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| In this issue
» Letter from the Chair
» Funding News
» Publications & Newsbytes
» Research Program Spotlight
» Clinical Innovations
» Culture & Justice
» New Division Announcement
» Incoming OBGYN & RS Fellows
» New OBGYN & RS Fellows
» New Faculty and Staff Hires
» Recent Events
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Dear Colleagues,
Welcome to the fall edition of the Fimbria! The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences is pleased to share several important initiatives advancing women's health at UC San Diego. These include the development of our Center within the NICHD-funded Stillbirth Research Consortium, the launch of the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (MIGS), and the successful opening of the new Fetal Imaging Center at the McGrath Outpatient Pavilion at Hillcrest.
This edition highlights the department's continued commitment to clinical excellence and research innovation. Featured are recent translational research efforts in endometrial, ovarian, and gynecological cancers led by Gynecologic Oncology faculty and principal investigator Ramez Eskander, MD, along with advancements in fetal therapy and ultrasound imaging from Maternal-Fetal Medicine faculty Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang, MD and Leah Lamale-Smith, MD. Our Center for OBGYN Research Innovation (CORI) launched a highly popular summer CORI Reach Series for young people interested in women's health. The Culture and Justice Quorum also commemorated National Midwifery Month and continues to advance equity-focused initiatives, including the CMQCC Graduation and the expansion of the Heart & Hands Doula Program, which enhance access to high-quality, patient-centered care across our diverse communities.
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Visit our website for more information on our divisions, clinical programs, novel research, and varied educational offerings. Please enjoy this issue, and email us with any feedback to Fimbria@ucsd.edu.
Thank you!
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Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, MS
Samuel SC Yen Endowed Chair
Department Chair, Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences
Professor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology
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| Clinical Affairs: Yvette LaCoursiere, MD, MPH
Culture & Justice: Audra Meadows, MD, MPH
Education: Gladys (Sandy) Ramos, MD
Research (Interim): Pamela Mellon, PhD
Translational Research: Marianna Alperin, MD, MS
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| Complex Family Planning: Sheila Mody, MD, MPH
Gynecologic Oncology: Michael McHale, MD
Hospitalist: Gina Frugoni, MD
Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Interim): Maryam Tarsa, MD, MAS
Obstetrics & Gynecology Generalist: Jessica Kingston, MD
Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility: Antoni Duleba, MD
Urogynecology: Emily (Mimi) Lukacz, MD, MAS
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Administrative Vice Chair: Michael Morales
Editor & Director of Communications: Sunny Worth
Contact us at: Fimbria@ucsd.edu
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Congratulations to recent awardees on funding for impactful research and scientific discovery |
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Kellie Breen Church, PhD
Sponsor
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Grant
“Neuroendocrinology of Menopausal Hot Flushes"
Funds support a Pan American Neuroendocrine Society (PANS) virtual symposium aiming to address the learning gaps in understanding vasomotor symptoms, particularly in the context of menopause.
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| Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, MS
Sponsor
NIH/NICHD
Grant
“UC San Diego Women's Reproductive Health Research Program” (WRHR)
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Priya Pantham, PhD
Sponsor
NICHD/NIH
Grant
“Placenta Association of the Americas (PAA) Conference Grant"
This grant will be used to organize the Placenta Satellite meetings prior to each annual SRI conference from 2025-2029.
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Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, MS
Mana Parast, MD, PhD (MPI)
Sponsor
NIH/NICHD
Grant
”UCSD Center for Stillbirth Prevention: Maternal and Placental Determinants of Fetal Growth Restriction”
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| Maureen Ries, MD
Sponsor
UCSD Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Training Program
Grant
“Physician's for a Healthy CA, CALMED Force”
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| Dwayne Stupack, PhD
Sponsor
Cancer Cell Map Initiative
Grant
“Chemotherapy-selective depletion of tumor subclusters”
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Recent Publications of Outstanding Work by OBGYN & RS Members |
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Sarah Averbach MD, MAS, Florin Vaida PhD, Erica Hinz MD, MPH, Gennifer Kully MSc, Arnab K. Dey PhD, MBA, Monica A. Lutgendorf MD, Sadia Haider MD, MPH, Lisa G. Hofler MD, MPH, MBA
Addressing the crisis in women's health research: an American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society statement | AJOG Global Reports • AUGUST 2025
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Christina M Eckhardt, Wending Li, Tessa R Bloomquist, Gabriela Jackson, Naya Joglekar, Zhonghua Liu, Peter De Hoff, Pantel S Vokonas, David Sparrow, Louise C Laurent, Lyle G Best, Shelley Cole, Jason G Umans, Ying Zhang, Arce Domingo-Relloso, Tiffany R Sanchez, Joel Schwartz, Ke Cheng, Ana Navas-Acien, Andrea A Baccarelli, Haotian Wu
Extracellular vesicle-encapsulated microRNA signatures of cigarette smoking and smoking-related harm | Respiratory Medicine • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Rob Knight, M Omar Din, Rodolfo Salido, Gillian Wright, Caitriona Brennan, Madison Ambre, Lauren Hansen, Tara Boyer, Jennifer Cao, Renee Oles, Lucas Patel, Yuhan Weng, Daniel McDonald, Shrikant Bhute, Grace Solini, Smruthi Karthikeyan, Greg Humphrey, Peter DeHoff, Sarah Kralicek, Joshua Levy, Mark Zeller, Gail Hecht, Louise Laurent, Gene Yeo, Kristian Andersen, Andrew Bartko
Versatile wastewater monitoring of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance enabled by metatranscriptomics and long-read metagenomics | Research Square • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Ramez N Eskander, Jung-Yun Lee, Mansoor Raza Mirza, Domenica Lorusso, Helen MacKay, Isabelle Ray-Coquard, Ana Oaknin, Antonio Gonzalez-Martin, Kosei Hasegawa, Bradley R Corr, Xiaohua Wu, Alexandra Leary, Tianle Hu, Lea Dutta, Chinyere E Okpara, Jodi McKenzie, Vicky Makker
Randomized study evaluating optimal dose, efficacy, and safety of E7386 plus lenvatinib versus treatment of physician's choice in advanced/recurrent endometrial carcinoma previously treated with platinum-based chemotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors | International Journal of Gynecological Cancer • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Ramez N Eskander, Bradley Corr, David Cibula, David S P Tan, Noelle Cloven, Eva Guerra, Kosei Hasegawa, Tashanna Myers, Benoit You, Vicky Makker, Flora Zagouri, Lilian T Gien, Michele Bartoletti, Adrianne Mallen, Linn Woelber, Simonetta Mocci, Kimberly Komatsubara, Long Ma, Nicoletta Colombo
Pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy in advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer: overall survival and explorator analyses of the NRG GY018 phase 3 randomized trial | International Journal of Gynecological Cancer • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Brigid Larkin, Daisuke Nishizaki, Hirotaka Miyashita, Suzanna Lee, Mina Nikanjam, Ramez N Eskander, Taylor J Jensen, Sarabjot Pabla, Jeffrey M Conroy, Paul DePietro, Jason K Sicklick, Razelle Kurzrock, Shumei Kato
B7-H3/CD276: Novel Immune Checkpoint and Jack of All Trades | ImmunoTargets and Therapy • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Rebecca Arteaga, Danielle J Eble, Alisha L Nguyen, Cole V Roblee, Tannon Tople, Cecile A Ferrando, Mallory Kremer, S Lynn Gardner, David J Inwards-Breland, Gina M Sequeira, Kate H Kraft, Judith C Hagedorn, Alexander Skokan, Mathew D Sorensen, Jeffrey B Friedrich, Jeffrey E Janis, William Kuzon Jr, Russell Ettinger, Shane D Morrison
Qualitative Analysis of Program Director Perspectives on Conscientious Objection Policies to Gender-Affirming Care | Journal of Surgical Research • OCTOBER 2025
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Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM), Rupsa Boelig, Andrea Edlow, Tracy Manuck, Eva Pajkrt, Ina A. Stelzer, Sarahn Wheeler, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman
Executive summary: Workshop on preterm birth, January 28–29, 2025, co-sponsored by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development | Pregnancy • OCTOBER 2025
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Dwight J Rouse, Cora MacPherson, George R Saade, Mara J Dinsmoor, Uma M Reddy, Robert Pass, Donna Allard, Gail Mallett, Rebecca G Clifton, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Michael W Varner, William H Goodnight, Alan T N Tita, Maged M Costantine, Geeta K Swamy, Kent D Heyborne, Edward K Chien, Suneet P Chauhan, Yasser Y El-Sayed, Brian M Casey, Samuel Parry, Hyagriv N Simhan, Peter G Napolitano, George A Macones, Brenna L Hughes; Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network
The association of cytomegalovirus hyperimmune globulin with adverse pregnancy outcomes | AJOG • AUGUST 2025
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D Yvette LaCoursiere, Shayna D Cunningham, Camille P Vaughan, Lisa Kane Low, Haitao Chu, Alayne D Markland, Diane K Newman, Sheila Gahagan, Jean F Wyman
A Scoping Review of Quantitative Assessments of Women's Bladder Health Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs | Journal of Women's Health • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Angel Lomeli, Arleth A Escoto, Breanna Reyes, Kayleigh Kornher, Keira Beltran-Murillo, Kathia Nuñez, Ariel Cohen, Maria Linda Burola, Isabel Villegas, Scarlet Flores, Ana Perez-Portillo, Norma Porras, Melody Torres, Linda Salgin, Kelli L Cain, Nicole A Stadnick, Louise C Laurent, Borsika A Rabin, Marva Seifert
Sources of successful participant engagement in a public health research study: A focus on a Latino community | PLOS One • OCTOBER 2025
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Guoping Li, Lingfei Sun, Cuiyan Xin, Tian Hao, Prakash Kharel, Aidan C Manning, Christopher L O'Connor, Henry Moore, Shuwen Lei, Priyanka Gokulnath, Xinyu Yang, Ritin Sharma, Krystine Garcia-Mansfield, Priyadarshini Pantham, Chunyang Xiao, Hanna Y Wang, Emeli Chatterjee, Seungbin Yim, Leo B Ren, Michail Spanos, Hua Zhu, Haobo Li, Ji Lei, James F Markmann, Louise C Laurent, John J Rossi, Oluwaseun Akeju, Quanhu Sheng, Ravi V Shah, William A Goddard 3rd, Todd M Lowe, Patrick Pirrotte, Markus Bitzer, Pavel Ivanov, Joseph V Bonventre, Saumya Das
A hypoxia-responsive tRNA-derived small RNA confers renal protection through RNA autophagy | Science • AUGUST 2025
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Shweta Bhagwat, Leila Asadi, Ronald McCarthy, Juan Ferreira, Ping Li, Ethan Li, Sariela Spivak, Ariana Gaydon, Vaka Reddy, Christy Armstrong, Sydney R Morrill, Hillary Zhou, Amanda L Lewis, Warren G Lewis, Celia M Santi
Bacterial vaginosis toxins impair sperm capacitation and fertilization | Human Reproduction • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Minhazur R Sarker, Maha Pasha, Blair Thompson, Megan King, Dylan Hutson, Rachel Wiley, Nika Kunwar, Dana Canfield, Sierra Adkins, Harriet Rothschild, Gladys A Ramos, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman
Contemporary Dissemination Rates Among Research Presented at Obstetrics and Gynecology Subspecialty Conferences| O & G Open • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Hyojae Lee, Xiao-Lei Chen, Duygu Ozmadenci, Elise Tahon, Terrance J Haanan 3rd, Breana Hill, Safir Ullah Khan, Antonia Boyer, David D Schlaepfer, Dwayne Stupack
Liposomal Doxorubicin, but Not Platinum-Taxane, Supports MHC-II Expression and Immune Maturation in the Ovarian Tumor Microenvironment | Cancers • AUGUST 2025
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Sara B. McMenamin, PhD, MPH; Bonnie N. Kaiser, PhD, MPH; Ricardo E. Flores Ortega, MPH3, Sara W. Yoeun, MPH; Melina A. Economou, MA; Natasha Bisarya, BS; Kara N. Goldman, MD; Jennifer Levine, MD, MSW; Glenn L. Schattman, MD; Gregory A. Aarons, PhD; Sally A. D. Romero, PhD, MPH; H. Irene Su, MD, MSCE
Improving Implementation of Fertility Preservation Benefit Mandates | Jama Health Forum • SEPTEMBER 2025
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Recent News Featuring Department of OBGYN & RS |
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News and Interviews featuring Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, MS
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News and Interview featuring Miles Wilkinson, PhD and Kun Tan, PhD
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RESEARCH PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT |
Featuring Dr. Ramez Eskander |
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Progress and Promise – Ramez Eskander, MD Helps Transform the Frontline Treatment Landscape for Endometrial Cancers |
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Internationally recognized for leading influential clinical and translational research in the treatment of gynecologic cancers is Ramez Eskander, MD, a gynecologic oncologist, Clinical Professor, and Director of the Gynecologic Oncology Fellowship Program for the UC San Diego Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences Division of Gynecologic Oncology. At the UC San Diego Health Rebecca and John Moores Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Dr. Eskander serves as Clinical Trials Office Medical Director where he is committed to helping catalyze drug discovery and therapeutic advancement across cancer types, including gynecologic malignancies.
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During the last decade and prior – having attended UC San Diego School of Medicine for both medical school and residency in obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences – Dr. Eskander has committed himself to the design, conduct and completion of clinical trials exploring novel drugs and treatment combinations, targeted biomarker-directed therapies, and precision medicine with the goal of providing tomorrow's treatments today. Dr. Eskander's evidence-informed approach looks to progress standard-of-care options by building on preclinical and early clinical data. Ultimately, his goal is to help improve oncologic outcomes for patients facing difficult to treat gynecologic malignancies. Currently, Dr. Eskander is the international PI of several ongoing clinical trials, both early and late phase, examining novel drugs in patients with ovarian and endometrial cancer.
It is self-evident that this work can not be accomplished alone. Dr. Eskander has a tremendous team of colleagues and collaborators here at UC San Diego, nationally and internationally. "I am incredibly fortunate to have been mentored by leaders in the field and recognize this as a personal responsibility to pay this forward to future generations of gynecologic oncologists," says Ramez Eskander, MD. Furthermore, he recognizes the opportunities afforded by having the support of his divisional colleagues here at UC San Diego.
Now-Recruiting Clinical Studies
Dr. Eskander and the Gynecologic Oncology Disease Team at the UC San Diego MCC have a dynamic, broad and evolving clinical trial portfolio, with a goal to have a trial for each patient. "Clinical trials represent hope. Each newly approved treatment option reflects successful clinical trials and a commitment to the patients we serve." – Ramez Eskander, MD
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Now-recruiting clinical trials with principal investigator Ramez Eskander, MD at UC San Diego
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ENDOMETRIAL CANCER
A Phase 2 Study of ACR-368 in Endometrial Adenocarcinoma
ClinicalTrials.Gov Study ID: NCT05548296
Study Overview: Phase 3 Interventional Study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ACR-368 as monotherapy or with ultra-low dose gemcitabine (ULDG) sensitization in participants with endometrial cancer.
Sponsor: Acrivon Therapeutics
Location: UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center and Hoag Cancer Center
Estimated completion: April 2027
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FERTILITY PRESERVATION
ClinicalTrials.Gov Study ID: NCT06513962
Triptorelin for the Prevention of Ovarian Damage in Adolescents and Young Adults With Cancer
Overview: Phase 3 interventional trial compares effect of giving triptorelin vs. no triptorelin in preventing ovarian damage in adolescents and young adults with cancer receiving chemotherapy with alkylating agents (standard chemotherapy which can damage ovaries making future pregnancy difficult). Triptorelin works by blocking certain hormones and causing ovaries to slow down or pause normal activity and clears from the body in 6 months enabling ovaries to resume normal activities thereby reducing chances of damage to the ovaries.
Sponsor: Children’s Oncology Group
Location: UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego Medical Center – Hillcrest, and Rady Children’s Hospital – San Diego
Estimated completion: 10/2029
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OVARIAN CANCER
ClinicalTrials.Gov Study ID: NCT06580314
Testing Olaparib for One or Two Years, With or Without Bevacizumab, to Treat Ovarian Cancer
Study Overview: This phase 3 interventional trial compares the effect of olaparib for 1 year vs. 2 years, with or without bevacizumab, for the treatment of BRCA ½ mutated or homologous recombination deficient stage III or IV ovarian cancer. Olaparib is an enzyme inhibitor and may stop growth of tumor cells by blocking some types of enzymes needed for cell growth and is an antiangiogenic agent. Bevacizumab works by stopping the formation of blood vessels that bring oxygen and nutrients to tumors which may slow growth and spread. This study evaluates whether giving olaparib for 1 year with or without bevacizumab may be effective in treating patients with BRCA ½ mutated or homologous recombination deficient state III or IV ovarian cancer, when compared to 2 years of olaparib.
Sponsor: NRG Oncology
Location: UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, multi-center national study
Estimated completion: 12/2034
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Honored as a Top Doc in San Diego Magazine this fall (and consecutive years prior), Dr. Eskander treats his patients like family, recognizing the difficult circumstances they are facing. Additionally, he collaborates with colleagues internationally to champion clinical trials and the science behind gynecological cancer drug discovery. Thank you, Dr. Eskander, for your dedication for the caring of women affected by gynecological malignancies.
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Featuring the New MFM Fetal Therapy Program |
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Transforming Tiny Lives Head-Heart-to-Toe and Enlivening Progeny Futures with Sophisticated Fetal Therapy and Sterling Imaging Technology |
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Leading-edge Fetal Therapy Program
When abnormalities in the fetus are present during prenatal examination, our exemplary team of maternal-fetal specialists provide comprehensive, multidisciplinary care to support patients and families through diagnosis, counseling, treatment and postnatal follow-up. Normal pregnancies can rapidly develop high-risk conditions when fetal anomalies or other complications are diagnosed, and our team of specialists in maternal-fetal medicine, fetal and pediatric surgery, neonatology, neurosurgery, urology, radiology, anesthesiology, genetics, and related fields collaborate to deliver coordinated, evidence-based care. Using advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques, the program focuses on early identification and intervention to optimize outcomes. Ongoing research at the Center for Ob/Gyn Research Innovation (CORI) and Center for Perinatal Discovery (CPD) continues to advance therapeutic options and improve care for fetuses with developmental and congenital conditions.
Fetal Therapy Program Leadership
Our newly founded Fetal Therapy Program is led by Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang, MD, MS, Director of Advanced Fetal Therapy and Complex Imaging and Leah Lamale-Smith, MD, Director of Ultrasound. Drs. Nhan-Chang and Lamale-Smith, perinatologists and faculty in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, lead clinical research and disseminate findings internationally to advance excellence in prenatal diagnosis and obstetric care.
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"As San Diego's only fetal therapy program, we aim to provide care from the pre-conceptional period to prenatal diagnosis and care and to assist with the plans for the transition for postnatal care with our pediatric specialists." - Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang, MD
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Therapeutic Medical Education
The Fetal Therapy Program is committed to advancing medical education in prenatal diagnosis, fetal therapy, and postnatal care for complex congenital conditions. Students, residents, and fellows participate in multidisciplinary clinics and conferences where they learn to develop evidence-based, individualized care plans in collaboration with maternal, pediatric, imaging, genetic, and social work specialists. This integrated approach provides trainees with both the technical skills and compassionate framework necessary to manage high-risk pregnancies, including complex twins and higher order multiple gestations as well as rare genetic disorders. Within the UC San Diego's academic medical environment, trainees gain experience in advanced ultrasound imaging, fetal interventions, and emerging therapeutics aimed at improving outcomes for newborns with life-threatening conditions.
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Procedures performed at UC San Diego Fetal Center
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- Prenatal Diagnosis and 3D/4D Imaging
- Prenatal echocardiogram
- Invasive Procedures for Prenatal Screening and Diagnosis
- Amniocentesis
- Chronic Villus Sampling (CVS)
- Placental biopsy
- Microarray and whole exome sequencing
- Intrauterine fetal therapy
- Amnioinfusion therapy
- EXIT procedure
- Fetal blood sampling and Intra-uterine transfusion
- Fetal shunt therapy
- Microwave ablation
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Paracentesis, thoracentesis, vesicocentesis
- Selective reduction
- Maternal immune therapy for prevention of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and fetal anemia
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Personalized care plan and multidisciplinary approach
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"At UCSD, we strive to provide comprehensive and personalized care to families with complicated pregnancies which may require higher levels of maternal and neonatal critical and surgical care. It is our goal to work with families to ensure that all options are available to them. Our team approach ensures that each family will receive a personalized care plan with input from all of our maternal and pediatric specialists, imaging specialists, genetic specialists, and social workers." – Chia-Ling Nhan-Chang, MD
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Conditions and treatments served by the program
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- High-Risk Pregnancy
- Prenatal Diagnosis and 3D/4D Imaging
- Invasive Procedures for Prenatal Screening and Diagnosis
- Amniocentesis
- Chronic Villus Sampling (CVS)
- Placental biopsy
- Microarray and whole exome sequencing
- Intrauterine fetal therapy
- Amnioinfusion therapy
- EXIT procedure
- Fetal blood sampling and Intra-uterine transfusion
- Fetal shunt therapy
- Microwave ablation
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Pericentesis, thoracentesis, vescicocentesis
- Selective reduction
- Congenital fetal anomalies
- Alloimmunization
- Fetal Blood Sampling and Intrauterine Transfusion
- Fetal anemia
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- Fetal growth restriction
- Fetal infections
- Cytomegalovirus
- Parvovirus
- Toxoplasmosis
- Fetal tumors and hematologic disorders
- Hemophilia
- Sacrococcygeal teratoma
- Thalassemia
- Multiple Gestation, twins, triplets and higher order multiples
- Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
- Selective fetal growth restriction
- Discordant anomalies
- Twin Reversed Arterial Perfusion Sequence (TRAP)
- Twin Anemia Polycythemia Sequence (TAPS
- Maternal Autoimmune Disease
- Maternal and Fetal Genetic Syndromes
- Neonatal Alloimmune thrombocytopenia
- Prenatal and neonatal palliative care program
- Preterm Birth Prevention
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Thank you to our Fetal Therapy team for transforming tiny lives head-heart-to-toe. Discover more about our fetal therapy program.
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OBGYN & RS Culture and Justice Quorum (CJQ) Spearheads Inclusive Excellence |
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Advancing Maternal Equity through Systems Improvement
This fall, the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences celebrated a key milestone in maternal equity with UC San Diego Health’s completion of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC) Learning Initiative to Support Vaginal Birth through an Equity Lens.
Led by Dr. Audra Meadows, Vice Chair for Culture & Justice, and a multidisciplinary team spanning obstetrics, midwifery, labor and delivery nursing, outpatient services, and the Hearts & Hands Volunteer Doula Program, the initiative served as a catalyst—funding and coordinating the infrastructure our teams had begun building to embed equity across maternal care.
CMQCC Graduation: Building Infrastructure for Change
With support from the Conrad N. Prebys Foundation and the UC San Diego Sanford Center for Empathy and Compassion, the team accelerated three high-impact interventions:
Expanding language access by translating patient-facing materials and our values statement into ten languages, with QR codes soon to be deployed across all inpatient and outpatient sites.
Growing doula support to more than 100 active volunteers—now present at 10% of UC San Diego Health births. Doula-supported births have shown a 12–16% NTSV cesarean rate, compared with 23.4% overall.
Centering patient voice through a new Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) survey, which highlighted strong communication and opportunities to enhance autonomy and discharge support. These insights are guiding the next wave of equity-stratified improvement cycles.
“This initiative demonstrates what’s possible when we prioritize trust, communication, and culturally responsive systems,” said Dr. Meadows. “We’re showing that equity and excellence are one and the same.”
Through collective leadership, language access, and culturally rooted care, UC San Diego Health Reproductive Medicine is shaping a perinatal system where every patient’s voice, safety, and dignity are central to quality care.
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Equity in action: Heart & Hands Community Doula Program, 2025 Graduates
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Celebrating Midwifery Week 2025: Bridging Cultural Divides through Care
In recognition of National Midwifery Week (October 5–11, 2025), the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences celebrated the extraordinary contributions of our certified-nurse midwives (CNMs) to equitable, patient-centered care. UC San Diego midwives bridge cultural and linguistic gaps by providing advocacy, continuity of care, and holistic support that strengthen community trust and improve patient outcomes. Their integrated practice across hospital and community settings reflects UC San Diego Health’s commitment to delivering respectful, evidence-based care for all birthing people.
As part of this year’s celebration, Dr. Lisa Low delivered Grand Rounds on “Induction of Labor & Doing the Dance to Prevent Dystocia,” emphasizing how teamwork, communication, and patient agency can lower cesarean rates while preserving safety and dignity in labor care.
“Our midwives embody the heart of equitable care,” said Anne Cooper, CNM, Director of Midwifery Services. “They bridge systems and families through trust, compassion, and clinical excellence—and I’m proud to lead such a dedicated team advancing safe, respectful birth for every patient and their family.”
Through their daily practice and leadership, UC San Diego midwives continue to model what equitable, compassionate reproductive care looks like in action—honoring the humanity of every patient, every time.
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UC San Diego Midwives attend Grand Rounds delivered by Dr. Lisa Low
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UC San Diego Midwives celebrate National Midwifery Week
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Hearts & Hands Doula Expansion
Led by April Ricotta, RN, The Hearts & Hands Volunteer Doula Program continues to serve as a cornerstone of compassionate, culturally responsive care. The team now includes 103 active doulas who provide continuous emotional, physical, and informational support to patients and families across both hospital campuses.
This Summer, the department celebrated the 2025 Community Doula Graduation, honoring a new cohort of volunteers whose diversity and dedication reflect the communities UC San Diego Health serves. Graduates included multilingual doulas who bring global experience and strengthen the program’s ability to offer culturally and linguistically responsive care to families across our health system.
“We’re now 103 strong,” said April Ricotta, RN, Director of UC San Diego Hearts & Hands Doula Services. “Each addition to our team strengthens our ability to provide compassionate, language-concordant support and to meet patients where they are—linguistically, culturally, and emotionally.”
Through this collaboration among midwives, doulas, nurses, and physicians, UC San Diego Health is advancing perinatal care as a model of respect, partnership, and inclusion—ensuring that every birth is supported with dignity and cultural awareness.
Please visit our CJQ website to discover more about our Culture and Justice Quorum.
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NEW DIVISION ANNOUNCEMENT |
Advancing clinical care and medical education with our inaugural MIGS division |
Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery (MIGS)
L-R: David Klein, MD, Shira Varon, MD (Division Chief), Daniel Nassar, DO, and Jorge Alvarado, MD. The Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences announces the new MIGS division to provide clinical care, research, and education with an emphasis on minimally-invasive and non-invasive therapies for a variety of gynecological conditions.
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CONGRATULATIONS to the INCOMING FELLOWS |
We are thrilled to announce our AY 2026-2027 fellowship matches. Welcome aboard fellows! |
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MEET OUR CURRENT FIRST YEAR FELLOWS |
Introducing Fellows in OBGYN & RS specialty divisions |
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| Hometown: Austin, TX
Undergraduate School: The University of Texas at Austin
Medical School: The University of Texas Houston
Residency: New York Medical College
Career Interests: Complex Family Planning, access to safe abortion and contraceptive equity, health care disparities research, policy implementation research
"Cynthia Coots is originally from Texas where she studied Iberian and Latin American Languages and Culture in Austin, and then obtained her medical degree in Houston. She trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology in New York City, and then moved to San Diego for subspecialty training in Complex Family Planning. She is interested in policy implementation and health care disparities, and she hopes to dedicate her career to increasing equitable access to abortion and contraception, both locally and internationally. Outside of work, she enjoys sewing, hiking, and surfing."
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| Hometown: Dallas, TX
Undergraduate School: University of Pennsylvania
Medical School: Cooper Medical School of Rowman University
Residency: Jefferson Abington Memorial Hospital
Career Interests: Gynecologic Oncology
"I am very interested in working with underserved populations in gynecologic oncology. My research interests include radio sensitization in cervical cancer with novel agents. I love teaching medical students and residents and would love to continue teaching throughout my career. Outside of medicine I enjoy drawing and beach volleyball."
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| Hometown: Fresno, CA
Undergraduate School: Mills College
Medical School: UC Irvine
Residency: Kaiser Permanente Southern California
Career Interests: Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Diabetes screening and management in pregnancy, ultrasound, reproductive justice, abortion and contraception access
"Erin Gallent is a first year Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow with career and research interests in diabetes during pregnancy. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family (including 3 young sons), running with her pup, baking, and knitting."
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Hometown: Temecula, CA
Undergraduate School: Stanford University
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine
Residency: UC San Diego School of Medicine
Career Interests: Maternal-Fetal Medicine, translational research
"Jenny Koenig is excited to be continuing at UC San Diego as a first-year Maternal-Fetal Medicine Fellow after completing her residency here. After completing undergraduate studies at Stanford University, she earned her MD and PhD in Neuroscience from Tufts University in Boston, MA. During her residency, she served as one of the administrative chief residents and worked in Dr. Lindsey Burnett's lab with a mouse model of diet-induced obesity in pregnancy. Her research goals are to utilize basic and translational science tools to deepen our understanding of maternal pathophysiology, including how maternal conditions impact fetal development."
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| Emily Allard Phillips, MD
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Hometown: St. Pete Beach, Florida
Undergraduate School: University of Florida
Medical School: Emory University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Career Interests: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility
"Emily is originally from St. Pete, FL. She moved to San Diego from Los Angeles, where she worked as an ObGyn generalist; prior to this she completed her residency training in Florida.
Outside of work Emily enjoys boxing, Pilates, and finding her new go-to coffee shops in San Diego. Her favorite activities are beach-going and hiking with her partner, Sam, and their two dogs Oakley and Koko."
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| Hometown: Apex, North Carolina
Undergraduate School: University of Southern California
Medical School: Duke University
Residency: Duke University
Career Interests: Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery, quality improvement, surgical education, global health
"Janice Wong, MD, joins the division as a first-year Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery fellow. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke University, where she also earned her Doctor of Medicine degree. A native of Southern California, Dr. Wong holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Wong’s professional interests include complex pelvic floor reconstruction, surgical outcomes research, and advancing innovation in urogynecology. She is also interested in sustainability in the operating room, global health, and resident and medical student education.
Outside of her clinical work, Dr. Wong enjoys attending live performances, exploring new restaurants, playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with family and friends."
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Welcome to the Department of OBGYN & RS. We're delighted to have you join the team! |
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Millie Desai, MD, MAS, MHS
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology
"Dr. Desai is excited and grateful to be joining the Department that has helped train her since she was a medical student.
During residency here at UC San Diego, Dr. Desai completed the Interdisciplinary Global Health Pathway and helped facilitate the Las Colinas Women’s Health Education Series for incarcerated individuals. She completed medical school at UC San Diego in the PRIME Health Equity program, and concurrently completed a Master’s in clinical research through an NIH TL1 grant. She also holds a Master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Global health locations she has worked in include Amman, Jordan and Pune, India.
She is interested in promoting health equity and reproductive justice on a community and population level, and is looking forward to serving the Hillcrest and surrounding communities through her role.
Outside of work she values spending time with her children and husband, a new faculty member in the Department of Neurosurgery, in sunny San Diego."
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| Daniel Nassar, DO, MPH, FACOG
Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS)
"Dr. Daniel Nassar is a subspecialist in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery / Complex Benign Gynecology with a special focus on advanced gynecologic ultrasound and endometriosis. Originally from Houston, Texas, Dr. Nassar completed his fellowship in MIGS at UCLA prior to joining faculty at UC San Diego. His academic interests include surgical education, advancing ultrasound-based diagnosis of endometriosis, and improving outcomes for patients with complex benign gynecologic conditions. Outside of work he enjoys specialty coffee, making sourdough bread/pizza, and appreciating nature."
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Payton Ottum, MD
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Dr. Ottum completed her residency with the UC San Diego Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences.
"Having been a medical student at UC San Diego, I knew my training and opportunities here would be excellent. But the biggest reason I chose UC San Diego was because of the incredible people I would continue to learn from, work alongside, and care for during residency.
I lived in Santiago, Chile for three years prior to starting medical school. My experience living abroad was transformative and informs who I am both personally and professionally. I am passionate about providing patient-centered, humanistic care and medical education."
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NEW DEPARTMENT STAFF and TRAINEES |
Welcome to the Department of OBGYN & RS. We're delighted to have you join the team! |
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Clarissa McGowan
Administrative Support for
MFM Division and CORI
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| Unja Kim, CNM, BLS, NRP
Nurse Midwife
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| Kangfu Peng, PhD
Postdoc in Kun Tan, PhD Lab
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| Kangfu Peng, PhD
Postdoc in Kun Tan, PhD Lab
Kangfu earned his Ph.D. from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. His research interests focus on regulatory mechanisms in developmental processes. His current work studies the biological roles of the NMD pathway and human accelerated regions in neural development.
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OBGYN & RS Event Happenings, Member Gatherings, and Community Engagement |
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Maternal Health Grand Rounds with California Surgeon General
L-R: Barbara Jung, MD (Association Vice Chancellor and Dean of the School of Medicine), Diana Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA (California Surgeon General), Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, MD, MS, and Audra Meadows, MD, MPH. OBGYN & RS hosted California Surgeon General and Ob/Gyn Diana Ramos, MD, MPH, MBA for Grand Rounds followed by a patio reception. Dr. Ramos delivered her presentation “Rising to the Challenge: Cross Collaborative Opportunity to Address Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Across the Life-Course” which discussed intervention for improving life-long health and understanding how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) such as violence, abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction harms diuturnal health. Dr. Ramos discussed the intersection of “childhood toxic stress” with hormones, inflammation, and cardiac health. Photography by Chelsea Saelee.
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American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) Basic Science Symposium 2025
Tatyanna Henderson, MD, a third year URPS fellow who conducts mechanistic research in the Alperin lab, presenting her findings of the aging effects on the pelvic skeletal muscle morphological properties and stem cell reservoir at AUGS Basic Science Symposium held in Vancouver, Canada.
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CORI Reach Summer Series 1
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CORI Reach Summer Series 2
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CORI Reach Summer Series 3
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Center for Ob/Gyn Research Innovation (CORI) Summer Reach Series
Center for OB/GYN Research Innovation launched its inaugural CORI Reach Summer Series. The 1st session – Careers in Obstetrics and Gynecology – featured an expert panel with OBGYN & RS faculty clinician scientists, researchers, and clinician educators. Undergrad, graduate and medical student trainees engaged with peers for discussions on careers and opportunities in women’s health.
The 2nd CORI Reach summer session was held at Moores Cancer Center – Breadth of Clinical Subspecialties & Near-Peer Networking – led by Drs. Jamie Resnik and Mai Hoang. This session featured rotating breakout groups connecting undergrads with grad students and residents with early-career faculty.
The 3rd CORI Reach summer session – Connecting Research to Clinical Care – highlighted translational science in action and paired clinician-researcher teams to share how discoveries move from bench to bedside. This inspiring session was moderated by Dr. H. Irene Su and featured panelists: Drs. Ukachi Emeruwa, Cheryl Saenz, Ina Stelzer, and David Schlaepfer.
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National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine (NCLAM)
OBGYN & RS faculty Nicole Teal, MD, MPH and Danielle Vachon graduation from the NCLAM program at UC San Diego
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The Department of OBGYN & RS Research Retreat
OBGYN & RS Research Retreat led by Dr. Mellon and Dr. Alperin with talks from Drs. Alperin, Eskander, Pantham, Gyamfi-Bannerman, Kauffman, Lukacz, Tan, Alvarado, and Wen. Photography by Fernando Martinez and Lindsey Welch.
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Department of OBGYN & RS Annual Summer Picnic
Department members and their families gathered at Mission Bay for our annual picnic with food and games. Photography by Chelsea Saelee.
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New Hillcrest Fetal Imaging Center
Kudos to the MFM Division on the new perinatal ultrasound unit at McGrath Outpatient Pavilion (MOP) led by Dr. Leah Lamale-Smith and manager Tiffany Wilson along with the rest of the team present at the ribbon cutting ceremony. We are excited to expand our state-of-the-art imaging services to our community! We may also take the opportunity to thank Jandy Smith, MPH, MBA, Mahshid Albrecht, MBA, Jerry Ballas, MD, and Maryam Tarsa, MD, MAS for their contributions to the space at MOP.
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Fundamental Critical Care Support: Obstetrics Conference with Scott Harvey, MD
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Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS): Obstetrics Conference with Scott Harvey, MD
Scott Harvey, MD, MS served as course director with OBGYN & RS faculty for the fall Fundamental Critical Care Support Conference held at the UC San Diego School of Medicine T. Denny Sanford Medical Education and Telemedicine Center.
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