Dear Colleagues,

In addition to outstanding clinical care, research and education, the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics continues to grow and develop innovative programs. A few are highlighted in this newsletter.

A decade ago, the gold standard for spina bifida treatment was surgery within two days after birth. Then it was open surgery to repair the defect before birth. Now, the Center for Fetal Therapy, led by Ahmet Baschat and Jena Miller is performing in utero spina bifida surgeries that are minimally invasive to the uterus, a technique available at just three hospitals nationwide.

To ensure more surgeons have the training required to perform challenging minimally invasive surgeries, members of the Advanced Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery group—including Kristin Patzkowsky, Khara Simpson and Karen Wang—are launching an accredited minimally invasive surgery fellowship in July 2018.

Wang is also leading the creation of a multidisciplinary clinic to help patients with endometriosis by coordinating with other specialists care of the disease and its symptoms.

Gynecologic oncologists Amanda Nickles Fader, Rebecca Stone, Edward Tanner, Stephanie Wethington and Kim Levinson are implementing novel ways to reduce surgical site infections, readmission rates and other complications.  

For more on our department and programs, please visit us at hopkinsmedicine.org/gynecology_obstetrics.

Andrew J. Satin, M.D.
Director
Johns Hopkins Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics