Mentored Faculty

Dr. Gary Altwerger is an assistant professor of Gynecologic Oncology in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at the Yale School of Medicine. Known for his advanced surgical skills, Dr. Altwerger is an expert in minimally invasive techniques for treating uterine, ovarian, and vulvar cancers. His knowledge extends beyond the operating room to pioneering research in both clinical and basic sciences. He has identified biomarkers in advanced uterine cancer and developed strategies to disrupt tumor DNA repair pathways, advancing treatments for chemotherapy-resistant gynecologic cancers. Dr. Altwerger's basic science research on treatment resistant uterine cancers has led to the launch of an investigator-initiated clinical trial at Yale University. Additionally, his clinical research in evaluating desensitization protocols has enabled patients with hypersensitivities to receive effective yet previously intolerable chemotherapy treatments, with these findings published in high-impact gynecologic oncology journals. In the surgical arena, Dr. Altwerger has developed and published novel techniques for minimally invasive tumor removal in the upper abdomen. Additionally, as part of a mandate by the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, he participates in the CSATS (Crowd-Sourced Assessment of Technical Skills) platform. This initiative utilizes national expert feedback to rate and enhance a surgeon’s operative skills. Reviews on CSATS often highlight Dr. Altwerger's surgical expertise, with feedback noting his 'clever' and 'expert' approaches to managing 'challenging' cases in gynecologic oncology. Dr. Altwerger’s commitment to professional development and excellence in gynecologic oncology is evident in his multifaceted role at Yale. He educates future medical professionals on gynecologic cancers and related topics, oversees the Inpatient Gynecologic Oncology Advanced Practice Providers, and chairs the Gynecologic Oncology Morbidity and Mortality meetings. Furthermore, he serves on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Yale New Haven Hospital, ensuring the safety and ethical standards of cancer research protocols. Clinically, he remains at the forefront of administering the latest therapies, including chemotherapies, immunotherapies, intraoperative chemotherapy and antibody-drug conjugates, to provide targeted care for women with gynecologic malignancies.

Dr. McAdow received her MD and PhD in Microbiology from the University of Chicago. Her doctoral studies investigated the interactions between Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors and the host coagulation cascade during the pathogenesis of bacterial infection under the mentorship of Dr. Olaf Schneewind. She came to Yale University for her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology and stayed for fellowship in Maternal Fetal Medicine. Dr. McAdow cares for patients pregnancy complications. She is the recipient of one of the inaugural Yale Physician Scientist Development Awards and a training grant from the Foundation for the Society for Maternal Fetal Medicine and the American Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology Foundation. Her research, conducted under the mentorship of Dr. Anne Eichmann in the Yale Cardiovascular Research Center, investigates the molecular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia, a common complication of pregnancy that jeopardizes the health of the mother and fetus. Her other research interests include the biology of labor induction and fetal growth restriction.