Magee-Womens Research Institute & Foundation

Have a safe and happy 4th of July from all of us at Magee-Womens! 🎆 Can you believe it's already July? Check out our events page to attend some exciting events before summer ends: https://lnkd.in/ejD-Gj7Q

A simple survey delivered during the first trimester through digital pregnancy support app MyHealthyPregnancy predicted which mothers went on to develop moderate to severe depression with a high level of accuracy, according to a new Archives of Women’s Mental Health study led by researchers at Magee-Womens, University of Pittsburgh, and UPMC. According to lead author and Magee-Womens investigator Dr. Tamar Krishnamurti, "Depression is a leading complication during pregnancy with about 15% of patients reporting symptoms at some point in their pregnancy journey." Now, Dr. Krishnamurti and her team are developing approaches to integrate these screening questions into clinical workflows and identifying the best ways for clinicians to converse with patients about depression risk. Learn more: https://bit.ly/4coU8sL

📅 Mark your calendars! The latest issue of Magee Matters features upcoming alumni events and conferences. We value our Magee-Womens alumni community and want to keep in touch! Check out page 14 for the latest on alumni events: https://lnkd.in/eFKbSJzH

Exciting news in #breastcancer research! A clinical trial at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center aimed at developing a vaccine against early-stage breast cancer hit an important milestone: its first patient received her final dose of the vaccine. Maria Kitay, of Pittsburgh's North Hills, became the first person to receive a full course of the vaccine, developed after decades of research by Dr. Olivera Finn, distinguished professor of Immunology at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Hillman. Her vaccine doses were administered at UPMC Hillman at the UPMC Magee-Womens Cancer Center. The vaccine trial was seeded by a $100,000 grant from A Glimmer of Hope Foundation | The Symbol of the Cure, which was founded with the goal of funding programs, treatments, and research targeting breast cancer. Learn more: https://bit.ly/45FXdCF

With dedication and expertise spanning decades, Diana Brucha has been instrumental in shaping the future of hundreds of Magee-Womens residents and fellows who have gone on to lead, advance science, innovate, educate, and care for thousands of women. Her nearly 40-year career at UPMC and as the Director of Graduate Medical Education (GME) and steward of GME in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at UPMC Magee-Womens deserves celebration. What was her favorite part of her professional journey after almost 4 decades at Magee-Womens? Find out: https://bit.ly/4bTS1Nv

Something new has hatched at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. The Virtual Care Center at UPMC Magee-Womens connects Pennsylvania residents with UPMC Magee-Womens specialists through online scheduling of MyUPMC Video Visits. From the comfort of home, using a smartphone or tablet, patients can consult with a Magee-Womens expert about their condition and explore treatment options. The goal? Create a concierge-type service to facilitate comprehensive care for patients. Explore this innovative program's creation, patient benefits, and future aspirations with Magee-Womens leaders, Dr. Glenn Updike, Medical Director for Clinical Informatics, Women’s Health Service Line, and Jennifer Chaney, Director, Women’s Health Service Line: https://bit.ly/4awXbxx

🚨 New #research alert! Dr. Steve Caritis and team's recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reveals that the recommended dosing regimen for Makena (17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate) was suboptimal. Makena was approved by the U.S FDA for the prevention of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth in 2011, but basic pharmacology studies were not performed. The therapeutic concentration target was not established, and the drug’s pharmacologic characteristics were not considered in the dosing regimen. Many women will not reach the optimal drug concentration with the current 250mg weekly dose and some may need a higher dose. A loading dose will rapidly achieve the desired therapeutic concentration, but this was not part of the dosing recommendations. This study underscores the importance of basic pharmacology studies with any medication, but especially for medications given to pregnant women due to the dramatic changes in pregnancy that affect every aspect of how medications are handled. Read more: https://bit.ly/4e0ezxW.

The countdown is on❗We are three weeks away from the 7th Annual Pars for Postpartum Depression Golf Outing on July 29 at Edgewood Country Club! Enjoy a day on the course while supporting postpartum depression services. You can make a difference - as a sponsor, team participant, or donor. Sign up now: MageeWomens.org/Pars Thank you to our co-hosts: UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital and UPMC Western Behavioral Health, and our Presenting Sponsor: UPMC Health Plan.

🌞 Happy 1st Day of Summer! We have an exciting lineup of events this summer including: 🏌️♂️ Pars for Postpartum Golf Outing on July 29 🎯 14th Annual Sporting Clays Shoot on August 7 & 8 🎣 Pittsburgh Penguins Alumni Association Cast for a Cure on August 15 & 16 🎸 Women Who Rock™ Benefit Concert on August 28 ... and more! Stay involved at MageeWomens.org/Events.

What's the latest at the UPMC Magee-Womens Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine? Led by Dr. Arun Jeyabalan, the MFM Division's clinical programs continue to expand to meet the needs of our region given the growing obesity epidemic, aging reproductive populations, and increasing shift to telemedicine. “We are not just classically educating residents, fellows, and medical students, but rather centering all of our education efforts to the team-based approach. We invite practicing ob-gyn generalists, midwives, family practice providers, and OB nurses to our training programs. Our goal is to promote evidence-based best practices and optimize team dynamics and communication,” says Dr. Jeyabalan. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3KexGXa