UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology provides cutting edge diagnosis and treatments, and supports a staff of renowned physicians, surgeons and researchers. Demonstrating continued excellence in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UCLA OB/GYN along with its varied Centers of Excellence, is often the subject of stories in newspapers, magazines, and journals. The Department also frequently issues news releases to keep the community informed on the latest developments in Obstetrics and Gynecology, the treatments available at UCLA, and various milestones within the Department. We include here a collection of recent stories, and an archive of older articles, for your further information.
August 25, 2021
ASCO Post features the Lifetime Achievement Award received by Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Cancer Population Genetics at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, for her contributions to the field of gynecologic oncology. Read the article >
August 25, 2021
Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Cancer Population Genetics at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Dr. Gottfried E. Konecny, Professor in Residence of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Medicine in the Division of Hematology-Oncology, discuss the role of immunotherapy for gynecologic cancers in “The Future of Immunotherapy in Endometrial and Ovarian Cancers” published in ASCO Daily News. Read the article >
August 20, 2021
Dr. Christina Han, associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and division director of maternal-fetal medicine and member of the COVID-19 task force, spoke with Contemporary OB/GYN podcast Senior Editor Angie DeRosa about COVID-19 and pregnancy. Han spoke on behalf of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Listen to the podcast >
August 18, 2021
KTLA-TV interviewed Dr. Christina Han, associate clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and division director of maternal-fetal medicine, on the COVID vaccine not adding any additional risk to pregnancy. "Pregnant women are much more likely to get severely ill." Dr. Han also appeared on KTTV-TV on the same subject. Watch the interview >
August 3, 2021
Researchers from UCLA and Cedars-Sinai have developed a new way to detect placenta accrete, a potentially life-threatening condition that can occur during pregnancy. Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor-in-residence of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine, is the co-first author of the study. UCLA Connect >
July 30, 2021
Dr. Beth Karlan, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of Cancer Population Genetics at the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Gynecologic Cancer Society (IGCS) for her contributions to gynecologic cancer research and clinical practice. She is being recognized for contributing significantly to improving women's quality of life by advancing the understanding of hereditary cancers and molecular drivers of ovarian cancer and her commitment in seeking better ways to prevent and eradicate deadly cancers. Read more >
July 20, 2021
When California enacted a law requiring that every pregnant woman receive mental health screening, UCLA Health professionals asked themselves what more they could do to ensure patients with concerning mental health symptoms receive the help they needed. The result is the Maternal Outpatient Mental health Services (MOMS) Clinic, which launched shortly after implementation of the state’s Maternal Mental Health Screening Law in 2019 and is helping to connect pregnant and postpartum patients with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress and other mental health conditions to high-quality care and support. Read more on UCLA Health Connect >
July 12, 2021
HealthCare Business News Magazine interviewed Christina Han, MD, division director of maternal-fetal medicine at UCLA OBGYN, about telehealth and the growing interest in telesonography. Many are seeing the usefulness of remotely obtaining ultrasound images. But despite the benefits, this method does have some drawbacks. Read more >
July 2, 2021
Women of color continue to be among the most affected by postpartum depression, in part because many do not have health insurance or their insurance covers little or no therapy, said Misty Richards, MD, MS, co-director of the Maternal Outpatient Mental Health Services program at UCLA. Read the Los Angeles Times article >
July 2, 2021
Coverage of new UCLA study findings shows impacts of COVID-19 on pregnant women and their babies. The research is led by Rashmi Rao, MD, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at UCLA Health. See the story on CBS News >
July 2, 2021
UCLA is xpanding health equity and anti-racism in maternal and infant care. An initiative to improve maternal and infant mortality for BIPOC sparked the formation of the Perinatal EDI Coalition at UCLA Health. Read the UCLA Health Connect Blog >
June 22, 2021
Testing positive for COVID-19 while pregnant with triplets, mother participates in PRIORITY study. After a successful delivery while under the care of Dr. Rashmi Rao, UCLA OBGYN maternal-fetal medicine specialist, mother and babies are healthy. See the story on CBS News >
May 24, 2021
The Los Angeles Times interviewed Aparna Sridhar, MD, about the national COVID-19 “baby bust” and how the use of the IUD, shorthand for intrauterine device, is just one of many reasons California is expected to see almost 50,000 fewer births in 2021.
May 21, 2021
Doctors see ripple effect of missed health screenings during pandemic. Today interviewed expert Ritu Salani, MD, director of gynecologic oncology at UCLA Health and the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, on people limiting clinical visits at the beginning of the pandemic.
May 21, 2021
UCLA Health clinic helps mom heal after near-death birth experience. Resources at the MOMS Clinic include therapy sessions and a moms support group. UCLA Newsroom >
May 14, 2021
Oncology Times reported on a new UCLA study presented during the Society of Gynecologic Oncology 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting that highlighted the benefits of using liquid biopsies from patients with tubo-ovarian and peritoneal cancers. Research was led by Tiffany Lai, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and the UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center.
May 14, 2021
Aparna Sridhar, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, was quoted by Insider on common signs of ovulation each month.
May 8, 2021
UCLA Health interviewed UCLA OBGYN experts on women's health topics for practical information on reproductive, gynecologic, breast and bladder health, as well as gynecologic cancer prevention, female minimally invasive surgery and family planning tips. Read Women's Health: Everything You Need to Know >
April 23, 2021
Los Angeles Times interviewed Ilina Pluym, MD, assistant professor in the division of maternal fetal medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, about a new study showing that pregnancy increases the risk of COVID-19 complications for women.
April 23, 2021
Contemporary OB/GYN profiled Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor-in-residence of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, on mental health in health care during the pandemic.
April 22, 2021
Dr. Ilina Pluym, an assistant professor of UCLA OBGYN in the division of maternal and fetal medicine, was featured on ABC7 News regarding a study finding that Messenger RNA COVID vaccines are likely safe for pregnant women. Watch >
April 19, 2021
Contemporary OB/GYN invited Aparna Sridhar, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, to discuss COVID's impact on testing, the role of telehealth and how that is Impacting access to care. Watch >
April 14, 2021
Los Angeles Magazine has published its annual list of “Top Doctors” in Los Angeles and 29 UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology physicians have been recognized in the 2021 guide as among the city’s best doctors. Congratulations to Drs. Yalda Afshar, Zain Al-Safi, Alexander Chiang, Joshua Cohen, Daniel Dumesic, Christina Han, Carla Janzen, Beth Karlan, Brian Koos, Deborah Krakow, Lindsay Kroener, Lydia Lee, Erin Mellano, Sanaz Memarzadeh, Tina A. Nguyen, Erica Oberman, Ram Parvataneni, Molly Quinn, Jeannine Rahimian, Ramneek Rana, Rashmi Rao, Valentina Rodriguez, Radhika Rible, Sulagna Saitta, Aparna Sridhar, Christopher Tarnay, Mya Zapata and Mae Zakhour. Learn more about Los Angeles Magazine’s “Top Doctors” list >
April 14, 2021
Dr. Ilina Pluym, an assistant professor of UCLA OBGYN in the division of maternal and fetal medicine, was interviewed by USA Today about the rare condition of getting pregnant while already pregnant.
April 9, 2021
Oncology Learning Network reported on a study presented by Morcos Nakhla, a medical student at the University of California - Los Angeles, at the 2021 SGO Virtual Annual Meeting on Women’s Cancer, showing findings that frail patients with ovarian cancer who undergo surgery at institutions with higher surgical volume have lower inpatient mortality rates. The research was led by Joshua Cohen, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
April 6, 2021
Romper interviewed Aparna Sridhar, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology, about precipitous lab and delivery. Romper also spoke to Dr. Sridhar about everything to know about Braxton Hicks contractions.
March 26, 2021
A national study led by researchers at UCLA and UC San Francisco has shed greater light on how COVID-19 affects pregnant women. The Pregnancy CoRonavIrus Outcomes RegIsTrY (PRIORITY) study analyzed the clinical course and outcomes of 594 women who tested positive for the novel coronavirus during pregnancy. Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, is the lead investigator of this study co-managed by UCLA and UCSF. Read the full story in U Magazine >
March 26, 2021
ASCO Post reported on a UCLA study presented at the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting finding frailty in ovarian cancer patients increased mortality risk. Research was led by Joshua Cohen, MD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and member of the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.
March 19, 2021
New York Times interviewed Ritu Salani, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of gynecologic oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, on the pandemic’s impact on cancer screenings.
March 12, 2021
Nature featured Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology, division of maternal fetal medicine, about how COVID-19 affects mothers and babies, highlighting the launch of a registry led by Dr. Afshar and colleagues from UCSF tracking the effects of COVID-19 on pregnant women and their newborns.
March 5, 2021
Healthline interviewed Rashmi Rao, MD, health sciences assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, on the importance of pregnant women receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
March 5, 2021
HuffPost interviewed Misty Richards, MD, MS, program director of the UCLA Semel Institute’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and assistant clinical professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, on navigating conversations with children on miscarriage.
February 26, 2021
Christina Han, MD, clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology and division director of maternal-fetal medicine at UCLA Health, was interviewed by NBC News about a new trial that will test the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine on pregnant women.
February 26, 2021
Los Angeles Times interviewed Ritu Salani, MD, professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of gynecologic oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, on the pandemic’s impact on women’s cancer screenings.
February 26, 2021
Leena Nathan, MD, obstetrician-gynecologist at UCLA Health Westlake Village, was quoted by Insider on the transmission of oral and genital herpes. Yahoo! News syndicated the Insider story.
February 18, 2021
Understanding the link between birth control pills and cancer risk. Millions of women use birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and control health issues related to menstruation. But recent studies show that oral contraceptives containing the hormones estrogen and progestin (combined pills) may also greatly reduce your risk for ovarian and uterine (endometrial) cancers. Taking birth control pills may sound like a win-win, but there are many other factors to consider, according to Aparna Sridhar, MD, a comprehensive women’s reproductive health provider at UCLA Health. The key is to understand how the pill may alter your risk of different cancers. Then work with your physician to make the best decision about contraception for you. Read more on UCLA Connect >
February 5, 2021
Popular Science interviewed Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor-in-residence of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, about the safety of COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women.
February 3, 2021
Tamara Grisales, MD, assistant clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, discusses the launch of a comprehensive OBGYN initiative to treat maternal pelvic floor injury while also researching ways to prevent complications after childbirth and personalize care. Learn more about the UCLA Postpartum Pelvic Floor Health Program on the Connect Blog >
January 29, 2021
Survivornet interviewed Ritu Salani, MD, obstetrician and gynecologist at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, on encouraging people to get checkups as clinical sites and hospitals are low risk for exposure of COVID-19.
January 29, 2021
KTLA-TV interviewed Courtney Dyke, a pregnant oncology nurse at UCLA Health, on why she chose to get the COVID-19 vaccine and Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor-in-residence of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, who helped Dyke make this decision.
January 29, 2021
Medscape interviewed Misty Richards, MD, MS, assistant clinical professor in both the division of child and adolescent psychiatry and the department of obstetrics and gynecology, on work-life balance during the pandemic.
January 22, 2021
Good Morning America interviewed Rashmi Rao, MD, maternal-fetal medicine specialist and assistant clinical professor of obstetrics-gynecology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, about the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine for pregnant women.
January 22, 2021
KCRW-FM interviewed Yalda Afshar, MD, PhD, assistant professor-in-residence of obstetrics and gynecology in the division of maternal fetal medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, on the lack of evidence demonstrating a baby boom during the pandemic even as people worked from home.
January 22, 2021
Mae Zakhour, MD, Health Sciences Assistant Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, was quoted by Medscape on the likelihood of seeing more cases of babies contracting cancer during birth.
January 22, 2021
MD Edge interviewed Misty Richards, MD, MS, program director of UCLA Semel Institute’s Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship, and assistant clinical professor in both the division of child and adolescent psychiatry and the department of obstetrics and gynecology, on work-life balance during the pandemic.
January 19, 2021
COVID-19 and beyond: What’s on the Biden administration’s health care agenda? UCLA Health experts weigh in on what they hope to see as the new president takes office. Aparna Sridhar, MD, an obstetrician and gynecologist at UCLA Health, believes access to quality health care and contraception for all women is essential. “I hope the Biden-Harris administration expands access to contraception coverage,” she says. “I would hope that all the health care policies pertaining to contraception and reproductive health are science and evidence based, so that we as physicians can provide individualized care without the interference of politics in our exam rooms.” UCLA Connect Blog >
January 15, 2021
Joshua Cohen, MD, assistant professor of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, was interviewed by Very Well Health for an article on how birth control can help lower the risk of cancer.
January 15, 2021
Maternal mortaility rate. The United States is the most dangerous place in the developed world for a Black woman to give birth. Black women die from pregnancy-related complications at more than three times the rate of white women, regardless of income or education level. This statistic has remained constant for decades, despite advances in medicine and improvements in education. Lisa Nicholas, MD, Health Sciences Associate Clinical Professor and Vice Chair, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion of UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology, was interviewed for a story about Dr. Medell Briggs-Malonson, an emergency physician at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and her own labor and delivery experience. UCLA Health Connect >
January 8, 2021
What Pregnant Women Should Know About the COVID-19 Vaccine. Experts from UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology address some of the most pressing questions relating to pregnancy and the vaccine. UCLA Health Connect >
