Penn Medicine Welcomes the following physicians to our team

Jamie Bastek, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the maternal-fetal medicine division joined the department in July 2012.  Dr. Bastek is also a Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholar; her research is focused on preterm birth.










Lorraine Dugoff, MD, joined the department of obstetrics and gynecology and divisions of maternal-fetal medicine and reproductive genetics as an associate professor in January 2012.  Dr. Dugoff is an expert on prenatal genetic diagnosis and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Dr. Dugoff was formerly the director of prenatal diagnosis at the University of Colorado.






Celeste Durnwald, MD, an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal-fetal medicine joined the department in January 2012. Dr. Durnwald was formerly  the co-director of the diabetes in pregnancy program at The Ohio State University. Her clinical focus is maternal fetal medicine and she specializes in the management of diabetes during pregnancy.Dr. Durnwald is director of the Diabetes in Pregnancy Program.






Alhambra Frarey, MD, joined Penn Ob/Gyn Associates as an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in August 2012 and provides obstetric and gynecologic care.










Heidi Harvie, MD, MSCE, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology was appointed director of Penn Urogynecology at Pennsylvania Hospital. She treats a variety of conditions, including incontinence and uterine prolapse, using minimally invasive surgical techniques like robotic-assisted surgery.









Pamela Neff, MD, a gynecologist and former Penn resident, joined Dr. Wanda Ronner’s practice at Pennsylvania Hospital in August 2012.  Her clinical focus includes gynecology and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.










Sara Pentlicky, MD, MPH, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology joined the Penn Family Planning and Pregnancy Loss Center in July 2012.  She also sees gynecology patients at Penn Ob/Gyn Associates.










Dana Shanis, MD, joined Penn Ob/Gyn Associates in August 2012. Dr. Shanis also sees patients at Penn Health for Women in Radnor, PA. She specializes in general obstetrics and gynecology and the gynecologic care of women who have had bone marrow and stem cell transplants.







Peter J. Vasquez, MD, joined the department of obstetrics and gynecology and Penn Ob/Gyn Associates after completing a residency at HUP in July 2012. Dr. Vasquez provides obstetric and gynecologic care.








Matthew VerMilyea, PhD, joined Penn Fertility Care as the director of the embryology and andrology
laboratories.

To refer a patient to any of the above physicians, please call the physician referral line, 877.937.PENN (7366).

Botswana-UPenn Partnership Gets $3-million Grant

The University of Pennsylvania in partnership with Botswana, Africa, received a $3-million grant from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The money will help the  Botswana-UPenn Partnership expand its presence in the country with
five new clinics in an effort to build capacity in the country for its See and Treat cervical cancer screening program.

The See and Treat program currently screens and treats 1,200 HIV-infected women in Botswana for early cervical cancer, which is common among women with HIV.

About the Partnership
Since 2001, Penn has worked with the Botswana Ministry of Health and the University of Botswana
to offer medical care and treatment for people with HIV.

“Our mission for the partnership is to serve as technical advisers for clinical care, education
and research in Botswana,” says Harvey Friedman, MD, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Penn and
Director of the Botswana-UPenn Partnership.

The See and Treat Program, established in 2009, provides cervical cancer prevention services
for women with HIV, treatment for precancerous lesions, consultation to the Ministry of Health
for women’s health issues, and technical assistance with research opportunities.

“The $3 million grant will help the Botswana-UPenn Partnership expand services for women with
HIV,” says Dr. Friedman. “It will provide the necessary resources and equipment for the medical
community in Botswana to further grow the program, and see more women who have HIV.”


Impact of the Care
Dr. Friedman says since the partnership began, Botswana has made great strides
in HIV prevention and care.

“Botswana has become an impressive example of how to manage HIV, and a large population of people with HIV,” says Dr. Friedman. “For example, several years ago, the mother-to-child rate of HIV infection was 40 percent. Today, that rate has dropped to
2 to 4 percent.”

Dr. Friedman says it’s the dedication of the Ministry of Health to reduce HIV infection rates,
the enthusiasm and hard work of the faculty and trainees at the new University of Botswana School
of Medicine, and the expertise of the many USA and European institutions, including Penn, who
are working in Botswana that has made such a positive impact possible.

“Our goal has always been to provide excellence in clinical care, research and education
within the context of Botswana’s healthcare system so that they may continue to provide care
for people infected with HIV,” says Dr. Friedman.

“It will provide the necessary resources and equipment for the medical community in Botswana to
further grow the program, and see more women who have HIV.”

Diabetes in Pregnancy Program at Penn

Over 10% of reproductive-age women have diabetes and require special attention during pregnancy.
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is pleased to announce the opening of the
Diabetes in Pregnancy Program under the
 leadership of Dr. Celeste Durnwald.
This program provides comprehensive
care for women with type I and type II
diabetes who are pregnant or trying to
become pregnant as well as women who
develop gestational diabetes.  Patients may be seen in dedicated sessions in the Dicken’s Center for Women or at Penn Ob/Gyn Associates at 3701 Market Street.

“At Penn, we believe in treating mom and baby together, focusing on long-term health goals
of mom while ensuring baby is growing properly and healthy” says Dr. Durnwald. “Normalizing
blood glucose levels before pregnancy and maintaining good glucose control throughout pregnancy
can help prevent a baby from growing too big.”

The program goals are to educate expectant mothers who already have diabetes and help those
who develop gestational diabetes gain control over their blood sugar throughout their pregnancy.
Dr. Durnwald recommends an initial visit to determine a base line glucose level followed by weekly
or biweekly follow up visits to monitor nutrition and support any concerns patients have.
Patients also have weekly telephone contact with the practice to review their blood sugar and
make any modifications.

Dr. Durnwald recommends patients with gestational diabetes return for a postpartum follow up
visit to test blood sugar levels. She also refers patients for continuing diabetes management
care, if needed.

"At Penn, we believe in treating mom and baby together, focusing on long-term health goals
of mom while ensuring baby is growing properly and healthy."

Penn Fertility Care at Radnor

During the past few years Penn Fertility Care at Radnor has expanded. “We now have four fellowship-trained female physicians who specialize in infertility and the coordination of care for women and men who face infertility,” says Samantha Pfeifer, MD. “We offer on-site ultrasounds and lab work, and we monitor patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) in
an intimate setting.”  Our team of experienced physicians and nurses work together to provide
individualized care tailored to meet each patient’s needs.  “When women and couples come to see
us for care, they see all of us,” says Dr. Pfeifer. “They get to know each person in our office,
and we cater to their particular clinical needs.”

Dr. Pfeifer is the director of reproductive surgery for Penn Fertility Care and specializes in
robotic surgery for women who may need reproductive surgery. She also is nationally recognized for
her surgical expertise in caring for women and girls with Mullerian anomalies or congenital
malformations of the reproductive tract. Dr. Pfeifer often teams up with the pediatric urologists
at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to provide a comprehensive management approach.

Caring for adolescents with reproductive health concerns, menstrual or hormonal abnormalities is
also available at Radnor and Pennsylvania Hospital. In addition to Dr. Pfeifer, reproductive
endocrinology specialists Drs. Suleena Kalra, Clarisa Gracia and Monica Mainigi provide consultations
at CHOP.  Our team is focused on preserving a young woman’s fertility should she require surgery.
Dr. Gracia, Director of the Fertility Preservation Program, also cares for adolescents with cancer
and offers the opportunity to freeze eggs or ovarian tissue before undergoing cancer treatment so
they are available when they are ready to start a family.

Penn Fertility Care is one of the largest academic programs in reproductive endocrinology
and infertility in the country and recognized nationally as a leader in the field.
Faculty members, Drs. Christos Coutifaris, Kurt Barnhart and Clarisa Gracia are leading
NIH-funded research studies.  Dr. Pfeifer is chair of the practice committee of the American
Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and Dr. Coutifaris is on the board of directors of the ASRM.

To refer a patient or for more information, please call our physician referral
line, 877.937.PENN (7366) or visit PennMedicine.org/PhysicianLink.

Penn Fertility Care
Penn Medicine Radnor
250 King of Prussia Rd
Radnor, PA 19087

3701 Market Street, 8th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104

801 Spruce Street
Spruce Building, 7th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107

SAVE THE DATE: Heart Disease and Pregnancy Symposium

Date: Friday, April 27, 2012
Place: Marriott Courtyard Philadelphia

Cardiovascular disease in pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the developed world and an important cause of heart failure, stroke and arrhythmia. Recent data suggests that women who suffer from cardiovascular complications of pregnancy may be at increased risk for heart disease over their lifetime. 

This CME accredited course is intended to increase provider knowledge of preconception evaluation, intra-partum, and post-partum management to ensure optimal long-term maternal and fetal outcomes. This course is designed for physicians, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants and allied health professionals specializing in cardiology, obstetrics/gynecology and anesthesiology.

Registration fees: $229 for physicians, $170 for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and all other allied health professionals; $125 for residents and fellows. Penn Medicine/UPHS employees, faculty, staff, and students will receive a discounted registration fee of $89.

Register or learn more about the Heart Disease and Pregnancy Symposium.

View other CME opportunities at Penn Medicine.