Our Annual Conference, “Challenges in OB/Gyn: Pearls for Practice” was a resounding success with over 100 registrants each day to listen to national/international distinguished faculty from across the United States who took multidisciplinary perspectives on patient care in OB/Gyn.

Charles Sumner Bacon Lectureship Distinguished faculty, Dr. Suzie As-Sanie (Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan) described the relationship between chronic pain and endometriosis.  At the culmination of the symposium, Drs. Suzy As-Sanie, Sondra Summers (Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago), Anders Mellgren (Colon & Rectal Surgery, University of Illinois at Chicago), William Kobak (Urogynecology, University of Illinois at Chicago), and Heather Moky (Physical Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago), presented complex cases and discussed different potential ways of treatment and management of their pelvic health issues.

Keynote speaker for the 10th Annual Antonio Scommegna Symposium, Dr. William Kutteh (Clinical Professor, Vanderbilt University) tackled the controversies related to whether or not to treat thrombophilias among women with recurrent pregnancy loss.  Dr. Dana McQueen (Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Fellow, University of Illinois at Chicago) presented on the relationship between chronic endometritis and recurrent pregnancy loss.  Dr. Stagnaro-Green reviewed whether or not to treat thyroid disease in pregnancy.  Dr. Kutteh and Dr. Mary Stephenson (Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Illinois at Chicago) debated whether IVF/PGS has any utility for recurrent pregnancy loss.

Dr. Lauren Plante (Director of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Drexel University) led the 15th Annual Laird Wilson Perinatal Symposium with an incisive discussion of optimal critical care for obstetrical patients. Our UIC Maternal Fetal Medicine faculty (Dr. Dimitrios Mastrogiannis, Dr. Micaela Della Torre and moderator, Dr. Laura DiGiovanni) were joined by Dr. Sachin Amin (Neonatology, University of Illinois at Chicago) and Dr. Plante to debate ethical issues related to the care and management of periviable pregnancies.

Dr. David O’Malley (Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University), as keynote speaker for the Gynecologic Oncology symposium, detailed issues related to fertility preservation for women with uterine cancer.  Dr. O’Malley, Dr. Rajul Kothari (Gynecologic Oncology, University of Illinois at Chicago), and Dr. Bert Scoccia (Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Illinois at Chicago), discussed controversial cases of patients with uterine cancer.

Attendees also got a tour of our newly renovated Department at lunch, and many joined us for a wine & cheese event for Alumni and Friends of our Department.

Evaluations were outstanding and we look forward to next year’s Conference, which has been scheduled for October 27-28, 2016.