9
2019 ANNUAL REPORT
2019ANNUAL REPORT
Funding Research for Improved Outcomes of Pelvic Floor Disorders The mission of the Pelvic Floor Disorders (PFD) Research Foundation is to transform the lives of
women through the support of innovative and effective research that advances the prevention,
treatment and cure of female pelvic floor disorders.
2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Karen L. Noblett, MD Chair Axonics Medical Technologies Irvine, CA
Christopher Tarnay, MDVice Chair UCLA School of Medicine Los Angeles, CA
Michael K. Flynn, MD, MSTreasurer University of Massachusetts Worcester, MA
Elisa R. Trowbridge, MDDirector-at-Large University of Virginia Charlottesville, VA
Jennifer M. Wu, MD, MPHDirector-at-Large UNC-Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC
Yuko Komesu, MD Grant Review Chair (Ex-Officio Member) University of New Mexico Albuquerque, NM
Michelle Zinnert, CAE Ex-Officio Member AUGS CEO Silver Spring, MD
“This is a project I would never be able to get off the ground without the generous support of the PFD Research Foundation.”
- Rebecca Meekins, MD, 2019 Foundation Fellow Research Award Recipient
2
2019 by the Numbers Every contribution to the PFD Research Foundation builds a stronger future for female pelvic
medicine and reconstructive surgery and is a great way to honor the work and passion of
those we respect. A total of $92,604 in contributions was raised by individuals and corporate
supporters in 2019.
Grant Dollars awarded by year
2009 $185,000
2010 $192,000
2011 $240,000
2012/2013 $195,000
2014 $145,000
2015 $110,000
2016 $75,000
2017 $75,000
2018 $50,000
2019 $50,000
Corporate and Partner contributions:
Individual contributions: $65,409
Total: $90,409
Individual: 72%Corporate and Partner:28%
$25,000
Recent Grant Recipient AUGS Abstract Presentations
2014 2015 2016 2017
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
# Grant Recipients Subsequent Abstracts Presented
2018
Grant Dollars awarded by year
2009 $185,000
2010 $192,000
2011 $240,000
2012/2013 $195,000
2014 $145,000
2015 $110,000
2016 $75,000
2017 $75,000
2018 $50,000
2019 $50,000
Corporate and Partner contributions:
Individual contributions: $65,409
Total: $90,409
Individual: 72%Corporate and Partner:28%
$25,000
Recent Grant Recipient AUGS Abstract Presentations
2014 2015 2016 2017
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
# Grant Recipients Subsequent Abstracts Presented
2018
Grant Dollars awarded by year
2009 $185,000
2010 $192,000
2011 $240,000
2012/2013 $195,000
2014 $145,000
2015 $110,000
2016 $75,000
2017 $75,000
2018 $50,000
2019 $50,000
Corporate and Partner contributions:
Individual contributions: $65,409
Total: $90,409
Individual: 72%Corporate and Partner:28%
$25,000
Recent Grant Recipient AUGS Abstract Presentations
2014 2015 2016 2017
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
# Grant Recipients Subsequent Abstracts Presented
2018
Grant Dollars awarded by year Recent Grant Recipient AUGS Abstract Presentations
Source of Funds
73%
Corporate and Partner Contributions: $25,000
Individual contributions and ticket sales: $67,604
Total: $92,604
27%Corporate and Partner
Individual and Ticket Sales
3
Grant HighlightsThe PFD Research Foundation, together with the June Allyson Foundation, has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants to American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) members since 1997. The Foundation serves the medical profession by supporting promising, innovative research regarding the causes, prevention, treatment and cure of pelvic floor disorders.
In 2019, the Foundation’s research funds were made available to qualified OB/GYN and urology fellows and junior faculty to pursue their research. The goals of this research grant program are to support the completion of research projects which will lead to publications and presentations at PFD Week (AUGS’ Annual Scientific Meeting) and to support the development of junior researchers in the field who will go on to obtain additional funding for future research on pelvic floor disorders.
In 2019, the Foundation offered the following grants:
PFD Research Foundation Fellow Research Award A two-year grant awarded to a fellow for clinical/patient-oriented, educational, or lab-based/basic science research.
June Allyson Memorial Fund Research Award A two-year grant awarded to a fellow for lab-based/basic science research.
Foundation Grant Recipients
PFD RESEARCH FOUNDATION FELLOW RESEARCH AWARD
Rebecca Meekins, MD Duke University A Prediction Model and Electronic Calculator for Risk of Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries
JUNE ALLYSON MEMORIAL FUND RESEARCH AWARD
Maria Florian-Rodriguez, MD UT Southwestern Medical Center Cell Senescence and Development of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Help support the PFD Research Foundation—Make a donation today! Visit www.pfdresearch.org.
4 5
Research Making a DifferenceThe PFD Research Foundation has awarded more than $1.7 million in grants to AUGS members. We are proud to share the success of our grant recipients and how their research is advancing prevention, treatment, and the cure of female pelvic floor disorders.
In 2016, the June Allyson Memorial Fund Research Award was presented to Jennifer Bickhaus, MD, for her project Evaluation of Host Immune and Extracellular Matrix Responses to Sacrocolpopexy Mesh on Differential Tension.
JUNE ALLYSON MEMORIAL FUND RESEARCH AWARD
Maria Florian-Rodriguez, MD UT Southwestern Medical Center Cell Senescence and Development of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Overview of Study and ResultsThis study was conducted to evaluate the impact that tension has on the host response in a modified abdominal sacrocolpopexy rat model. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats underwent hysterectomy and ovariectomy. Animals were assigned to equal groups (n=8/group): controls that were sham-operated only (Control); mesh implanted only on the vagina (Vaginal mesh), sacrocolpopexy without tension (SCP – no tension), sacrocolpopexy with tension as measured in vivo using a force gauge (SCP – with tension). Vagina-mesh complexes (or vagina in sham) were excised 90 days later. A histomorphologic scoring system of hematoxylin/eosin and Masson trichrome stained slides was used. The host inflammatory cellular response was quantified using: 1) identification of M1 (CD 86/CD 68 positive) and M2 (CD 206/CD 68 positive) macrophage subsets using multiplexed multispectral immunofluorescence; and 2) quantification of pro-inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor alpha and IL-12) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) using a Luminex 4-plex assay panel. The host extracellular matrix response was evaluated by measuring 1) MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; and 2) Type I and III collagen using picrosirius red staining and Image J analysis. Statistical analyses were performed with the Kruskal Wallis test and pairwise comparisons using Mann-Whitney U with Bonferroni correction when appropriate. The key findings include that the host response to polypropylene mesh in a rat modified sacrocolpopexy model is feasible, a minimal inflammatory reaction of immune cells around mesh fibers is slightly increased when mesh is attached in a modified
abdominal sacrocolpopexy technique; however, known markers of inflammation are not significantly different when mesh is implanted on tension vs. no tension in the rat model. This study demonstrates that using a rat model is feasible to study polypropylene prolapse mesh and that small amounts of tension do not alter the host response in a clinically meaningful way.
Future Expansion of Current Research and Other Research ProjectsThis research was expanded to evaluate new materials for prolapse surgery. I received an institutional grant to expand this research. I am currently working on several other research projects.
Receiving a grant from the PFD Research Foundation has had a very positive impact on my research career. It has allowed me to pursue my passion and conduct research in a meaningful way to advance our knowledge of pelvic floor disorders. I have gained valuable knowledge to build a strong foundation upon which to build my research career.
5
PFD Research Foundation Notable DonorsPFD Research Foundation Legacy Circle
The PFD Research Foundation is known for providing research support to advance the science of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS). Our success is a direct result of the dedicated group of individual and corporate donors that have supported the Foundation over the past eight years.
To recognize the efforts of our dedicated individual donors we have created the Legacy Circle. The Legacy Circle is the most prestigious level of recognition by the Foundation, as it acknowledges those who have given over $25,000 in cumulative donations or designated the Foundation in their estate planning.
The term legacy was specifically chosen because of its meaning to reflect anything handed down from a predecessor, either a gift or a significant contribution to history. Without the legacy of these donors, the PFD Research Foundation would not have experienced continued success.
Legacy Circle Members
2019 PFD Research Foundation Donor of the Year Award The PFD Research Foundation presents the Donor of the Year Award to an individual in recognition of commitment to the Foundation’s mission of transforming the lives of women through the support of innovative and effective research that advances the prevention, treatment, and cure of female pelvic floor disorders.
Amy Rosenman, MD Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA
6 7
Linda Brubaker, MD, MS University of California, San Diego San Diego, CA
Andrew P. Cassidenti, MDSt. Joseph’s Hospital Orange, CA
Vincent Lucente, MD, MBA, FACOG The Institute for Female Pelvic Medicine Allentown, PA
Thank You to Our Individual DonorsThe work of the PFD Research Foundation in female pelvic floor disorders research is made possible through the generous support of the following individuals. We are grateful for their continued generosity and commitment to the prevention, treatment, and cure of female pelvic floor disorders. (Recognized gifts from January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019)
$1,000 - $4,999Cheryl IglesiaMargie KahnYuko KomesuShawn MenefeeKaren NoblettCharles RardinHolly RichterVincent ScottW. Conrad SweetingChristopher Tarnay
$500 - $999Cindy AmundsenMagdalene KaronQuinn LippmannEmily LukaczChristopher MaherCharles NagerAmy RosenmanNazema SiddiquiElisa TrowbridgeSandra ValaitisMichael Woods
$250 - $499Tanaz FerzandiElizabeth GellerKaren GoldW. Thomas GregoryJeff GreinerKathie HullfishKristinell KeilAbner KornJoseph KowalskiSusie KupfermanMaryse LaroucheKaren McShaneTyler MufflyJohn NealonIngrid NygaardOsvaldo PadronArash Rahi
$100 - $249Mary AckenbomMallika AnandLauren CadishJill DanfordMadeline Dick-BiascoecheaKeisha DyerAutumn EdenfieldR. Mark EllerkmannKimberly FerranteMichael FlynnBogdan GrigorescuTamara GrisalesNoelani GuaderramaSharon Jakus-WaldmanPadma KandadaiLeise KnoeppPadma MallipeddiDanielle Markle PriceAbraham MorseLieschen QuirozDavid SchleicherKhashayar ShakibaEric SokolRyan StratfordGary SutkinBabak VakiliMonique VaughanMay WakamatsuRaul Yordan-JovetMichelle Zinnert
Under $100Ramzi AboujaoudeSonia AdamsSarah AdelsteinAlexandriah AlasJohn AlJamalArielle AllenKathryn ArendtMatthew AungstSamuel BadalianJason BaileySusan BarrPaige BerrymanJennifer BickhausRamin BizhangRoberta BlandonDanica BloomquistJessica BrackenTaylor BruesekeGerman CalonjeChi Chiung Grace ChenChristopher ChermanskyJocelyn CraigAndrea CraneDonald DeBrakeleerRobert DoddsTanaka DuneEman ElkadryDominique El-KhawandDonna Eoff Sonya EphraimElizabeth Evans
7
John FantlJavier FerrerJaroslav FeyereislPeter FinamoreMorgan FullertonEne GeorgeJulia Geynisman-TanPatricia GilDobie GilesThomas GiudiceCarol GlowackiBarry HallnerAnne HardartRichard HillDeslyn HobsonDenise HowardMomoe HyakutakeTeresa IrwinStanislaw IwanickiStephanie JacobsPeter JeppsonDallas Johnson
John JoyceLaurie KaneNatalie KarpAmie KawasakiLaura KimShunaha Kim-FineAnna KirbyJames KirkAnuradha KoduriBela KudishChristine LaSalaGretchen LentzJuraj LetkoChristina Lewicky-GauppJohn LyonsMamta MamikLaura MartinMaureen MasonAlexandra McPencowCarlos MedinaDouglas MiyazakiRichard Mooney
Todd MoyerbraileanTristi MuirMikio NihiraAnthony O’ConnellLesley OttoAmy ParkRadhika PatnamRaisa PlatteJing QiaoDavid RichardsonBeri RidgewayCarlos RobertsGeorge RobisonWilliam RushEmily SaksMay SanaeeTonya SanchezTatiana SansesMegan SchimpfGerrit SchipperSaya SegalS. Abbas Shobeiri
Karen SimpsonAnita SitShane SoppJonathan StarkmanKatherine StevensonCarmen SultanaToni SylvesterMegan TarrJason ThompsonHeather van RaalteClifford WaiKathe WallaceHsin WangRenee WardCecilia WieslanderAnne WiskindJoshua WoelkJohnnie WrightSallis YipSue Zhou
Thank You to Our Corporate SupporterThe PFD Research Foundation Research Grants Program is made possible through the generous support of our corporate supporters and partners. In 2019, the Foundation raised $25,000 in donations from:
8 9
Help Support the PFD Research Foundation – Make a Donation Today
Your contribution to the PFD Research Foundation builds a stronger future for Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and honors the work and passion of those we respect.
Visit www.pfdresearch.org. to make a donation and learn more about the Foundation.
How to Donate
• Cash Gifts• Gifts of Stocks and Securities• Honoraria and Speaker Fees• Book Royalties• Planned Giving• AmazonSmile
Shop on Amazon.com and donate to the PFD Research Foundation at the same time! Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of every eligible purchase (at no cost to you) to the PFD Research Foundation through AmazonSmile. To get started, visitwww.pfdresearch.org/AmazonSmile.
9
