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Academic Research

Abner Korn, MD

Dr. Korn is currently working on several research projects such as, Obstetrical and Iatrogenic Fistula prevention, management and outcome in Uganda. He is also collaborating with Suellen Miller, PhD, RN, CNM, MHA, Alison El Ayadi PhD and others on research projects studying prevention, clinical outcome and reintegration of women into their communities/families following vesicovaginal fistula repair in Uganda, East Africa. These include an R01 (impact score of 23, which translated to the 7th percentile) to recruit a longitudinal cohort following fistula repair for three years following surgery to understand time-varying risk factors of adverse outcomes: fistula recurrence, incident and persistent incontinence, and adverse pregnancy outcome in post-repair pregnancies. A second R01 submission: “PROtocol-Trained Environment for Cesarean Delivery Trial (PROTECT): Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Evidence-based Cesarean Protocol in a Low Resource Environment” that will investigate the effectiveness of training in Cesarean section on reduction of maternal morbidity including proxies for development of obstetrical fistula. Has also submitted a R21 to collect prospective data collection in 4 hospitals in Uganda to identify major contributors to cesarean-related complications and to perform qualitative work for context-specific intervention strategy development to reduce c/s related morbidity.

Jeannette Lager, MD, MPH

Dr. Lager’s research interests are in disparities among patients undergoing fibroid treatment procedures, enhanced recovery after surgery, and patient centered education about this and surgical education in the school of medicine.

Alison F. Jacoby, MD

She is a founding member of the UC Fibroid Network, created initially with funds from the University of California, Office of the President in 2012. The group is composed of clinicians and clinical researchers who share an interest in uterine fibroids from each of the five UC medical centers. Two research projects that the group has completed are the ULTRA trial to evaluate the clinical outcomes following a new laparoscopic procedure using radiofrequency energy to destroy fibroids and a retrospective review of the incidence of unsuspected uterine sarcoma among women undergoing surgery for presumed fibroids at the 5 UC campuses. She is also involved in a study investigating the effectiveness of an aromatase inhibitor on fibroid growth and bleeding pattern of women with symptomatic fibroids. She recently collaborated on an editorial which has been accepted for publication in JAMA about the role of the FDA in the power morcellator controversy.