Gender Affirming Care, Perinatal Innovation at OB/GYN Meeting

Innovations in perinatal care, gender affirming-care and improving pregnancy outcomes for women with fibroids are among the topics UCSF clinicians will discuss at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) 2024 Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, May 17-19, in San Francisco. The theme of this year’s conference is “Pathways to Progress,” and features novel research and discussions by experts in UCSF’s Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences.

Here are some highlights:

Leading UCSF Presentations (All times Pacific):

Friday, May 17, 8:00 a.m. -- 10 a.m.
ACOG 2024 Opening Ceremonies

Andrea V. Jackson, MD, MAS, professor and chair of the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, will provide remarks at the opening ceremonies of the 2024 conference. Her remarks will include “San Francisco pro tips” for conference goers and will describe the transformative healthcare equity work by Katherine Brown, MD, MAS, with the UCSF Black Wellness Clinic.

Friday, May 17, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Educational Session/Emerging Topics: Late-Breaking Studies in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Antoinette Allen, MD, clinical research fellow in the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, will present the results of her study “Pregnancy Outcomes After Laparoscopic Radiofrequency Ablation of Uterine Leiomyomas Compared with Myomectomy,” comparing pregnancy outcomes after laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation and myomectomy. Her research and presentation are part of the Uterine Leiomyoma Treatment with Radiofrequency Ablation (ULTRA) study, a multicenter, prospective cohort study with a cohort of 50 percent women of color – the target population for fibroid care and health care disparities. This new technology can possibly help preserve route of delivery (vaginal versus C-section) options for women with fibroids, whereas traditional methods such as myomectomy usually result in a C-section.

Saturday, May 18, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Educational Session/Office Practice: What Am I Supposed to Do with THAT RPR: Practical Syphilis Management

Ina Park, MD, professor in the UCSF Departments of Family Community Medicine and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, provides her expert perspective for how to manage challenging syphilis treatment scenarios. Topics include differentiating syphilis rashes, low titers, discrepant lab results, the reverse algorithm, treatment in pregnancy, follow-up titers, and congenital syphilis prevention.

Saturday, May 18, 2:45 p.m.  – 3:45 p.m. Educational Session: The Prevention Conversation: Let’s Talk About Alcohol and Other Substance Use During Pregnancy

Tricia E. Wright, MD, MS, UCSF professor and director of Perinatal Mental Health and Addiction Medicine in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, will be among the experts to provide an overview of the impact of alcohol and substance exposure during pregnancy. The session will provide evidence-based screening methods as well as tips for providers to acquire skills for communicating and supporting their patients who use alcohol and other drugs. In addition, Wright will discuss the legal requirements for reporting, as well as the harms from over-reporting pregnant persons to child welfare.

Saturday, May 18, 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. 
Educational Session/Emerging Topics: What’s New in Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy

Mitzi Hawkins, MD, assistant professor in the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, will provide a review of recent guidance and evidence-based provision of gender affirming hormone therapy for transgender and gender diverse people.

Sunday, May 19, 12:45 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.
Educational Session/Obstetrics: The Pathway to Better Prenatal Care: Prenatal Care Innovation in Action

Malini Nijagal, MD, professor in the UCSF Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, presents about the importance of comprehensive and innovative care and support to achieve equitable perinatal outcomes. Her discussion will focus on a unique Pregnancy Pop-up Village that focuses on collaborating with support providers outside of the medical system. She will also discuss the importance of building trust between providers, patients, and community, as well as the need to pay attention to health and wellness in a more comprehensive way than we typically do in the medical setting.
 

About UCSF Health: UCSF Health is recognized worldwide for its innovative patient care, reflecting the latest medical knowledge, advanced technologies and pioneering research. It includes the flagship UCSF Medical Center, which is a top-ranked specialty hospital, as well as UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals, with campuses in San Francisco and Oakland, Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinics, UCSF Benioff Children’s Physicians and the UCSF Faculty Practice. These hospitals serve as the academic medical center of the University of California, San Francisco, which is world-renowned for its graduate-level health sciences education and biomedical research. UCSF Health has affiliations with hospitals and health organizations throughout the Bay Area. Visit www.ucsfhealth.org. Follow UCSF Health on Facebook or on Twitter.