OB/GYN Newsletter Summer 2021

OB/GYN Updates
ISSUE THREE | SUMMER 2021
Local Physician Helps Expand
Urogynecology Program
Since 2017, Einstein’s robust OB/GYN resident program has included a
urogynecology rotation thanks in part to Donald DeBrakeleer, DO, FACOG. Now,
the program is expanding.
“We have been able to grow the program significantly in the past four years and
we saw a need to add a significant number of hours,” says Dr. DeBrakeleer.
“Currently, I am on-site at Einstein Philadelphia two days per month – one day
seeing patients in the office and one day operating. Students work with me at
one of my private practice locations during the other days of the week. Working
in my office gives residents exposure to urogynecology in a private practice
setting, while working at Einstein Philadelphia gives them more direct hands-on
patient care and management responsibility.”
The faculty at Einstein recognized the need to expand the urogynecology
program due to increased demand.
“We are expanding the program so I will be on-site seeing patients one
day every week and performing surgeries twice a month,” explains Dr.
DeBrakeleer. “This will give residents even more opportunities to work with
patients by providing routine urogynecology services as well as pre- and postop
care. It will also improve our availability for continuity of care and increased
patient satisfaction.”
Urogynecology, a sub-specialty of obstetrics and gynecology, is dedicated
to treating disorders of the pelvic floor, bladder, reproductive organs, and
rectum. Patients are seen for problems like urinary incontinence, pelvic organ
prolapse, overactive bladder, bladder pain, and vaginal pain. Treatments range
from medicinal interventions to nerve stimulation, Botox injections, pelvic floor
physical therapy, and a variety of surgeries.
“When I finished my residency in 1995, the sub-specialty was still in its infancy,”
says Dr. DeBrakeleer. “The program in which I trained had a very strong
urogynecology and vaginal surgery component and I was especially interested
in the surgical aspect. I enjoy working with people and realized during medical
school that OB/GYN offers a mix of primary, medical, and surgical care. It is one
of the few remaining specialties offering this blend.”
“The surgery aspect of urogynecology is particularly
interesting because the pelvic organs and pelvic
floor support are very complex,” Dr. DeBrakeleer
continues. “Pelvic-organ prolapse and bladder
issues are prevalent now as our population is
aging. One out of three women over age 45 are
experiencing some sort of issue in this area.
This number increases to one out of two for
patients over 65. There is a definite need
for skilled urogynecology specialists and
it’s a privilege to offer my expertise to
train the residents at Einstein.”
Dr. DeBrakeleer is leading the
charge to expand Einstein’s
urogynecology program.
Meeting Rising
Challenges Head-On
For the past
year and a
half, clinicians
and healthcare
organizations
worldwide have
been inundated
by the challenges
associated with
COVID-19. Now,
as we finally emerge from the grips of
the pandemic, our program is turning its
attention to another pressing issue: the
projected global decrease in the number
of deliveries. Guttmacher, Brookings, and
the CDC estimates U.S. deliveries will
decrease by 4 percent—this equates to
more than 300K fewer births.
The ramifications of this are significant
and require we take prompt action,
because training the next generation of
specialists is a responsibility we take
seriously at Einstein.
Over the next several months, we are
working both within and outside our local
community to increase our gynecological
surgical case volumes. Simultaneously,
this strategy will help us uphold our
educational mission by enhancing
surgical education opportunities for
our residents.
Despite diminished case volumes, our
program has worked diligently over
the past year to ensure our residents
are exposed to the same high level of
training as their predecessors. We’ve
done this successfully through additional
simulation trainings for both obstetric
and gynecology residents. As we look
ahead to the fall, we’re excited to begin
exploring the advantages of Einstein’s
merger with Jefferson Health in terms
of resident education, as well as
infrastructure and resources.
I’d like to close with two congratulatory
notes. First, please join me in wishing
Dr. Arnold Cohen the best on his
continued on page 2

continued from page 1
Adapting to Change
retirement. He has played a significant role in the education and mentoring of our
residents and his contributions to the field are beyond measure. He will be greatly
missed. I would also like to offer a heartfelt congratulations to our graduating
residents. We wish you the best in your future fellowships and careers and ask
you to please stay in touch. You’ll always be welcomed as a member of our
Einstein family.
Warmly,
David Jaspan, DO, FACOOG
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-8438 | JaspanD@Einstein.edu
Editor’s Note: Graduating
residents can stay in touch by
registering with Einstein Alumni
Connect – Einstein’s new alumni
networking tool. Visit the site at
alumni.einstein.edu
2
Medication-Assisted Treatment Improving
Outcomes for Moms and Babies
Supported by state grant funding, the Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology at Einstein has been advancing
plans to launch a medication-assisted treatment program
designed to address the specialized needs of pregnant
women since the beginning of 2021.
“There’s good evidence showing patients who receive
medication-assisted treatment do better in pregnancy,” says
Carlene Quashie, MD, who, along with Amanda Schieler, MD,
is leading the charge to get the program up and running.
“Patients are more likely to keep prenatal appointments, less
likely to overdose, and are better able to care for themselves.
It also helps the developing fetus.”
The program was developed to address the growing problem
of opioid use disorder in the general population, including
pregnant patients. The Department of Pediatrics was also
seeing an increase in the number of newborns experiencing
withdraw symptoms without the OB providers having any prior
knowledge of maternal opioid use during the pregnancy.
“We backtracked and realized we could help reduce or
prevent the incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome
if we provided intervention for pregnant women prior to
delivery,” explains Dr. Quashie. “In addition, there is a direct
relationship with maternal opioid use and maternal mortality
in the post-partum period.”
To ensure the program’s success, Drs. Quashie and Schieler
set out to develop training guidelines for clinicians and get
input from other departments before launching the program.
“We had a number of attending physicians get trained and
certified to write prescriptions for buprenorphine, the drug
used to treat opioid addiction,” says Dr. Schieler. “We’ve also
reached out to departments already doing this type of work
for feedback and buy-in.”
Patients who admit to opioid use during prenatal care
visits are informed about the program. For those who are
interested, a consultation is scheduled with Dr. Quashie or
Dr. Schieler and a social worker is brought in to initiate the
patient’s medical and drug use history.
“We provide interested patients with the education they
need to take the next step,” says Dr. Quashie. “Initiation
of medication can’t take place until the patient has been
off opioids for at least 12-24 hours. If they decide to
participate, we bring them back the following day, provide
training on taking their medication and schedule a follow-up
appointment one week later.”
“When a patient has their baby, we schedule them for a
post-partum appointment and help them with insurance
clearance before discharging them from the hospital,” adds
Dr. Schieler. “The post-partum period can get hectic and
it’s a time when patients may be more likely to drop out of
the program. Once they’re released from our care, we also
refer them to the outpatient medicine service where they can
continue medication assisted therapy.”
The medication assisted treatment program is currently in
its infancy and is offered at Einstein Philadelphia, as well
as the Rising Sun practice location. Patient outcomes are
being tracked and the program is hoping to expand to other
locations by the end of the year.
A program led by Dr. Schieler (left) and Dr. Quashie (right), is
working to improve outcomes for mothers and their babies.

Empowering Women Through Health Education
Meeting patients where they need to be met
with information to inform good health has
always been at the heart of Einstein Healthcare
Network’s mission. In Einstein’s Department
of Obstetrics and Gynecology, a new model
has now formalized the practice of supporting
women’s health in the community.
In 2020, a group of physicians, nurse
practitioners and residents in the department
collaborated to form the Division of Public
Purpose and begin work on outreach projects
initiated within the department.
“We want to treat our patients and serve our
community,” says Selina Davis, MD, and coleader
of the division. “We see the Division
of Public Purpose as one way to create
relationships with our patients and build trust.”
The community service group has been meeting
regularly to brainstorm ideas for programs
and groups to support within the community.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 slowed their progress,
but they have been able to initiate a few projects
even in the face of the pandemic.
“We’re working on a mentoring program for girls
aged 13-18 who are members of the Eyekonz
lacrosse team,” says Lisa Smith-Hammond,
MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC. “The idea is to meet
with interested girls once a month and provide
information on a variety of topics including
social skills, college and career exploration, safe
sex education, general health information, and
leadership skills.”
Another project already up-and-running is a
partnership to support No More Secrets, a nonprofit
group in Germantown helping women with
period poverty by providing menstrual supplies.
“We met with Lynette Medley, the founder of No
More Secrets, and we came up with some ways
to assist with their fundraising,” says Dr. Davis.
“It’s an ongoing effort.”
The division welcomes input from all members of the
group and there are different subcommittees working
to bring in new ideas. The group also welcomes
suggestions from area organizations.
“We’re working on a number of ideas and gauging how
the community would like us to provide support,” says
Dr. Davis. “We’ve also been reaching out to different local
groups to determine if there are partnership opportunities.”
“So far, the projects we’re supporting have come from
members’ personal experience,” says Smith-Hammond,
who recognized a need for a mentoring program with
the Eyekonz team when her daughter was a player. “I’m
so glad we started the Division of Public Purpose. It’s
something I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m excited
for the future of the program and the outcomes for
our community.”
Creating relationships with patients and building trust through the Division of Public
Purpose. Pictured from left: Kara Pravdo, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC, division co-chair,
Alycia Ham, DNP, CRNP, WHNP-BC, Lindsay Dorsey, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC, and
Lisa Smith-Hammond, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC. (not pictured Selina Davis, MD)
The Division of Public Purpose’s mentoring program for the Philadelphia-based
Eyekonz girls’ lacrosse team, provides members with information on a range of topics.
“
We’re working on a mentoring program for
girls aged 13-18 who are members of the
Eyekonz lacrosse team. The idea is to meet
with interested girls once a month and
provide information on a variety of topics
including social skills, college and career
exploration, safe sex education, general
health information, and leadership skills.“
—Lisa Smith-Hammond, MSN, CRNP, WHNP-BC
OB/GYN Updates | Summer 2021 | 3

Einstein Healthcare Network
Office of Development
Braemer Education Building
5501 Old York Road | Philadelphia, PA 19141
Have exciting news to share?
Want to keep up with fellow Einstein
alumni? Or need to send us your updated
contact information?
Please drop a note to Fran Gress, Manager
of Annual Fund and Alumni Relations at
gressfra@einstein.edu or call 215-456-6278
or visit advance.einstein.edu/alumni.
Dr. Aishat Olatunde Brings Her Passion Back to Einstein
Einstein’s Division of Family Planning provides patients with
the care and guidance they need to navigate the sometimesdifficult
decisions they must make regarding pregnancy
options. The program encompasses all aspects of family
planning including pregnancy, abortion, miscarriage, and
contraceptive care and this is exactly why, Aishat Olatunde,
MD, is excited to return to Einstein.
“The program was just beginning when I was a resident,”
says Dr. Olatunde. “Einstein helped foster and grow my
interest in complex family planning. It was a great learning
experience and I’m excited to expand the program and bring
a more formal curriculum to the residents.”
Following her residency, Dr. Olatunde entered a fellowship
in Complex Family Planning at the University of Washington,
which she completed this past June.
“My training at Einstein really prepared me to be efficient in
my practice and patient care,” says Dr. Olatunde. “I learned
how to be a quick thinker and
juggle a variety of situations. I also
learned the importance of providing
holistic reproductive health care to
my patients. I brought those skills to
Seattle and used them to advocate
for patients.”
Dr. Olatunde became enamored
with women’s health when she
was exposed to the field through
a course she took as a high
school student. Today, she feels
honored to be a part of her patient’s
lives during some of their most
vulnerable and exciting times.
Dr. Olatunde is grateful for
the opportunity to “give
back” to Einstein.
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity to return to Einstein,”
she shares. “It has a great community of providers and I’m
excited to be a part of it.”
Supporting Einstein Healthcare
Network’s OB/GYN Residency Program
Gifts to support Einstein Healthcare Network’s OB/GYN Residency
Program directly impact the training and well-being of our residents.
You may make your tax-deductible gift to the Arnold Cohen, MD, Research
Fund for OB/GYN at advance.einstein.edu or by calling 215-456-6278.
Office of Development
Braemer Education Building
5501 Old York Road
Philadelphia, PA 19141
advance.einstein.edu/alumni
4 | Summer 2021 | OBGYN Updates