Dear faculty, staff, and friends:

The last two months have been an eventful time for the Yale Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences.

Many of you joined us for a touching celebration at the Battell Chapel, covering the life of Peter E. Schwartz, MD. Featured speakers included myself, Elena Ratner, MD, MBA; Alessandro Santin, MD; Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), as well as several previous trainees. It was a memorable testament to his tremendous impact and legacy.

We also held our annual Yale Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (YOGS) meeting where we honored this year’s awardee, Joshua Copel, MD. Several former faculty members, who have gone on to major leadership positions, returned to campus to honor Dr. Copel.

As we celebrate senior leaders and our legacy, we also note the addition of several new faculty set to join the team later this year. The Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) division will grow by three; two will join the Gynecologic Oncology division; the UroGyn division will expand by one; and an additional minimally invasive gynecologic (MIGS) surgeon will further expand the Greenwich Hospital faculty. Each of these hires is strategic, advancing Yale Ob/Gyn’s mission of exceptional clinical care, research, and education. We continue to expand and flourish while celebrating our incredible history.

Our team is rooted in academic accomplishment and the accolades show it. We recently received news of the very highest honor by ScholarGPS. Yale Ob/Gyn was ranked #1 compared to all ob/gyn programs worldwide in lifetime achievement for the number of publications by and citations of our faculty. This speaks to the tremendous influence we have throughout the world. It is an objective measure of our contribution to women’s health well beyond New Haven or Connecticut. You are part of the most impactful Ob/Gyn department of all time!

We have great pride in every member of the team; you each play a role in our progress and contributions. We would not have this impact on women’s health were it not for our faculty and staff. I’m extremely proud to lead this team in a time of such notable achievements. I look forward to our continued success.

Hugh S. Taylor, MD

Chair

Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences

Introducing Yale Ob/Gyn's inaugural brief! It provides an important snapshot of accomplishments over the last year. We plan to produce this annually.

If you would like a hard copy, please email Amy.Chmiel@yale.edu.

Survey says: Grand Rounds will continue to be Thursdays, 4-5 p.m. Please remember that attendance is tracked using the CloudCME app, transcripts will be shared quarterly, and overall participation as track or voluntary faculty is expected to exceed 50%.

Sign up for CloudCME.

Yale Ob/Gyn is restarting the Clinical Research Interest Group to foster collaboration among department researchers.

If interested, please contact Tessa Madden, MD, MPH.

The Yale School of Medicine Office of Physician Scientist and Scientist Development (OPSSD) has opened a request for applications (RFA) for supplemental research support to early-career physician-scientists and scientists who face significant caregiving demands. The application deadline has been extended to May 23, 2025.

Visit their website to learn more or email OPSSD@yale.edu.

Dean Nancy J. Brown, MD, is asking everyone [faculty and staff] to complete this brief survey, which will inform a series of focus groups and town halls. The deadline to submit is Monday, May 26.

Department jacket orders are now being accepted. Price is $140 each. The department covers the cost for interns. This subsidy has been incorporated into the pricing for all other jackets. If you prefer not to participate in this contribution, please notify the department using the Google form below:

• Order your jacket via the FIGS group order
• Confirm your order and payment by filling out this Google Form
• Send payment to @Grace-Jarmoc through Venmo by May 27, 2025

We’re proud to spotlight the Yale University Reproductive Sciences (YURS) Biobank — a vital department resource.

The team is led by Molly McAdow, MD, PhD, and Joanne Sheu, MD, MPH; along with Scientific Advisor Vikki Abrahams, PhD; Manager Alexander Kishchanka, MD; and Research Assistant Samantha Girasulo.

YURS Offers

• Access to prospective and archival samples

• De-identified clinical and pregnancy outcome data

• IRB and grant development support

• Sample processing and secure -80°C storage

YURS Available Sample Types

• Placental tissue

• Cord blood, maternal plasma, serum, and urine

• Neonatal saliva, foreskin

• Gynecologic tissues (e.g., fibroids, endometrium)

• Cervical/rectal swabs, and limited paternal samples

Connect With YURS

• aliaksandr.kishchanka@yale.edu / (475) 202-3684

The Beverly Levy Walk & Block Party drew 1,000+ people on May 4 and raised more than $300,000 for gynecologic cancer research.

Donations are still being accepted. Save the date for next year's walk: May 3, 2026

Yale Ob/Gyn chief residents presented their QI projects on May 1:

• Chaarushi Ahuja, MD - Creation of Video Tour and Top 10 Knowledge Cards for Improving Medical Student Preparedness for Labor Floor Rotations
• Rebecca Borneman, MD - Improving Screening and Management of Substance Use (SU) in Pregnancy: A Quality Improvement Project at Yale-Affiliated Hospitals
• Emily Chang, MD - Introducing Induction of Labor: A Video Tool for Patients
• Hannah Cunningham, MD - Clean Contaminated Laparotomy Surgical Site Infection Prevention Bundle
• Jasmin Mahabamunuge, MD – Utilizing Patient Experiences to Make Infertility Care More Equitable/Accessible
• Anabel Starosta, MD - Right Test, Right Time: Reducing Redundant Rubella IgG Testing
• Sarah Wang, MD - Standardizing Informed Consent for Medical Student Involvement in Pelvic Exams Under Anesthesia (EUA)

Congratulations to Assistant Professor Mancy Tong, PhD, on the birth of her daughter, Willow Zhang, born April 16.

Celebrating with MFM Fellow Eesha Dave, MD, on the birth of her son, Sahil Leo Dave Solomon, born March 11.

Kudos to Senior Administrative Assistant Robin Vollono who recently welcomed the birth of her granddaughter, Capri.

Hanah Georges, PhD: 2-year funding from NIH, "Role of TLR7/8 Activating microRNA's in Fetal Inflammatory Response Syndrome" $265,602

Yingqun Huang, MD, PhD: 2-year funding from the Blavatnik Family Foundation, "Inflammation & Immunology Breakthrough: Molecular Glues for the Selective Elimination of Pathogenic Macrophages" $120,000

Nina Stachenfeld, PhD: 1-year funding from Penn State University, "Mechanisms & Interventions Addressing Accelerated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Women with Endometriosis" $206,605; and 1-year funding from the University of Colorado, "SAGE Sex and Gender Biomedical Research" $167,760