Our News

Menard and Team Receive $12.5M to Address Pregnancy-Related Hypertensive Emergencies

In partnership with multiple community agencies across the Triangle, the UNC Center for Women’s Health Research has received funding—approximately $2.5 million per year for five years—from the National Institutes of Health Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) to identify effective strategies for implementing pregnancy-related hypertension best practices in the outpatient setting. Aiming to reduce maternal … Continued

New research could help caregivers identify exclusive breastfeeding challenges in the first week of life

From the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health More women than ever are choosing to breastfeed with widespread recognition of the benefits. Breastfeeding is recommended as the sole source of nutrition for the first six months in a child’s life, followed by continued breastfeeding with the addition of nutritious complementary foods for at least … Continued

Neeta Vora, MD, receives pilot grant to advance non-invasive prenatal genetic testing

UNC Program for Precision Medicine in Health Care (PPMH), which aims to transform patient care through evidence-based precision medicine, and the North Carolina Translational and Clinical Sciences (NC TraCS) Institute at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-CH) have awarded four pilot grants for project that have direct clinical or human translational impact … Continued

Manuck receives new grant to expand preterm birth studies

Tracy Manuck, MD, received a $817,905 grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for her five-year project, “Patient-oriented research and mentoring in preterm birth toxicogenomics.” This new grant allows Manuck to leverage her ongoing prospective, longitudinal study of spontaneous preterm birth in a new way, studying how environmental exposures also impact preterm birth. … Continued

UNC MFM highlights robust research activity at annual conference

The Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine returned from the 40th annual Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine meeting with multiple awards, oral presentations and posters, and led many break-out sessions and courses for attendees. Tracy Manuck, MD, associate professor, won the best concurrent oral presentation for prematurity with “Placental CpG methylation varies by extremely preterm birth (PTB) phenotype,” … Continued

Study Confirms Socioeconomic Factors May Not Be the Only Cause of Higher Preterm Birth Rates for Black Women and Women of Mixed Black and White Race

Findings indicate racial disparities persist even among those of high socioeconomic status.   GRAPEVINE, Texas ― Despite significant advances in medical care, preterm birth still remains a major global health issue, including in the United States. Prematurity, defined as a birth that occurs more than three weeks before the estimated due date, is the leading … Continued

Stuebe selected to co-lead UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health

Dr. Alison Stuebe, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and maternal-fetal medicine expert, has been named co-director of the UNC Center for Maternal and Infant Health (CMIH). She was appointed by UNC School of Medicine Dean Wesley Burks to join Wayne Price, professor of pediatrics and specialist in neonatal medicine, who also serves as co-director. “It … Continued

UNC OB-GYN awards honors for staff excellence in 2019

We extend our many congratulations to the winners of UNC OB-GYN’s 2019 Star Awards and the 2019 Staff Excellence Award. Each year the department recognizes employees who are outstanding, committed, dedicated, dependable, have a positive and supportive attitude, and consistently exceed requirements and go beyond the usual expectation of their job requirements. Kelly Scurlock-Cross, of … Continued

UNC Hospitals implements new visitor restrictions due to flu

In order to protect patients during the peak of flu season, UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill and UNC REX Hospital in Raleigh will implement new visitor restrictions: Beginning Monday, Jan. 6, children less than 12 years old are prohibited from visiting inpatients at UNC REX Hospital in Raleigh (including patients in the Emergency Department), and … Continued

Best Doctors includes 24 from UNC OB-GYN in 2019 selection

Congratulations to the 24 physicians from UNC OB-GYN who have been selected to the 2019-2020 Best Doctors in America® List. Founded in 1989 by Harvard Medical School physicians, Best Doctors is a global benefits provider and medical information services company that connects individuals facing difficult medical treatment decisions with the best doctors, selected by impartial … Continued

Study finds treatment inequities for pain following cesarean deliveries

Medical records show that women of color may experience unequal treatment for pain relief after cesarean childbirth, according to a new retrospective study from researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill. The results highlight the need for continued efforts to undo biases in medical care. Many such efforts – including standardized pain management procedures adopted in 2016 for … Continued

Announcing a new UNC Health Care clinic for reproductive women with kidney disease

This month, Dr. Christina Herrera of the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Dr. Monica Reynolds of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension at UNC’s School of Medicine opened a joint nephrology / maternal-fetal medicine clinic at UNC Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Vilcom to provide evidence-based, patient-centered, multidisciplinary care to reproductive women with chronic kidney disease (CKD) … Continued

Transitioning to Attending-Hood

The following post from Dr. Angelica Glover, assistant professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, appeared in the latest e-newsletter from the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine: Fall has finally arrived to most of the continental U.S. and, with it, a plethora of change – cooler weather, the colors of a new season, and the end … Continued

New grant will ‘re-engineer postnatal care’ to improve maternal and infant outcomes

  Researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, including the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Alison Stuebe, MD, MSc, and the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health’s Kristin Tully, PhD, in collaboration with partners at North Carolina State University and The Ohio State University, have received a $2.5 million grant from … Continued

Elizabeth Stringer promoted to professor

Elizabeth M. Stringer, MD, MSc, a maternal-fetal medicine expert with a long career of improving the lives of women across the world, has been promoted to full professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Stringer arrived at Carolina – by way of Lusaka, Zambia – in 2012 and joined the UNC OB-GYN faculty in … Continued

Stuebe promoted to professor

Alison Stuebe, MD, MSc, a maternal-fetal medicine and breastfeeding expert in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2010, has been promoted to full professor. She is also the Distinguished Scholar in Infant and Young Child Feeding Department of Maternal and Child Health at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. In addition to … Continued

Introducing NewMomHealth.com, postpartum resource designed by moms for new moms

The 4th Trimester Project at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill launches a hub of evidence-based, non-directive postpartum health information. September 23, 2019, Chapel Hill, NC – The 4th Trimester Project at the UNC-Chapel Hill Schools of Medicine and Social Work has launched NewMomHealth, a hub of evidence-based, expert-written, reality-centered postpartum health information. … Continued

Commentary: Guidance about postpartum contraception should center the patient’s goals

Providers should center their postpartum patients’ values and preferences when offering guidance and care regarding breastfeeding and hormonal contraception, according to a recent paper from faculty at the UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Amy Bryant, MD, MSCR, associate professor in the Division of Family Planning at UNC OB-GYN, is the lead author of the … Continued

‘Ideal provider’ Dr. Bob Strauss Receives 2019 Fuller Award

Many congratulations to Robert ‘Bob’ Strauss, MD, Cefalo-Bowes Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and medical director for labor and delivery at N.C. Women’s Hospital, who was honored with this year’s H. Fleming Fuller Award. Strauss received the award on Sept. 16 at a meeting of the UNC Health Care Board of Directors. “Dr. Strauss … Continued

UNC maternal-fetal medicine experts provide guidance on complex congenital kidney disorders

Asha Talati, MD, a fellow in UNC OB-GYN’s Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, is lead author of a new paper providing an evidence-based guide to the diagnosis and management of fetal congenital anomalies of the kidney and the urinary tract (CAKUT). “Prenatal genetic considerations of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT),” was published … Continued

Menard is a lead author of revised national guidelines on risk-appropriate maternal care

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine (SMFM) jointly released on July 25, 2019, updated guidance to better prepare hospitals to provide risk-appropriate maternal care. The guidelines, drafted in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), appear in the August 2019 issue of Obstetrics & … Continued

New grant allows Vora to collaborate with Duke to identify novel genes critical to human brain development

Dr. Neeta Vora, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and Dr. Erica Davis at the Duke University Center for Human Disease Modeling have been awarded an exploratory/developmental research grant (R21) from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences.  Their research was initially funded by a $50,000 Duke/UNC-Chapel Hill CTSA … Continued

Tubal ligation is recommended over tubal removal for sterilization at time of delivery

For women seeking permanent sterilization as well as ovarian-cancer risk reduction at time of cesarean delivery, tubal ligation is still the best option, according to newly published research from the UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Kartik K. Venkatesh, MD, PhD, fellow in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine is lead author of the paper, “Cost-effectiveness … Continued

UNC OB-GYN is 3rd in the nation in NIH funding

The UNC Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology ranked 3rd in the country in total NIH funding for 2018 and 2nd when it comes to departments within public schools of medicine. This is according to a new report published by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. The UNC School of Medicine ranked 17th in the … Continued

UNC OB-GYN awards honors for staff excellence in 2018

UNC OB-GYN honored staff with Superstar Awards and the Staff Excellence Award at its annual holiday party Dec. 12, 2018 at the Carolina Club. Each year the department recognizes employees who are outstanding, committed, dedicated, dependable, have a positive and supportive attitude, and consistently exceed requirements and go beyond the usual expectation of their job … Continued

Team led by Dr. Alison Stuebe awarded Emerging Challenges grant

The award will support the research of the 1,000 Days project.

New paradigm adds a ‘fourth trimester’ to transform care for new mothers

A study by UNC-Chapel Hill researchers recommends enhancing attentiveness to the individual needs of new mothers and transforming postpartum care from a single encounter to an ongoing process.

UNC faculty shine at 2018 N.C. OB-GYN Society Annual Meeting

The event was held April 20 – 22, 2018 in Asheville, N.C.

UNC team issues guide for screening patients when prenatal testing suggests maternal illness

Though the finding is rare, it is possible. Dr. Laura Carlson’s team established a protocol to help other obstetricians.

UNC OB-GYN faculty are honored with Carolina Care Excellence Awards

Survey results garner 2018 Carolina Care Excellence awards for 15 providers in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Kim Boggess appointed to NIH study section on pregnancy and neonatalogy

The study section is under the NIH’s Center for Scientific Review.

UNC OB-GYN climbs two spots in NIH funding to 5th in obstetrics and gynecology

Last year, UNC OB-GYN was ranked at No. 7 in NIH funding among academic departments of obstetrics and gynecology.

SMFM features the work of many UNC OB-GYN faculty and researchers

Game-changing news about induction, 28 posters and two oral presentations came from UNC OB-GYN faculty and fellows in attendance at the annual meeting of the Society of Maternal-Fetal Medicine.

Take a (virtual) tour of N.C. Women’s Hospital

The virtual tour includes 360-degree views of the places prenatal patients and their families are likely to visit.

Dr. Neeta Vora awarded UNC/Duke CTSA Consortium grant for collaborative research

Projects must demonstrate high translational potential with a clear path to subsequent grant support in order to receive the award.

Dr. Nancy Chescheir named honorary member of Russian research center for OB-GYN

The National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology of Russia named Dr. Chescheir honorary member in January 2018.

Longtime professor Dr. Nancy Chescheir to deliver Berryhill lecture

Nancy Chescheir, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, will be the featured speaker at the 33rd annual Norma Berryhill Distinguished Lecture and Faculty Welcome event. The event will take place Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Genome Sciences Building.

Dr. Tracy Manuck receives nearly $4 million to study health disparities and recurrent preterm birth

Non-Hispanic black women experience preterm birth twice as much as non-Hispanic white women. Why?

UNC OB-GYN wins awards for excellent patient service

Six clinics were recognized for their excellent work on behalf of our patients.

Online calculator estimates the impact of changes in breastfeeding rates on population health

The calculator will provide policy makers and advocates with an approximation of the return on investment for interventions that enable women to breastfeed.

Dr. Kate Menard leads publication of patient safety bundle for hypertension in pregnant women

The National Partnership of Maternal Safety is a multidisciplinary workgroup of the Council on Patient Safety in Women’s Health Care.

Nineteen from UNC OB-GYN named among the ‘Best Doctors in America’

Only four percent of doctors in America received this designation.

NEW FACULTY | Dr. Christina Herrera

Welcome, Dr. Herrera!

PROMOTION | Emily Hardisty

Emily Hardisty has been promoted from instructor to assistant professor.

STUDY | ‘Prenatal exome sequencing in anomalous fetuses: new opportunities and challenges’

Dr. Neeta Vora is lead author on this new research on improving prenatal diagnosis.

PROMOTION | Dr. Neeta Vora

The promotion was effective April 30, 2017.

Hardisty honored with University of South Carolina Distinguished Alumni Award

Hardisty received her master’s degree in genetic counseling from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in 2001.

UNC Maternal-Fetal Medicine at Vilcom Center opens

The practice will offer expert and compassionate maternal-fetal medicine care in a location convenient for many Orange, Durham and Alamance county patients.

N.C. Obstetrical and Gynecological Society: Menard named new president, Beckham wins resident top prize

Both were announced at the society’s annual meeting over the weekend in Charlotte, N.C.

Stuebe’s TEDxUNC talk introduces idea to count ‘care work’ as paid work

Stuebe makes a case to close the care-work deficit.

Dr. Tracy Manuck to present new findings on key genes which may be involved in preterm birth

Dr. Manuck will present the findings at The Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s annual meeting in Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 26.

EVENT | ‘What if…Reimagining Maternal and Child Health in the U.S.’ on Jan. 17

Dr. Alison Stuebe of UNC Maternal-Fetal Medicine will be one of the featured speakers.

New Breastfeeding Medicine Consult Service provides patients with expert information on medications and breastfeeding

The faculty consult team has physicians from UNC OB-GYN, Family Medicine and Pediatrics.

Two from UNC OB-GYN featured in ‘Women in Science Wednesday’

Dr. Hendrée Jones and Dr. Neeta Vora were featured in back-to-back weeks.

Study shows alarming disparities in health outcomes could be prevented by breastfeeding

Suboptimal breastfeeding is associated with a greater burden of disease among black and Hispanic populations, according to a study co-authored by Dr. Alison Stuebe.

PROMOTION | Dr. Tracy Manuck promoted to associate professor

The promotion is effective Dec. 1, 2016.

Nov. 29 ‘Unraveling Zika’ event features Dr. Elizabeth Stringer

The expert panel event will be Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Nelson Mandela Auditorium of the FedEx Global Education Center on campus.

STUDY | Azithromycin has positive impact prior to cesarean delivery

Dr. Kim Boggess, a professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, and her team have discovered that administering azithromycin prior to cesarean delivery reduces infection by half.

Dr. Neeta Vora receives rare perfect score on NIH training grant

Dr. Vora’s work involves using new genomic technologies to improve prenatal diagnosis.

UNC-led, multi-center study, to examine Metformin’s impact on infant health

Four co-investigators from UNC will lead a five-year, multicenter study to examine the impact of combined Metformin and insulin therapy on infant outcomes with mothers experiencing type 2 diabetes in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding saves mothers’ lives, too

This new study provides the first comprehensive picture of the health and economic benefits of breastfeeding

UNC OB-GYN announces 2016 Star Heels awards

Seven outstanding employees received the honor.

NEW FACULTY | Dr. Jessica McPherson joins UNC MFM as assistant professor

Her appointment is effective Aug. 8, 2016.

Dr. Neeta Vora receives Caregivers at Carolina travel award

The program’s mission is to help early-career physician-scientists continue their patient-centered research amid extraprofessional caregiving demands.

UNC-Chapel Hill’s Care4Moms project to research, make recommendations on needs of mothers with medically fragile infants

The study’s results will help improve health outcomes for mothers, their babies and future pregnancies.

UNC OB-GYN launches informational website on the Zika virus

The site lists experts for the media, the newest information on the virus and offers links to trusted sources.

UNC Maternal-Fetal Medicine team noted for care of triplets on Good Morning America

The family thanked UNC MFM, NICU and Ronald McDonald House for their care of the rare identical triplets.

National Preconception Health and Health Care Initiative launches ‘Show Your Love’

PCHHC is coordinated by the Center for Maternal and Infant Health and housed within the School of Medicine.

UNC OB-GYN researchers awarded new funding to investigate maternal-fetal transmission of Zika

The $50,000 grants were awarded to three teams of researchers at the UNC School of Medicine.

Dr. Alison Stuebe is lead author of new ACOG recommendations on postpartum care

The opinion urges providers to better support the individual needs of new mothers and to help pregnant women prepare for the postpartum period.

ACOG TV features UNC Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine

The video highlighting the division was featured over four days at the ACOG annual meeting in May 2016.

Dr. Elizabeth Stringer is appointed to the International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology’s Editorial Board

The renewable appointment runs through October 2018.

FirstHealth-UNC partnership offers peace of mind in high-risk pregnancies

Dr. Julie Johnson, Assistant Professor in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, UNC Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, provides care at Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst, NC.

Dr. Alison Stuebe talks Support for Breast-Feeding, in a Multitude of Ways

New York Times Well blog post: Dr. Alison Stuebe talks Support for Breast-Feeding, in a Multitude of Ways

Dr. Thomas Ivester named Associate Chief Medical Officer for UNC Hospitals

His focus will be improving quality and safety of healthcare at UNC.

UNC researchers awarded grant to study new mothers’ health and well-being during postpartum period

The award will help UNC bring mothers and providers together to address unmet health care needs during the “fourth trimester.”

STUDY | Prenatal exposure to cadmium associated with increased risk of preeclampsia

The findings highlight the potential impact of exposure to toxic metals such as cadmium on adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Vora co-authors JAMA study on noninvasive prenatal tests and the detection of maternal cancers

The study reports on eight cases where noninvasive prenatal tests revealed cancer in the mother.