Division of Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology

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In keeping with the legacy of UW, our mission as Academic Specialists is:

  • Use our expertise to educate and inspire the next generation of OB/GYNs
  • Be regional and national leaders in the provision of evidence-based obstetric, gynecologic and office care
  • Foster a diverse division with focused interests to advance the expertise of our group as a whole for the benefit of our patients and community

We are committed to collaboration, inclusivity, and excellence in the areas of clinical care, research and education.

Our board-certified obstetrician/gynecologists practice at several sites around the Madison area. We offer comprehensive obstetrical services, including general and high-risk obstetrics; pre-conception counseling and screening; contraceptive management (birth control); infertility evaluation and treatment; and obstetric consultative services.

Our physicians perform gynecologic surgery at both Meriter Hospital and the Madison Surgery Center. We are skilled in a wide variety of surgical procedures, including minimally invasive procedures, laparoscopic and vaginal hysterectomies, hysteroscopy, endometriosis surgery, tubal ligation, and more.

We practice at Meriter Hospital, the highest-volume birthing center in Wisconsin, where we deliver more than 3,000 babies a year. At Meriter, we provide in-house coverage in support of the residency program, and also support our Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine by providing obstetrical care for its patients. We are responsible for accepting most patients referred from outlying hospitals and for providing care to most of the unassigned patients who may be present. We serve as consultants to Family Practice physicians from several different practices, and have a collaborative practice with the UW Hospitals and Clinics Certified Nurse Midwife program.

Our primary mission is to provide excellent clinical care, but we are also devoted to the education and training of medical students and residents. We teach not only on labor and delivery and in the operating room, but in our clinics and the classroom as well. We are proud to be involved with the training of the next generation of physicians.

Department hosts successful Pregnancy Trust and Safety Symposium

On March 19, 2026, the UW Department of Ob-Gyn partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services Maternal Mortality Review Team and Maternal Health Innovation Team to present the Pregnancy Trust and Safety Symposium to an audience of around 150 health care providers, community experts, and scholars. The event, focuse... more

McDonald, Sampene attend ACOG Cefalo National Leadership Institute

Ryan McDonald, MD, professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, and Katherine Sampene, MD, professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, attended the 2026 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Cefalo National Leadership Institute, held March 18-22 in Durham, North Carolina. ... more

Lepic joins Birth with Babylist podcast for episodes on birth plans, labor outcomes

Molly Lepic, DO, clinical associate professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, recently joined the Birth with Babylist podcast for several episodes on pain management and labor. Birth with Babylist aims to inform listeners about the birth process by sharing real stories and expert insights.In Episode 3, “How... more

Bharucha, Kaljo, Hanks co-author study in Wisconsin Medical Journal

Members of the UW Department recently authored an article published in the Wisconsin Medical Journal. Authors include ob-gyn resident Kharmen Bharucha, MD,PGY-4; Kristina Kaljo, PhD, associate professor in the UW Department of Ob-Gyn; Laura Hanks, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn; and ... more

Ladanyi talks about endometriosis with Fox 6 News

Camille Ladanyi, MD, assistant professor in the Division of Academic Specialists in Ob-Gyn, joined Fox 6 News to talk about endometriosis for Endometriosis Awareness Month this past March. Endometriosis Awareness Month is an opportunity to create more awareness for the condition, which is often misdiagnosed. In the news segme... more
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