News Archive 2022
December 29, 2022
Ritu Salani, MD, MBA, director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology and a professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, discusses on OncLive the continued evolution of molecular profiling in endometrial cancer, advances in immunotherapy for endometrial and cervical cancer, and ongoing research in gynecologic cancers.
December 13, 2022
Medscape interviewed Dr. Neil Silverman, Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA, about a study focusing on pregnancy outcomes for those with HIV on long-acting antiretroviral regimens.
December 9, 2022
U.S. News & World Report includes UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center and Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center on the annual list of Best Hospitals for Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy).
December 6, 2022
Columbia Journalism Review interviewed Dr. Aparna Sridhar, associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, about how a search for answers about reproductive health can lead people down a tunnel of misinformation.
November 29, 2022
A mom's C-section no longer automatically rules out future vaginal births. Dr. Aparna Sridhar, associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, said for women who are good candidates for attempting a so-called trial of labor after cesarean delivery, the process is safe and often successful.
November 22, 2022
OncLive provides expert commentary from Dr. Ritu Salani, director of gynecologic oncology at UCLA and member of the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, on the Role of HER2 Expression in Advanced Uterine Serous Carcinoma.
November 15, 2022
KPCC interviewed Aparna Sridhar, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, about tips for expectant parents on how to create a birth plan.
October 25, 2022
Self magazine interviewed Aparna Sridhar, MD, MPH, Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, regarding how to figure out If your birth control Is causing side effects.
October 21, 2022
Tamara Grisalas, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was featured by The Telegraph about telltale signs of a pelvic floor problem and how to treat it.
October 13, 2022
UCLA Health Connect highlights a UCLA cancer survivor who is discussing the UCLA Gynecologic Oncology Survivorship Program at national conferences.
Oct 10, 2022
UCLA Health Connect highlights the work of UCLA gynecologic oncologists for whom patient care goes hand in hand with clinical research. Dr. Ritu Salani, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Dr. Tiffany Lai, Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dr. Sanaz Memarzadeh, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, are featured.
October 8, 2022
Dr. Lindsay Kroener, Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was interviewed by LIVESTRONG.COM regarding post-pill amenorrhea.
October 3, 2022
UCLA Health Connect highlights how the UCLA Gynecologic Oncology Survivorship Program helps women cope with ‘surgical' or ‘treatment-induced' menopause.
September 28, 2022
Dr. Sanaz Memarzadeh, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and members of her research team gave a presentation to the LA City council members at LA City Hall in recognition of Ovarian Cancer Awareness. There were also presentations by LA Council members who have been impacted by ovarian cancer and our partner Paulinda Babbini, president of The Ovarian Cancer Circle. Channel 35 News featured Dr. Memarzadeh.
September 23, 2022
Dr. Aparna Srdihar, Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was interviewed by KPCC and LAist about how to advocate for yourself during pregnancy.
September 22, 2022
Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and director of cancer population genetics at UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, was interviewed by Survivornet regarding studies that indicate the drug lynparza extends the life of patients with ovarian cancer.
September 22, 2022
A UCLA study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases and reported on by UCLA Health Newsroom found that vaccinating women infected with COVID during pregnancy prior to delivery provides antibodies to newborns. The study was led by Dr. Karen Nielsen of UCLA Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and other study authors include Dr. Thalia Mok, Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dr. Rashmi Rao, Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
September 16, 2022
How relationships change after having a baby. No matter how excited you are about becoming a parent, welcoming a newborn into your life can change family dynamics in ways you might not expect, says UCLA Health psychiatrist Misty Richards, MD, MS who specializes in maternal mental health at UCLA Health. That process can be hard. But there are things you can do to strengthen your family bond and set yourself up for success. Read more on UCLA Health Connect.
September 13, 2022
Dr. Lindsey Kroener, Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was interviewed by Very Well Health regarding the use of fertility journals to track a menstrual cycle.
September 6, 2022
Genetic testing led to an unexpected ovarian cancer diagnosis for one UCLA Health patient. Ritu Salani, MD, MBA, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, is interviewed for UCLA Health Connect.
September 2, 2022
Exercise may counteract genetics for gestational diabetes. Christina Han, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division Director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine was interviewed by Medscape.
August 22, 2022
Aparna Sridhar, MD, Associate Clinical Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA, tells Inverse that we don't always know why some people get more severe cramps than others.
August 20, 2022
Late-stage cervical cancer cases are on the rise. Dr. Alex Francoeur, a fourth year OB-GYN resident at UCLA, tells NPR that the team's recent study was born out of a study published last year, which found a 3.39% annual increase in advanced cases among women aged 30 to 34. "This is a disease that only 17% of patients will live past five years," Francoeur said. "So, if you're a 30-year-old who won't live past their 35th birthday, that's tragic."
August 19, 2022
The steepest annual rise in new cases of advanced womb (cervical) cancer in the US is among white women, who are significantly less likely to have the preventive HPV (human papillomavirus) jab or to be screened for the disease, finds research by UCLA OBGYN researchers published online in the International Journal of Gynecological Cancer. Read more on UCLA Health Connect.
August 19, 2022
Despite overall decline, late-stage cervical cancer cases are rising. Researchers at the University of California Los Angeles Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology set out to investigate stage 4 cervical cancer trends in the country by analyzing data from 2001 to 2018. In a study published Thursday in the International Journal of Gynecologic Cancer, they found a 1.3% increase per year in advanced stages of the disease, with the greatest increase taking place among white women in the South aged 40 to 44, among whom cases went up 4.5% annually. The story was covered by NPR, HealthDay, Forbes, and STAT News.
August 15, 2022
Wired interview Aparna Sridhar, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of UCLA OBGYN, about an upsurge of TikToks that discuss the contraception's downsides and promote using “natural birth control” methods instead.
August 3, 2022
MedPageToday interviewed Ritu Salani, MD Professor of UCLA OBGYN, about how HPV vaccinations close to surgery may reduce recurrent cervical lesions.
July 28, 2022
Postpartum Depression Rose During The Pandemic. What Care Is Available For New Parents? KPCC's AirTalk discusses psychiatric assistance during the pre and postnatal process with Misty Richards, MD, assistant clinical professor and medical director of perinatal psychiatry at UCLA
July 26, 2022
Why the pandemic took an especially high mental health toll on new parents. Misty Richards, MD, medical director of perinatal psychiatry at UCLA and co-founder of the UCLA Maternal Outpatient Mental Health Services (MOMS) Clinic, is featured in the LAist. She said, “It is very hard for women to access a reproductive psychiatrist in the community. It can be quite costly. And the wait times can be four to five months, and that's an average.”
July 12, 2022
A 43-year-old woman gets pregnant after fibroid removal surgery at UCLA Health. Dr. Valentina Rodriguez, Associate Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was the fibroid surgeon. Read more on UCLA Health Connect.
July 11, 2022
Why do some women fear becoming pregnant? Tokophobia is explained. While it's normal to have some concerns about pregnancy, people with tokophobia "present with severe distress and avoidant thoughts and behaviors, to an extent that extends beyond what can be considered a normal reaction," Misty Richards, MD, health sciences assistant clinical professor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, assistant clinical professor of UCLA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and a psychiatrist who specializes in perinatal mental health at UCLA Health, tells Yahoo Life.
June 30, 2022
Dr. Lisa Nicholas, Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, leads a task force to treat health inequity issues. As the Vice Chair of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for UCLA OBGYN, Dr. Nicholas trains medical students and hopes to inspire other people of color in the field. UCLA Newsroom.
June 29, 2022
Does plan B expire? Dr. Aparna Sridhar, health sciences associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA was interviewed by Health about the plan B's shelf life and storage needs.
June 27, 2022
Abortion bans could leave close to half of U.S. obstetrics residents with inadequate training. Dr. Kavita Vinekar, an assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, was interviewed by USA Today about the training of future physicians.
June 24, 2022
The reversal of Roe v. Wade breaks the U.S. standard for healthcare. Dr. Angela Chen, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, spoke to Popular Science about the reproductive health implications of the decision.
June 24, 2022
After years of dreading her period and living with pain, Ashleigh Thiel was referred to Dr. Daniel N. Ginn, Clinical Instructor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, who specializes in the treatment of endometriosis, pelvic pain, and other gynecological diseases. After a diagnosis of endometriosis and surgical treatment, Thiel is enjoying life free of pain. Read Ashleigh's story on UCLA Health Connect.
June 3, 2022
Science Daily reports on UCLA researchers who identify a biomarker panel that could help predict gestational diabetes in early pregnancy. Authors on the study include Dr. Carla Janzen, associate professor, in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, division of maternal-fetal medicine at UCLA.
May 23, 2022
Dr. Aparna Sridhar, an associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, has received the Martin-Peterson Scholars Award from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The award was given in recognition of her achievements in global women's health. UCLA Newsroom
May 11, 2022
A new UCLA Health Gynecologic Oncology program that includes yoga, meditation and a peer support group is aimed at helping women continue their journey by healing physically, mentally and emotionally, as they move on to their best possible lives as cancer survivors. UCLA Health Connect
May 9, 2022
Dr. Yalda Afshar emerged as a go-to expert about COVID-19 and pregnancy during the height of the pandemic. The UCLA Newsroom reports on how the physician-scientist moved quickly to research how the disease affects pregnant women and babies.
May 8, 2022
Mother's Day has special meaning for mom who received cancer diagnosis while pregnant. 'I know how to value every day, every hour, every second,' says Christelle Jorda, mom of 21-month-old Cléo. Read Christelle's story on UCLA Health Connect.
April 15, 2022
Medscape Medical News reports on a COVID-19 registry that tracks pregnant women and newborns for which Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine, is the co-principal investigator. "Pregnant women are generally considered healthy, but they are also a vulnerable group, and we currently have no data on COVID-19 in pregnancy," says Dr. Afshar.
March 26, 2022
Lisa Nicholas, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of UCLA OBGYN, joined CBS News during Women's History Month to discuss medical education. Dr. Nicholas discussed her mission to end inequity in medicine, and also talked about the importance of having women in the medical field and how crucial the difference they've made so far is on their industry.
March 25, 2022
Michael T. Richardson, MD, obstetrics and gynecology resident at UCLA Health, was interviewed by Cancer Therapy Advisor about sexual orientation and the risk of HPV infection in women. He says,“Historically, in the United States, women who identify as lesbian or bisexual have been less likely to undergo cervical cancer screening, in part, due to assumptions by the public and providers that these patients have a lower risk of HPV and subsequent cervical dysplasia,”
March 18, 2022
Mya Zapata, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of UCLA OBGYN, speaks to HealthDay about the topic of how the cost of having a baby puts many U.S. families at 'financial risk'. She notes, "Just because you have a 'good plan' and have not had co-pays for other medical services doesn't mean that you won't for pregnancy and delivery. When it comes to maternity care, your plan may have caveats that lead to higher out-of-pocket costs of up to several thousand dollars."
March 11, 2022
Oncology Nursing News interviewed Lindsay Kroener, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of UCLA OBGYN, regarding fertility preservation for patients with breast cancer. She said, "It is really important for us, as health care providers, to address the possibility of infertility and discuss options for fertility preservation with reproductive aged patients.” Dr. Kroener presented her research at the 39th Annual Miami Breast Cancer Conference.
March 11, 2022
UCLA Health will soon launch a study using artificial intelligence to nimbly fine-tune treatment for patients with ovarian cancer, in order to minimize medication side effects and improve quality of life. Joshua G. Cohen, MD, Associate Clinical Professor of UCLA OBGYN, is the principal investigator. UCLA Health Connect.
March 11, 2022
Endometriosis awareness is on the rise, but the condition is still hard to detect. According to Daniel Ginn, DO, Clinical Instructor of UCLA OBGYN, it still takes years to diagnose. One reason is that a woman may not know the distinction between a normal period and one that isn't normal. UCLA Health Connect.
February 25, 2022
Jenny Mei, MD, a UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology maternal-fetal medicine fellow, was interviewed by Medscape about new research presented at the annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine meeting indicating that members of the LGBTQ+ community who give birth appear to have a greater risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and postpartum hemorrhage. Dr. Mei who attended the presentation but was not involved in the research said the findings were “overall unfortunate but not surprising given the existing studies looking at LGBTQ+ patients and their poorer health outcomes, largely due to lack of access to health care and discrimination in the health care setting.”
February 16, 2022
Forbes interviewed Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine, about the risks of Covid infection during pregnancy. She warns, “This should shake us and really be a call to action…Vaccination is the clear action item to improve health for pregnant women and their babies.”
February 11, 2022
Christina Han, MD, division director of maternal and fetal medicine at UCLA, was interviewed by HealthDay News regarding a new research study that indicates that pregnant women who aren't vaccinated against COVID-19 are at greater risk for delivering stillborn babies. Additional research is needed.
February 13, 2022
Ritu Salani, MD, MBA, Professor of UCLA OBGYN and Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology, was quoted in Axios regarding fewer women getting cervical screenings.
January 28, 2022
Aparna Sridhar, MD, associate clinical professor of UCLA OBGYN, discusses the importance of understanding pregnancy's biological clock. UCLA Health Connect
January 28, 2022
Lindsay Kroener, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of UCLA OBGYN, discusses how egg and embryo freezing are options for women who want to delay pregnancy. UCLA Health Connect
January 21, 2022
Natural Fertility 101: What you need to know when looking to conceive. Getting pregnant isn't always easy. Couples interested in starting a family often have many questions about how to optimize their fertility and chance of conception, says Aparna Sridhar, MD, associate clinical professor of UCLA OBGYN. UCLA Health Connect
January 21, 2022
Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine, was quoted in Science regarding a Scottish study indicating that COVID-19 starkly increases pregnancy complications, including stillbirths, among the unvaccinated.
January 17, 2022
Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice-Chair of Women's Health Research, joined “The Doctors” TV show to share some of the warning signs of ovarian cancer.
January 17, 2022
Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Vice-Chair of Women's Health Research, joined “The Doctors” TV show to share some of the warning signs of ovarian cancer.
January 3, 2022
Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Cancer Population Genetics at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, working with stem cell researcher Clive N. Svendsen, PhD, has developed what promises to be a game-changing approach in the treatment of ovarian cancer, a silent killer that often goes undetected until its final stages. Lab-grown organoids, mimicking fallopian tubes, could help prevent ovarian cancer, the research shows.
January 1, 2022
Model co-created by Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Cancer Population Genetics at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, provides a platform for scientists to study factors that lead to cancer development in BRCA1 mutation carriers, as reported by UCLA Connect.