Please find highlights of our 2nd quarter (FY24) below. In addition, our 4th Annual Chair’s Report for FY24 is linked.

With gratitude,

Dineo Khabele, MD, FACOG, FACS

Mitchell & Elaine Yanow Professor and Chair

A new study conducted by the University of Washington in St. Louis found the rate of xylazine-positive tests in opioid-addicted patients cared for in one of the city's maternity wards surged from zero percent in December 2022 to 100% by July 2023. "These results underscore the critical need to further study the impact of xylazine on [...]

"Katherine Bligard, MD, a WashU Medicine maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital who cared for Sara at the Fetal Care Center, explains that because of the difference in the placenta's blood vessel connections, Baby A was dehydrated and Baby B was overly hydrated.

A Cross-Disciplinary Symposium on the State of Science, Clinical Current Approaches, andCritically Unanswered Questions. This event was sponsored by The National Institute of Mental Health and the Silvio O. Conte Center at WashU School of Medicine. Dr. Jeannie Kelly was a featured speaker for this event.

There's no denying the popularity of the Oura Ring - over two and a half million of these little wearables have been sold worldwide, according to the company. In fact, the Gen3 model was named the best overall smart ring by our tech experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute.

Karli Meier, Erin Smith, Kelly Ball, Dr. Brooke Sanders, and Dr. Andrea Hagemann at the Pink Ribbon Good event!

"Changing Landscapes: Reproductive Health-Past, Present, Future" hosted by Becker Library and featuring a panel of Law, Research, and Social Work experts. This event featured rare books and archives from Becker Library displaying the history of reproductive health in medicine and St. Louis! Dr. Reeves helped to coordinate the session, invited speakers, and introduced Dr. Khabele.

"On St. Louis on the Air, Drs. Andrea and Ian Hagemann - two frequent collaborators with St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Awareness - shared the importance of listening to and learning from ovarian cancer survivors. The doctors said first-person accounts have furthered advancements in research and treatment.

Our WashU team gathered at AAGL in New Orleans, Louisiana to advance healthcare! "AAGL is the largest medical association advancing health care for women through excellence in clinical practice, education, research, innovation, and advocacy." AAGL

In the fifth installment of blackdoctor.org's video series in partnership with Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, Dr. Dineo Khabele, Professor and Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Oncology at Washington University in St. Louis and a member of OCRA's Scientific Advisory Committee, lays out the facts about ovarian cancer, including the importance of risk awareness and prevention, [...]

Kenan Omurtag, MD, explores different treatment options for patients struggling with infertility; assisted reproductive technologies are compared and contrasted. The Impact of Health Benefit Design on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Utilization and Pregnancy-Related Outcomes Videos include Background of Assisted Reproductive Technology, Describing Intrauterine Induction and Target Patient Populations, Exploring Best Practices for IVF, and Examining [...]

Washington University in St. Louis' Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology hosted our 2024 Dr. Jacob Probstein Visiting Professor Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington. She presented her research entitled, "Unraveling Biology at the Maternal-Fetal Interface: Preterm Birth Studies in a Nonhuman Primate".

PhD graduate student Kevin Prifti from the Frolova lab was recently awarded the CRepHS Biannual Best Paper Award, a friendly competition for first-author trainees within the Center. Kevin's paper was also chosen as "Editor's choice" by the journal in which he published, Biology of Reproduction. Congratulations, Kevin!

The Gomez-Lopez lab's recently published article in The Journal of Immunology has been featured as a top read by the editor for the December 1st issue. Notably, only two articles are selected per issue for this recognition. Congratulations to the Gomez-Lopez lab!

Congrats to Dr. Sarah England who was inducted into the National Academy of Medicine this weekend!

Premal H. Thaker, MD, MS was installed as the David and Lynn Mutch Distinguished Professor Dr. Thaker is an accomplished clinician investigator and Director of Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Trials, and has been named the David & Lynn Mutch Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Washington University School of Medicine in St.

Faculty Drs. Mutch, Bligard, and Hagemann with Residents Drs Claflin, Barber, and Altieri, joined at Clover and the Bee for brunch!

Dr. Adriana Nigaglioni was a resident reporter for MO ACOG District VII at the National ACOG Meeting! Here, she met other residents across the United States and met with OBGYN leaders.

First-year medical students at WashU Medicine in St. Louis received their white coats, symbolizing their entrance into the medical profession. Dr. Tammy Sonn, Associate Dean for Student Affairs and a Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, welcomed the incoming medical students. Dr. Dineo Khabele, the Mitchell & Elaine Yanow Professor and head of the Department of [...]

Every fall we recruit our residents, fellows, and faculty to lead various hands-on stations. We recently hosted this event with great success! Thank you to everyone who joined us. A big thank you to everyone who joined us in teaching!