School of Medicine
Showing 1-100 of 273 Results
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Karen E. Adams MD, FACOG, DipABLM, MSCP
Clinical Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - General
BioDr. Adams is a Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford University and Farwell Family Director of the Stanford Program in Menopause & Healthy Aging. She is doubly board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) and Lifestyle Medicine, a Menopause Society-certified menopause practitioner, and fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health. She serves on the Board of Trustees of The Menopause Society, is a faculty affiliate of the Stanford Center on Longevity, and a member of the Advisory Board of the Stanford Women's Health and Sex Differences Center.
She has been practicing for over 30 years with focused expertise on menopause management, female sexual dysfunction treatment, and lifestyle medicine. Prior to her arrival at Stanford,, Dr. Adams was Professor Emeritus and director of the Menopause and Sexual Medicine Program at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). She also served as Vice Chair for Education and Residency Program Director at OHSU for 14 years.
Her deep-rooted dedication to women’s health is evidenced by her leadership in numerous professional societies, committees, and boards and by the many awards she has received, including the Mentor of the Year Award from the American College of OBGYN. Dr. Adams is a recognized leader in medical education, having served on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics and on the national Review Committee for Obstetrics and Gynecology of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Dr. Adams has provided expert commentary to the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, the Washington Post, and hundreds of independent print and online media outlets. She is an expert educator, hosting the Stanford Conversations in Menopause & Healthy Aging Podcast and educating audiences nationally and internationally, including delivering a popular TEDx talk “Sleep, Sex, and Menopausal Zest” that has received 170 thousand views.
https://www.ted.com/talks/dr_karen_adams_sleep_sex_and_menopausal_zest -
Lusine Aghajanova, M.D., Ph.D.
Clinical Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
BioDr. Aghajanova received her medical degree from Yerevan State Medical University in Armenia, followed by residency in obstetrics and gynecology, then completed PhD in Human Implantation at Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, followed with embryology training at Karolinska Institute, with an Internship in Austria.
She continued her research as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of California San Francisco.
Subsequently, Dr. Aghajanova completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas and at UC San Francisco. She proceeded then with subspecialty fellowship training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at UC San Francisco. Dr Aghajanova joined Stanford in 2017. She is a respected researcher in the field of endometrial receptivity, implantation and endometriosis, as well as access to reproductive care. She is the Program Director for REI fellowship at Stanford Medicine. She is also Director of Thirds Party Reproduction at Stanford Fertility and Reproductive Care.
Dr. Aghajanova speaks Russian and Armenian and is very well published with over 90 peer-reviewed publications as well as numerous other oral and poster presentations and is a professional peer-reviewer for over 12 journals, including Nature Journals and leading journals in field of reproduction.
Dr.Aghajanova enjoys spending time with her husband and children, and traveling. -
Alexandriah Nicole Alas, MD
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
BioDr. Alas is a board-certified, fellowship-trained urogynecologist with Stanford Health Care Obstetrics & Gynecology. She is also a pelvic surgeon and a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She specializes in minimally invasive urogynecology and reconstructive pelvic surgery, including vaginal, laparoscopic, robotic and VNOTES approaches.
Dr. Alas has expertise in treating pelvic organ prolapse, urinary and fecal incontinence, bladder pain, vaginal fistulas, mesh and non-mesh procedures as well as treating complications. In addition, she offers uterine preservation surgeries as well as non-surgical options. She is trained in a variety of in-office procedures, including urodynamics, office cystoscopy, bladder Botox injections, urethral injections, PTNS, and sacral neuromodulation tests.
Dr. Alas is nationally recognized for her expertise and serves as a national oral board examiner for the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is passionate about teaching and has served as the associate fellowship director in Urogynecology in the past and currently supervises, teaches, and mentors medical students, residents, and fellows in urogynecology.
Dr. Alas is actively involved in research and serves on the Society of Gynecological Surgeons Systematic Review Group. She has published her work in many peer-reviewed journals, including International Urogynecology Journal, Journal of Urology, and Obstetrics & Gynecology. She also serves as a reviewer for several peer-reviewed journals and has presented her research nationally and internationally. -
Abdelrahman AlAshqar, MD
Affiliate, Department Funds
Fellow in Obstetrics & Gynecology - OncologyCurrent Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. AlAshqar has worked in clinical translational gynecologic research at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine since 2018. His early research focused on cardiometabolic risk in benign gynecology and outcomes of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery before shifting to gynecologic cancer research at Yale while still extrapolating from his prior research interests. He primarily investigated the association between cardiovascular disease and gynecologic malignancies and his research on this topic earned the award for best Chief Resident Research Presentation at graduation. Dr. AlAshqar is well published with several of his papers accepted in Nature, American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Green Journal, and Gynecologic Oncology. Particularly interested in ovarian cancer research advancement, Dr. AlAshqar hopes to be part of the movement that revolutionizes the paradigm for ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment.
At Stanford, Dr. AlAshqar joined Dr. Rankin's lab, where his research investigates how the EPO/EPOR axis contributes to the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer, work aimed at uncovering new diagnostic and therapeutic targets for this aggressive tumor. -
Ruben Alvero, M.D.
BioDr. Ruben Alvero is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford Medical School and is the Division Director of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. He is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He is a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American College of Surgeons.
Following undergraduate training at Harvard College (BA, Economics, 1980), Dr. Alvero received his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland in 1986. He completed his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (1990) and a fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the National Institutes of Health (NIH, 1995).
Dr. Alvero was the Division Director for Infertility Services at the National Naval Medical Center (Bethesda) and Walter Reed Army Medical Center and faculty in the NIH-sponsored fellowship in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Dr. Alvero remained a reserve Colonel in the U.S. Army Medical Corps until 2012 and during 27 years in the Army was mobilized several times for missions around the world, including service in Iraq, Kuwait, Mongolia, Germany and various locations in the United States.
Dr. Alvero was Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice Chair for Education at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and the Director of the Assisted Reproductive Technologies, and founding member of the Center for Surgical Innovation. Dr. Alvero was Residency Program Director in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado. He was subsequently Division and Fellowship Director at Brown University.
The Council in Residency Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology awarded him its National Faculty Award for Excellence three times. He has been NIH-funded, most recently as part of the Reproductive Medicine Network.
Dr. Alvero is currently the Vice President of the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology, the national organization of fertility specialists and will take over as President in October 2020.
Dr. Alvero’s clinical interests include IVF, polycystic ovary syndrome, endometriosis and robotic surgery. Dr. Alvero’s research interests include non-invasive evaluation of embryo quality, cost-effectiveness analysis, and the role of critical thinking in medical education. A fluent Spanish-speaker, Dr. Alvero is also dedicated to improving the health of the Latinx community.
Dr. Alvero is happiest on the water, whether sailing or singles rowing. He is also constantly attempting to improve his mastery of Latin American cuisine. Most of all, he loves spending time with his family. -
Diana Atashroo
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
BioDr. Diana Atashroo is coming to Stanford Hospital from NorthShore UniversityHealthSysteml in Illinois, affiliated with the the University of Chicago-Pritzker School of Medicine.
Dr. Atashroo sees patients for general gynecology and a variety of other complex gynecologic issues. Her expertise includes evaluation and management of complex pelvic pathology and pelvic pain. Her special interests include: pudendal neuralgia and other peripheral neuropathic pain conditions, pelvic floor muscle spasms, vulvodynia, pelvic congestion syndrome, endometriosis, and interstitial cystitis. She also performs minimally-invasive gynecologic surgery, including laparoscopic and robotic procedures. She has special skills in ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks, office procedures, and Botox trigger point injections.
She has leadership roles within AAGL (American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists) and IPPS (International Pelvic Pain Society) and has presented on various topics related to pelvic pain.
Dr. Atashroo is committed to furthering the well-being of women, and strives to provider her patients with an individualized and comprehensive approach. -
Richard Barth
Professor of Radiology (Pediatric Radiology) and, by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Maternal Fetal Medicine)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMagnetic Resonance Imaging and Sonographic diagnosis of fetal anomalies.
Focus interest in the diagnosis and conservative (non-surgical and minimal radiation) management of congenital broncho pulmonary malformations.
Imaging of appendicitis in children.
Sonography of the pediatric testis. -
Barry Behr, Ph.D., H.C.L.D.
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility), Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDevelopment of improved embryo culture conditions in vitro. Blastocyst cultures. Embryo metabolism in vitro. Embryo maternal dialogue. Clinical application and integration of extended embryo culture systems. Monozygotic twinning. Prevention of multiple pregnancy. Sperm motility enhancers. Fluorescent and non-fluorescent markers of sperm morphology and viablility. Oocyte cryopreservation. Fertility preservation. Improving IVF outcome.
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Jonathan S. Berek, MD, MMSc
Laurie Kraus Lacob Professor
BioLaurie Kraus Lacob Professor
Stanford University School of Medicine
Founding Director, Stanford Women’s Cancer Center
Senior Advisor, Stanford Cancer Institute
Co-Chair, Senior Academy at Stanford Medicine
President, Stanford University Phi Beta Kappa
Director, MedArts Films
Faculty Director, Health Communication
Stanford Center for Health Education
A Stanford faculty member since 2005, Professor Berek is renowned for his many contributions to and expertise in gynecologic oncology, especially surgical innovation and techniques, and his research in immunology and immunotherapy. Through many laboratory and clinical investigations, he pioneered the use of regionally-administered immunotherapy in ovarian cancer patients. His early laboratory research focused on fundamental mechanisms of cancer immunology, elucidating growth regulatory pathways for cytokines and their receptors. His current research focuses on clinical trials of novel therapies and immunotherapies for ovarian cancer and collaborations on new diagnostics, screening techniques, and genetics.
An author and editor, Professor Berek has published more than 360 peer-reviewed manuscripts in the scientific literature, and numerous book chapters and monographs. His books, Berek & Hacker’s Gynecologic Oncology, now in its 7th edition, and Berek & Novak’s Gynecology, in its 17th edition, are leading texts in the field. He is the Series Editor for Operative Techniques in Gynecologic Surgery, for which five textbooks on various subspecialty topics in Obstetrics and Gynecology have been published. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief for Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology, and he is a former Editor-in-Chief of ASCO Connection, published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Professor Berek received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and Theatre Arts, and a Master of Medical Sciences degree in biomedical sciences from Brown University. After earning his Doctor of Medicine from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, he completed an internship and residency at Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Before moving to Stanford, he was on the faculty at the UCLA School of Medicine for more than two decades.
Professor Berek has received many honors and accolades. Dr. Berek is the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Honoree of the American Cancer Society for his many accomplishments in women’s cancer treatment and research. In 2022, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society of Gynecologic Cancer for his contributions to the field of gynecologic oncology.
In addition to his medical career, Professor Berek is an active documentary filmmaker—creating and directing films on a variety of medical topics that are highlighted by patient stories. He is the Director and Producer of MedArts Films https://vimeo.com/medarts/videos. He directed a series of films for the Stanford Office of Medical Development, and many short films for the Stanford Center for Health Education that are found on YouTube at the Stanford Medicine Health Shelf. https://www.youtube.com/@Stanford_CHE/playlists
In collaboration with the Under One Umbrella Committee and Stanford Medical Center Development, Professor Berek has led a highly successful fundraising program for the Stanford Women’s Cancer Center. Since 2009, these Under One Umbrella philanthropy efforts have generated substantial support for innovative research programs in women’s cancer via concerts headlined by celebrities, including Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Tom Hanks, Rita Wilson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Darlene Love, and Harry Connick Jr.
https://www.facebook.com/StanfordWomensCancerCenter/ -
Y. Katherine Bianco
Clinical Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine
BioI am Latinx Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist and Medical Geneticist and a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Stanford University. I direct the Maternal Heart Program at Stanford Children’s Hospital and Clinics, leading a multidisciplinary team caring for complex cardiac conditions in pregnancy. I am dedicated educator and mentor, that have trained more than 50 trainees spanning from high school students to junior faculty. I serve in the Dean’s Office for Faculty Professional Development and Engagement and oversees the OBGYN Advance and Promotions, where i support advances programs to support faculty growth, mentorship, and academic success. My work integrates genetics, cardiology, and maternal health to improve outcomes for women and families. My clinical interest in pregnancies complicated with birth defects has led my underlying research interests in genomic abnormalities in the human trophoblast carrying to faulty placentation. The latter began with initial work during K12 and KO8 funding. I took a great interest in the human placenta as it carries potential advantages over other tissues sources: first, this highly metabolically active organ is the potential source of many transcripts. Second, the placenta forms at a very early stage of embryonic development, potentially allowing detection of primary alterations as compared to secondary changes that may mask the underlying causal phenomena. Finally, studying early placentation may provide targets for development of novel molecular approaches, such as up-regulate or down-regulate genes, the protein products of which could potentially serve as molecular surrogates for diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy complication such as miscarriages, pre-eclampsia, pregnancy induced hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation. This work has led to the first Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18, trisomy 13 cell lines established from human placentas making it possible to apply gene editing in the early stages of human trophoblast development.
As my primary clinical responsibility involves treating patients needing medical care and support through their high risk pregnancies, I am interested in factors that may impact outcomes, such as prenatal screening and diagnosis, maternal heart conditions, labor and delivery management, and safety approaches for the second stage of labor.
With regards to my interest in fetal medicine, I have worked in collaboration with other specialists such as radiologists and pediatric cardiologists utilizing imagining studies to assess and determine successful perinatal care and fetal survival.
. My career has been defined by a commitment to addressing the most pressing drivers of maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly cardiovascular disease in pregnancy. I have led multidisciplinary maternal cardiac programs at UCSF and Stanford, impacting over 600 high-risk pregnancies and demonstrating how team-based care transforms outcomes.
Beyond clinical innovation, my work spans translational science and global health. I have contributed to advancing prenatal diagnostics—validating tools for non-invasive prenatal testing, improving detection of conditions like Down syndrome. Globally, I’ve led training initiatives in countries with high maternal mortality, such as India, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica, building capacity through education and simulation.
Equally central is mentorship. I have mentored over 50 trainees across all levels, fostering diversity and advancing women in medicine. My work goes beyond language access to cultural humility, improving care for diverse populations.
As a physician who bridges worlds—from my modest beginnings in a lower-middle-income country, through medical training in the U.S., to leading at Stanford—I know that diverse paths shape stronger futures. I believe that every mother’s life saved is a generation empowered—and through science, mentorship, and equity, -
Yair Blumenfeld, MD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Maternal Fetal Medicine)
Current Research and Scholarly Interestsprenatal diagnosis, genetics, clinical obstetrics
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Paul D. Blumenthal, MD, MPH
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Gynecology-Family Planning) at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsImproving Access to Family Planning Services in Low Resource Settings:
Through a collaboration with Population Services International, the Stanford Program for International Reproductive Education and Services (SPIRES) provides technical direction in a program designed to improve access to and uptake of family planning, particularly Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) such as IUDs and implants, in 14 developing countries globally. The first year saw insertion of over 280,000 IUDs. -
Laura Brodzinsky
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsSpecial interest in women with vulvodynia and other genital pain disorders.
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Blaz Bush
Executive Director -LGBTQ+ Health Program, LGBTQ+
BioWith over a decade of LGBTQ+ affirming healthcare experience from care coordination and program development to education and training, Bláz Bush joined Stanford Medicine as the inaugural Executive Director of the LGBTQ+ Health Program in 2022. Bláz expertly leads strategic growth for the program across the Stanford Medicine Enterprise, represents the program and initiatives to internal and external stakeholders, unifies the multidisciplinary efforts for LGBTQ+ health, develops equitable best practice curriculum and trainings, and facilitates restorative circles for students, faculty, and staff.
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Erica P. Cahill MD, MSCP
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Current Research and Scholarly Interestsreproductive and sexual health care and education
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Suzan L Carmichael, PhD, MS
Professor (Research) of Pediatrics (Neonatology), of Obstetrics & Gynecology (Maternal Fetal Medicine) and, by courtesy, of Epidemiology and Population Health
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Carmichael is a perinatal and nutritional epidemiologist and Professor of Pediatrics and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
Her team is committed to finding ways to improve maternal and infant health outcomes and equity by leading research that identifies effective leverage points for change, from upstream 'macro' social and structural factors, to downstream clinical factors (eg, related to care and morbidities) through a collaborative research approach that integrates epidemiologic approaches with community engagement and systems thinking.
Exposure themes include social context, nutrition, care, environmental contaminants and genetics. Outcome themes include severe maternal morbidity, stillbirth, birth defects, and preterm delivery. She is particularly interested in understanding the intersectionality of these varied types of exposures and outcomes and how they interact to impact health and health disparities, for the mother-baby dyad.
Please see the team web-site for further information!
https://med.stanford.edu/carmichaellab.html -
Brendan Carvalho
Professor of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine (Obstetrics) and, by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Maternal Fetal Medicine)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMy main research interest is in clinical and translational research related to cesarean delivery and labor analgesia as well as maternal-fetal pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics drug modeling.
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John K. Chan
Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Gynecologic Oncology
BioAs a board-certified gynecologic oncologist caring for cancer patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and biologic treatment over the last 20 years, I have a deep understanding of the pathophysiology of ovarian, uterine, cervical, and vulvovaginal cancers. I trained at MD Anderson Cancer Center under the Felix Rutledge oncology fellowship and at University of California, Los Angeles and Irvine for Medical School and Gynecologic Oncology fellowship.
My translational science research on cancer immunotherapy was supported under a National Institute of Health Career Development Award. With respect to population science, I studied ovarian cancer prevention and outcomes under a National Cancer Institute grant. As a clinical researcher, I served as the principal investigator for numerous phase II and III clinical trials and received multiple grants and awards, including those from the National Cancer Institute, the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation, Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, and the Gynecologic Oncology Group / NRG.
Over the years, my research studies have published nearly 200 peer-reviewed journals in the New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American Medical Association, Lancet Oncology, Journal of Clinical Oncology and Clinical Cancer Research and numerous textbook chapters. Clinically, I have been elected as the Best doctor in America and Best Doctors as recognized by the U.S. News and World Report. -
Rachel Ellen Chan Seay
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - General
BioMy clinical focus is the care of people across the age spectrum from adolescence to menopause. I attend to both Obstetric and benign Gynecologic needs in both ambulatory and hospital settings. I strive to provide a holistic approach to consultations for full-scope benign Gyn medical and surgical problems. In my practice of clinical medicine, I strongly value the role of education across all levels, including medical staff, students, resident physicians, patients and their families. I emphasize effective communication, professionalism, and inclusive patient-centered care.
I am actively involved in national and international programs that focus on teaching medical students, residents and faculty. Since completing my residency training, I have worked regularly in international low-resource settings. I have served as Visiting Clinical Faculty in Thomonde, Haiti; at Hospital Nacional Juan Jose Ortega in Coatepeque, Guatemala; and at Orotta School of Medicine in Asmara, Eritrea. I have completed emergency OBGYN field assignments as a clinical consultant for Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) in Sierra Leone and South Sudan. I worked as a consultant for an academic partnership with the University of Colorado School of Public Health to train local traditional birth attendants, and developed a long-term partnership to augment the local OBGYN residency program in Coatepeque in the southwest Trifinio region of Guatemala. I was the 2015 Research Fellow in the History of American Ob/Gyn at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington DC, where my research focused on the evolution of the management of postpartum hemorrhage in the US from 1903-1940. Since 2023, I have served as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Global Health Equity in Butaro, Rwanda.
My ongoing scholarly activities focus on designing global health curricula for medical trainees from high-resources settings, and supporting medical education in low-resource settings. -
Lisa Chao, MD, FACOG
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
BioDr. Lisa Chao is a fellowship-trained, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon who specializes in complex pelvic surgery for benign gynecologic conditions including endometriosis, pelvic pain, uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, adnexal cysts, and other conditions that may require minimally invasive surgery. She is devoted to improving women’s health through evidence-based practice and by providing compassionate, holistic, and patient-centered approach to care. Committed to helping those with endometriosis and pelvic pain, she takes on a multimodal and multidisciplinary approach. Her clinical interests include complex gynecologic surgery, advanced laparoscopic techniques, large fibroids, advanced endometriosis, and pelvic pain. Her academic interests include surgical education and simulation training.
Dr. Chao earned her medical degree at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University and received advanced training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery through a fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Magee-Womens Hospital. Prior to returning to Stanford University, she was a member of the faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX and served as Associate Director of the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship Program where she trained both fellows and residents.
Dr. Chao has authored many peer-reviewed research articles and delivered numerous presentations at international meetings. She is a peer reviewer for the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has been a ‘Top Reviewer’ since 2020 for the journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is also an active member of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), and the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS). She holds leadership positions and serves as an expert on several national committees for these organizations. -
Bertha Chen, MD
Jill and John Freidenrich Professor of Gynecology and Professor, by courtesy, of Urology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsDr. Chen’s research examines the molecular causes of urinary incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction. Recognizing that urinary incontinence linked to demise of smooth muscle sphincter function, she is investigating the potential use of stem cell regeneration to restore muscle capacity.
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Usha Chitkara
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Stanford University Medical Center, Emerita
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsRh disease, other red call isoimmunization, e.g. Kell, etc.
I.T.P. and alloimmune thrombocytopenia
Multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets, etc.) and associated problems and procedures
Ultrasound referrals -- complicated and routine
Procedures --cordocentesis, intrauterine transfusion; selective termination or reduction in multiple pregnancy. -
Valerie Chock
Professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology) and, by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Maternal Fetal Medicine)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsNeurological monitoring in critically ill infants. Altered hemodynamics in neonates, especially in relation to prematurity, congenital heart disease, and central nervous system injury. Determination of the hemodynamic significance and effects of a patent ductus arteriosus in the preterm infant. Utilizing NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) and other technologies for improved monitoring in the NICU.
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Stephanie Chow
Clinical Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Gynecologic Oncology
BioDr. Chow is a fellowship-trained gynecologic oncologist. She is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology.
She treats the full spectrum of gynecologic cancers, including cervical, endometrial, ovarian, vaginal, and vulvar. She emphasizes minimally invasive treatment and performs laparoscopic and robotic surgery.
Dr. Chow works closely with radiation oncology, genetics, and other oncologic specialists in a multidisciplinary setting to provide high quality, evidence-based, and individualized care. Dr. Chow is a strong advocate for patient education and strives to deliver compassionate care to patients and their families.
Dr. Chow has conducted extensive clinical research. Her work has focused on the role of the sentinel lymph node biopsy technique for gynecologic cancer, therapeutic vaccines for ovarian cancer, the impact of race on the development of uterine cancer, and other topics. She has published in Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Gynecologic Oncology, Scientific Reports, and other peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Chow has also won numerous honors and awards for her scholarship and research achievements. In fellowship, she earned the AACR Doreen J. Putrah Cancer Research Foundation Scholar-In-Training Award. She was also awarded the AAGL Recognition of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology.
Dr. Chow is a member of the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO), American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL), and American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). -
Kamilee Christenson, MD
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - General
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsImproving access to effective birth control. Improving access to safe abortions.
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Stephanie Cizek
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Clinical Associate Professor (By courtesy), PediatricsBioI am a Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecologist, which combines my passion for gynecology with my love of working with children and young adults (and the people who care for them!). My approach to providing care is a collaborative one: my patients are individually unique and special, and their care should be tailored to be the best fit for them.
Prior to joining the Stanford faculty, I completed a fellowship in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, From an academic standpoint, my current research focuses include: Gynecologic care for Oncology Survivors including Onco-Fertility and vulvovaginal graft-versus-host disease; gynecologic care of patients with Anorectal Malformations; Differences of Sex Development, Intersex conditions, and reproductive tract differences; and surgical care in pediatric gynecology. -
Craig V. Comiter
Professor of Urology and, by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsUsing various animal models of bladder outlet obstruction as a representation of human prostatic disease, I am investigating how intervening with pharmacotherapy, neuromodulation, and other novel therapies may help to reverse the adverse changes in the bladder due to the obstruction.
I also am investigating new, minimally invasive treatments for post-prostatectomy urinary incontinence.
I am also investigating the role of neruomodulation in the treatment of chronic pelvic pain and IC. -
Jennifer Conti, MD, MS, MSc
Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - General
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsClinical decision making around abortion choices; pain management with abortion
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Ruth Ann Crystal
Adjunct Clinical Instructor, Obstetrics & Gynecology
BioDr. Crystal is a board certified, Stanford trained Ob/Gyn physician entrepreneur with interests in healthcare innovation and human centered design.
Dr. Crystal has worked with over a dozen healthcare start ups advising them on business development, social media strategy, product development and discovery of the unmet needs of physicians and patients. In addition, as a mentor for incubators including Stanford Start X, Philips Healthworks and for Backstage Capital, Dr. Crystal has coached companies in AI and digital health, medical devices and biotech. At StartX, Dr. Crystal has been a neighborhood lead for biotechnology, digital IT and product strategy and customer development. She is also helping female founders with networking and mentorship.
Dr. Crystal is a thought leader on healthcare innovation and has over 10,000 followers on Twitter at @CatchTheBaby. She has been a clinical instructor at Healthcare Design classes at the Stanford d.school every since 2013.
Recently, Dr. Crystal made an online handbook on Coronavirus (COVID19) in which she has crowd sourced pertinent information from doctors around the world via the handbook, a WhatsApp group and a Slack group with 1000 doctors from many different countries who are helping each other to fight this new disease. -
Kay Daniels
Clinical Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsSpecial interest in :
1.Ob simulation as a teaching and training tool
2. Disaster planning for OB units
3. Global women's health with an emphasis in cervical cancer screening -
Gary Darmstadt
Sue Alvarez Professor of Neonatal and Developmental Medicine and Professor (Teaching), by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsI have extensive experience in the development of global health innovations and in working to test and scale-up health interventions. At Stanford University, I am playing a leading role in developing global women and children’s health research and educational programs, including the establishment of a Global Center for Gender Equality at Stanford University. My research focuses on advancing child health and development in low resource settings and advancing gender equality and health globally, and includes several applications of artificial intelligence. Before joining Stanford, I was Senior Fellow at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), where I led the development of initiatives to address gender inequalities and empower women and girls. Prior to this role, I served as the BMGF Director of Family Health, leading strategy development and implementation across maternal, newborn and child health, nutrition, and family planning. In this role, I was responsible for investments ranging from scientific discovery to intervention development and delivery of interventions at scale. I worked closely with the Discovery team to shape discovery and development investments and was a co-founder of the Saving Lives at Birth Development Grand Challenge, the Putting Women and Girls at the Center of Development Grand Challenge, and the Healthy Birth, Growth and Development initiative. Based on these experiences, I understand how to identify knowledge gaps and generate evidence of impact for new interventions, and how to utilize evidence to influence the policy dialogue leading to programmatic adoption and scale-up of interventions in low income settings. As Director of Family Health, I also co-led the development and implementation of the BMGF global health strategy for India, which cuts across multiple health and development sectors. Before joining BMGF, I was Associate Professor and Founding Director of the International Center for Advancing Neonatal Health in the Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. I led the development of newborn health research, including numerous facility- and community-based maternal and child health research trials. Before joining Johns Hopkins, I was Senior Research Advisor for the $50M Saving Newborn Lives program of Save the Children-US, where I led the development and implementation of the global research strategy for newborn health and survival.
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Cynthia DeTata MD, MACM, FACOG
Clinical Associate Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsMedical Education
Health Disparities
Curriculum Design
Learning environment
Teamwork
Simulation
Postpartum care
Flipped Classroom learning
Game learning
Postpartum care -
Florence DiBiase, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Maternal Fetal Medicine
BioDr. DiBiase is an obstetrician and gynecologist with the Stanford Health Care Gynecology Clinic in Palo Alto. She is also a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. DiBiase specializes in providing comprehensive, holistic obstetric and gynecologic care for patients from adolescence through menopause. She aims to provide patient-centric, equitable, and excellent care. Her area of clinical interests includes minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, family planning care, and patient advocacy. Dr. Dibiase also brings a global perspective to her medical practice. Her training and experience include delivering a broad range of medical care to diverse populations in Vietnam, as well as providing OB-GYN services to women in Uganda.
Dr. DiBiase’s clinical research interests include improving care of patients with substance use disorders in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. She is also currently engaged in developing training curricula for medical students, providers, and hospital staff to increase awareness of and combat racism in reproductive health care settings. Her aim is to help clinicians foster inclusive care environments that provide antiracist, equitable care to all patient demographics.
Dr. DiBiase has published her work in peer-reviewed journals and presented at multiple national meetings. She also recently coauthored a chapter in the third edition of Pocket Obstetrics and Gynecology, a widely used reference for OB-GYN trainees and practitioners. -
Sheila Dolezal
Contingent OTP 3, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Current Role at StanfordDirector of Finance & Administration, Department of Obstatrics & Gynecology
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Maurice L. Druzin
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Maternal Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics), Emeritus
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsAntepartum and intrapartum fetal monitoring Prenatal diagnosis Medical complications of pregnancy, particularly: SLE, hypertension, diabetes, malignancy A.
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Yasser El-Sayed, Professor
Charles B. and Ann L. Johnson Professor in the School of Medicine and Professor, by courtesy, of Pediatrics (Neonatology) and of Surgery
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsHigh Risk Obstetrics: preterm labor, preeclampsia, medical and surgical complications of pregnancy, prenatal diagnosis and therapy
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Ekene Enemchukwu, MD, MPH, FACS, URPS
Associate Professor of Urology and, by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Urogynecology)
On Partial Leave from 2026-08-01 To 2026-08-31Current Research and Scholarly InterestsHealth Services Research in the areas of urinary incontinence and genitourinary syndrome of menopause, quality of life, patient outcomes, quality improvement, patient satisfaction, and shared decision making.
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Margaret T. Fuller
Reed-Hodgson Professor of Human Biology, Katharine Dexter McCormick and Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor and Professor of Genetics and of Obstetrics/Gynecology (Reproductive and Stem Cell Biology)
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsRegulation of self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation in adult stem cell lineages. Developmental tumor suppressor mechanisms and regulation of the switch from proliferation to differentiation. Cell type specific transcription machinery and regulation of cell differentiation. Developmental regulation of cell cycle progression during male meiosis.
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Pejman Ghanouni, MD, PhD
Professor of Radiology (Body MRI) and, by courtesy, of Neurosurgery, of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of Urology
BioDr. Ghanouni is a board-certified, fellowship-trained diagnostic radiologist with Stanford Health Care Radiology. He is an associate professor in the Department of Radiology, Division of Body MRI at Stanford University School of Medicine, and by courtesy, of Urology, of Neurosurgery, and of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Dr. Ghanouni is the director of the Stanford Health Care Minimally Invasive MR Interventional Center (MIMRIC) and the Focused Ultrasound Center of Excellence. He is also chief of the Division of Body MRI at Stanford University School of Medicine.
Dr. Ghanouni is recognized around the world for his extensive expertise in using advanced imaging to diagnose, manage, and treat a wide range of conditions and disorders. As a renowned leader in diagnostic and MRI-guided interventional radiology, Dr. Ghanouni creates a customized care plan for each of his patients.
Dr. Ghanouni’s research interests include the latest advances in MR-guided focused ultrasound techniques to treat essential tremor, Parkinson’s disease, prostate cancer, bone tumors, desmoid tumors, and uterine fibroids. An experienced physician-scientist, Dr. Ghanouni has collaboratively led clinical trials and research initiatives that explore treatments for epilepsy, pancreatic cancer, and several types of tumors. Through these clinical trials, Dr. Ghanouni has helped secure FDA approval for many MR-guided focused ultrasound treatments.
His articles have been published in dozens of peer-reviewed medical journals, including Lancet Oncology, Neurology, Investigative Radiology, European Radiology, Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Journal of Neurosurgery, New England Journal of Medicine, and Radiology. Dr. Ghanouni has been invited to speak at conferences and symposiums all over the nation and the world, including in Rome, Italy; Tel Aviv, Israel; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He is widely regarded for his groundbreaking research as well as his clinical expertise.
Dr. Ghanouni is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound, and the European Focused Ultrasound Society.
MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Bwq2YxD9eU -
Talayeh Ghezelayagh
Instructor, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Gynecologic Oncology
BioTalayeh Ghezelayagh, M.D., M.P.H, is an Instructor in the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Stanford University School of Medicine. She received her medical degree from the University of San Francisco, CA School of Medicine and earned a master’s in public health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She then completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellowship in gynecologic oncology at the University of Washington.
Dr. Ghezelayagh’s research focuses on improving cancer risk predictions and health outcomes in patients at increased familial or genetic risk of gynecologic cancers. She is a clinically active gynecologic oncologist but spends much of her clinical work counseling and treating patients at higher risk for developing gynecologic cancers. -
Anna Girsen
Dir Fin and Adm (SoM) 2, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Current Role at StanfordAs Director of Finance and Administration for Stanford’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, I lead strategic, financial, and operational functions supporting clinical care, research, and education. I oversee a $60M portfolio spanning hospital partnerships, research administration, and faculty affairs—advancing innovation, equity, and precision health across Stanford Medicine.
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Linda Giudice
Stanley McCormick Memorial Professor in the School of Medicine, Emerita
Current Research and Scholarly InterestsOur research is in reproductive endocrinology and reproductive genomics. It focuses on human endometrial biology as it relates to basic biological mechanisms underlying steroid hormone action in this tissue, normal and abnormal placenta-decidua interactions, mechanisms underlying placentation and abnormal fetal growth, endometrial stem cells, and functional genomics for diagnostics and therapeutics of endometrial disorders. We also study mechanisms underlying ovarian follicle steroidogenesis.
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Lou Halamek
Professor of Pediatrics (Neonatology) and, by courtesy, of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Current Research and Scholarly Interests1. development of hospital operations centers coupled with sophisticated simulation capabilities
2. re-creation of near misses and adverse events
3. optimizing human and system performance during resuscitation
4. optimizing pattern recognition and situational awareness at the bedside
5. evaluation and optimization of debriefing
6. patient simulator design
