Meriwether, Kate

research overview

I am a productive and passionate clinician-scientist in the field of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS). I have a broad spectrum of interests, and never shy away from high-quality investigation of a clinical question, however my most prominent research focus is on comparative treatment efficacy. In particular, I have dedicated my research career to the performance of randomized, controlled trials and systematic reviews to raise the level of evidence for one treatment versus another. I have successfully explored several avenues in FPMRS in the form of randomized controlled trial, including demonstrating the non-efficacy of hydroxychloroquine gel in pessary users, the lack of need for fluoroscopy in percutaneous nerve evaluation for sacral neurostimulator placement, and the utility of estrogen alternatives for genitourinary syndrome of menopause. Many female pelvic disorders suffer from lack of Level I data to guide simple practice decisions, and I am proud that I have been able to contribute high-quality science to address this deficiency and to help answer some pelvic floor treatment questions faced by patients and doctors every day. Furthermore, I am extensively committed to systematic reviews through leadership in the the Systematic Review Group (SRG) of the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons (SGS). In this group, a national and international group of researchers that seek to answer important questions in our field by comparing interventions, has provided evidenced based, meaningful practice guidelines for not only the national society from which the group operates, but to the entire field of Gynecology. In 2016, after serving as a productive and reliable group member on several past reviews, I was asked to lead a systematic review on uterine preservation in pelvic organ prolapse surgery. In this review, I led a group of 12 collaborators from around the nation and produced a meaningful review that supported a paradigm shift for this type of surgery worldwide. The next year, I was selected to lead the SRG itself and oversee all its reviews for a 3-year term as the Research Chair of SGS. In this position, I oversee all the research engines of this national organization, and have had the opportunity to utilize my research knowledge to mentor in the Fellows’ Pelvic Research Network (FPRN) and the Collaborative Research in Pelvic Surgery Consortium (CoRPS), multicenter research networks for fellow and attending researchers, respectively. My body of work serving as a group member, primary leader, and mentor for large, collaborative research projects has continued to drive my interest in meta-analysis and higher-order, multicenter studies to shape clinical practice. My productivity and national reputation as resulted in my service on two editorial boards for important journals in my field, Obstetrics and Gynecology (one of the most prestigious journals in my field) and Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. Most recently, I have initiated and achieved funding for qualitative work exploring how and why certain treatments are efficacious for women with bladder and pelvic pain, and I plan to translate this work into patient-centered measures that evaluate the unique needs of patients to individualize treatment to their goals. This important work, which breaks the shame and silence of treatment for pelvic pain, has received two intramural grants and led to a highly scored K-award application nationally which was approved by the review committee for funding but, alas, not funded due to lack of monetary funds for the year. Therefore, I am reapplying for national funding through this K-award mechanism in 2021. As the beneficiary of both intra and extramural funds, I am primed to achieve research independence in the coming years. In summary, my innovative and high-quality research, either led by myself or in productive collaboration with diverse teams, has made great contributions to the science of pelvic floor dysfunction and positioned me as a research leader in this field.

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co-principal investigator on

other research activities

The effect of Trimo-San gel on pessary-associated bacterial vaginosis: A randomized, controlled trial. CTSC Pilot Award (Funded) PI 2012 -

teaching overview

The ability to interact with and teach multiple learners is the primary reason I love working in an academic environment. Every two weeks, I have the pleasure of mentoring a new third year medical students on their OBGYN rotation, and greatly enjoy having preclinical students that seek to explore my field “shadow” me in the clinic and the operating room. I have received many teaching recognition awards through the Learning Environment Office in which I am recognized for being a dedicated and thoughtful teacher and creating a welcoming and supportive environment for developing learners. I also serve as the rotation director for Obstetrics and Gynecology residents in their rotation through the subspecialty of FPMRS, which they have for 2 months in their 2nd year and again in their 4th year. In this role, I provide their orientation, supervise and organize their feedback, and serve as a core mentor in clinical and surgical work. I am extremely passionate about resident feedback, and I regularly am recognized by my department for the quantity and quality of feedback that I provide to the residents and fellows on my service. I also serve as the primary organizer and lecturer twice yearly workshops held for the residents in simulation of pelvic anatomy (the “clay pelvis” workshop) and in repair of obstetrical laceration (the “sponge suture” lab), hands-on activities which greatly engage the residents and always receives high praise. As someone who loves to learn from and interact with learners from all sources, I also enjoy teaching Urology residents, who rotate through my operating room and provide a new perspective of learning and inquiry in my teaching career. In addition, in my role as core faculty of the FPMRS fellowship program, I work daily with FPMRS fellows in the clinical, surgical, and research setting. I attend and serve as a regular lecturer of our weekly didactic sessions with the fellows, and, in particular, provide a series of biostatistics lectures to aid in their clinician-scientist training. I serve as the director of fellowship research not only for my own fellows, but for all the fellows in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and aid in the vetting, implementation, and presentation of their research projects. This is a natural fit for me, as I have always included learners at various levels and/or mentored junior faculty new to the Division and Department in scholarly activity and education on how to become an active and critical consumer of scientific literature.

teaching activities

Clay Pelvis Workshop University of New Mexico Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident 2021
Observational Studies and Bias University of New Mexico Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Didactics, Biostatistics and Research Design Lecture Series 2021
Screening Tests University of New Mexico Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Didactics, Biostatistics and Research Design Lecture 2021
Hysteropexy and Obliterative Procedures for Pelvic Organ Prolapse University of New Mexico Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Didactics 2020
Obstetrics Laceration Repair Sponge Workshop University of New Mexico Obstetrics and Gynecology Resident School 2020
Research Learning for the OBGYN Fellow Integrated Obstetrics & Gynecology Fellowship Curriculum 2020
Uterine Preservation Apical Prolapse Surgery University of New Mexico Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds 2020
Challenging Patients: Caring for People You Don’t Care For University of New Mexico Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds 2019
Questionnaires in Urogynecology: Turning the Subjective into Objective. Virtual platform. Multicenter Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Didactics 2019
Neurological Issues and the Bladder. University of New Mexico Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Grand Rounds 2018
“The Retropubic Space: Driving Directions and Dangers University of New Mexico Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Resident School: 2018
Severe Perineorrhaphy Laceration Repair Workshop Lecturer, Workshop Leader 2013
ALSO Course Lecturer, Workshop Leader 2012

outreach overview

Patient care is the primary reason why I feel that I have the best job in the world: a job that helps change lives and empower women. I have a bustling surgical and clinical practice that involves operating 3-4 half days per week and seeing patients in clinic an additional 3-4 half days per week. In my practice, I aid women with issues such as vaginal prolapse, bladder pain, and urinary and fecal incontinence, which have incredible impact on quality of life and afford me the opportunity to vastly improve how people interact with the world. I do not squander this opportunity, and seek to give my patients diligent, empathic, and collaborative care for their pelvic floor disorders. The gratitude my patients have and the quality care I given them is highlighted by the many Press Ganey notes, “iCare” awards, and patient letters I receive. This high level of praise for patient care comes alongside great volume of productivity; I consistently generate very high RVU’s for my division, identified as ranking in the top quartile for the UNM Urogynecology Division. To best serve my patients, I provide a very wide breadth of surgeries and in-office procedures, including pessary care, sacral neuromodulation, posterior tibial nerve stimulation, vaginal ligament suspensions, and laparoscopic and robotic approaches to pelvic floor dysfunction. I greatly increased the amount of robotic surgery done in my division, and elevated the amount of protected robotic time we have for our patients who desire this type of surgery. In the near future, I will be adding laser therapy for vaginal skin disorders to my clinical practice spectrum. Addition of these cutting-edge therapies to my clinical practice ensures that I remain current and that my patients can enjoy the latest advances in the field. In addition, I feel it is important to serve patients indirectly by ensuring that they are safe and cared for in research that is performed at UNM, as evidenced by my service on an Institutional Review Board/HRRC Committee, where I sit each month on a Human Protections meeting to ensure research being performed at UNM is high-quality, ethical, and sound. In particular, I am proud to serve as an ambassador for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols within our Obstetrics and Gynecology services at UNM, and have enjoyed collaborating with colleagues in other fields to maximize patient recovery and attention to safe practices in the operating room and postoperatively.

professional service activities

One Hope Clinic Preceptor for Medical Students, PA Students, and Family Practice Residents 2012 -
University of New Mexico, School of Medicine Fellow, Medical Student Preceptor 2012 - 2015
Fellows' Pelvic Research Network NIH Mock Session Workshop NIH Mock Grant Reviewer 2014

outreach and community service activities

One Hope Clinic, East Central Ministries Volunteer Attending Physician 2012 -
International Organization for Women and Development, Inc. Participant 2014
Interhealth South America, Otalvalo, Ecuador Participant, Volunteer in medical community, learning medical Spanish 2008

education and training

Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstruction Surgery Fellowship 2012 - 2015
M.D., Michigan State University College of Human Medicine , Medical School 2004 - 2008
Washington Hospital Center/Medstar , Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency 2008 - 2012

credential eligibility attained

American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology-Active Candidate Certificate

awards and honors

full name

Kate V. Meriwether

mailing address

2211 Lomas Blvd. NE

MSC10-5580

Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131

United States of America

located in facility

fax

505 272-9866

VIVO

Meriwether, Kate Chief, Fellowship Program Director

Affiliation

member of

attended event

Publications

selected publications

abstract

academic article

article

presentations

invited talk

presentation

Research

research overview

principal investigator on

co-principal investigator on

other research activities

Teaching

teaching overview

teaching activities

Service

outreach overview

professional service activities

outreach and community service activities

Background

education and training

credential eligibility attained

awards and honors

Contact

full name

mailing address

located in facility

fax