Departmental News

  • Medical Students' Conference Celebrates Diversity
    The University of Vermont's Student National Medical Association chapter held its first conference ever this November, bringing more than 100 medical and pre-medical students from throughout New England to the campus of the Larner College of Medicine to share their enthusiasm for ensuring that people from populations underrepresented in medical professions feel empowered to pursue medical careers.
  • Kallen Interviewed by The Daily Dish about Reality TV Discussion on Oocyte vs. Embryo Cryopreservation
    (SEPTEMBER 11, 2023) Bravo’s The Daily Dish spoke with Amanda Kallen, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences, about an egg-freezing vs. embryo-freezing debate between two women on the reality TV show Real Housewives of New York City.
    Read full story at Bravo’s The Daily Dish
  • Larner Sees Big Jump in OB/GYN Residency Applications Following Dobbs Decision, Newsweek Reports
    (SEPTEMBER 6, 2023) Lauren MacAfee, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences, and other Larner faculty spoke with Newsweek for an article about changes in residency applications in the wake of the Dobbs decision overturning the federal abortion protection of Roe v. Wade in June 2022.
    Read full story at Newsweek
  • Larner Representatives Attend Medical Education Millennium Conference
    The Larner College of Medicine was one of eight medical schools selected to participate in the 2023 Millennium Conference from May 2-4, hosted by the Carl J. Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Five Larner representatives attended the event, which focused on professionalism for physicians.
  • MacAfee, OB-GYN Residents Speak to VTDigger about Providing Abortions & Gender-Affirming Care in the Current Political Climate
    (MAY 17, 2023) Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences Lauren MacAfee, M.D., and three doctors who are midway through their four-year OB-GYN residencies at the University of Vermont Medical Center spoke to VTDigger about the challenges of being on the front lines of providing abortions and gender-affirming care in the current political climate.
    Read full story at VTDigger
  • Wood Comments to Seven Days on Value of Doulas for New Parents’ Mental Health
    (MARCH 1, 2023) Sandra Wood, NP, CNM, PMHNP, certified nurse-midwife and psychiatric nurse practitioner in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, told Seven Days she sees a strong connection between doula care and positive mental health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum women.
    Read full story at Seven Days
  • Gibson, Delzer Comment to NBC5 on Gender-Affirming Care Bill
    (FEBRUARY 9, 2023) Erica Gibson, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics and division chief of adolescent medicine, and OBGYN resident Mackenzie Delzer, M.D., commented to NBC5 on a bill that would make reproductive procedures and gender-affirming services legally protected in Vermont.
    Read full story at NBC5
  • WCAX Interviews MacAfee on FDA Abortion Medication Decision
    (JANUARY 25, 2023) Lauren MacAfee, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences, was interviewed by WCAX-TV for a story on medication abortion and the FDA’s recent decision allowing patients to pick up an abortion pill from certified retail pharmacies with a prescription. (Click on headline for more.)
  • Forbes Interviews McGee on Using Basal Body Temperature to Chart Fertility
    (AUGUST 17, 2022) Ob-Gyn professor Elizabeth McGee, M.D., told Forbes that while tracking basal body temperature can be a helpful tool for charting ovulation phases, this shouldn’t be the only method used to prevent pregnancy or to get pregnant.
    Read full story at Forbes
  • MacAfee Comments to Seven Days on Misinformation by Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers
    (JULY 27, 2022) Lauren MacAfee, M.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive sciences, commented to Seven Days on “blatant misinformation” dispensed at certain innocuously labeled “pregnancy resource centers.”
    Read full story at Seven Days
  • MacAfee Discusses Pregnancy Termination Decision-Making on WCAX-TV
    (JUNE 22, 2022) Lauren MacAfee, M.D., associate professor of OB/GYN, spoke with WCAX-TV’s Christina Guessferd for a story about abortion in Vermont.
  • Medical Class of 2022 Honors Night Recognizes Faculty, Students & Staff
    On May 13, the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont held Honors Night for graduating medical students in the Class of 2022. Accolades presented included the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society faculty, housestaff, and community physician awards; the Arnold P. Gold Foundation's Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine faculty and student awards; Area Health Education Center Scholars; department awards to students; and awards from the Class of 2022.
  • Larner Celebrates Professionalism with 2022 Awards Ceremony
    “Going above and beyond” and consistently demonstrating kindness, compassion and respect were common accolades in the nomination letters for the 2022 Dean’s Awards for Professionalism recipients. On May 3, the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont marked the third anniversary of the formal introduction and celebration of the College’s Statement on Professionalism at a virtual awards presentation ceremony.
  • UVM Health Network President & CEO Brumsted Announces Retirement in September
    After more than four decades as a physician, innovator and national leader in health care, John R. Brumsted, M.D., president and CEO of The University of Vermont Health Network since it was founded in 2011, has announced that he will retire in September 2022.
  • Class of 2021 Medical Students, Faculty, Staff Recognized at Honors Celebration
    In a salute to graduating medical students’ accomplishments and to honor the faculty and staff who have supported them during their medical education journey, the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine launched a virtual 2021 Honors Celebration on May 6, 2021.
  • Cipolla Among 11 Leading Scientists Honored at International Stroke Conference
    Eleven scientists leading the way in stroke research, including University of Vermont Professor of Neurological Sciences Marilyn Cipolla, Ph.D., were recognized for their exceptional achievements during the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2021 on March 17-19.
  • Larner Changemakers Recognized at Celebration of Gender Equity
    The Larner College of Medicine's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion held its second annual Celebration of Gender Equity in Medicine and Science on March 4, which featured a keynote by Diane Magrane, M.D., and an awards ceremony.
  • DeAngelis and McNamara Appointed Interim Assistant Deans for Students
    Justin DeAngelis, M.D., and Mariah McNamara, M.D., have been appointed as interim assistant deans for students in the Office of Medical Student Education at the Larner College of Medicine, effective March 1, 2021.
  • A Champion for Women’s Health, Diversity & Science
    ​For Professor Elizabeth Bonney, M.D., M.P.H., juggling the roles of scientist, clinician, mentor, and advocate has been the norm for decades. So, it’s no surprise that in a year turned upside-down by the COVID-19 pandemic, the delayed reckoning with racial injustice in America, and political turmoil, she has forged ahead with her science, delivered care on the front lines, and used this pivotal moment in history to raise issues of critical importance not only to science, but society.
  • Gallant Ends 14 Years as Associate Dean for Admissions, Feldman Assumes Interim Role
    Christa Zehle, M.D., senior associate dean for medical education at the Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, has announced the appointment of Nathalie Feldman, M.D., as interim associate dean for admissions, effective July 1, 2020. Feldman replaces retiring Associate Dean for Admissions Janice Gallant, M.D., while a search is underway for a permanent replacement.

Announcements

 

We are excited to welcome to our department two new faculty: 
-Karen George, MD, Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology).  Dr. George is also Associate Dean for Students at Larner College of Medicine

-Amanda Kallen, MD,  Associate Professor of of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences (Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility)

Anne Dougherty, M.D., Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences has now accepted the enhanced role of ODEI Director for Gender Equity.

In this new role Dr. Dougherty will continue her current coordination of workshops, speakers and awards related to the LCOM Gender Equity Initiative.  She will also develop new mentoring and resource programs for women and underrepresented minorities in medicine, participate in analysis and tracking, and collaborate on efforts to enhance diversity, equity and inclusion in faculty recruitment. As ODEI Director for Gender Equity, Dr. Dougherty will report directly to Margaret A. Tandoh, M.D., FACS, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.   Congratulations to Anne on her new role!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following faculty who received promotions (July 2021):
Nathalie Feldman, MD to Associate Professor and Navid Esfandiari, PhD to Professor

Navid Esfandiari, PhD, Professor, REI Division, received the "Star Award" from the 77th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) - October 2021

Congratulations to Justin DeAngelis, MD who was appointed interim assistant dean for students in the Office of Medical Student Education at the Larner College of Medicine, effective March 1. Read more here

A champion for women's health, diversity and science, Elizabeth Bonney, MD recognized in News Spotlight from UVM Larner College of Medicine.  Read the article here.

Navid Esfandiari, PhD, received the “Star Award” from the 76th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) – October 2020

Misty Blanchette Porter, MD, Associate Professor, REI Division, was invited to present at AIUM education webinar - teaching on ORADS and IOTA on the evaluation of adnexal masses – Sept 2020

Justin DeAngelis, MD, Assistant Professor, Ob/Gyn, was selected as Class Mentor to the residency by the class of 2021 and was recently awarded the 2019 APGO Excellence in Teaching Award.

SO PROUD! Congratulations to Katherine Menezes, MD (PGY-3) who was awarded the Clinical Resident of the Year Award by the LCOM graduating Class of 2021!!!!  These are the awards that are given out on Honors Night to and from the graduating class.  Check out the video here.

Marjorie Meyer, MD, Division Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine, was recognized for her work in the treatment of women with opioid dependence during pregnancy in Governor Phil Scott's State of the State address on Jan 9.  Read announcement here

Theresa Ko, PhD (Croucher Fellowship 2006), Assistant Professor in the Division of Reproductive Sciences, was recently interviewed with the Croucher Foundation in December 2019 about her molecular biology quest to reduce maternal deaths.   Read the article here

Elizabeth Bonney, MD, MPH, Professor and Head of the Division of Reproductive Sciences was selected to present the lecture entitled "A Theory of Maternal Immunity" at the 25th Annual Dr. Raymond O. Berry Memorial Lecture on October 18, 2019. Read the announcement here.

Congratulations to Marti Churchill, CNM who received the award for "Excellence in Advanced Nursing" at the Nursing Awards Ceremony  on May 6, 2019.

Congratulations to Tendai Chiware, MD who won the 2019 Beth Fitzpatrick M.D. Citizen of the World Award, awarded by the Global Health Program at UVM LCOM and the Western Connecticut Health Network. 

We are pleased to share news of the appointment of Anne Dougherty, M.D., as Gender Equity Liaison in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) at The UVM Larner College of Medicine.    Read the announcement here.

Cheung Wong, MD was invested in a formal ceremony on June 8, 2018 as the inaugural Berta Pi-Sunyer Williams Endowed Professor.   Read all about it.

The cover photo on the March 2018 issue of the American Journal of Ob/Gyn is from Dr. Kelley McLean's article Mechanical heart valves in pregnancy:  the necessity of appropriate and careful anticoagulation.

Congratulations to Cheung Wong, MD for his recent appointment as the VP for Clinical Affairs for the University of Vermont Health Network.

Congratulations to Elizabeth Bonney, MD and Natalia Gokina, PhD who have won the NIH RO1 funding for "Systemic Vasculature Remodeling Females:  Effects of the Immune System and Experience of Pregnancy".  The application was scored at the 1st percentile!

Our match results are in!  Announcing our newest residents 2018-2022:  Hayley Pierce (Saint Louis University); Allison Walker (Oregon Health & Science University) and Rebecca Zuckerman (University of Chicago).  We look forward to seeing them soon!

We are excited to welcome our new fellows on July 2, 2018 for their 3 year fellowship:  Maximilian Klein, MD (Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility fellow) and Ankita Kulkarni, MBBS (Maternal Fetal Medicine fellow)

Nathalie Feldman, M.D., Educator Assistant Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, was recently awarded (along with her colleague, Judy Lewis, MD in the Dept. of Psychiatry) the UVM Larner College of Medicine Teaching Academy's "Educational Scholarship Award" for her work on the learning environment.  

Jenna Flanagan, MD (PGY-3) will be presenting a poster "A Needs Assessment for Somali Women:  Optimizing this Populations' Peripartum Care in a Tertiary Care Center in Vermont" at the North American Refugee Health Conference, June 16-18, 2017 in Toronto, Canada.

Erin Morris, MD, received the 2017 APGO Excellence in Teaching Award.  Dr. Morris is an active clinical member of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine.  She currently serves as our Associate Ob/Gyn Clerkship Director and the Faculty mentor for the Ob/Gyn Student Interest Group. 

May 15, 2017 - Elise Everett, MD was presented the Clinical Teacher of the Year Award from the Class of 2017 during Honors Night.

CONGRATULATIONS to our new interns starting June 2017: Johanna Kelley, Katherine Menezes & Rebecca Parad.