N E W P HYS I C I A N s
P U B L I C AT I O N S
O F N OT E
Massad LS, Einstein MH, Huh
WK, Katki HA, Kinney WK, Schiffman M, Solomon D, Wentzensen
N, Lawson HW; 2012 ASCCP
Consensus Guidelines Conference. “2012 updated consensus
guidelines for the management
of abnormal cervical cancer
screening tests and cancer precursors.” Obstet Gynecol. 2013
Apr;121(4):829-46.
Ellington DR, Polin MR, Szychowski JM, Deng L, Richter
HE. “The effect of obesity on
fecal incontinence symptom
distress, quality of life and
diagnostic testing measures in
women.” Intl Urogynecol J. 2013
Oct;24(10):1733-8.
UAB MEDICINE NEWS
UAB Helps Develop New Tool:
Virtual Pelvis in Immersive
Learning Environment
UAB pelvic medicine specialists have helped develop
an innovative educational experience using virtual reality
and immersive “walk-in” technology to enhance OB/GYN
UAB’s IVF Success Rates Hit New Highs
In the cave-like VisCube-SX laboratory, the holographic
image of the pelvis and its complex anatomy of bones,
pelvis and pelvic floor.
vasculature, ligaments, muscles, and blood vessels is projected
The results from a pilot study will be tested in a larger trial
in front of the trainee, who stands before the image wearing
that may add residents from other fields. Principal Investigator
special polarized glasses to view the 3D effect. Trainees can
Holly Richter, PhD, MD, says, “We believe this new learning
view the rotatable image from multiple angles and with the
tool, together with a new learning curriculum, will improve our
click of a device can choose to see anatomical structures in
residents’ knowledge and surgical confidence in the growing
isolation and add other structures.
The pilot study compared educational outcomes of traditional
expertise and qualifications in treating pelvic floor, bladder,
Program has recorded the highest success rates in its history.
The virtual pelvis
women should seek care from physicians with extensive
Final data from 2012 confirms that the UAB In Vitro Fertilization
residents’ understanding of the complex anatomy of the female
field of female pelvi c medicine and reconstructive surgery.”
and vagina issues,” says Richter. “This is especially true in
Wright Bates, MD, director of the Division of Reproductive
urogynecology, where a range of nonsurgical and surgical
Endocrinology and Infertility, credits the new technologically
treatments is available. As women live longer, it is important that
advanced IVF laboratory located in the UAB Women and Infants
they know that there is specialized expertise to manage these
Center and Laboratory Director Wes Edmonds, PhD, ELD. Bates
conditions.” FPMRS was accredited in 2011 by the American
says, “Although our overall pregnancy rate was remarkable, even
Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS). FPMRS is now
more impressive is the take-home baby rate for women less than
supported by jointly accredited fellowship programs at UAB
35 years and women who used donor oocytes at any age.” IVF
and 42 other institutions and is jointly boarded by the American
Program Director Janet McLaren, MD, also notes that, despite
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the American Board of
the record success, the complications of multiple pregnancies
Urology. Board exams were first offered in 2013.
were limited to one set of triplets from IVF in the last 2 years.
The division conducts a comprehensive fertility workup of both
All Ovarian Cancer Patients Offered Risk Assessment
All patients at UAB clinics who have ovarian cancer now are
teaching methods to the 3D immersive simulation. Results
oriented physicians in the trial found the immersive, 3D system
from pre- and post-tests were not statistically significant,
exciting and overall easy to navigate: “This technology may
but the virtual reality group did score better. The residents
Austin Transitions to New Role in OB/GYN
offered appointments at the Lynne Cohen and Norma Livingston
be used to supplement traditional techniques to better prepare
somewhat or strongly agreed that, with the exception of the
Max Austin, MD, whose career spanned nearly 4 decades, has
Preventive Care Program for Women’s Cancer at UAB.
tomorrow’s surgeons and medical specialists.”
complex vasculature component, the model could improve their
retired from clinical practice in the Division of Gynecologic
The clinic offers standard testing as well as next generation
knowledge of anatomy and patient care.
Oncology but will remain active in a new role as director of
sequencing. All patients at the risk assessment clinic are tested
philanthropic initiatives for the Department of Obstetrics and
and undergo formal genetic counseling by a certified genetic
Gynecology. “Max Austin had an outstanding career and has
counselor. Gynecologic oncologist Jacob Estes, MD, clinic
Ellington believes the model can also be used for training in
provided great service to his patients and colleagues,” says
codirector, says patients are offered a three-generation pedigree
surgical procedures. He says, “As 3D technology advances and
Division Director Ronald Alvarez, MD. “He also is known
with the possibility of testing for other hereditary cancer
Corey Shum and Eva Dennis, utilized the digital data from
miniaturizes its components, we may be able to produce the VR
for his dedication to education – he trained countless medical
syndromes based on family history. Charles Leath, III, MD,
Primal Pictures, Ltd, as well as resources from the Department
F eatured
c l inica l T R I A L S
CoPI David Ellington, MD, says that the young, spatially
Department of Mechanical Engineering, including Lab Director
Richter HE, Morgan SL, Gleason
JL, Szychowski JM, Goode PS,
Burgio KL. “Pelvic floor symptoms and bone mineral density in
women undergoing osteoporosis
evaluation.” Intl Urogynecol J.
2013 Oct;24(10):1663-9.
learning environment via special glasses, (Oculus VR, Irvine,
students, residents, and fellows, including many of our current
recently joined the clinic as one of the consulting physicians.
of Radiology, to create the virtual pelvis within the immersive
California) alone as opposed to going into the VisCube system,
faculty of seven practicing gynecologic oncologists.” Austin will
The clinic also utilizes nurse practitioners, genetic counselors,
system, the VisCube-SX.
making the system much more accessible to more people.”
be working with Senior Director of Development Erica Hollins
and research nurses to give patients comprehensive and
to raise funds to support expanding basic research initiatives for
individualized care.
ovarian cancer, education, and training, and other departmental
Estes is working on
development and outreach priorities. He earned his MD degree
a multi-institutional
The Division of Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive
Surgery constructed the pilot study with 3D images from the
educational software company Primal Pictures, Ltd (London).
The staff from the Enabling Technology Laboratory within the
TRINOVA-3. A Phase 3 Randomized,
Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled,
Multicenter Study of AMG386 with
Paclitaxel and Carboplatin as Firstline Treatment of Subjects with
FIGO Stage III-V Epithelial Ovarian,
Primary Peritoneal or Fallopian Tube
Cancers. NCT01493505. PI: Warner
Huh, MD. Contact: Rachel Richardson,
205.934.6578.
SUPER. A Multicenter Randomized
Prolapse Trial comparing the
effectiveness and safety of two
transvaginal apical suspension strategies
for uterovaginal prolapse: mesh
augmented hysteropexy vs. vaginal
hysterectomy and uterosacral ligament
suspension. NCT01802281. PI: Holly
Richter, PhD, MD. Contact: Velria Willis,
205.975.8522.
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Michelle Khan, MD, MPH, has been
appointed as an assistant professor
in the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology’s Division of Women’s
Reproductive Healthcare. Khan
earned her MD and MPH degrees
from the Robert Wood Johnson
Medical School and School of Public
Health, respectively, of the University
of Medicine and Dentistry of New
Jersey (now Rutgers Biomedical and
Health Sciences). She was a HHMI-NIH
Research Scholar for 2 years at the
National Cancer Institute in Rockville,
Maryland. Khan served an internship
and completed an obstetrics and
gynecology residency at Johns Hopkins
Hospital, Baltimore, and a fellowship in
reproductive infectious disease at the
University of California San Francisco.
Her clinical and research interests
include human papillomavirus, HIV,
anogenital dysplasia, screening and
treatment for cervical precancer and
cancer, reproductive tract and pelvic
infections, and prevention of preterm
birth.
F or R eferra l s : 8 0 0 . 8 2 2 . 6 4 7 8
The findings will be presented at the 2014 annual meeting of
the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons.
continued from cover
partners and tailors a treatment plan for each couple.
recommended to have genetic testing and counseling and are
trials in association with several adult Network Groups as well
preclinical laboratories will be invaluable in exploring the
from what is now the UAB School of Medicine in 1967,
immense scientific opportunities this new structure presents and
completed internship at Mobile General Hospital and residencies
examining a new
NCTN.
help develop new personalized cancer prevention and therapeutic
at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, and at UAB. He completed
education tool that
approaches. Multimodality groups with adequate resources are
a gynecologic oncology fellowship at UAB in 1975.
increases awareness
M e asu r e s of S ucc e ss
collaboration
as substantial accrual to clinical trials conducted across the entire
The UAB CCC is known for its ability to shepherd
investigator-initiated discoveries from its basic science programs
best suited to manage trials in the new environment and provide
into clinical trials and is or has been home to NCI SPORE
for rapid and effective transfer of new treatments to patient care.”
awards in Breast, Pancreas, Cervical, Ovarian, and Brain
In the GOG, Alvarez is cochair of the committee that reviews
3 in New Pelvic Disorders Specialty
Three physicians from the Department of Obstetrics and
and approves its clinical trials and leads a phase 2 GOG trial
Gynecology were among those who recently received
evaluating a novel IL-12 expressing lipopolymer in patients with
certification in a new subspecialty, Female Pelvic Medicine and
based more on understanding the genetics and environmental
recurrent ovarian cancer; colleague Warner Huh, MD, directs
Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS). Holly Richter, MD, Robert
factors that put patients at risk for cancer and the molecular
a phase 1/2 trial investigating a novel listeria-based vaccine in
Varner Jr, MD, and Robert Holley, MD, all of the Division of
biology associated with each individual cancer,” says Alvarez.
patients with recurrent cervical cancer.
of hereditary breast
and ovarian cancer
syndrome and
Ashley Wright, MD, has joined
the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology as an assistant professor in
the Division of Women’s Reproductive
Healthcare. She earned her MD degree
at the UAB School of Medicine and
completed a residency in obstetrics
and gynecology at the University
of Kentucky, Lexington. Wright’s
clinical and research interests include
benign gynecologic surgery and
preconception counseling.
UAB
Gynecologic
Oncology
2008-‐2012
Pa6ent
Volume
3,000
2,500
2,000
1,500
Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, received
cancers.
“Oncology has been evolving into a more complex discipline
“UAB’s comprehensive medical training programs and
FPMRS certificates. “As with any subspecialty medical issue,
potentially leads to
testing of high risk
individuals.
1,000
500
0
Ovarian
Cancer
Endometrial
Cancer
Cervical
Cancer
Each year, the GYN-Oncology division sees approximately 8000 patients, including 1500 new patients,
and performs about 1600 surgical cases, including over 400 robotic cases.
M ore I nformation : u a b m e d i c i n e . o r g / p h y s i c i a n
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