Current WRHR Scholars
Jeff Federspiel, MD, PhD
Dr. Federspiel is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. His clinical practice centers on the care of patients with hematologic and cardiovascular complications of pregnancy. His research focuses on postpartum prophylaxis following cesarean delivery.
WRHR research project: Postpartum prophylaxis following cesarean delivery: building evidence for individualization and translation
Description: This study proposes to extend our existing studies evaluating the role of anticoagulation following cesarean delivery, by 1) developing individualized predictions of the effectiveness and risk of postpartum anticoagulation using a large administrative dataset, and 2) eliciting patient and provider preferences regarding the risk-benefit tradeoffs of postpartum anticoagulation.
Stephanie Lim, MD
Dr. Lim is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke. Her research interests lie in incorporating technology into clinical practice, optimizing surgical care, and improving understanding and outcomes related to endometriosis, fibroids, and other complex benign gynecology conditions.
WRHR research project: Re-evaluating postmenopausal bleeding: Assessing risk of endometrial cancer in patients with postmenopausal bleeding
Description: This study proposes to expand our understanding of endometrial cancer risk in patients who present with postmenopausal bleeding by developing individualized predictions for endometrial cancer and/or hyperplasia. We will evaluate a predictive calculator, natural language machine learning algorithm, and an image-based machine learning algorithm to assess for endometrial cancer risk. We will also perform pilot discrete choice experiments to assess patient preferences about the workup and evaluation of postmenopausal bleeding. We will specifically look at the impact of fibroids on the risk of endometrial cancer and patient preferences for workup.
Past Scholars
2025 - Jonas Swartz, MD, MPH
Dr. Swartz is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Duke and serves as Medical Director of Family Planning and Ryan Program Director in the Division of Women’s Community and Population Health.
WRHR Research Project: Barriers to Postpartum Contraceptive Care, Perceived Racial Discrimination and Long-Term Maternal and Infant Health
Description: Better access to postpartum contraception could help mitigate North Carolina's racial, ethnic and economic disparities in maternal and infant health. Through our three aims we seek to understand how barriers to postpartum care and contraceptive care, with a focus on perceived racial discrimination, affect health outcomes for women and infants.
2020 - Rebecca Previs, MD, MS
Dr. Previs is a gynecology cancer specialist. She works as Senior Director, Medical Affairs - Oncology at Labcorp.
WRHR Research Project: Turning ProMisE into Practice: Molecular Classification to Prognosticate Response in Medically Managed Endometrial Cancers
Description: Molecular characterization of uterine cancer predicts survival in patients undergoing standard of care surgery, but it has not previously been evaluated in medically managed patients. This study (1) assessed the prognostic value of molecularly characterizing patients with uterine cancer treated with a progestin-secreting intrauterine device (LNG-IUD) in a multi-institutional cohort, and (2) piloted a prospective clinical trial in patients treated with LNG-IUD for uterine cancer to evaluate feasibility of integrating molecular biomarkers.