Woman’s to Hold Virtual Research Week

August 11, 2020

Research Week Presentations Sept. 28-Oct. 2, 2020

While many people may think of Woman’s first and foremost as a place to have a baby, its roots are actually in research. In the late 1950s, a cervical cancer detection laboratory was established by one of the Woman’s founders. It is credited with helping Baton Rouge cite one of the lowest cervical cancer death rates in the country – and it’s still reviewing pap tests performed at Woman’s.

Woman’s will hold Research Week (Sept. 28-Oct. 2) to celebrate the long-standing history of research at Woman’s and share information about current research that is impacting our patients and the community. Participants can join Zoom presentations every day that week from 12:15-12:45 PM where researchers will give a brief 10-15 minute overview of a research study, and then open up for questions from participants.

SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS:

COVID-19 Pregnancy Research

Presenter: Elizabeth Sutton, PhD - Director of Scientific Research, Woman’s Hospital
Monday, Sept. 28
12:15-12:45 PM

Many studies in the past have examined patterns of pregnancy outcomes after severe stressors or natural disasters, like hurricanes. However, the causal mechanisms leading to these outcomes after exposure have yet to be fully explained and are likely an interaction of psychological stressors, lack of healthcare, and environmental exposure. The purpose of the Pregnant during COVID-19 Study is to describe in real-time the changes in health, lifestyle, healthcare access and quality, and mental wellbeing of pregnant women as they live through the COVID-19 pandemic. We will examine the effects of pandemic-driven changes on pregnancy-related outcomes.

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Helping Women with PCOS

Presenter: Karen Elkind-Hirsch, PhD - Director of Scientific Research, Woman’s Hospital
Tuesday, Sept. 29
12:15-12:45 PM


This study is designed to compare five different FDA-approved diabetes medications in improving glucose metabolism, reducing body weight, and restoring reproductive function in overweight/obese women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). The participants were randomized and given one of five medications for 24 weeks. Insulin resistance and glucose responses were compared at the beginning and end of the study using two-hour glucose tolerance tests. Body weight and body fat distribution using DEXA scans were also measured. We hope to determine which treatments best improve the metabolic function of women with PCOS.

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Improving Health of Cancer Patients Through Diet

Presenter: Brooke Schoonenberg, MS, RDN, LDN - Nutrition Services Manager, Woman’s Hospital
Wednesday, Sept. 30
12:15-12:45 PM


The purpose of this study is to determine which diet will be more effective in improving insulin resistance patients with a history of gynecological cancer. All participants will be randomly assigned to either a Mediterranean-style diet or a modified ketogenic diet to follow for 24 weeks. Glucose tolerance tests will be done at the beginning and end of the study to measure changes in the body’s insulin response. We intend to follow these patients long-term to determine if any change in insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and/or change in body composition will affect the participant’s chance of developing cancer again.

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Treating Diabetes in Pregnancy

Presenter: Tara L. Guidry, RN, CDCES - Diabetes Nurse Navigator, LSU OB-GYN Clinic at Woman’s Hospital
Thursday, Oct. 1
12:15-12:45 PM


Treatment of diabetes in pregnancy requires coordination of resources by obstetric providers. The Louisiana State University Obstetric Clinic (LSU-OBGYN Clinic) developed a navigation system to guide patients with diabetes through prenatal and postnatal care. The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of the LSU-Diabetes Navigation System (LSU-DNS) to improve adherence to ACOG standard of care treatment of diabetes in pregnancy.

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Risk Factors for Hemorrhage During and After Pregnancy

Presenter: Kaitlyn Taylor, MD - Medical Resident - LSU OB-GYN Clinic at Woman’s Hospital
Friday, Oct. 2
12:15-12:45 PM

Peripartum hemorrhage is the most common cause of maternal mortality worldwide. Although peripartum hemorrhage has several established risk factors such as history of peripartum hemorrhage and abnormal placentation, predictably identifying patients who will suffer from peripartum hemorrhage remains difficult and risk factors may vary among different populations. In this study, we identified the risk factors for peripartum hemorrhage in our obstetric population in South-Central Louisiana.

ADD TO CALENDAR
Save this Outlook invite to your calendar, which includes Zoom meeting information.