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Danielle Patterson, M.D., S.M.
- Director, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Fellowship
- Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
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Victoria Lynn Handa, M.D., M.H.S.
- Director, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Director, Women’s Center for Pelvic Health and Reconstructive Surgery
- Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Our ACGME-accredited fellowship is dedicated to training physicians for leadership roles in the academic practice of female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery.
Program Highlights
Best of Both Worlds
Our clinical training is split between Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and Greater Baltimore Medical Center. This combination gives our fellows a rich exposure to practice in two very different settings.

Global Health Experience
This optional rotation is tailored to the fellows' interests and experiences. Fellows participate in clinical, educational, and research opportunities in lower resource settings.

Surgical Breadth
Fellows train in vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Fellows also get experience in office procedures (intravesical Botox, urethral bulking), neuromodulation procedures, and complex urodynamic studies.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Gain a robust multidisciplinary experience through The Johns Hopkins Women’s Center for Pelvic Health and Reconstructive Surgery, an integrated clinic that includes urogynecology, urology and colorectal practices.

Graduate courses at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Take courses at the school consistently ranked as the #1 school of public health in the country by U.S. News and World Report.

Meaningful Research
Our fellows consistently present from the podium at national meetings and have a 100% publication record for thesis research.

ABOG Certification
100% pass rate for the ABOG certification exam.

Current Fellows
Preston Edge, M.D.
3rd Year Fellow

Barbara Ha, M.D.
2nd Year Fellow

Nicholas Scioscia, D.O.
1st Year Fellow

Requirements
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Applicants must have completed an ACGME-accredited residency in obstetrics and gynecology, and must be eligible for medical licensure in the state of Maryland.

How to Apply
Application to the fellowship should be done via ERAS. Applicants also should submit the following documents:
- Curriculum vitae
- Council on Resident Education in Obstetrics and Gynecology (CREOG) scores from third year of residency
- At least three letters of recommendation (one must be from the chairman of urology or gynecology, or the residency program director)
- Personal statement (preferably focused on the applicant's interest in the field; this also provides an opportunity to emphasize relevant academic credentials and personal qualities)

Deadlines for 2024
- 11/15/2023 - ERAS opens for application submission
- 12/6/2023 - Program begin reviewing applications.
- 1/22/2024 - Application deadline
- 2/12/2024 - First round of interview offers will be sent by 8 pm Eastern.
- 2/19/2024 - Applicants will accept or decline first round interview offers by 8 pm Eastern
- 4/12/2024 - Interview date- Virtual Interview PM
- 4/13/2024 - Interview date- Virtual Interview AM
For more information or questions regarding the application process, please contact Carolyn Wilkinson, fellowship program coordinator, at 410-550-2787 or e-mail [email protected].

Curriculum Details
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One per year.
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Three years.
The curriculum includes 12 months of research and 24 months of clinical training. Clinical rotations include urogynecology (at Johns Hopkins and at Greater Baltimore Medical Center), urology, and colorectal surgery.
Surgical experience includes training in vaginal, abdominal, laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Office procedures include diagnostic cystoscopy, intravesical Botox, urethral bulking, complex urodynamic studies, posterior tibial nerve neuromodulation, and other procedures. Multidisciplinary collaborations provide experience in neurourology, reconstructive urologic procedures, management of functional bowel disorders, and surgical treatment of colorectal disorders (including rectal prolapse and fecal incontinence).
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- No in-house call, no obstetrical duties
- Three weeks of vacation plus one week of conference time
- Employment benefits
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Fellows are prepared for academic careers via full participation in research projects, presentations at national meetings, grant writing and scientific publications.
All fellows receive formal training in research methods, with an emphasis on study design. Fellows have the opportunity to gain experience in grant writing under the mentorship of experienced faculty members. Thesis research can include clinical or basic science research. Fellows can receive study design and statistical support through our NIH-funded research core. Each fellow presents a form thesis defense in order to prepare for FPRMS board certification. Additional experience is provided in scientific writing and the scientific peer review process.
Graduate courses in research methods: Our fellows complete graduate-level courses in epidemiology and biostatistics offered by The Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Leadership Team
Program Director - Dr. Danielle Patterson, Associate Program Director - Dr. Victoria Handa, Program Coordinator - Carolyn Wilkinson
Carolyn Wilkinson
Program Coordinator

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Chi Chiung Grace Chen, M.D., M.H.S.
- Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Expertise: Fistulas, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Stress Incontinence, Urinary Incontinence
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Victoria Lynn Handa, M.D., M.H.S.
- Director, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Director, Women’s Center for Pelvic Health and Reconstructive Surgery
- Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Expertise: Cystocele, Lower Urinary Tract Reconstruction, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Rectocele
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Danielle Patterson, M.D., S.M.
- Director, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Fellowship
- Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics
Expertise: Cystocele, Fistulas, Lower Urinary Tract Reconstruction, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Organ Prolapse
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Alodia Gabre-Kidan, M.D., M.P.H.
- Clerkship Director, Surgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Assistant Professor of Surgery
Expertise: Anal Cancer, Colon and Rectal Surgery, Colonoscopy, Colorectal Cancer, Colorectal Surgery
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Susan L Gearhart, M.D., M.Ed.
- Interim Chief of Colorectal Surgery
- Associate Professor of Surgery
- Associate Professor of Oncology
Expertise: Colon and Rectal Surgery, Colon Cancer, Colon Surgery, Colorectal Cancer, Colorectal Disease
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Marisa Meyer Clifton, M.D.
- Director, Women’s Health, Brady Urological Institute
- Director, Urology Residency Program
- Director, Urology Robotic Education
- Associate Professor of Urology
Expertise: Bladder Stones, Kidney Stones, Lower Urinary Tract Reconstruction, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Organ Prolapse
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Edward James Wright III, M.D.
- Director, Division of Reconstructive and Neurological Urology
- Director of Urology, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
- Associate Professor of Urology
Expertise: Incontinence, Lower Urinary Tract Reconstruction, Pelvic Floor Disorders, Pelvic Organ Prolapse, Urethral Stricture
Laura Scheufele, PT, B.C.I.A.-P.M.D.B.
Physical Therapist, Department of Rehabilitation Services

Joan Blomquist, M.D.
Chair, Gynecology

Stephanie Jacobs, M.D.
Chief, Urogynecology

Recent Fellow Publications
Recent fellow publications from thesis work demonstrate the impact of their research:
Dr. David Lovejoy: Breastfeeding and pelvic floor disorders one to two decades after vaginal delivery. Lovejoy DA, Roem JL, Blomquist JL, Pandya PR, Handa VL. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019 Oct;221(4):333.e1-333.e8.
Dr. Emily Myer: Longitudinal changes in pelvic floor muscle strength among parous women. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Jun 11
Dr. Jennifer Hallock: Patient satisfaction and informed consent for surgery. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017;217:181.e1-181.e7.
Dr. Chandhu Paka: Relationship of Anatomy and Function: External Anal Sphincter on Transperineal Ultrasound and Anal Incontinence. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2017;23:238-243.
Dr. Cynelle Kunkle: Prevalence of cognitive impairment in older women with pelvic floor disorders. Int Urogynecol J. 2017;28:1645-1650.
Dr. Hafsa Memon: Comparison of levator ani muscle avulsion injury after forceps-assisted and vacuum-assisted vaginal childbirth. Obstet Gynecol. 2015;125:1080-7
Dr. Sarah Friedman: Pelvic muscle strength after childbirth. Obstet Gynecol. 2012;120:1021-8.
Prior Fellows
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Anna Pancheshnikov, M.D.
Jacqueline Kikuchi, M.D.
Jerome Buller, MD, MBA, MS, FACOG, FACHE
Commander,
US Army Institute of Surgical ResearchKenneth Leffler, MD, COL, USAF, MC, FS
Chair of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Brooke Army Medical CenterSohail Siddique, MD
Chief, Division of Urogynecology,
Director, Minimally Invasive Robotic Surgery Fellowship,
Southern Illinois University School of MedicineRobert Gutman, MD
Professor,
Georgetown University School of Medicine,
Fellowship director, Washington Hospital CenterLieschen Quiroz, MD
Professor,
Division Director,
University of OklahomaStuart Shippey, MD
Associate Professor
Urogynecologist and Director of Research
OB/GYN Residency Program
Sacred Heart Hospital Pensacola, University of FloridaLeise Knoepp, MD, MHS
Urogynecologist,
Ochsner Medical CenterSarah Friedman, MD
Assistant Professor,
Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell -
Hafsa Memon, MD
Women's Pelvic Health And Continence Center,
Stony Brook MedicineCynelle Kunkle, MD
Director of Female Pelvic Medicine
Crozer HealthChandhu Paka, MD
Assistant Professor,
Icahn School of Medicine, Mt. Sinai Medical CenterJennifer Hallock, MD
Urogynecologist,
Kaiser Permanente Northern CaliforniaEmily Myer, MD
Urogynecologist,
Comprehensive Healthcare for Women, MinnesotaDavid Lovejoy, MD
Associate Professor
Division Director, Urogynecology
Navicent HealthcarePrerna Raj Pandya, MD, MS
Urogynecologist,
Aurora Health Care, WisconsinKeila Muniz, MD
Urogynecologist,
St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center, Syracuse, NY