Duke Ob/Gyn Magazine 2026: Awards, Newsmakers and Alumni

Barber Appointed President of the DHIP and Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs in SOM 

Former Duke Ob/Gyn Department Chair Matthew D. Barber, MD, MHS, now oversees practice operations, strategy development and implementation throughout the Duke Health Integrated Practice (DHIP). Dr. Barber served as interim senior vice president of DHIP from July 1, 2024 to March 28, 2025. As DHIP’s interim leader, he was instrumental in enhancing collaboration across Duke Health and building an infrastructure that supports the future growth of Duke Health. 

Davidson Honored by APGO, Selected for ABOG Exam Subcommittee

Congratulations to gynecologic oncologist Brittany Davidson, MD, recipient of the 2025 Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics (APGO) Humanism in Teaching Award. Learn more at duke.is/APGO. Dr. Davidson also was selected by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ABOG) Assessment Development Subcommittee (ADSC) for membership on the Gynecologic Oncology Certifying Exam Subcommittee.

Morello Wins Awards at National Meeting

Manager of Quality and Safety Madeline Morello, MIE, won the second-place poster award in the Improvement Science category, as well as the “Improvement Expert” award, at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement meeting in Anaheim, California. Her poster was titled, “Better at home: increasing same day discharge after minimally invasive hysterectomies.”

Berchuck Receives Shingleton Award

Gynecologic oncologist Andrew Berchuck, MD, was recognized on Oct. 24, 2025 as a recipient of the prestigious Shingleton Award for Caregiver Partnership. The award is named in honor of William W. Shingleton, MD, the founding director of Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center and now known as the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI). Dr. Shingleton was instrumental in developing surgical oncology into recognized specialty not only at Duke, but nationally as well. This award honors those caregivers, faculty and physicians who have brought distinction to themselves, credit to DCI and Duke University and benefit to their communities through their vocation. Watch the tribute video at duke.is/SACP. 

Amundsen Honored by CAIRIBU, Announced as PI for WRHR

Cindy Amundsen, MD, principal investigator for Duke’s Multidisciplinary K12 Research Career Development Program (KURe), was honored with the “Outstanding Community Builder Award” for her commitment to promoting and supporting the growth of early career investigators and playing an instrumental role in fostering engagement and collaborations. The KURe Program is a part of Collaborating for the Advancement of Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (CAIRIBU) and is funded through the National Institutes of Health/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Learn more at duke.is/KURe.

Amundsen Named PI of WRHR K12 Program

The Department of Ob/Gyn has been awarded a competitive renewal grant for the Women’s Reproductive Health Research (WRHR K12) program (Aug. 2025 to June 2030), and Dr. Amundsen has been formally announced as the
award’s principal investigator. 

Faculty Awarded R01 Grants

Liping Feng, MD, was awarded a $3.1 million R01 grant spanning four years by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). The scope of the research is to examine the hypothesis that per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure is detrimental to placental function and fetal development via disruption of mitochondrial activities and metabolism.

Director of Family Planning Jonas Swartz, MD, MPH, has been awarded a $4 million R01 grant spanning five years by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

“The goal of this research is to help understand how institutions follow the law when faced with restrictions to evidence-based reproductive health care, and to improve those processes,” said Dr. Swartz. 

Wheeler Elected to SMFM Board

Sarahn Wheeler, MD, MHSc, was elected to the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine Board of Directors. The term for SMFM’s four new board members began in February 2026 following the Pregnancy Meeting™ and ends in March 2029. Learn more at duke.is/SMFMboard.

Durham OB-GYN Celebrates 100 Years

From its roots as a two-physician practice in 1925 to its role today as part of the Duke Health Integrated Practice, Durham OB-GYN stands as a testament to what enduring commitment looks like. It is a story of community, innovation and care; of doctors who trained and taught one another; of patients whose daughters and granddaughters return; and of a city that has grown alongside its caregivers.

After 100 years, one thing remains unchanged: Durham OB-GYN’s steadfast dedication to caring for women across generations — with expertise, compassion and heart. Read more about the practice’s milestone at duke.is/DOB. 

Interactive Alumni Map

Duke Ob/Gyn is proud to provide information about recent alumni (2000-2025). Click here to view the interactive version. Is your information on the interactive map up to date? Please visit duke.is/obgyn-alum to fill out the survey.

Kudos! Alumni Receive DMAA Awards

Amy Murtha, MD, and Steven Scott, MD, are recipients of 2025 Duke Medical Alumni Association Awards. Established in 1968, the awards were created to recognize those who make important contributions to the establishment and growth of the Duke University School of Medicine and to the world of medicine. Dr. Murtha received a Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. Scott received a Distinguished Service Award. Read more at duke.is/DMAA.

Alumni Spotlight: Stephanie Lim, MD

First Complex Benign Gynecology Fellowship Alumna Featured in Clinical Practice Today

Duke University Class of 2019

Duke Ob/Gyn Residency Class of 2023

Duke Ob/Gyn Complex Benign Gynecology Fellowship Class of 2025
 

Dr. Lim, the first ob/gyn to complete Complex Benign Gynecology subspecialty fellowship training at Duke, discussed minimally invasive options for complex endometriosis in a recent issue of Duke Health’s Clinical Practice Today. Challenges, including determining how to best support long-term health and approaches based on the patient’s needs and the complexity of their condition, are covered.

According to Dr. Lim, women often experience years of painful, life-limiting periods before reaching a diagnosis. While some specific markers of disease can be seen using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, she notes that laparoscopy and tissue pathology are the only ways to diagnose endometriosis definitively.

“We meet patients and their referring clinicians wherever they are in the care process,” said Dr. Lim. “Clinicians should feel comfortable referring patients for a surgical consultation at any point in their endometriosis journey.”

Dr. Lim and colleagues on the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery team have expertise and specialized training in the management of stage III-IV endometriosis, which includes large endometriomas and extensive adhesive disease.

“Our goal is to help manage each person’s endometriosis and symptoms, both medically and surgically, to help them reach their goals while they continue seeing their own ob/gyn for routine care,” said Dr. Lim. Read the full article at duke.is/CPT.

2026 Carter Society Annual Meeting

Oct. 1-4, 2026  |  San Juan, Puerto Rico

Join us for the F. Bayard Carter Society’s 76th Annual Meeting, held this year in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Visit duke.is/FBC.