Nancy Ringel, MD, MS
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Overview
Dr. Ringel's research focuses on improving outcomes for women with pelvic floor disorders, with a particular emphasis on the intersection of pelvic floor conditions with chronic diseases and on characterizing and addressing inequities in access to care.
Her early work established the relationship between glycemic control and surgical outcomes in patients with diabetes undergoing gynecologic surgery. Through multicenter collaborations, she demonstrated that elevated hemoglobin A1c levels are consistently associated with increased complications after surgery for pelvic floor disorders. These findings have influenced clinical practice, with preoperative counseling now emphasizing that improved glycemic control can lead to better surgical outcomes.
Building on this foundation, Dr. Ringel expanded her research to examine how obesity affects surgical treatment of pelvic floor disorders. Her work has shown that obesity is associated with decreased efficacy and increased complications, while significant postoperative weight loss can improve certain urinary incontinence symptoms. Her systematic review on obesity and prolapse surgery outcomes was selected for the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology's Maintenance of Certification program, reflecting its impact on clinical practice nationwide.
Because diabetes and obesity disproportionately affect underserved populations, Dr. Ringel's clinical research naturally extends to documenting and addressing inequities in access to pelvic floor care. Her publications have demonstrated that certain populations face higher complication rates and greater barriers to treatment, and she has contributed to the literature on costs and patterns of care in urogynecology to inform value-based approaches to improving access.
Dr. Ringel is now developing and testing collaborative, interdisciplinary models of care that integrate urinary incontinence treatment into primary care settings where women with obesity and diabetes already receive care, with the goal of reducing fragmentation and improving outcomes across multiple chronic conditions simultaneously.
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Clinical Care
Overview
Nancy Ringel, MD, MS, is a urogynecologist, an obstetrician-gynecologist who specializes in female pelvic reconstruction surgery.
Growing up, Dr. Ringel says she knew she wanted a career that involved science, but it wasn’t until she was serving in the Peace Corps in Zambia when she decided health care was for her.
“I thought primary care would be the place for me because I loved forming relationships with patients and helping them improve their lives. But my first rotation in medical school was surgery, and I fell in love with it. My whole plan went out the window,” Dr. Ringel says. “But then when I did my Ob/Gyn rotation, I realized I could have the best of both worlds.”
Dr. Ringel says she finds surgery gratifying. “In the span of a few hours, I can fix someone’s problem and really improve their condition. I love helping my patients live their best lives,” she says.
She acknowledges that many of the troubles patients come to her for—including incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse—are often embarrassing to them.
“So many people don’t realize that these problems are common and can be helped,” Dr. Ringel says. “They think it’s a normal part of aging or from having children. They are told they should just accept it. But there have been many advancements in surgical techniques, and we have so much more research on these issues. Instead of living with discomfort, we can offer treatments that are solutions.”
When she first meets patients, Dr. Ringel says she lets them know the visit is centered around their needs. “I tell them that these are issues I deal with every day and we have lots of treatment possibilities. My primary role is to give them information about what their options are and to help them make informed decisions,” she says.
Dr. Ringel’s research interests include addressing health disparities and making care more equitable.
Clinical Specialties
Fact Sheets
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Learn More on Yale MedicineUrinary Incontinence in Women
Learn More on Yale MedicineStress Incontinence
Learn More on Yale MedicineMR Defecography for Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Learn More on Yale Medicine
Board Certifications
Urogynaecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery
- Certification Organization
- AB of Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Original Certification Date
- 2023
Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Certification Organization
- AB of Obstetrics & Gynecology
- Original Certification Date
- 2019
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