow Dallas high school students to shadow our faculty at Parkland and get exposure to the field of obstetrics and gynecology. More on this to come!
Additionally, we have welcomed the following new members to the committee.
- Dr. Yetunde Awosemusi
- Claudia Brock
- Regina Dotson
- Brenda Espino
- Heather Fisher
- Stephanie Gilbert
- Xavier Jones
- Toshia Lee
- Loretta Ward
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Welcome to our new team members! Make sure you say hello and introduce yourself if you see these folks. Additionally, our residency and fellowship programs began on July 1. Click on the composites below and get familiar with our new trainees! |
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Dr. Courtney Baker
Assistant Professor
Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Nina Facundo
Administrative Associate
Division of Gynecology
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Dr. Elaine Fleming
Assistant Instructor
Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Angelena Gomillia
Senior Administrative Assistant II
Division of Gynecologic Oncology
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Karen Matos
Administrative Associate
Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Yalonda Mitchell
Faculty Coordinator
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Andrea Rizkallah
Postdoctoral Researcher
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
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eMCAP Wins Notable HHS Grant |
The community-based "extending Maternal Care After Pregnancy" program (eMCAP) was recently chosen as one of 25 winners in the first phase of the Department of Health and Human Services Racial Equity in Postpartum Care Challenge.
The program is unlike any other postpartum care program in the United States. In addition to providing needs assessment, social service support, and direct patient care, the eMCAP program targets gaps in screening and improves patient follow-up rates through:
- Postpartum virtual care
- Embedded community health workers
- Home blood pressure cuffs linked to a mobile unit
- Standardized screening and referral for perinatal mental health and substance use disorder with peer navigators
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Since launch, our eMCAP team members have enrolled 2,050 women in the eMCAP program who would otherwise have not received postpartum care beyond 6-weeks.
Congratulations to the eMCAP team on their important work and this notable recognition!
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Enhanced Recovery Protocols Improve Patient Outcomes: Dr. Lisa Chao, Dr. Kim Kho, Dr. Emily Lin |
Following Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols designed to minimize surgical stress results in improved patient recovery and satisfaction, reduced postoperative complications, and shorter hospital stays, according to a review of ERAS programs in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery by UT Southwestern researchers.
“The implementation of ERAS programs in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery results in substantial improvements in clinical outcomes with higher rates of same-day discharge, reduction in postoperative nausea and vomiting, improved patient satisfaction, and decreased opioid consumption without an increase in complications, readmissions, or health care costs,” said Dr. Chao. “And these findings hold true for UT Southwestern.”
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IMPROVE Trial: Dr. David Rahn |
UTSW was heavily featured at the combined scientific meeting of the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) and the International Urogynecological Society (IUGA) in Austin, Texas.
The study won an award for Best Non-Surgical Clinical study at the plenary session on June 16th.
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The IMPROVE trial sought to determine whether application of vaginal estrogen cream for at least 5 weeks before and 12 months after a standardized prolapse repair surgery in postmenopausal women would result in stronger repairs and less recurrent prolapse. In those women with bothersome vaginal atrophy symptoms at baseline (e.g., vaginal dryness or pain with intercourse), there was indeed greater improvement in these symptoms in the women randomized to the vaginal estrogen.
However, while there were consistent improvements in prolapse symptoms, urinary symptoms (including overactive bladder and stress urinary incontinence), sexual function, and in general quality of life, there were no significant differences for these outcomes when comparing the estrogen and placebo groups. Use of vaginal estrogen did not result in improved prolapse recurrence rates 12 months postoperatively.
Clinical follow-up is continuing now to 36 months postoperatively.
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Pelvic Floor Disorders Network: Dr. David Rahn and Dr. Maria Florian-Rodriguez |
The Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (with Principal Investigator, Dr. Rahn) has successfully competed to continue participation in the multicenter clinical trials group known as the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network, or PFDN, which is sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
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The PFDN combines the strengths of 6-7 universities from across the country to enhance the recruitment capabilities and research expertise needed to perform studies under rigorous common protocols that provide evidence-based clinical answers to both providers and women more rapidly than would otherwise be possible for an individual clinical research center.
Dr. Maria Florian-Rodriguez manages the Network’s Biorepository of thousands of tissue specimens acquired from participants in many of PFDN’s clinical trials; this has been housed at UTSW for 15 years—first championed by Dr. Ann Word. The inclusion of innovative translational aims using these specimens contributes to the understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of these disorders.
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Action Required: Announcements |
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Best Doctors/Super Doctors List |
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Did you receive an email alerting you of your inclusion on the 2022 D Magazine Best Doctors, DFWChild Best Healthcare Providers, or Texas Monthly Texas Super Doctors list? If so, please let Morgan Phillips know if you have not already.
We plan to schedule a photoshoot with all who received these accolades in the coming weeks and want to make sure we have everyone on our list.
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Schedule Your Headshot - Deadline Extended |
You should have received an email on August 11 about scheduling a headshot at CUH.
The department is working on a number of projects for which having updated headshots of the members of our team will be integral. A few of these projects include staff and faculty listings on our Intranet and faculty academic and clinical provider profiles.
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Upcoming Events & Conferences |
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Our faculty have been busy writing excellent patient-centered information for UT Southwestern's MedBlog. Check out their blogs below!
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Our faculty are often interviewed or referenced by journalists regarding a range of topics. See some examples of recent features below:
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Did We Miss Something? Get in Touch! |
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Is the content of this email relevant to you?
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Yes, the content of this email was relevant to me.
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No, the content of this email was not relevant to me.
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The content of this email could be relevant to me if a few changes were made.
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Have an idea for next time? Suggestions on something we can do better? Please feel free to reach out at anytime. |
Morgan Phillips
Marketing and Communications Specialist
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