UAB Urogynecologist Named Society of Gynecologic Surgeons President-Elect

Holly E. Richter, PhD, MD, has been named president-elect of the prestigious Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, a select member group of more than 250 physicians involved in teaching and practicing advanced gynecologic surgery. “As president, I hope to expand the scientific agenda and membership to all gynecologic specialties,” Richter says.

Richter was also recently appointed to the Urologic and Genitourinary Physiology and Pathology Study Section at the Center for Scientific Review, National Institutes of Health. “Members are selected on the basis of their demonstrated competence and achievement in their scientific discipline as evidenced by the quality of research accomplishments, publications in scientific journals, and other significant scientific activities, achievements and honors,” says Acting Director of the Center for Scientific Review Richard Nakamura, PhD.

At UAB, Dr. Richter is director of the Division of Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery and professor in the Department of OB/GYN. She is also professor in Geriatric Medicine and Urology, an associate scientist at the Center for Aging, director of the Genitorectal Disorders Center, and the recipient of the J. Marion Sims Endowed Chair in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Richter is very active in clinical research and has led numerous clinical trials in pelvic floor research, geriatrics, other non-cancerous gynecologic disorders, and gynecologic infections. She is currently the principal investigator in the NICHD-sponsored Pelvic Floor Disorders Network and the NIDDK-sponsored Urinary Incontinence Treatment Network. She oversees other NIH research trials and industry sponsored studies; has received a renewal of a mid career award (K24) in patient oriented pelvic floor research and mentors many young investigators.

Dr. Richter maintains an active clinical practice in urogynecology, seeing patients weekly and operating 1.5 days per week on average. Dr. Richter has received the CREOG national resident teaching award and the APGO CREOG ARGUS medical student teaching award. She is involved in weekly didactic sessions with residents and medical students, as well as didactics and journal club sessions with the fellows. Dr. Richter regularly performs peer-review for many journals and has a strong interest in treating vesicovaginal fistulas in Africa. 

In 2010, the National Association for Continence acknowledged the UAB Continence and Urogynecology Care Clinics as the first Center of Excellence in the US. The COE designation is based on evidence of extensive training, clinical experience, resources and patient satisfaction statistics that meet established NAFC standards.