Section of Women’s Health
The Section of Women’s Health is dedicated to advancing comprehensive, gender-specific care for women through innovation in clinical practice, education, and research. Faculty provide high-quality, evidence-based primary care that addresses the full spectrum of women’s health needs, from reproductive and preventive care to the management of chronic and complex conditions.
Research
The Section’s research mission is anchored by CONVERGE, a nationally recognized women’s health research program led by Sonya Borrero, MD, MS. Faculty investigators conduct innovative health services and implementation science research focused on improving women’s health across the lifespan, with an emphasis on vulnerable and underserved populations.
Faculty employ diverse methods, ranging from patient-centered outcomes and qualitative research to community-based participatory and epidemiologic approaches, and provide strong mentorship to students, residents, fellows, and junior faculty.
Areas of Focus
- Contraceptive access and reproductive autonomy
- Preconception and prenatal health
- Gender differences in health and disease
- Sexual health and menopausal transition
- Obesity and lifestyle interventions
- Veteran and military women’s health
Education and Training
The Section of Women’s Health offers comprehensive training at every stage of medical education, preparing future leaders in women’s health care, research, and education.
Key programs include:
- Medical Student Area of Concentration in Women’s Health– A four-year elective track that provides mentorship, didactic learning, and scholarly opportunities in women’s health.
- Women’s Health Residency Track– The first of its kind in the nation, this program trains internal medicine residents to deliver gender-specific primary and specialty care.
- Women’s Health Fellowship Program– The largest in the country, offering advanced training in clinical research, education, and women’s health leadership through the Institute for Clinical Research Education.
Training emphasizes clinical excellence, interdisciplinary collaboration, and understanding diseases that uniquely or disproportionately affect women, including cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, autoimmune conditions, and mental health disorders.
Patient Care
Physicians in the Section deliver coordinated, one-stop, gender-specific primary care across multiple sites, including UPMC Montefiore, UPMC Shadyside, and the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS). Care is interdisciplinary and integrates medical, gynecologic, and mental health services to meet the unique needs of women throughout their lives.
Clinical expertise includes:
- Gender-specific cancer screening and preventive care
- Cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Osteoporosis prevention and management
- Contraception and preconception counseling
- Menstrual and menopausal care
- Sexual health and dysfunction
- Mental health and intimate partner violence
Each clinical site is recognized as a Center of Excellence in Women’s Health, providing models of integrated care that improve access, quality, and outcomes for women patients.
Faculty
UPMC Montefiore
- Raquel A. Buranosky, MD, MPH
- Andrea Carter, MD, MS
- Judy C. Chang, MD, MPH
- Jennifer Corbelli, MD, MS
- Anna Donovan, MD, MS
- Alda Maria R. Gonzaga, MD, MS
- Rebecca Green, MD, MS
- Mary Peterson, MD
- Diana Samberg, MD, MS
- Carla L. Spagnoletti, MD, MS
- Brielle Spataro, MD, MS
- Holly Thomas, MD, MS
- Sarah Tilstra, MD, MS
- Eloho Ufomata, MD
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System (VAPHS)