Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship earns ACGME accreditation

Preparing and applying for this fellowship took a tremendous effort from Bhagavath, Division of REI faculty, and the department’s education program, including Fellowship Program Manager Dylan Kittell. The Department of Ob-Gyn would not have been able to meet this crucial goal of expanding training opportunities and improving access to fertility care services without their tireless work over the last two years.

With this accreditation, the REI Fellowship is on track to welcome the first fellow: Jayapriya Jayakumaran, MD, will join us in August 2024. Jayakumaran earned her medical degree from Madras Medical College, followed by obstetrics and gynecology residency at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital and University of Central Florida-Orlando. The REI fellowship will recruit their second fellow in the summer of 2024.

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Research and leadership at 2023 AAGL Global Congress on MIGS

The AAGL held the annual Global Congress on MIGS November 5-8, 2023, in Nashville. Members of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology brought research and contributed to the success of the event! 

Olga Fajardo, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, co-authored two abstracts presented during oral sessions. Other authors on the abstracts are from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where Fajardo recently completed her Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (MIGS) fellowship: 

New instrumentation/Research Oral Session: Language-Based Disparities in Surgical Route of Hysterectomy for Benign Disease - T.I. González Peña, N.J. Jesse, Z. Zhao, L.F. Harvey, O. Fajardo  

Hysteroscopy Oral Session: Surgical Treatment for Uterine Isthmoceles - V. Fox, O. Fajardo, E. Cook, T.L. Anderson, H. Curlin  

Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, served on the conference’s Abstract and Video Review Committee. 

Incredible work, all! 

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Grand Rounds: Bhagavath presents “Reproductive Surgery: Past, Present, Future”

On November 9, 2023, Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, presented the Grand Round lecture “Reproductive Surgery: Past, Present, Future”.

In this lecture, Bhagavath described the history of reproductive surgeries and the various things they help fix. Advancements in reproductive surgeries was also discussed, with Bhagavath focusing on developments in tubal, uterine, cervical, and vaginal surgeries throughout time.

You can watch the whole lecture here.

**by Ob-Gyn Communications Intern Paige Stevenson

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REI Division members lead sessions at 2023 ASRM Congress

Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD, and Associate Professor Aleks Stanic-Kostic, MD, PhD, led sessions at this year’s American Society for Reproductive Medicine Scientific Congress on October 14-18 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Bhagavath presented Cesarean Scar Isthmoceles: When and How to Diagnose and Treat Surgically.

Stanic-Kostic led a full day course focussed on Translating Bench Research to the Clinical Management of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss as well as a clinical session No Good Deed Goes Unpunished, or Why We Should Stick with Professional Guidelines. 

The ASRM Congress in general aims to give top experts in the reproductive medicine field a chance to share their research and discover new information. Congratulations to both speakers and all of ASRM Congress’s presenters!

**by Paige Stevenson, Ob-Gyn Communications Intern

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Bhagavath accepted into 2024 UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program cohort

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Professor and Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD! He was accepted into the UW Health Physician Leadership Development Program’s 2024 cohort.

As part of the program, Bhagavath will participate in 10 live courses on topics including leadership, strategy and human resources. The curriculum includes leadership development within a culture of trust, project management, strategic thinking, planning and decision making, emotional intelligence, managing physician performance, resolving conflict, leading and managing strategic change, authentic leadership development, and building and leading effective teams.  

Incredible work, Dr. Bhagavath!

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Bhagavath discusses infertility coverage on Let’s Get Local podcast

During National Infertility Awareness Week in April, Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, joined the Let’s Get Local podcast to talk about efforts in Wisconsin to improve access to fertility care.

During the interview, Bhagavath contrasted his experience working in states with state-mandated infertility coverage compared to working in Wisconsin, average costs for fertility treatment without insurance coverage, and the work the Building Families Alliance is doing to make fertility care more manageable for people in Wisconsin.

Listen to the whole interview now – Dr. Bhagavath’s segment starts at 21:44.

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Bhagavath discusses Dobbs’ implications on fertility care with Tone Madison

In a recent article on Tone Madison, Bala Bhagavath, MD, professor and director of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, weighted in about the impact of the Dobbs decision on infertility care.

In “Fertility care in Wisconsin faces worrisome unknowns in the wake of Dobbs”, Bhagavath discussed common questions and concerns he has heard from patients, and what the current legal landscape means for fertility care in Wisconsin: 

““There were panicked calls from patients, regarding many things,” Bhagavath says. “‘My embryos are stored here in Wisconsin, so, what does it mean?’ ‘Am I allowed to transfer the embryos to a different state?’ There are patients calling who are concerned because their embryos were stored in a long-term storage facility. ‘When I want to transfer my embryos, would I still be able to do it? Or do I have to go to a different state to continue my management?’”

For now, Bhagavath says, “at least in Wisconsin, there is no immediate worry regarding infertility management and treatment of patients.” But that is not guaranteed going forward. A change in state law could throw the whole industry into flux.”

Read the whole article here!

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Healthy Women Community Talk: Navigating Your Fertility Journey

Starting or growing a family is a deep desire for many people, but the path to parenthood is not always straightforward. 

A panel of experts answered fertility questions during the well-attended virtual community talk "Navigating Your Fertility Journey" on April 10, 2023:  

• Generations Fertility Care Director Dr. Bala Bhagavath discussed physical and medical aspects of fertility care 
• Clinical Psychologist Dr. Julianne Zweifel talked about common mental and emotional concerns during fertility treatment 
• Panelists at different points of their own fertility journeys shared their experiences with expanding their families 

Watch the whole Community Talk now! 

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Healthy Women Community Talk: Navigating Your Fertility Journey – April 10, 2023

Starting or growing a family is a deep desire for many people, but the path to parenthood is not always straightforward.

 All are invited to a free, virtual community talk about navigating your fertility journey, presented by the UW Department of Ob-Gyn! Bring your questions about all aspects of fertility to a panel of experts at 6:30pm on April 10, 2023:

• Generations Fertility Care Director Dr. Bala Bhagavath will discuss physical and medical aspects of fertility care
• Clinical Psychologist Dr. Julianne Zweifel will talk about common mental and emotional concerns during fertility treatment
• Panelists at different points of their own fertility journeys will talk about their experiences with expanding their families

Register today for this free event and invite your friends!

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Bhagavath discusses fertility with Brava Magazine

Bala Bhagavath, MD, director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, provided insight into common causes and treatments of infertility in a recent article in Brava Magazine.

In “When Fertility Is Fragile”, Bhagavath outlines criteria for infertility, discusses common treatment options, and shares information on how much some of the treatment options cost.

Read the whole article here!

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Women’s Healthcast: Finding Out About Fibroids, featuring Bala Bhagavath, MD

Uterine fibroids are incredibly common – between 20 and 70 percent of people with uteruses will develop fibroids during their lifetimes. And while they’re often benign, they can still cause some troublesome symptoms.

Bala Bhagavath, MD joined the Women’s Healthcast to talk about common symptoms of uterine fibroids, the broad variety of treatment options, and whether all fibroids need to be treated. Bhagavath is the director of the UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.h

Did you know the Women’s Healthcast is available on all your favorite podcast platforms? Whether you like to listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Podbean, or anywhere else, you can find us! (Just search Women’s Healthcast, and while you’re at it, may as well subscribe!)

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Bhagavath co-authors publication in Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD, co-authored a study in the latest issue of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology!

“Clinical and Patient Reported Outcomes of Pre- and Postsurgical Treatment of Symptomatic Uterine Leiomyomas: A 12-Month Follow-up Review of TRUST, a Surgical Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation and Myomectomy” uses outcome data from a multicenter trial conducted at academic and non-academic hospitals, surgery centers, and fertility centers around the country. In comparing outcomes between two methods of surgery, the study found:

“The results from this 12-month follow-up study suggest that LAP-RFA is a safe, effective, uterine-sparing alternative to laparoscopic myomectomy in the treatment of ULs. These data points build on previously published studies showing that LAP-RFA has lower healthcare resource use overall, including lower postprocedure hospitalization rate and shorter length of stay. In clinical practice, LAP-RFA is a promising treatment approach to ULs for women.”

Read the whole study here!

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Bhagavath discusses endometriosis and infertility in Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

In a recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a Wisconsin woman shares her experience with endometriosis and infertility. UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD adds insight into the challenges of endometriosis and the importance of insurance coverage for fertility services in the article. 

In “Summit woman shares her story of endometriosis, infertility”, published online for subscribers, Bhagavath describes the difficulties many people experience when trying to find a solution to endometriosis-related pain:

““The sad truth of endometriosis is that very often young girls who complain of pain or painful periods are told that everyone’s periods are painful; just live with it,” said Bala Bhagavath, UW Health fertility clinic’s medical director of Generations Fertility Care.

On average, it takes about 12 years and four doctors to get a diagnosis for endometriosis, which affects one in six women, said Bhagavath.”

Read the whole article here!

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Bhagavath discusses fibroids with HealthCentral

Uterine fibroids can have big effects on menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, even sleep and exercise. In a new article on HealthCentral, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD discussed how to recognize and manage uterine fibroids:

“Uterine fibroids aren’t cancerous—but that doesn’t mean they can’t affect your life profoundly, Dr. Bhagavath says. This is a condition that can interfere with all areas of your life, increasing the risk of pregnancy complications, making it hard to go to work, and even interfering with your relationships. That’s why it’s important to have frank and open conversations with your doctor about how your fibroids are affecting you.”

Read the rest of “How Uterine Fibroids Affect Your Health”!

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Advocacy Update: Bill for insurance coverage of infertility care introduced in Wisconsin legislature

Fertility treatments can be costly, and most states across the country do not require insurance plans to cover fertility care (take a look at this Kaiser Family Foundation issue brief on coverage and use of infertility services in the United States). A bill recently introduced in the Wisconsin State Legislature would require insurance companies to provide coverage for fertility services.

In “Infertile couples support Wisconsin bill to require fertility coverage”, recently published in the Wisconsin State Journal, UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD discussed the negative effects fertility challenges can have on individuals and families, and the inequities in current access to fertility care:

““The impact of the disease can be devastating; studies on the psychosocial impact of infertility have placed it on par with a diagnosis of cancer,” said the letter, by Dr. Bala Bhagavath, medical director of Generations Fertility Care in Middleton, UW Health’s fertility clinic; and Dr. Laurel Rice, UW’s chair of obstetrics and gynecology.

Society needs children to support an aging population, but typically only infertile people who have higher incomes can afford to pay for treatments, Bhagavath said in an interview. “The more middle-income and definitely lower-income you are, the greater impact on you,” he said.”

Bhagavath serves on the steering committee for the Building Families Alliance Wisconsin, which supports the Building Families Act. Learn more about the bill, and read the rest of the Wisconsin State Journal article here.

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Bhagavath accepted as AGOS fellow

Congratulations to UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD, who was recently accepted as an active fellow of the American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society (AGOS)!

AGOS advances the health of women by providing dedicated leadership and promoting excellence in research, education and medical practice. In order to be considered as an AGOS fellow, candidates must be outstanding leaders in academic obstetrics and gynecology with good character, high ethical standing and recognized ability as a teacher, physician and scholar.

Amazing work, Dr. Bhagavath! 

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Bhagavath presents at SREI fellows forum

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD presented at the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility fellows forum in Utah on November 19!

Bhagavath’s presentation on reproductive surgeries garnered a lot of excitement from the REI fellows and physicians in attendance, with more than half the fellows expressing an interest in developing their surgical skills.

Incredible work, Dr. Bhagavath!

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Bhagavath discusses fibroid treatment with HealthCentral

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD answered common fibroid questions in the HealthCentral article “10 Things to Know About Uterine Fibroid Treatment.”

In the article, Bhagavath explains what fibroids are and what kinds of symptoms they can sometimes cause (including heavy bleeding and pelvic pressure) and how to bring fibroid-related issues up to your doctor. He also discusses several treatment paths, from low-intervention options like birth control and pain medication, to more intensive options like surgery.

Read the whole article here!

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Bhagavath explains endometriosis with Spectrum News

UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive and Population Health Director Bala Bhagavath, MD discussed endometriosis in an article with Spectrum News.

In “Founded in Milwaukee, Endometriosis Awareness Month Shines Light on Women’s Health”, Bhagavath explains what endometriosis is, common symptoms, options for treatment and management, and why it can take a long time to arrive at an endometriosis diagnosis:

“…because pain can be a hard thing to measure, and these symptoms can also be linked with other conditions, Bhagavath said endometriosis doesn’t always get diagnosed right away. Confirming a case requires a laparoscopy or “putting a camera down the belly button.””

Read the whole article here!

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Bhagavath edits Textbook of Assisted Reproduction

Pick up a copy of the newly released Textbook of Assisted Reproduction, and you’ll find a familiar name on the cover. UW Ob-Gyn Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Director Bala Bhagavath, MD edited the book, which covers all aspects of assisted reproduction.

Take a look at the book here – congratulations, Dr. Bhagavath!

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