Faculty
John Fischer, MD
Professor and Department Head
Urogynecologist (FPMRS)
Division Director, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery
Bio
Steve Calvin is a board-certified OB/GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine physician. He has more than 40 years of experience in caring for mothers and babies with the entire range of pregnancy concerns. This includes three years as a National Health Service Corp physician in Tucson AZ. He has been an adjunct faculty member of the UMN Dept of OB/GYN since 1989 and has served as Assistant Residency Director, Co-Director of the original UMN Riverside Service and has won the Faculty teaching award. As founder and medical director of the Minnesota Birth Center he strongly supports pregnancy care for low-risk mothers that is provided by nurse midwives in birth centers and hospitals. He believes that health care reform should start where we all did – with pregnancy and birth and that all mothers deserve comprehensive team-based care for a single package price.
He is currently in year three of an appointed four-year term on the US HHS Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Infant
and Maternal Mortality (ACIMM).
Research Summary
Basic science research on supine hypotension, preeclampsia, the biomechanics of fetal membranes and the isolation of pluripotent stem cells in term cord blood. He is also involved in research on pregnancy care delivery systems and payment mechanisms. Currently he is cultivating relationships with faculty at the UMN School of Veterinary Medicine who are interested in biomechanics studies of the causes of perineal prolapse in pregnant sows.
Teaching Summary
Has been actively involved in all aspects of teaching in the department over three decades. Most recently involved in medical student teaching of pelvic examination skills.
Clinical Summary
The integration of primary midwifery care into healthcare systems, including care provided in accredited birth centers with collaborative relationships with physicians and hospitals.
Education
Bio
Dr. Contag is a Professor in the Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine. He received his M.D. from the Central University in Quito, Ecuador, then relocated to the US in 2001. He completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN and subsequently a fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem NC. Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, Dr. Contag worked at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, and most recently at the University of Maryland in the division of Maternal Fetal Medicine.
Research Summary
His research interests are centered on fetal growth and surveillance, as well as in the clinical management of the macrosomic infant at term and complex obstetrical surgery at the time of delivery.
Education
Fellowships, Residencies, and Visiting Engagements
Licensures and Certifications
Honors and Recognition
Contact
Address
Riverside Professional Building, Suite 401606 24th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Administrative Contact
April Homich
Administrative Phone: 612-301-3408
Administrative Email: homi0003@umn.edu
Administrative Fax: 612-301-3415
Clinical Summary
Clinical Interests
While Dr. Coultrip has broad experience in general obstetrics, her focus is fetal ultrasound and complicated pregnancies.
Clinical Experience Statement
“I strive to improve the health of the mother and fetus by providing compassionate, evidence-based and patient-centered care. It is a privilege to practice in a center that serves such a culturally, ethnically and socially diverse population.”
Bio
Prior to coming to the University of Minnesota, Dr. Cross received her MD with honors from the Pritzker School in Medicine at the University of Chicago. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, CT. She worked as an attending physician for one year before completing her fellowship in Maternal-Fetal Medicine, after which remained at Yale as an Assistant Professor. Recently, Dr. Cross has served as the leader of the System Response for Pregnancy/OB as part of the M Health Fairview Incident Command Center COVID. Her work has involved over 30 lectures and interviews on COVID-19 in pregnancy including being a reference for Dr. Michael Osterholm and appearing in National Geographic and Forbes Magazine.
Research Summary
Dr. Cross' research interests include: Periviability, Mode of Delivery, Clinical Obstetrics
Contact
Address
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women's Health420 Delaware Street SE, MMC 395
Minneapolis, MN 55455
Bio
Dr. Darnell received her medical degree in 2004 from the University of Minnesota. She also completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2009 at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Darnell specializes in general obstetrics and gynecology, including prenatal care, gynecologic surgery, colposcopy, well women care, and contraceptive counseling.
Clinical Summary
Clinical interests:
Laparoscopic surgery; Contraceptive management; High risk obstetrics
Board Certifications:
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Education
Honors and Recognition
Professional Memberships
Contact
Address
M Health Fairview Women's Clinic606 24th Ave S, Ste 300
Minneapolis, MN 55454
Administrative Contact
Administrative Phone: 612-626-3111
Administrative Email: obgadmin@umn.edu