Meet the Faculty

Pre-Congress Course: Hands-On Ultrasound for Endometriosis

Dr. Liron Bar-El is a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and endometriosis specialist at Cedars-Sinai Health Sciences University in Los Angeles. Her clinical expertise focuses on the surgical and multidisciplinary management of endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and complex benign gynecologic conditions. She completed an AAGL-accredited fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Pelvic Pain at the Cleveland Clinic, following residency at Lenox Hill Hospital, Northwell Health. Dr. Bar-El’s academic work centers on advancing surgical outcomes and promoting equity in gynecologic care through research, innovation, and education. Her portfolio includes nationally recognized studies on endometriosis surgery outcomes, central sensitization, surgical training, and healthcare disparities. She has led the development of AI-based predictive models for endometriosis surgical complications and invented a novel surgical device. Her work has been published in leading journals and presented at national and international conferences. She is the recipient of multiple honors recognizing scientific excellence and educational impact, including the 2025 and 2026 Society of Gynecologic Surgeons President’s Award, the AAGL Foundation IRCAD Award, and the AAGL Jay M. Cooper Award. Dr. Bar-El is committed to delivering individualized, compassionate care, while mentoring the next generation of surgeons and advancing the field of pelvic pain and minimally invasive gynecology.

Pre-Congress Course: Hands-On Ultrasound for Endometriosis

Benjamin Beran, MD is an Associate Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Medical College of Wisconsin where he is also the founding Chief of the Division of Complex Gynecology and Chair of Froedtert Hospital Credentials Committee. He completed medical school and residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at MCW. He then went on to complete the Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida. Dr. Beran’s main clinical interests are complex laparoscopic surgical management of endometriosis and uterine fibroids and he has founded and oversees the department’s gynecologic ultrasound unit which mainly provides pre-surgical planning for patients with endometriosis. He is involved in the teaching of medical students and residents, and his research focuses on surgical gynecology and has been presented regionally and nationally.

The Chronic Overachiever: Surviving Pain

Kasey Boehmer, PhD, MPH, NBC-HWC, is an Associate Professor of Health Services Research and a National Board–Certified Health and Wellness Coach at Mayo Clinic. She holds faculty appointments in the Divisions of Nephrology and Hypertension and Health Care Delivery Research and is a researcher in the Knowledge and Evaluation Research Unit and the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences. Dr. Boehmer directs Mayo Clinic’s Minimally Disruptive Medicine Program. Her research focuses on patient-centered care and communication to support patients with multiple chronic conditions and their caregivers. She has published 65 peer-reviewed papers and is the author of The Chronic Overachiever, an Amazon Best Seller. Her work is grounded in lived experience with multiple chronic conditions.

Menstrual Pain Panel Discussion: Gynecology, Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Pain Psychology

Dr. Amy Boone is an academic specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology with a focus on surgical and medical gynecologic care for pediatric and adolescent patients. She completed her medical school and residency in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine. She then pursued fellowship training in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham after which she joined as a faculty member. In the summer of 2025, she and her family relocated to Indianapolis to start a PAG service with IU Health. Her clinical interests include congenital anomalies of the reproductive tract, hypoestrogenism/POI, menstrual health in athletes, and menstrual dysfunction. She is passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of young patients while partnering with them and their families through each stage of development—from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. Outside of work, she enjoys Mardi Gras festivities, cheering on her favorite sports teams, playing tennis and making memories with her husband and two children.

Menopause Panel Discussion: Internal Medicine, Gynecology, Physical Therapy

Tatnai L. Burnett, M.D. is an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Following medical school and residency at the University of Michigan, he completed a 2 year fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery (now Complex Benign Gynecology) at Southern Illinois University before joining the faculty in his current position. Clinically, Dr. Burnett specializes in MIGS with a focus on endometriosis and pelvic pain. He coordinates a complex endometriosis program, the center of which is an interdisciplinary endometriosis conference that has advanced endometriosis care at Mayo Clinic. Research interests include endometriosis and its relationship to varying patient phenotypes and its coexistence with other pelvic pain generating diseases such as adenomyosis.

Chair Address
Foundations Graduation & Designation Acknowledgement

Dr. Jorge Carrillo is a globally recognized leader in chronic pelvic pain (CPP) and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS). Combining elite medical expertise with a passion for pedagogy, he serves as Chairman of the Board for the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) and is a Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Central Florida. After completing his MD in Colombia and specialized fellowships at the University of Rochester (MIGS and Deans Teaching Fellowship), Dr. Carrillo joined the Orlando VA Healthcare System, where he directs the Complex Benign Gynecology Fellowship. A pioneer in medical education, he holds a Master’s in Health Professions Education from Maastricht University, seamlessly blending adult learning theories with clinical practice to train the next generation of women's health advocates and transform patient care.

The Lived Experience

Amy Corfeli (she/her) is a bilingual endometriosis advocate, author, and podcast host dedicated to empowering patients to make informed decisions about their care, build community, and improve quality of life. After experiencing a 16-year diagnostic delay, she began advocating in 2018 to advance education and awareness in both the Spanish- and English-speaking endometriosis communities. Through her bilingual resources, Amy bridges the knowledge gap by connecting patients with evidence-based information, insights from endometriosis specialists around the world, and advice from those with lived experience.

Overlapping Syndromes: POTS, MCAS, LC and Pelvic Pain
Nociplastic Pain: Taking It Back to Your Practice — Pharmacologic Principles & Take-Homes for Language with Patients

Dr. Stephanie L. Grach (“Gray-ch”) is an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Consultant in General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic-Rochester. She completed her B.A. in the History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Science and Medicine at the University of Chicago and obtained an M.S. in Physiology from Georgetown University. She then received her M.D. degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. During residency, she pursued additional training at the Bateman Horne Center of Excellence for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia. Since starting on staff in General Internal Medicine at Mayo Clinic, she has played an active role in re-shaping the care of patients with Long COVID, ME/CFS, POTS, Fibromyalgia, and related complex chronic diseases through her involvement in the specialty clinics, working groups, and outside programs, including the Minnesota Department of Health’s Long COVID Council and the U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition. She has received multiple awards, including General Medicine Outstanding Achievement Endowed Fellowship Award and Mayo Model of Care Award, for her work.

Nociplastic Pain: Taking It Back to Your Practice — Pharmacologic Principles & Take-Homes for Language with Patients

Isabel Green, MD, MHPE, is a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Board-certified in OB/GYN, she specializes in the management of common yet often underrecognized conditions, including endometriosis, and chronic pelvic pain. She serves as physician lead of a multidisciplinary Endometriosis and Pain Clinic designed to bridge clinical silos and improve patient quality of life. Dr. Green completed her residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital and fellowship training in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Georgetown University–MedStar. She also holds a Master’s in the Education of the Health Professions from Johns Hopkins University and is an active educator and mentor. To expand her impact, she partners with internal medicine, family medicine, and primary care through education to improve recognition and management of chronic pelvic pain and reduce diagnostic delays. Dr. Green is an active researcher and serves on the executive board of the International Pelvic Pain Society. Through her clinical, educational, and research efforts, she is committed to advancing equitable, high-quality care and shaping the future of women’s health.

Ultrasound Diagnosis of Endometriosis

Kacey M. Hamilton, MD is a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, where she specializes in the care of endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, and other complex gynecologic conditions. She completed her medical degree at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, residency at Abington Hospital - Jefferson Health in Philadelphia, and an AAGL-accredited fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at Cedars-Sinai. Dr. Hamilton aims to enhance our understanding, recognition, and treatment of endometriosis and other benign gynecologic conditions.

To support her goal of earlier recognition of endometriosis and adenomyosis, she founded the Advanced Gynecologic Ultrasound Center at Cedars Sinai, following specialized training with international experts. This referral-based center’s purpose is to provide earlier diagnosis to shift the current care paradigm for Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.

Dr. Hamilton’s research has been widely published and focuses on surgical outcomes, surgical education, health equity, and improving access to care for women with complex gynecologic conditions. She is a dedicated educator, currently serving as Clerkship Director, Assistant Program Director of the CBG Fellowship, and Medical Director of Simulation for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars Sinai. She is an active member of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL) and serves on AAGL’s Fellowship Curriculum Committee. Above all, Dr. Hamilton is committed to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care that empowers women and amplifies their voices in healthcare.

Diet and Endometriosis: A Methodologic Perspective

Dr. Holly R. Harris, ScD, MPH, is professor in the Epidemiology Program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Bus Family Endowed Chair. Her research focuses on endometriosis and uterine fibroids as well as on ovarian and breast cancer including understanding the role of the potentially modifiable risk factors of diet and lifestyle on risk, the intersection of these conditions, and understanding racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence and outcomes of these conditions.

Menstrual Pain in Adolescence
Menstrual Pain Panel Discussion: Gynecology, Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Pain Psychology

Dr. Kevin Hellman is a Research Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Endeavor Health and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. For the past 15 years, he has investigated the physiology and treatment of menstrual pain. He began his scientific career in computer modeling at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and earned a PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Pennsylvania. With Dr. Frank Tu, he co-directs an NIH-funded laboratory that conducts mechanistic clinical trials in menstrual pain and the prevention of chronic pelvic pain. In a historically understudied field, the lab draws on neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, and imaging to define the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea, develop new therapeutic strategies, and train the next generation of investigators in visceral pain.

Nutrition for Chronic Pain

Chelsey Hoffmann is a dual-credentialed registered dietitian and physician assistant specializing in Pain Medicine within the Department of Anesthesiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She serves as an Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Medical Education, blending clinical expertise with a passion for teaching. Chelsey’s career spans diverse roles—from faculty educator in physician assistant education to contributor in the medical device industry, reflecting her commitment to advancing healthcare through innovation and education. A sought-after speaker, Chelsey presents regularly at Mayo Clinic and at regional and national conferences, sharing insights on pain management, nutrition, clinician well-being, and health professions education. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Education in Leadership at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, further deepening her impact as a healthcare leader and educator.

Endometriosis as a Socio-Medical Phenomenon: How Medical Narratives are Formed and their Influence on Clinical Care

Isabelle Holway is a recent graduate of Sorbonne Université’s Biomedical Humanities Master’s Program (2025), located within the Philosophy Department of the School of Letters, and has studied women’s health and the history of female medicine from a pluridisciplinary perspective for several years. Her first master’s degree is in French and Comparative Literature from Middlebury College’s Parisian campus (2024), including her first master’s thesis, “The Ravages of Violette Leduc,” on censorship, clandestine abortion, and women’s physical and social health in 20th century France. Her Biomedical Humanities master’s thesis, “A Polyphonic Portrait of Endometriosis,” compares the socio-medical “phenomenon” of endometriosis to that of tuberculosis as portrayed in the “Consumptive Woman” trope of 19th century Gothic English literature. This thesis is anchored in the field work from her observational internship at the American Hospital of Paris, where she co-authored an article with endometriosis surgeons and specialists on the value of second medical opinions in endometriosis care (2025). Currently a student at George Washington University’s Premedical Postbaccalaureate Program, Isabelle is working towards a career in healthcare informed by her research and studies in the humanities.

Menopause Panel Discussion: Internal Medicine, Gynecology, Physical Therapy

Dr. Ekta Kapoor is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. She is an endocrinologist and menopause specialist, with joint appointments in the Divisions of Endocrinology, Diabetes, Metabolism, and Nutrition and General Internal Medicine. She also serves as the Assistant Director for the Mayo Clinic Center for Women's Health. Dr. Kapoor is recognized as a national and international leader in menopause and is on the Board of Trustees of The Menopause Society. She has published extensively in the field of menopause, with nearly 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts. She serves on the Editorial Boards of the two leading journals in menopausal medicine-Menopause and Maturitas. She is also the Lead Editor for Practice Pearls, a CME offering from The Menopause Society.

Paul Perry Memorial Award Speaker
R U MOVVING SOMe Categorization and Applications

Dr. Georgine Lamvu is an internationally recognized gynecologic surgeon and an expert in chronic pelvic pain. She earned her undergraduate and medical degrees from Duke University, completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency and fellowship in Advanced Laparoscopy and Pelvic Pain at UNC Chapel Hill, and holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from UNC. She is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Central Florida and a specialist in pelvic pain and minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at the Orlando VA. There, she directs the VA’s National Coordinating Center for Advanced Fellowships in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and the Certificate Program in Clinical Research. Dr. Lamvu has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications and helped developed the R U MOVVING SOMe FIGO-IPPS classification of chronic pelvic pain. She also serves as a national subject matter expert for the VA Office of Women’s Health and as Past President and Board Chairman of the International Pelvic Pain Society. A respected educator and frequently invited lecturer at national and international conferences, she mentors clinicians and researchers and has developed innovative online educational platforms focused on pelvic pain and vulvodynia. Through her work, Dr. Lamvu is committed to the IPPS, its mission, and to advancing research, education, and compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals living with chronic pelvic pain.

Pre-Congress Course: Hands-On Ultrasound for Endometriosis

Dr. Tinya Lin (MD, MSc, FRCSC) is a Gynaecologist at the BC Centre for Pelvic Pain & Endometriosis in Vancouver. She completed residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Calgary, followed by fellowship in Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain, and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery at the University of British Columbia. She also holds a M.Sc in International Healthy Policy at the London School of Economics, and has pursued advanced endometriosis ultrasound training through Specialized Ultrasound in Gynecology & Obstetrics in Hamilton, Ontario.

James E. Carter Achievement Award Speaker: Neuroplastic Recovery Therapies for "Chronic" Pain

Mark A. Lumley, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit. For over three decades, he has conducted research on the role that psychosocial stress and emotional processes play in chronic pain conditions, resulting in over 220 publications. He has studied the health benefits of writing or talking about stressful experiences, he developed and has demonstrated the benefits of Emotional Awareness and Expression Therapy for chronic pain, and he is a key researcher of Pain Reprocessing Therapy. He has been funded by the NIH for over 20 years and is a fellow of the American Psychological Association and several other professional societies. He also loves mentoring and has trained nearly 50 PhD psychologists over his long career.

Pre-Congress Course: Hands-On Ultrasound for Endometriosis

Dr. Ido Mick a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and advanced gynecologic sonologist at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. His clinical expertise focuses on the diagnosis and management of endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, and complex benign gynecologic conditions. He combines advanced laparoscopic surgery with state of the art pelvic ultrasound to provide comprehensive, image guided care for patients with complex gynecologic pathology, with a particular interest in endometriosis and the integration of imaging into surgical decision making. In addition to his gynecologic practice, he continues to provide obstetrical care as part of his commitment to comprehensive women's health. Dr. Mick completed his medical degree with distinction at University of Debrecen in Hungary and his residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Rambam Medical Center in Israel. He subsequently completed a two year CANSAGE accredited fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Advanced Gynecologic Sonology at McMaster University, where he developed expertise in advanced laparoscopic surgery, endometriosis excision, complex pelvic pathology, and specialized pelvic ultrasound techniques. Following fellowship, he joined the McMaster faculty and continues to practice as both a surgeon and sonologist. His academic work focuses on advancing the diagnosis and management of endometriosis and complex gynecologic conditions through research, innovation, education, and ultrasound integration. His research interests include endometriosis imaging, surgical outcomes, and imaging based diagnostics, and he has presented his work at national and international scientific meetings. He is actively involved in teaching medical students, residents, fellows, sonographers, and practicing physicians, and is committed to advancing the fields of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and gynecologic ultrasound through clinical excellence, mentorship, and innovation.

Presidential Address
Nociplastic Pain: Taking It Back to Your Practice: Pharmacologic Principles & Take Homes for Language with Patients

Alexandra T. Milspaw, M.Ed., PhD, is a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania and South Dakota, an AASECT-Certified Sex Therapist (CST), a Board-Certified Hypnotist (BCH), Certified 4-D Wheel Practitioner, and a Pelvic Pain Specialist Designee (PPSD) by the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS). She currently serves as President of IPPS and Co-Director of its Clinical Foundations Training Program in Chronic Pelvic Pain and Masterclass in Health Psychology Interventions for Chronic Pelvic Pain. Dr. Milspaw earned her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and Sociology, with a minor in Women’s Studies, from Lehigh University. She also holds a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology and Human Services from Lehigh, as well as both a Master of Education and a PhD in Human Sexuality from Widener University. With over 18 years in private practice, Dr. Milspaw specializes in psychoneuroimmunology, trauma, and chronic pelvic and sexual pain. She is the author of Hello, Down There and has contributed numerous book chapters and peer-reviewed publications on chronic pelvic pain.

Menopause Panel Discussion: Internal Medicine, Gynecology, Physical Therapy

Dr. Carrie J. Pagliano is a pelvic floor physical therapist, running coach, and longtime advocate for helping active women feel strong and confident in their bodies at every stage of life. She has worked in women’s and pelvic health for over 26 years and holds both a Master of Physical Therapy from the University of the Sciences and a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine. She is double board certified in Orthopaedics and Women’s Health. Carrie served seven years on the Executive Board of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy (APTA), including terms as President and Past President, and has been a national media spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association. She currently serves on the NIH Pelvic Floor Disorders Network Advisory Board and has held adjunct faculty roles at Marymount University and Georgetown University School of Medicine. In addition to clinical practice, Carrie is a Certified Running Coach (RRCA) and USA Weightlifting Coach. She speaks internationally on postpartum return to sport and integrative pelvic health and is the founder of Carrie Pagliano Physical Therapy in Arlington, Virginia, where she works with women locally and via telehealth. She also has online education and programming for moms and clinicians. She’s the host of the Active Mom Podcast, with 200+ episodes and over 100,000 downloads, blending research, real life, and honest conversations about pregnancy, postpartum, and peri/menopause. Outside of work, Carrie is a wife, mom of two, and early-morning mover—often running the trails of Arlington at sunrise, fitting in a 5:30am gym session, shuttling kids to activities in the evenings, or out for walks with her border terrier, Abby.

Menstrual Pain Panel Discussion: Gynecology, Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Pain Psychology
Nociplastic Pain: Taking It Back to Your Practice: Pharmacologic Principles & Take Homes for Language with Patients

Laura A. Payne, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and Associate Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Clinical and Translational Pain Research Lab at McLean Hospital. Her research focuses on the neurobiological, behavioral, and hormonal mechanisms underlying chronic pain, with particular emphasis on menstrual and pelvic pain in adolescents and women, as well as reproductive health factors influencing pain trajectories. Clinically, Dr. Payne specializes in evidence-based, neuroplasticity-informed treatments for chronic pain.

Chronic Abdominal Pain & Role for Neuromodulation

Dr. Santucci is the director of the Disorders of Gut-Brain Interaction Program at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She is a physician-scientist with an NIH K23 award, focused on sleep and neuromodulation in DGBI. She is the elected ANMS and AGA neurogastroenterology Councilor, Chair of Rome Foundation Partners List Serv and facilitator for the NASPGHAN Integrative Medicine Special Interest Group.

Pre-Congress Course: Hands-On Ultrasound for Endometriosis

Julia Slattery is a Lead Sonographer within the Ultrasound Department at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and has been on staff for 10 years now. She completed her bachelor's degree in Health Sciences at University of Minnesota in Rochester and her ultrasound school through the Mayo Clinic School of Health Sciences. She is board certified in RDMS (OB/GYN, ABD, Breast, Peds) and RVT. She specializes in Deep Pelvic Endometriosis (DPE), Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Pediatrics.

Menstrual Pain Panel Discussion: Gynecology, Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Pain Psychology

Dr. Frank Tu is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Endeavor Health and the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine. He is the founder of the clinical division of Gynecological Pain and Minimally Invasive Surgery which hosts an FMIGS fellowship. For the past 20 years, he has studied the mechanisms of pelvic pain - both visceral and somatic. With Dr. Kevin Hellman, he co-directs an NIH-funded laboratory that conducts mechanistic clinical trials in menstrual pain and the prevention of chronic pelvic pain. In a historically understudied field, the lab draws on neuroscience, pharmacology, physiology, molecular biology, and imaging to define the pathophysiology of dysmenorrhea, develop new therapeutic strategies, and train the next generation of investigators in visceral pain.

Pelvic Pain during the Menopause Transition
Menopause Panel Discussion: Internal Medicine, Gynecology, Physical Therapy

Kathryn Witzeman, MD is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Dr. Witzeman joined Grand River Health in 2023 after 19 years on faculty at Denver Health in Denver, CO. Dr. Witzeman has served on the Board of Directors of the International Pelvic Pain Society since 2014, and currently serves on the Advisory Board after 5 years on the Executive Board. In 2008, Dr. Witzeman founded the Integrated Pelvic Health Program at Denver Health Medical Center and served as its director until 2023. Her clinical interests include vulvovaginal disorders, menstrual disorders, menopausal problems, pelvic pain, integrative medicine, and biomedical ethics as is applies to the field of OBGYN as well as medical education. She speaks nationally and internationally on topics of pelvic pain and integrative medicine. Dr. Witzeman completed her medical degree at the University of Cincinnati SOM and subsequently completed her OBGYN residency training at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She is board-certified and a Fellow of the American College of OBGYN. Dr. Witzeman completed the APGO Scholars and Leaders program in 2012 and graduated from the University of Arizona Integrative Medicine Fellowship in 2018.