Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Biosketch
Melinda Abernethy, MD, MPH, is an associate professor specializing in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgeon in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and School of Public Health. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Michigan, followed by a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Northwestern University. From 2014-2018 she was an Assistant Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine where she served as the FPMRS Fellowship Associate Program Director. Her clinical, teaching and research interests include pelvic floor disorders, Muellerian anomalies, and sexual health.
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Board Certification
- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
- American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery)
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Education and Training
- Clinical/Research Fellowship 2014, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Northwestern University
- Clinical/Research Fellowship 2013, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Loyola University Medical Center - Maywood
- Residency 2011, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
- MPH 2007, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MD 2007, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- BA 2000, Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Research
- Urogynecology, Non-surgical
- Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Floor Prolapse
- Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery
- Pelvic Floor Disorders
- Gynecology
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Publications
Abernethy M.G., Tsuei A. The bladder microbiome and interstitial cystitis: is there a connection? Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2021;33:469-473.
Heliker B.D., Kenton K., Komar A., Mueller M.G., Lewicky-Gaupp C., Abernethy M. Treat or Wait? Natural Perioperative Course of Overactive Bladder Symptoms at the Time of Midurethral Sling Placement Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. 2021;27:E348-E351.
Myer E.N.B., Long A., Cooper C., Fashokun T., Abernethy M., Chen C.C.G. Prevalence of Screening High Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Among Urogynecology Patients Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery. 2020;26:503-507.
Myer E., Roem J., Lovejoy D., Abernethy M., Blomquist J., Handa V. Longitudinal changes in pelvic floor muscle strength among parous women American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2018;219(5):482.e1-482.e7.
Shim J., Kenton K., Abernethy M. Pathology of Power Morcellation: A 12-Year Retrospective Analysis Journal of Gynecologic Surgery. 2018;34(1):27-30.
Abernethy M., Rosenfeld A., White J., Mueller M., Lewicky-Gaupp C., Kenton K. Urinary Microbiome and Cytokine Levels in Women with Interstitial Cystitis Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey. 2017;72(6):331-332.
Abernethy M., Rosenfeld A., White J., Mueller M., Lewicky-Gaupp C., Kenton K. Urinary microbiome and cytokine levels in women with interstitial cystitis Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2017;129(3):500-506.
Kunkle C.M., Abernethy M.G., Van Tongeren L.R., Fashokun T.B., Wright E.J., Chen C.C.G. Prevalence of cognitive impairment in older women with pelvic floor disorders International Urogynecology Journal. 2017;28(11):1645-1650.
Mueller M.G., Lewicky-Gaupp C., Collins S.A., Abernethy M.G., Alverdy A., Kenton K. Activity restriction recommendations and outcomes after reconstructive pelvic surgery: A randomized controlled trial Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey. 2017;72(7):410-411.
Mueller M.G., Lewicky-Gaupp C., Collins S.A., Abernethy M.G., Alverdy A., Kenton K. Activity restriction recommendations and outcomes after reconstructive pelvic surgery: A randomized controlled trial Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2017;129(4):608-614.
Orlando M., Thomaier L., Abernethy M.G., Chen C.C.G. Retention of laparoscopic and robotic skills among medical students: a randomized controlled trial Surgical Endoscopy. 2017;31(8):3306-3312.
Thomaier L., Orlando M., Abernethy M., Paka C., Chen C.C.G. Laparoscopic and robotic skills are transferable in a simulation setting: a randomized controlled trial Surgical Endoscopy. 2017;31(8):3279-3285.
Mueller M., Jacobs K., Mueller E., Abernethy M., Kenton K. Outcomes in 450 Women after Minimally Invasive Abdominal Sacrocolpopexy for Pelvic Organ Prolapse Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. 2016;22(4):267-271.
Grodensky C., Golin C., Jones C., Mamo M., Dennis A., Abernethy M., Patterson K. "I Should Know Better": The Roles of Relationships, Spirituality, Disclosure, Stigma, and Shame for Older Women Living With HIV Seeking Support in the South Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. 2015;26(1):12-23.
Mueller M.G., Ellimootil C., Abernethy M.G., Mueller E.R., Hohmann S., Kenton K. Colpocleisis: A safe, minimally invasive option for pelvic organ prolapse Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015;21(1):30-33.
Odegard S.E., Abernethy M.G., Mueller E.R. Does Side Make a Difference? Anatomical Differences between the Left and Right Ureter Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. 2015;21(5):249-251.
Abernethy M., Davis C., Lowenstein L., Mueller E., Brubaker L., Kenton K. Urethral sensation following reconstructive pelvic surgery International Urogynecology Journal. 2014;25(11):1569-1573.
Crosby E.C., Abernethy M., Berger M.B., DeLancey J.O., Fenner D.E., Morgan D.M. Symptom resolution after operative management of complications from transvaginal mesh Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2014;123(1):134-139.
Mamik M.M., Antosh D., White D.E., Myers E.M., Abernethy M., Rahimi S., Bhatia N., Qualls C.R., Dunivan G., Rogers R.G. Risk factors for lower urinary tract injury at the time of hysterectomy for benign reasons International Urogynecology Journal and Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. 2014;25(8):1031-1036.
Mamik M.M., Antosh D., White D.E., Myers E.M., Abernethy M., Rahimi S., Bhatia N., Qualls C.R., Dunivan G., Rogers R.G. Risk factors of lower urinary tract injury at the time of hysterectomy for benign reasons Obstetrical and Gynecological Survey. 2014;69(5):254-255.
Tenfelde S., Logan R., Abernethy M. Yoga from the pelvic floor. Beginnings (American Holistic Nurses' Association). 2014;34(1):24-26.
Abernethy M., Vasquez E., Kenton K., Brubaker L., Mueller E. Where do we place the sacrocolpopexy stitch?- A magnetic resonance imaging investigation Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. 2013;19(1):31-33.
Larson K.A., Smith T., Berger M.B., Abernethy M., Mead S., Fenner D.E., DeLancey J.O.L., Morgan D.M. Long-term patient satisfaction with michigan four-wall sacrospinous ligament suspension for prolapse Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013;122(5):967-975.
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Presentations
- Occult Cervical Leiomyosarcoma Found On Hysterectomy for Vaginal Prolapse. Nuler A, Abernethy M, Bauler L, 38th Annual Kalamazoo Community Medical and Health Sciences Virtual Research Day, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 04/2021