Section of Comprehensive Gynecology

The Section of Comprehensive Gynecology, under the leadership of Dr. Monica Christmas, provides expert, patient-centered care across the full spectrum of gynecologic health—from adolescence through postmenopause. Our team delivers comprehensive, whole-person care for a wide range of conditions, including uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, menopause, osteoporosis, hereditary cancer risk, and adolescent gynecologic disorders.

Our physicians bring decades of clinical expertise and are nationally recognized leaders in their fields, with advanced training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, menopause care, obesity medicine, pediatric and adolescent gynecology, and cancer genetics and prevention. Through our Center for Women’s Integrated Health, we offer a uniquely coordinated approach that emphasizes prevention, longevity, and overall wellness.

Our team collaborates closely with specialists in dermatology, orthopedics, primary care, endocrinology, and integrative medicine, and includes an embedded behavioral health program to support the connection between mental and physical well-being. Together, we develop individualized, evidence-based care plans tailored to each patient’s needs and goals.

In addition to comprehensive clinical care, our surgeons perform a full range of benign gynecologic procedures, including robotic, laparoscopic, vaginal, and ablative techniques, as well as advanced office-based procedures. We are committed to offering innovative surgical and non-surgical options that minimize recovery time and optimize outcomes.

Dr. Monica Christmas, Section Chief of Comprehensive Gynecology, is a nationally recognized expert in midlife women’s health and menopause care. She is the Founder and Director of the UChicago Medicine Menopause Program and the Center for Women’s Integrated Health, and serves as the Ambulatory Medical Director for OB/GYN. Dr. Christmas is also Associate Medical Director for The Menopause Society, where she leads global initiatives in education, research, outreach, and clinical care improvement. Her clinical expertise includes uterine fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, sexual dysfunction, and menopause, and she is highly trained in minimally invasive surgical techniques, including vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (vNOTES), a scar-free approach that allows surgeons to operate through the vaginal canal for reduced pain, faster recovery, and no visible abdominal incisions.

Dr. Melinda Lukens, Director of Wellness for the Department of OB/GYN and Associate Director of the Center for Women’s Integrated Health, is an expert in menopause, obesity medicine, weight management, and bone health. A diplomate in obesity medicine and certified clinical densitometrist, she brings more than 20 years of experience caring for women across the lifespan. Dr. Lukens is dedicated to advancing wellness through both clinical care and education, and she contributes to global health efforts through annual service work in Guatemala. A major initiative led by Dr. Lukens and the Center for Women’s Integrated Health focuses on increasing the number of menopause-certified practitioners at UChicago Medicine. Through lectures, educational resources, and study support, the program aims to recruit and support providers pursuing certification through The Menopause Society. These efforts will expand access to evidence-based menopause care and improve quality of life for patients across the health system.

Dr. Nicole Edison is a certified Genetic Risk Assessment Provider specializing in hereditary cancer risk and genetic cancer syndromes. She is a nationally and internationally recognized educator and an expert in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, with advanced training in laparoscopic, robotic, and hysteroscopic techniques, as well as radiofrequency ablation. Her clinical focus includes fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, painful periods, and cancer risk prevention.

Dr. Anthony Gentile brings more than three decades of experience in women’s health, with expertise in endometriosis, menopause, pelvic pain, PCOS, and abnormal uterine bleeding. He has advanced training in minimally invasive and robotic surgery and is committed to quality improvement and surgical education, mentoring residents in gynecologic surgical techniques.

Dr. Jessica Long is a fellowship-trained pediatric and adolescent gynecologist with expertise in minimally invasive surgery, including vNOTES, for young patients with complex gynecologic conditions. Her work includes advancing research in pediatric and adolescent gynecology, with ongoing projects focused on diagnostic and management strategies for rare reproductive conditions, outcomes in adolescent PCOS, and the development of predictive tools to support individualized contraceptive care. Dr. Long is also committed to improving access to care through community outreach and partnerships with the Urban Health Initiative, and she plays an active role in resident and medical student education.

Dr. Shashwati Pradhan is a fellowship-trained pediatric and adolescent gynecologist specializing in complex congenital Müllerian anomalies, PCOS, pelvic pain, endometriosis, and oncofertility in adolescents. She established multidisciplinary clinics for adolescent PCOS and heavy menstrual bleeding and co-developed an oncofertility and survivorship program in partnership with pediatrics. Dr. Pradhan is also a national leader in education and clinical guideline development through her work with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Behavioral Health Integration

The Section of Comprehensive Gynecology includes a dedicated Behavioral Health Program, recognizing the essential connection between mental and physical health across the reproductive lifespan. Our embedded team of mental health specialists provides integrated, trauma-informed care for adolescents and adults, addressing the psychological and emotional aspects of gynecologic and reproductive health.

Working closely with gynecologic providers, the behavioral health team supports patients experiencing conditions such as chronic pelvic pain, menopause-related mood changes, reproductive life transitions, and the emotional impact of complex diagnoses. This collaborative model allows for seamless coordination of care and more comprehensive, individualized treatment plans.

Dr. Candice Norcott, Clinical Director of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Mental Health Program, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in reproductive health. She leads the program’s efforts to deliver gender-responsive, trauma-informed care and also serves as Director of Graduate Medical Education Well-Being and Co-Chair within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience.

The behavioral health team also includes psychiatrists and psychologists with expertise in adult mental health and women’s behavioral health, including Dr. Zehra Aftab, Dr. Margaret Collins, Dr. Tory Eisenlohr-Moul, Dr. Jennifer Ghandhi, and Dr. James Griffith. Together, they provide comprehensive evaluation, therapy, and psychiatric care as part of an integrated approach to women’s health.

The Section of Comprehensive Gynecology is deeply committed to advancing the field through research, education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Our faculty are dedicated educators who train residents, fellows, and medical students, preparing the next generation of leaders in gynecologic care while continuing to innovate and improve outcomes for women across every stage of life.