Obstetrics & Gynecology

News and Events

Programs and providers of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine are often the focus of news stories and features appearing in major national media. We invite you to review some stories that typify the breakthrough accomplishments of our remarkable team and highlight the impact our care has had on patient’s lives.

Awards & Honors: August 2027

trophies

Dr. Jean Pape, the Howard and Carol Holtzmann Professor in Clinical Medicine and executive director of GHESKIO, was given the IAS President’s Award by the International AIDS Society at the AIDS 2026 Conference in Rio de Janeiro. The award recognizes the achievements of an individual who demonstrates a history of leadership and excellence as a pioneer at the forefront of HIV and AIDS, highlighting contributions that result in increased knowledge, skills, creative solutions or evidence-based policies and programs to enhance the global response to the disease.

Dr. Kelly Porta, associate dean of physician assistant studies and PA program director, was elected to serve as a commissioner for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the national accrediting body for PA education programs, for a three-year term. Commissioners evaluate PA programs, participate in accreditation site visits and commission meetings, and contribute to policy development and continuous quality improvement in PA education.

Tuberculosis Transmission May Hold Key to Prevention

tuberculosis bacteria

Tuberculosis bacteria released into the air from infected individuals dry out to form infectious particles that are second only to measles in contagiousness. Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have discovered specific mechanisms that enable the bacteria not only to survive drying but also to generate mutations linked to antibiotic resistance. This suggests that transmission involves more than the passive movement of bacteria between people and may be a period during which the pathogen evolves.

Tuberculosis, a lung infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb), affects nearly 11 million people and causes roughly 1.2 million deaths globally each year.

Dr. Kyu Rhee

Dr. Kyu Rhee

Developing a Genetic Toolkit for Manipulating Abundant Intestinal Microbes

cartoon showing speedometer, on/off switch and scissors as ways bacteria can be manipulated

Weill Cornell Medicine investigators have developed a set of molecular tools to regulate the activity of specific genes in one of the most common classes of intestinal bacteria. The ability to genetically manipulate these microbes could lead to a better understanding of the role they play in human physiology and diseases.

In healthy individuals, species of Clostridia comprise half of the bacteria found in the gut. Many produce metabolites that are likely beneficial for human health and immune regulation. However, some are associated with disease—from botulism and inflammatory intestinal conditions to metabolic disorders such as diabetes or even cancer.

headshot of a man

Dr. Chun-Jun Guo

Exactly how Clostridia contribute to disease onset or progression is not well understood. For example, do the bacteria produce a specific toxin or disease-affecting metabolite? Or could changes in their abundance alter other gut bacteria and influence health or disease?

Contact Us