Dr. Carolyn Weaver Swenson ‘03, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, will give a Suter Science Seminar during Eastern Mennonite University’s Homecoming and Family Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 12. The lecture, which begins at 9 a.m. in Suter Science Center, Room 106, is free and open to the public.
She will offer “A Gynecologic Surgeon’s Perspective on a Career in Academic Medicine, Parenting, and the Pelvic Floor,” a presentation ranging from the scope of her specialty, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, to current research endeavors, her current role as assistant professor, the intersection between medicine and motherhood, and how parenting has enhanced her vocation in academic medicine.
Swenson was recently awarded the 2019 Impact Award by the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology for her published research (with co-authors) that compared robotic and other minimally invasive routes of hysterectomy for benign indications. The Journal’s editor-in-chief for gynecology, Dr. Catherine Bradley, presented the award.
Swenson graduated from EMU in 2003 with a BA in biology, received her MD from the Medical College of Georgia in 2008, and completed residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah in 2012. In 2015, she completed a fellowship in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery at the University of Michigan where she stayed on as faculty.
Her clinical practice is devoted to the medical and surgical management of pelvic floor disorders with a special interest in postpartum pelvic floor health. Her research interests range from understanding the biomechanics of prolapse to improving outcomes following gynecologic surgery. She has published 40 peer-reviewed articles and receives research funding from the National Institutes of Health.
Next seminar: Chia-Yi (Alex) Kuan, MD, PhD
The next seminar is Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 4 p.m. in Science Center 106. Chia-Yi (Alex) Kuan, MD, PhD, professor, department of neuroscience, University of Virginia School of Medicine, will speak about Modeling Cerebrovascular Diseases in Mice.
The seminars are free and open to the public, and made possible by the sponsorship of the Daniel B. Suter Endowment in Biology and the co-sponsorship of supporting programs. Named in honor of long-time EMU biology professor, Daniel B. Suter (1920-2006), the Endowment in Biology was established in 1986 through the generous donations of alumni and friends and currently consists of over $1 million of invested funds. EMU hopes to double the Suter Endowment in order to more adequately support distinguished faculty and to increase scholarship aid to deserving students.