Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility consists of four full-time MD faculty, 1 full-time Ph.D. faculty, 3 REI fellows, and 1 postdoctoral scholar. The Division is nationally recognized for its faculty and its excellence in both research and clinical care. The responsibilities of the Division include supervision of resident cases in the operating rooms, weekly gyn resident pre-operative rounds, coordinating the Gyn Endocrine Clinic, coordinating services at Planned Parenthood, carrying out NIH-funded and pharmaceutical-sponsored research, operating the Women's Health Initiative Cincinnati Center, Gyn coverage for the VA hospital, carrying out an active clinical teaching practice that encompasses IVF and assisted reproductive technologies, andrology, menopause, and reproductive endocrinology.

University of Cincinnati Medical Center
Holmes Hospital Building
Reproductive Health
200 Albert Sabin Way
Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0457
Telephone (513) 584-0784
Fax (513) 584-0337

Patient Care

The Clinical Faculty currently provides care and management of patients at the following sites: Medical Arts Building, the Center for Reproductive Health, the Andrology Laboratory, the Lincoln Heights Health Center, Adams County Clinic, Planned Parenthood, and University Pointe. The Division also provides monthly Gynecological Attending Coverage for 2 months, Planned Parenthood Energy coverage, VA Gyn coverage, weekly gyn resident rounds, ectopic pregnancy call coverage, and two half-days of resident operating room coverage each week during the academic year.

Education

The Division provides teaching to medical students during the third-year clerkship and a 4th-year medical student REI elective. Residents from University of Cincinnati and Good Samaritan Hospital residency programs are provided basic training in pelvic ultrasound and operative endoscopy during their 2 month rotation in reproductive endocrinology. In addition, the REI faculty provides a Core Endocrine Lecture Series (30 lectures) on Thursday mornings (July-September) in reproductive endocrinology and infertility for the residents. These lectures cover core information regarding reproductive physiology and pathophysiology, with lectures spanning a 2-year cycle. Division members also participate as lecturers and responsibility for organizing the Department's annual postgraduate course. The Division also has organized a program to periodically train and certify Ob/Gyn faculty and residents in laser and operative endoscopy every 2 years. The Division has maintained a Board-approved 3-year fellowship program in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility since 1988.

Faculty members serve on regional and national committees and participate in addition to the above teaching roles. Faculty members are members of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Board of Examiners, the Reproductive Endocrine Subspecialty Board, the National Board of Medical Examiners, the American College of Ob/Gyn Reproductive Endocrine subcommittee, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice Committee and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine Practice Committee. In addition, faculty members serve as members on Departmental, College of Medicine, and University committees as well.

Research

Due to the diversity and talents of the REI faculty, the Division conducts several basic science research programs and clinical research programs. Basic research focuses on the control of ovarian function and on the function of the porcine FSH receptor are carried out by Dr. Andrew LaBarbera. These research endeavors are funded by ongoing NIH grants. Dr. Liu also has NIH funding to study the role of progestogens on bone in menopausal women and has an 11-year grant to setup and maintain a Women's Health Initiative Center. Current NIH-funded research in the Division is over $900,000 per year. The Division has also been designated as an NICHD Contraception Center and currently has 3 contraceptive projects that total over $590,000. Since 1988, the Division has maintained a strong pharmaceutical-sponsored clinical research program. These clinical studies include phase II through phase III trials of new therapeutic compounds for the treatment of endometriosis, uterine myomas, ovulation induction, menopause symptoms, and osteoporosis. Current funding for pharmaceutical studies is over $500,000 per year.