News

Click here to access the digital version (scroll down to access links to individual magazine articles). In the coming week, over 24,000 printed copies will be mailed to physicians, health care leaders, alumni and friends, and supporters of Duke Ob/Gyn to highlight just some of the great work we are doing.

As you read this issue of our annual publication, you will note the exceptional work and excellence that has been achieved as we translate research from bench to bedside — and provide hope to our patients and their families. Here are just some of the highlights:

• In commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Duke Cancer Institute and the 50th anniversary of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, you’ll see a compilation of truly extraordinary work in this field, and a look at what the future holds.
• New findings demonstrate a practice-changing paradigm shift for urogynecologists consistent with trials in other fields, which have shown that early activity doesn’t impede outcomes and may improve them in some circumstances.
• A multidisciplinary team in Duke’s Müllerian Anomalies Program brings the necessary skillset to offer each patient the best possible solution, coordinating surgical care, recovery and long-term follow-up not possible at most hospital centers across the country.
• Popular TikTok videos related to intrauterine devices (IUDs) tend to depict negative patient experiences related to pain, while some videos conveyed unreliable information. Duke Ob/Gyn led a study to analyze patients’ personal experiences.
• Work in global health continues to impact cervical cancer diagnostic screening through clinical translation of a diagnostic algorithm: Colposcopy Aided Risk Evaluation (CARE). And an innovative, real-world experiment to potentially measure the possible effects of exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds (PFAS) on maternal health is underway in partnership with the Duke Global Health Institute.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about how Duke Ob/Gyn is a leader in cutting-edge research, specialized care delivery and life-changing results.

The inaugural Andrew Berchuck, MD Gyn-Onc Lecture will take place on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 7:30 a.m., virtual and in person (Duke South Amphitheater). The speaker will be Daniel Clarke-Pearson, MD, former division chief of gynecologic oncology at Duke.

Duke Ob/Gyn is pleased to share exciting news from our colleague Dr. Andrew Berchuck and the Division of Gynecologic Oncology. Over his extraordinary 35-year career at Duke, Dr. Berchuck has been an innovator, leader and mentor. His wisdom and care for our patients and mentorship of trainees have advanced care for women with gynecologic cancers and helped shape the strong legacy of the Duke Gynecologic Oncology program and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Thanks to gifts from grateful patients, friends and the Berchuck family’s own remarkable generosity, The Andrew Berchuck, MD Gyn-Onc Lectureship Fund will soon be fully funded. As a newly endowed lectureship in gynecologic oncology, we will have permanent, sustainable funding for this aspect of our educational mission.

Pictured: Dr. Berchuck in 1987 at the start of his career at Duke, currently as division chief of gynecologic oncology, and mentoring current chief resident Mary Katherine Montes De Oca, MD, in the operating room. Dr. Montes De Oca has matched for fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Duke and begins training in the subspecialty in the fall of 2023

Distributions from The Andrew Berchuck, MD Gyn-Onc Lectureship Fund will support an annual Gynecologic Oncology lecture each spring, to be delivered by an individual who has made significant contributions to the field.

In the process of creating this endowment, Dr. Berchuck shared, “The residents and fellows we have trained are our most meaningful legacy.” To honor this legacy, funds from the endowment also will be used to support visits to Duke by past residency and fellowship graduates, who will update us on their professional activities and experiences. It will be a chance for us to learn from them, and hopefully many will reflect on how well the training they received in our department has impacted their careers. Some, but not all, of these individuals will be gynecologic oncologists.

If you would like to make a gift to the fund in honor of Dr. Berchuck and his contributions to the field, please click here to visit the online giving page or contact Evan Frazer at evan.frazer@duke.edu. Together we can build off the momentum of the commitment that Dr. Berchuck, his grateful patients and their families and others have demonstrated. Gifts of all sizes will propel what we can accomplish each year.

Lastly, as the Duke Cancer Institute and the Duke Division of Gynecologic Oncology celebrate their 50th year anniversary, we are also proud to share this special feature: 50 Years of Gynecologic Care & Innovation. Dr. Berchuck provides impressive perspective on topics including the biggest game-changer in the field of gynecologic oncology, and why so many Ob/Gyn residents at Duke choose to pursue careers in oncology.

The 2022 Annual Meeting Scientific Program is now available to view here. The meeting hosts have put together an exciting and timely series of presentations from your colleagues and friends. Scientific sessions will be held on Friday and Saturday morning at the annual meeting in St. Louis September 15-17th.

Congratulations to the winners of today's Charles B. Hammond, MD, Research Day: fellow winner Michele S. O'Shea, MD, MPH; first place resident winners Stephanie L. Lim, MD, and Mary K. Montes De Oca, MD; and third place resident winner Julia R. Salinaro, MD.

It was a great day of research and education.

Thank you to all who made the day such a success, especially featured speaker and judge Emily Jungheim, MD, MSCI, and judges Elizabeth Skinner, MD, and Alison Weidner, MD, MMCi.

Watch the recording of Research Day here.

Watch the departmental drone video here.

Courtesy of Dr. Matthew Barber, please enjoy this video from the 1990s (converted from VHS) of Dr. Roy T. Parker, second Chair of Duke Ob/Gyn, giving a lecture about the history of the Duke family. He is introduced by Dr. Andrew Berchuck.

   

The Duke Ob/Gyn Chief Resident photo collages are now available for digital viewing. Photos are organized by year and go all the way back to the 1940s!

Take a look here.

Above: The classes of 2020-2021, 1997-1998 and 1979-1980

From Duke Ob/Gyn Chair Matthew D. Barber, MD, MHS: Despite the many challenges we have faced over the past two years, Duke Ob/Gyn has come together, supported each other and achieved remarkable things – in patient care, education and research. I am proud to share with you our newest edition of Duke Ob/Gyn’s annual magazine, showcasing the outstanding work that we are accomplishing on a local, national and global scale. The impact of our work will touch many lives and provide hope for countless women locally and beyond.

Included here is the electronic version. Over 27,000 hard copies will be mailed to physicians, healthcare leaders, alumni and friends, and supporters of Duke Ob/Gyn to highlight just some of the great work we are doing.

The recordings of the scientific talks from the 2021 Carter Society Annual Meeting are available at the two links below.

Friday, October 22: https://duke.zoom.us/rec/share/BjVOeuTQwDjtGo-1GVv6LffahSWndsn18sCxXW1Oc_lgIt1tudpLUCOFy2nxu9I2.nzebxShjgZu8iZwt?startTime=1634903719000

Saturday, October 23: https://duke.zoom.us/rec/share/PkYheEB-m5Wi-Fk3qyrQpVJSIzzxp_QgbCF_RuPb1l7iOyEHVAVwwJBycPUnYplq.0vwnj1Fwqz5c4L4U?startTime=1634989870000

On Saturday, June 5, 2021, Duke Ob/Gyn celebrated the graduation of its eight chief residents and five fellows (virtually).  To read more about the celebration, click here.

As a new benefit, we are excited to be able to offer all members in good standing access to Duke Ob/Gyn Grand Rounds (available live virtually each week as well as archived past presentations) and to continuing medical education (CME) credit.

If you are interested in this option, please fill out this survey.

We will be in touch with information about how to access Grand Rounds.