Newsletter Fall 2023

Message from Department Chair, Deborah Krakow, MD

In early August U.S. News & World Report released their 2023 listing of America’s Best Hospitals, summarizing the annual evaluation of close to 4,500 healthcare facilities on 15 specialties from Cancer to Urology, including Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Extensive data-driven analysis of performance measures in three primary dimensions including program structure, process, and outcomes are variables that drive each hospital’s national rank.

UCLA’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology continued to perform at a high level in the 2023 specialty rankings, remaining among the top ten programs nationally.  The Department scored multiple rankings of “excellent” across the Outcomes and Experience survey, helping to maintain a #8 national ranking for the second straight year. Our department performance was part of the broader success of UCLA Health’s top ranking in Los Angeles and in California.

For five years we have steadily and strategically strengthened the breadth and scope of services in our department, onboarding nationally renowned faculty and investing in program growth to bring the best possible care to our patients.  This is a team effort that demonstrates a steadfast commitment across our faculty, physicians, nurses, and staff to bring exceptional care to our community.  I am very proud of our team and our program ranking, validating the passion and enthusiasm that continues to move our Department forward.

In this issue of OBGYNews we introduce 8 new faculty members, along with our incoming class of fellows and residents.  We’ll catch up with Dr. Christine Holschneider, a 15-year David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA alumna who is currently Vice Chair and Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center.  We also profile the UCLA Comprehensive Menopause Program, a recently launched effort that utilizes certified menopause providers and other specialists to deliver evidence-based, individualized care for persons going through and in menopause.  You’ll learn about HERSTORY, a multi-disciplinary prospective research study focused on understanding genetic, environmental, socio-economic, and other determinants of cancer in women with a family history of the disease, focusing primarily on URM women. And finally, we’ll introduce you to Joshua and Beth Friedman whose generous philanthropy has funded an endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 

Deborah Krakow, MD
Chair, UCLA Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology