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image of dr leach smiling in a suit — Richard E. Leach, M.D., FACOG, FACS
**Professor and Chair**

Our vision for the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine is to be the leader in the clinical translation of cutting edge innovation and research to improve the health of the patients and communities that we serve. We are focused on ensuring that our research is translated to the health care needs of women across their life spans and in diverse communities. Our faculty members have achieved national recognition for this research. We have recruited accomplished researchers in women’s health, including physicians, nurses, sociologists, clinical translational scientists and epidemiologists focused not only on the medical aspects, but on the social disparities that threaten women’s health. Collaborating with each other and with our health care partners, we are:

Unraveling the causes and pursuing better treatments for infertility.
Seeking better therapies for endometriosis, a painful condition that afflicts as many as 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
Studying the connection between endometriosis and endometrial and ovarian cancers and looking for possible genetic targets for treatment.
Identifying the mechanisms that cause uterine and ovarian cancer.
Developing novel detection methods for fetal and maternal disease with innovative treatment plans.
Researching inflammation as a cause of premature births and developing ways to prevent it.
Identifying novel therapeutic targets for cancer and complex diseases. Expertise in tumor biology to study tuberous sclerosis complex.
Examining the health implications of assisted reproductive technology, including whether it is associated with birth defects and later health problems in children and their mothers.
Leveraging the resources of other health care agencies and community groups to give Medicaid beneficiaries the best prenatal care in the most cost-effective way, thus helping assure that they and their babies will be healthy.
Working within families to erase health disparities and raise awareness among African-American, Latino and Arab women about the importance of screening and prevention of cervical cancers.

Our research and educational programs rest on three departmental pillars, which include supporting unparalleled health services to women at home and nationally, educating exemplary physicians and scholars, and discovering and disseminating innovative medical knowledge. We look forward to sharing with you the various departmental programs and the impact they have on the everyday lives of women.

Sincerely,

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