The Section of Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery, under the leadership of Dr. Shari Snow, provides expert care to women with complex gynecologic conditions. Our physicians have decades of experience treating and researching a wide-spectrum of gynecologic conditions, including uterine fibroids, endometriosis, menopause, vulvar disorders, osteoporosis, hereditary cancer risk, and abnormal uterine bleeding.
Our surgeons utilize – and often pioneer – the latest surgical techniques and innovative approaches to gynecologic surgery, such as laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, to offer patients alternatives to traditional surgery with less pain, scarring, and time to recovery. Our team also incorporates evidence-based non-surgical treatment modalities to develop a care plan unique to each patient’s situation. Several of our gynecologic surgeons and scientists are at the forefront of advancing non-surgical treatment options for conditions like uterine fibroids and polycystic ovary syndrome.
Dr. Shari Snow, Section Chief, is a master robotic surgeon specializing in uterine fibroids, endometriosis, and hereditary cancer syndromes. She is also a Certified Menopause Practitioner by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS). Dr. Snow holds several other leadership positions at UChicago Medicine, including Site Director of the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery Fellowship and Executive Medical Director of UChicago Medicine River East.
Dr. Laura Douglass, a fellowship-trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, advises colleagues across the country on treatment breakthroughs for endometriosis and complex gynecologic surgeries. She holds several leadership roles within the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including Director of Gynecology Service and Director of the Transabdominal Cerclage (TAC) Program. Dr. Douglass is expertly trained in TAC surgery by her mentor, Dr. Arthur Haney, who pioneered this technique for complicated cases of incompetent cervix.
Dr. Sandra Laveaux is also fellowship-trained in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and is our department’s Quality Chief of Gynecology. An expert in uterine fibroids, she serves as UChicago Medicine’s Director of the Center for the Advanced Treatment and Research (CATeR) of Uterine Fibroids. Dr. Laveaux works closely with world-renowned physician-scientist Dr. Ayman Al-Hendy and his laboratory to develop innovative surgical and non-surgical treatment options for uterine fibroids and advance research surrounding the role of genetics, pharmacology, and environmental impacts on fibroid development. Recently, the duo published an impactful paper on the long-term risks of hysterectomy for benign indication.
Dr. Monica Christmas, Director of the Center for Women’s Integrative Health, is an expert in menopause treatment and management. She is a NAMS-Certified Menopause Practitioner, sits on the Editorial Board of their journal Menopause, and is a member of the NAMS Board of Trustees. Dr. Christmas’ research boasts ground-breaking investigations on racial and socioeconomic disparities in health care. One of her recent commentaries on race and gynecology practice was widely-received and applauded by the Ob/Gyn community, #SayHerName: Should Obstetrics & Gynecology Reckon with the Legacy of JM Sims?
Dr. Shashwati Pradhan, a fellowship-trained pediatric and adolescent gynecologic surgeon, specializes in bleeding disorders, congenital abnormalities, and polycystic ovary syndrome. She is Co-Director of Comer Children’s Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Clinic and works alongside pediatric hematologists to care for patients up to age 24 who experience heavy periods or other blood disorders.
Dr. Jessica Long is a fellowship-trained pediatric and adolescent gynecologic surgeon with specialized expertise in minimally invasive surgery for adnexal masses and congenital reproductive tract anomalies. Her practice encompasses the management of menstrual irregularities, and she is recognized for providing expert fertility preservation counseling to the pediatric and adolescent gynecologic population. Dr. Long is dedicated to delivering comprehensive care with a focus on innovative, minimally invasive approaches tailored to the unique needs of her young patients.
Dr. Farah Alvi is fellowship-trained in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Alvi is an expert in treating a wide range of gynecologic conditions using the most advanced robotic and laparoscopic techniques available. She is committed to offering her patients compassionate, comprehensive, personalized care that features high-quality treatment options with less pain, improved healing, and quicker recovery time for early- and advanced-stage endometriosis, uterine fibroids, adenomyosis, abnormal menstrual bleeding, and pelvic pain.
Dr. Insiyyah Patanwala is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist who specializes in women’s health. She completed a fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and specializes in laparoscopic and robotic surgery. Dr. Patanwala’s practice focuses on complex gynecologic issues and chronic pelvic pain conditions, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, uterine polyps, abnormal bleeding, pelvic floor muscle spasms, sexual pain, vulvodynia and more. With her compassionate approach to patient care, Dr. Patanwala has established a reputation for providing personalized and comprehensive healthcare services to her patients.
Dr. Anthony Gentile brings over 30 years of expertise in women's reproductive health, specializing in general care, pregnancy, menopause, endometriosis, and infertility. He provides minimally invasive surgeries, emphasizes patient education and preventive care, and is dedicated to teaching future medical professionals. Dr. Gentile serves as a master clinician and surgeon in Northwest Indiana, previously chairing Obstetrics and Gynecology at Community Muenster Hospital and collaborating on quality improvement initiatives with The Joint Commission.
Dr. Nicole Edison is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and focuses on providing comprehensive gynecologic health care. She focuses on early detection and personalized treatment plans for conditions like uterine fibroids and endometriosis as well as in predisposing genetic mutations for gynecologic cancer in the cancer risk and prevention clinic. Dr. Edison is skilled in minimally invasive surgeries and is an expert in gynecologic ultrasound, leading the Gynecology Consult Service.
The Section of Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery collaborates with colleagues at NorthShore University HealthSystem to offer an AAGL-accredited MIGS fellowship. Our team, which includes five fellowship-trained MIGS surgeons, prepares the next generation of expert gynecologic surgeons and researchers to be leaders in their field.
Shari Snow, MD
Chief, Gynecology and Minimally Invasive Surgery
