ver the past fifteen years, Dr. Lynn Simpson, Chief of the Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, and Dr. Russ Miller, Medical Director of the Carmen and John Thain Center for Prenatal Pediatrics, have worked together to build a leading fetal diagnosis and therapy program at Columbia.

Through multidisciplinary collaborations with pediatric subspecialists, pediatric surgical specialists, genetics, anesthesia, and other departments across the medical center – and with the generous and visionary support of Carmen and John Thain – Drs. Simpson and Miller have collaborated to develop programs to treat many different types of fetal anomalies and conditions. One such example involves the use of fetoscopic laser photocoagulation to interrupt twin-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS). The development of this laser program helped Columbia establish itself as a regional leader in fetal therapy and diagnosis, including the evaluation and management of complicated multiple gestations. Columbia is now widely regarded as a referral center for patients with complicated twin pregnancies, and Drs. Simpson and Miller are internationally recognized for their expertise in the management of complicated multiples.

ith a transformative gift of $21 million from the Bezos Family Foundation, the Columbia University Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology established the Center for the Transition to Parenthood. A first of its kind in the field, the center will focus on reinventing prenatal care, with a dual emphasis on the inter-related areas of parent mental health and infant development.

Rooted in a deep understanding of the prenatal period’s developmental importance for parents-to-be and future children, the center will utilize a research-to-practice approach to promote the health of new parents and their developing infants. “Understanding what happens to the parental brain – during and after pregnancy, as well as how maternal stress affects the developing brain – and applying that knowledge to our care model, allows us to improve outcomes for both parents and infants,” says Catherine Monk, PhD, who leads the center.

arlier this year, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology welcomed Cassandra Blot Simmons, MD as the new Chief of General Obstetrics & Gynecology (Ob/Gyn). A distinguished clinician, educator, and administrator, Dr. Simmons has worked in medical settings across the United States, giving her a unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges of women’s health care. The Department is thrilled to have Dr. Simmons join the faculty to lead our General Ob/Gyn practices in Midtown Manhattan, Washington Heights, and Rockland and Westchester Counties.

Born into a family of nurses, Dr. Simmons identified an interest in medicine at a young age. During childhood, Dr. Simmons became increasingly involved in international medical work, particularly in Haiti, a country where her family has roots. This early exposure to medical work proved formative for Dr. Simmons, helping her to define a career path in the medical field.

lacenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorder is a leading cause of intrapartum maternal mortality and morbidity. It can lead to life-threatening hemorrhage and often requires a life-saving cesarean hysterectomy. The “spectrum” in PAS refers to three specific types of abnormal placenta implantation – placenta accreta, placenta increta, and placenta percreta – all with multiple risk factors, including a history of cesarean delivery, prior uterine surgery, in vitro fertilization, and advanced maternal age. Over the past ten years, rates of PAS have steadily increased, making early diagnosis and referral to appropriate care centers essential.

The Mothers Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Sloane Hospital for Women is a first-of-its-kind program, focusing on all medical and surgical complications faced by pregnant people. Opened in its state-of-the-art space in 2018, the Mothers Center is home to Columbia’s PAS program and a team that offers the intense multidisciplinary collaboration required by pregnancies affected by it. Dr. Mirella Mourad, a maternal fetal medicine specialist, serves as Director of the Mothers Center and co-director of the PAS program.

cross the life course, women’s health is increasingly impacted by climate change and environmental contaminants. Catalysed by the urgency of the climate crisis and a commitment to advancing women’s health, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology has established the Collaborative for Women’s Environmental Health.

Studies show that women’s health conditions, including cancer, obesity, infertility, obstetric complications, and more, all have ties to environmental exposures. For many of these conditions with environmental links, our ability to treat them is limited and related health outcomes are only getting worse. Accordingly, it is essential to understand and address the environmental contributors to disease, with an emphasis on supporting vulnerable communities who disproportionately face these harmful exposures.

lerkships are vital to medical education, offering students invaluable hands-on exposure to and experience in particular fields. This year, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology welcomed Said S. Saab, MD, MEd as its new Clerkship Director.

An accomplished clinician and educator, Dr. Saab brings a unique educational background to his role. After receiving a medical degree from New York University School of Medicine, Dr. Saab went on to pursue his interests in medical education through further schooling. Driven by a passion for teaching and mentorship, he completed both a Master’s Degree in Health Professions Education at Johns Hopkins and a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, University of Cambridge.

he Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) is home to one of the oldest family planning divisions and fellowship programs in academic medicine, both established by Carolyn Westhoff, MD. With alumni in leadership positions across the country, the Fellowship in Complex Family Planning has a national presence at the forefront of family planning care, education, advocacy, and research. As Dr. Westhoff prepares to retire from an illustrious and groundbreaking career in women’s reproductive health, Paula Castaño MD, MPH, a long-time member of the division at Columbia, was recently appointed as the Chief of the Division of Family Planning and Preventive Services.

Dr. Castaño has been an advocate for women’s rights for as long as she can remember, always determined to play a role in addressing the injustices and inequities faced by women. As a teenager, Dr. Castaño would collect article clippings, pins, and bumper stickers on topics related to health and reproductive rights, many years before she embarked on her accomplished career as an Ob/Gyn and family planning expert. For Dr. Castaño, working in family planning served as an access point to supporting women’s autonomy and advocating for equity.

history of obstetric complications, such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes, doubles the risk of future heart disease, the number one killer of women. Disproportionately affecting women of color, data suggests that 34% of Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s pregnant population in 2020 had at least one of these conditions, resulting in ~1,500 newly at-risk people per year.

People with a history of these conditions, which usually resolve quickly in the postpartum period, often are unaware of their increased future risk for cardiovascular disease. Primary care providers and cardiologists also do not routinely ask patients about their obstetric history, missing an opportunity for education and intervention. Committed to improving the health of patients at all stages of their lives, the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology sought to develop a campaign that would raise awareness about the connection between obstetric complications and heart disease.

t is a new day for the advancement of obstetric care in the Department of Ob/Gyn at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), which welcomed Lisa Nathan, MD, MPH as the new Chief of Obstetrics in 2022.

First drawn to obstetrics in medical school, Dr. Nathan found herself fascinated by the biological underpinnings of the maternal-fetal relationship. This initial interest would blossom into a focal point for Dr. Nathan’s career after her time spent working at an orphanage for children whose mothers had died from HIV/AIDS in Kenya. “I left wanting to do high-risk obstetrics because I realized the one thing all these kids needed was their mothers,” says Dr. Nathan.

olumbia University Fertility Center (CUFC) is celebrating a transformative renovation of its flagship site at 5 Columbus Circle, beginning a new chapter in fertility care. The opening of a new floor doubles the center’s size, a welcomed addition that has expanded the fertility center’s capacity for fertility care and research.

This newly renovated floor is home to a unified laboratory space, where clinical and research scientists work side-by-side to advance fertility care and reproductive medicine. “This strategic fusion of clinical and research environments enables close collaboration, uniting clinical scientists, research experts, physicians, embryologists, nurses, and staff. Together, they accelerate our ability to advance fertility care and to offer our patients the very best chance at success,” says Zev Williams, MD, PhD, Chief of the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI).