Controversies in the Field of Urogynecology: Mesh Used in Vaginal Surgery
Message from the Urogynecology Division, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals
An ongoing public controversy was stimulated by the FDA’s 2011 warning regarding the use of synthetic mesh in vaginal surgery for prolapse.
As a matter of fact, departmental urogynecologists Lisa Dabney, MD, and Anne Hardart, MD, have never used much mesh in their practices. They have been especially reluctant to use mesh to augment pelvic-organ-prolapse repairs performed through the vaginal route. Fortunately, they have extensive expertise in performing these procedures vaginally without the use of mesh—and they have had excellent results. Read full story here. |
Pregnancy Care is a Global Human Rights Issue
This was the message at a special SLR OB/GYN Department Grand Rounds presentation and discussion on January 10. The morning began with a screening of the documentary film “No Woman, No Cry,” which explores severe, widespread obstacles to good maternal-child health care around the world. Afterwards, SLR Gynecology Director Jacques Moritz, MD, gave a presentation, “Maternal Mortality: New York City and the World,” focused on local and national increases in maternal mortality over the last 25 years, the risk factors, and the solutions that need to be put in place. He was then joined by film producer and director Christy Turlington Burns, with whom he led a productive and inspiring dialogue with the clinical staff of the department. Click here for more on the film and the discussion.
Left to right, Turlington-Burns and faculty physicians Uchenna Acholonu Jr, MD, and Samantha Feder, MD.
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Robotically-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Hysterectomy and Lymphadenectomy
This is a minimally-invasive surgical treatment for cervical cancer. In the following video of the procedure, Farr Nezhat, MD, will remove the lymph nodes, uterus, parametrium, and cervix. Dr. Nezhat is Director of Minimally-Invasive Surgery and Gynecologic Robotics.
High Risk Pregnancy and Age
In a recent video interview (below), Lois Brustman, MD, explains that women of any age can be at risk for pregnancy complications. Dr. Brustman is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Roosevelt Hospital.
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The Least-Invasive Route for Gynecologic Surgery is Through the Vagina
AN EXPERT’S VIEWPOINT:
There has been a lot of talk in the media about minimally-invasive surgery for uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and other noncancerous gynecologic problems. The route discussed for these surgeries is usually laparoscopic; that is, through small incisions in the abdomen for insertion of a camera and instruments. While this approach has revolutionized some procedures, especially those for cancer cases, sometimes the practice of laparoscopy overshadows the least invasive approach for noncancerous gynecological conditions: the vaginal approach. Read full story here
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Minimal Stimulation IVF
The Continuum Reproductive Center is among a limited number of fertility practices now offering minimal-stimulation in vitro fertilization (MS-IVF). MS-IVF is a less invasive IVF protocol than conventional IVF and is an appropriate alternative for certain patient groups. The Continuum Reproductive Center’s medical and scientific team is highly respected in the field of reproductive medicine, and has expertise and many years of experience in all aspects and types of IVF. |
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Welcome to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center
The department is dedicated to the finest and most comprehensive women's reproductive health care and perinatal care. St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center is an academic affiliate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and we are committed to the teaching and training of fully-qualified, well-rounded obstetricians and gynecologists. In addition, we are committed to furthering research into the most promising therapies in the field.
This website is designed to provide you with information about our clinical, residency and research programs, and our physicians and other clinical staff, whether you are seeking medical care, considering a residency in obstetrics and gynecology, or pursuing research. Also, an overall view of departmental leadership is described under Administration on the main navigation bar.
Our department includes a large group of general obstetrician-gynecologists, each trained to provide comprehensive care for a woman's overall health. Highly-trained midwives are also available for normal obstetric and gynecologic care. In addition, we have groups of specialists in seven major divisions that together encompass a woman's total reproductive health at all stages of her life, including the full range of obstetric needs and early infant care.
On this website, you can find out about these providers and programs. From the main navigation bar on the left side of every page, you can visit the Clinical Services section to develop an understanding of the various clinical programs we offer, as well as their physicians and other clinical staff. As an alternative, you can go to Find A Provider and begin by browsing information about our physicians, specialists, genetic counselors, and midwives.
If you are interested in having a baby at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, go to Clinical Services on the main navigation bar, and choose Giving Birth With Us. Roosevelt has Manhattan's first in-hospital Birthing Center, located only a floor away from our complete, state-of-the-art Labor and Delivery Suite. These unique facilities allow us to offer many options along with great flexibility and safety in the birthing process. We can help you from the time you begin planning you pregnancy until you and your baby arrive at home.
When you decide you would like to give birth at St. Luke's-Roosevelt, the first step is to choose a general obstetrician or midwife for a normal pregnancy, as described above. Alternatively, our Division of Maternal-Fetal has several physicians who are expert in supporting women with complicated pregnancies.
Whether you have a doctor at St. Luke's-Roosevelt or not, our genetics and ultrasound sections can provide state-of-the-art screening and diagnostic services. The Genetics Division offers complete prenatal testing and counseling services. The Ultrasound and Evaluation Center diagnoses all maternal, fetal and gynecologic problems using the latest technology.
At the new Continuum Reproductive Center, our Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Division provides comprehensive treatment for infertility, including in vitro fertilization. They also treat recurrent pregnancy loss and hormonally related health problems. The Gynecologic Oncology Division provides an advanced and complete program for women with gynecologic cancers. Our Urogynecology Division offers a wide range of treatment and education options for bladder control problems, including all the latest nonsurgical options.
Ob/Gyn Faculty Present Research at National and International Conferences
Department members regularly present their clinical research projects at the annual meetings of a number of professional and medical societies. Please follow the link to view a sampling of recent research posters from these events.
 Clinical Research Posters
Obstetrics and Gynecology Practices Serve Moringside Heights, Upper West Side, and West Harlem
Each physician at the offices is highly trained in all aspects of general obstetrics and gynecology, and board eligible or board certified in the specialty.
See Full Story
New Specialist Physician Joins the Continuum Reproductive Center
Matthew Lederman, MD, has joined the Continuum Reproductive Center. Dr. Lederman is a fellowship-trained reproductive endocrinologist and a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. He earned his medical degree from the Chicago Medical School and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology as well as his fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center. Dr. Lederman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the Society of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, and the Endocrine Society.
Dr. Lederman has published scientific abstracts and articles in peer-reviewed journals in the fields of endocrinology and infertility, and has presented his research at national conferences. His special interests include unexplained infertility, reproductive imaging, and in vitro fertilization.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Lederman
Dr. Nezhat
425 West 59th St.,
Ste. 9B
212-523-7752
Dr. Farr R. Nezhat, Minimally-Invasive Surgeon
and Gynecologic Oncologist, Joins Department
Farr R. Nezhat, MD, FACOG, FACS, has joined the department as Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Gynecologic Robotics. He is a board-certified subspecialist in the treatment of women’s cancers who also provides surgical treatment for complex benign conditions.
Full article about Dr. Nezhat
New Ob/Gyn’s and Office Location Changes
The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is pleased to welcome general obstetrician-gynecologist Amy Huang, MD, to our large, diverse faculty practice. Dr. Huang has joined the office at 330 West 58th Street, Suite 310; Dr. Lim is located at 425 West 59th Street, Suite 5D.
In addition, we are pleased to announce that faculty members Louise Chuu, MD, and Lily Hanna, MD, have each added an office site in the area near Roosevelt Hospital and Columbus Circle. Dr. Hanna’s new office is at 315 West 57th Street, Suite 204; Dr. Chuu’s is at 425 West 59th Street, Suite 5D.
Please explore the maps of practice offices for all our general obstetrician-gynecologists, this overview has links to each physician’s biographical and professional Web page.
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SLR OB/GYN Hosts Third Annual Hands-On Gynecologic Laparoscopy Course
St. Luke’s and Roosevelt’s Department of OB/GYN recently hosted its third annual postgraduate course in laparoscopic and robotic hysterectomy, which drew a national and international audience of almost 300. The 2-day conference included lectures from world-renowned specialists in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and videos on many approaches to hysterectomy, as well as step-by-step, hands-on laparoscopic training. Click here for more.
Dr. Nezhat demonstrates the pelvic trainer for practice of laparoscopic suturing and knot-tying.
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In a story describing the benefits of natural childbirth, our Birthing Center is featured, with interviews from a new mom, Midwife Coralie McQueen, and Obstetrician Jacques Moritz. |
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Jacques Moritz, MD, is director of the Gynecology Division; Michelle Francis, MD, is director of the Medical Student Education Program. Both are practicing obstetrician-gynecologists. Click here to watch videos |
Minimally-Invasive Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
 Physician leaders from several areas of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology have come together to offer a wide range of minimally-invasive surgical treatments for gynecologic problems.
These new treatments are as safe and effective as their traditional counterparts requiring a major incision, and come with a host of advantages: less scarring, shorter hospital stay and recovery time, and fewer potential complications. Coordinating the Division of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Gynecologic Robotics is Farr Nezhat, MD, FACOG.
Dr. Nezhat is a nationally and internationally-known innovator who has developed a host of minimally-invasive techniques.
For a full list of the procedures and physicians who provide them, please follow the link. |
Grooming Tips for GYN Health
Barely-there underwear, Brazilian bikini waxes, and shaved pubic hair have become cultural beauty standards for women. And yet, the skin of a woman’s genital area is more sensitive than the skin on her face. Lisa Dabney, MD, urogynecologist in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center, wants to remind women that redness and irritation from harsh grooming procedures and tight clothing are the body’s way of saying “stop torturing me.” Here are the general guidelines that Dr. Dabney hands out to her patients with pain and discomfort in the vaginal area and recurrent yeast infections. Most of the time, says Dr. Dabney, these patients don’t have some horrible infection; they just need to change their grooming habits. |
Risks of Extreme
Exercise in Pregnancy
Samantha Feder, MD, faculty OB/GYN at Roosevelt, is interviewed on CBS-Channel 2 to explain the possible risks when a woman in late pregnancy runs a marathon.
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