We recently recruited two gynecologic oncologists, Shazia Bashir, M.D., and Richard Boothby, M.D., as well as a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, Amira Quevedo, M.D. We also have recruited Adetola Louis-Jacques, M.D., a clinician-scientist in the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine and Veronica Demtchouk, M.D., in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery.

Our faculty also continue to serve as national leaders. Nash Moawad, M.D., division chief of minimally invasive gynecologic oncology, has been elected to the board of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, and Reem Abu-Rustum, M.D., has been selected to serve as president-elect for the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Last year, our team saw about a 10% increase in both births and surgeries, and this growth is expected to continue as we expand our programs. A new midwifery program is being established this year, which will provide a new and unique service at UF Health for a number of prospective patients, increasing access to birthing services.

Additionally, renovations to our department’s laboratory research space, which houses our Center for Research in Perinatal Outcomes, were completed in January with the support of the
College of Medicine and the Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics. The updated space will facilitate expansion of our collaborative multidisciplinary research program in interface biology. This will allow us to grow new initiatives in placental research, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, invasive placentas, fetal therapy, lactation and the microbiome, among others.

The department was fortunate to receive a $1 million gift for an endowed professorship for placental research, the William W. Leach, M.D., and Virginia Leach Professorship in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

We are also collaborating with UF Health’s Pediatric Research Hub (PoRCH) to build a stronger research infrastructure within the department. This will open new avenues for more grants and research opportunities.

These are just a few of the highlights our UF Health obstetrics and gynecology program anticipates in 2022 as we continue to expand our regional footprint and serve a greater number of patients. The hard work of our physicians, researchers and staff is truly showcased in the quality of care our patients receive, and I look forward to continuing our expansion of services to meet the needs of our patients.

John C. Smulian, M.D., M.P.H., is the B.L. Stalnaker professor and chair of the UF College of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.