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Colleen Fitzgerald, MD

Professor, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hobbies

  • Travel
  • Family/Friends

Education

  • Medical School, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Residencies, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago/Northwestern University Medical School Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Research Interests

Summaries:

  • Female Chronic pelvic pain
  • Pelvic floor disorders
  • Pregnancy related low back and pelvic pain

Research, Teaching and Clinical Contributions:

A. Funding Information -ACTIVE

1R21HD105115-01A1 - 9/16/2022 – 9/15/2024
Principal Investigator: Fitzgerald, Colleen Marie
Project Title: Musculoskeletal and Pelvic Floor Health in Female Chronic Overlapping Pelvic Pain Conditions (The MSK-PELVIC Study)

1U02DK1068980 (Mueller/Brubaker) - 7/01/2020 - 6/30/2025
NIH/NIDDK
PLUS Loyola Clinical Center
In the proposed PLUS-LCC studies, we will explore the community, cultural context by engaging in a Chicago-wide participatory, mixed methodological community-based Pelvic Health Assessment by conducting the first Chicago LUTS and community health survey, first large scale qualitative study on community members pelvic health perceptions, behaviors and knowledge groups, and conduct landscape assessment to characterize Chicago’s health care system where women interface. Role: Co-Investigator, 10%

5T35AI125220-02 (Mueller) - 7/20/2017 - 06/30/2027
Project Title: Summer Research Experience for Medical Students in Inflammation and Infectious Diseases The proposed training program provides mentored summer research opportunities for early stage medical students with the goal of inspiring a passion for biomedical research. Through hands-on research training supplemented with didactic conferences on research and career development topics, we will introduce students to the excitement and challenges of research and encourage them to pursue careers that integrate research with clinical care.
Role: Co-Investigator, .24 Calendar Months

5UL1TR002389-06 - 7/1/2022 - 06/30/2027
ITM 3.0: ADVANCING HEALTH TOWARD HEALTH EQUITY THROUGHOUTMETROPOLITAN CHICAGO
PI: Julian Solway – The University of Chicago
Loyola PI- Elaine Morrato, PhD; Role: Consultant, 2%

B. Funding Information -COMPLETED

5U01DK082342-08 (Schaeffer/Klumpp) - 1/1/2019 – 6/30/2021
NIH/NIDDK
MAPP Research Network, Project Title: Pelvic Pain and Depression
Role: Co-Investigator, PI of Subcontract, .6 calendar months

Loyola HealthEQ - 07/01/2020-06/30/2021
COVID-19 Registry for Organizing Chicagoland Area Research for Health Equity and Community Services (CRO Cares)
Role: PI, no salary support

NIH 1 R21 AI142528-01 (Radek) - 02/01/2019 – 01/31/2021
Chromogranin A as a Regulator of Urothelial Antimicrobial Responses During Urinary Tract Infection
The goals of this project are to characterize how Chromogranin A and catestatin modulate urothelial antimicrobial peptide and innate immune responses during E. coli urinary tract infection.
Role: Co-Investigator, .24 calendar months

1R01DK104718 (Brubaker (Multiple PI)) - 4/01/2016 – 3/31/2021
NIH/NIDDK
The Female Urinary Microbiome and Urinary Incontinence
The aim of this study is to understand the role of the female urinary microbiome in urinary incontinence. Role: Collaborator, 2%

1U01DK1068980 (Mueller/Brubaker) - 7/01/2015 - 6/30/2020
NIH/NIDDK
PLUS Loyola Clinical Center
In the proposed PLUS-LCC studies, we will explore the community, cultural context by engaging in a Chicago-wide participatory, mixed methodological community-based Pelvic Health Assessment by conducting the first Chicago LUTS and community health survey, first large scale qualitative study on community members pelvic health perceptions, behaviors and knowledge groups, and conduct landscape assessment to characterize Chicago’s health care system where women interface. Role: Co-Investigator, 10%

Loan Repayment Program (Fitzgerald) - 7/01/2012 – 6/30/2018
NIH/NICHD
Role: PI

Scott F. Nadler Research Award (Fitzgerald) - 10/01/2013 – 9/30/2017
Foundation for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
The Effect of Ultrasound Guided Posterior Sacroiliac Ligament Corticosteroid Injection in Pregnancy Related Pelvic Girdle Pain The purpose of this randomized controlled study is to investigate the clinical outcome of ultrasound guided ligamentous corticosteroid injection in pregnant women with sacroiliac pain.
Role: PI

Interstitial Cystitis Association (Bresler/Fitzgerald) - 6/01/2014 – 6/01/2017
Acupuncture for Female Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome and Its Effects on the Urinary Microbiome: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to determine the safety, tolerability and efficacy of true versus sham acupuncture in women with IC/PBS and its effect on the female urinary microbiome.
Role: Co-PI

K23 HD069511-01A1 (Fitzgerald) - 9/23/2013 – 10/31/2016
NIH/NICHD
Mechanistic Distinctions in Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Subtypes
The purpose of this study is to examine the sensory and functional characteristics of women with postpartum pelvic pain (somatic-musculoskeletal pain) and interstitial cystitis/

Publications/Research Listings

  • Harlow, BL; McGwin, G; Sutcliffe, S; Fitzgerald, CM; Lowder, JL; Newman, DK; Meister, M; Camenga, DR; Stapleton, A; Chary, V; Lukacz, ES Genital Pain and the Spectrum of Bladder-Related Symptoms: Findings from the Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Research Consortium RISE FOR HEALTH Study, USA. International Urogynecology Journal ;
  • Perlow, A; Joyce, CJ; Bennis, S; Mueller, ER; Fitzgerald, CM Toileting Behaviors and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Among Female Physicians and Medical Students. Urogynecology (Philadelphia, Pa.) ; 29 8
  • Fitzgerald, CM; Cunningham, SD; Berry, A; Gahagan, S; Joinson, C; Lindberg, S; Newman, DK; Schmitz, KH; Smith, AL; Sutcliffe, S; Shoham, DA Is there an association between physical activity and lower urinary tract symptoms in adolescent girls? Results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. International Urogynecology Journal ;
  • Markland, A; Bavendam, T; Cain, C; Neill Epperson, C; Fitzgerald, CM; Yvette LaCoursiere, D; Shoham, DA; Smith, AL; Sutcliffe, S; Rudser, K Occupational groups and lower urinary tract symptoms: A cross-sectional analysis of women in the Boston Area Community Health Study. Neurourology and Urodynamics ;
  • Nwachokor, J; Rochlin, EK; Gevelinger, M; Yadav, M; Adams, W; Fitzgerald, C; Acevedo-Alvarez, M; Mueller, ER; Pham, TT Physician awareness of patients' preferred level of involvement in decision-making at the initial urogynecology visit: a randomized trial. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ;
  • Camenga, DR; Wang, Z; Chu, H; Lindberg, S; Sutcliffe, S; Brady, SS; Coyne-Beasley, T; Fitzgerald, CM; Gahagan, S; Low, LK; LaCoursiere, DY; Lavender, M; Smith, AL; Stapleton, A; Harlow, BL Sexual Health Behaviors by Age 17 and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms at Age 19: PLUS Research Consortium Analysis of ALSPAC Data. The Journal of adolescent health : official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine ;
  • Bennis, S; Pham, YN; Tseng, I; Malisch, B; Joyce, CJ; Fitzgerald, CM Health literacy in women with chronic pelvic pain. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics ;
  • Newman, DK; Lowder, JL; Meister, M; Low, LK; Fitzgerald, CM; Fok, CS; Geynisman-Tan, J; Lukacz, ES; Markland, A; Putnam, S; Rudser, K; Smith, AL; Miller, JM Comprehensive pelvic muscle assessment: Developing and testing a dual e-Learning and simulation-based training program. Neurourology and Urodynamics ;
  • Brubaker, L; Barthold, J; Fitzgerald, CM; Kenton, K; Lewis, CE; Lowder, J; Lukacz, ES; Markland, A; Meister, M; Miller, J; Mueller, ER; Rudser, K; Smith, AL; Newman, DK The RISE FOR HEALTH study: Methods for in-person assessment and biospecimen collection. Neurourology and Urodynamics ;
  • Dune, TJ; Griffin, A; Hoffman, EG; Joyce, C; Taege, S; Brubaker, L; Fitzgerald, CM Importance of internal vaginal pelvic floor muscle exams for women with external lumbar/hip/pelvic girdle pain. International Urogynecology Journal ;
  • Fitzgerald, CM; Fok, C; Kenton, K; Lukacz, E; Markland, AD; Meister, M; Newman, DK; Rudser, K; Smith, EG; Wyman, JF; Lowder, JL The RISE FOR HEALTH study: Methods for in-person musculoskeletal assessment. Neurourology and Urodynamics ;
  • Chen, YB; Lowe, C; Wozniak, A; Pham, TT; Fitzgerald, CM; Mueller, ER; Acevedo-Alvarez, M Pessary Management Approach Affects Likelihood of Surgery. Urogynecology (Hagerstown, Md.) ; 28 12
  • Bresler, L; Westbay, LC; Hekman, L; Joyce, C; Fitzgerald, CM Acupuncture for female bladder pain syndrome: a randomized controlled trial. The Canadian journal of urology ; 29 3
  • Wyman, JF; Cain, CH; Epperson, CN; Fitzgerald, CM; Gahagan, S; Newman, DK; Rudser, K; Smith, AL; Vaughan, CP; Sutcliffe, S Urination Frequency Ranges in Healthy Women. Nursing research ;
  • Westbay, LC; Adams, W; Barnes, HC; Gevelinger, M; McKee, D; Fitzgerald, CM; Acevedo-Alvarez, M; Mueller, ER; Pham, TT How Involved Do Patients Want to Be in the Medical Decision-Making at the Initial Urogynecology Clinic Visit? Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery ; 28 3
  • Sutcliffe, S; Cain, C; Bavendam, T; Fitzgerald, CM; Gahagan, S; Markland, AD; Shoham, DA; Smith, AL; Rudser, K Changes in Bladder Health Over Time: A Longitudinal Analysis of Adult Women in the Boston Area Community Health Survey. The Journal of urology ;
  • Harm-Ernandes, I; Boyle, V; Hartmann, D; Fitzgerald, CM; Lowder, JL; Kotarinos, R; Whitcomb, E Assessment of the Pelvic Floor and Associated Musculoskeletal System: Guide for Medical Practitioners. Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery ; 27 12
  • Barnes, HC; Wolff, B; Abdul-Rahim, O; Harrington, A; Hilt, EE; Price, TK; Halverson, T; Hochstedler, BR; Pham, T; Acevedo-Alvarez, M; Joyce, C; Fitzgerald, CM; Schreckenberger, PC; Brubaker, L; Wolfe, AJ; Mueller, ER A Randomized Clinical Trial of Standard Versus Expanded Cultures to Diagnose Urinary Tract Infections in Women. The Journal of urology ;
  • Shoham, David A.; Wang, Zhenxun; Lindberg, Sarah; Chu, Haitao; Brubaker, Linda; Brady, Sonya S.; Coyne-Beasley, Tamera; Fitzgerald, Colleen M.; Gahagan, Sheila; Harlow, Bernard L.; Joinson, Carol; Low, Lisa Kane; Markland, Alayne D.; Newman, Diane K.; Smith, Ariana L.; Stapleton, Ann; Sutcliffe, Siobhan; Berry, Amanda School Toileting Environment, Bullying, and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in a Population of Adolescent and Young Adult Girls: Preventing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Consortium Analysis of Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Urology ; 151 8
  • Westbay, LC; Adams, W; Kistner, M; Brincat, C; Bresler, L; Yang, LC; Fitzgerald, CM Clinical Outcomes of a Multidisciplinary Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Program. Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery ;
  • Fitzgerald, CM; Bennis, S; Marcotte, ML; Shannon, MB; Iqba, S; Adams, WH The Impact of a Sacroiliac Joint Belt on Function and Pain using the Active Straight Leg Raise in Pregnancy-Related Pelvic Girdle Pain. PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation ;
  • Sutcliffe, S; Cain, C; Bavendam, T; Epperson, CN; Fitzgerald, CM; Gahagan, S; Markland, AD; Shoham, DA; Smith, AL; Rudser, K Revisiting the Spectrum of Bladder Health: Relationships Between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Multiple Measures of Well-Being. Journal of women's health (2002) ; 29 8
  • Dune, TJ; Kliethermes, S; Mueller, ER; Fitzgerald, CM; Brubaker, L; Brincat, CA Screening for Microscopic Hematuria in a Urogynecologic Population. Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery ; 26 6
  • Ye, AL; Adams, W; Westbay, LC; Fitzgerald, CM Evaluating Disability-Related Quality of Life in Women With Chronic Pelvic Pain. Female pelvic medicine & reconstructive surgery ; 26 8
  • Brady, SS; Berry, A; Camenga, DR; Fitzgerald, CM; Gahagan, S; Hardacker, CT; Harlow, BL; Hebert-Beirne, J; LaCoursiere, DY; Lewis, JB; Low, LK; Lowder, JL; Markland, AD; McGwin, G; Newman, DK; Palmer, MH; Shoham, DA; Smith, AL; Stapleton, A; Williams, BR; Sutcliffe, S Applying concepts of life course theory and life course epidemiology to the study of bladder health and lower urinary tract symptoms among girls and women. Neurourology and Urodynamics ; 39 4
  • Shoham, DA; Wang, Z; Lindberg, S; Chu, H; Brubaker, L; Brady, SS; Camenga, DR; Coyne-Beasley, T; Fitzgerald, CM; Gahagan, S; Harlow, BL; Joinson, C; Low, LK; Markland, AD; Newman, DK; Smith, AL; Stapleton, A; Sutcliffe, S; Berry, A School toileting environment, bullying, and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in a population of adolescent and young adult girls: Preventing Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Consortium (PLUS) analysis of Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Urology ;
  • Wolff, BJ; Joyce, CJ; Brincat, CA; Mueller, ER; Fitzgerald, CM Pelvic floor myofascial pain in patients with symptoms of urinary tract infection. International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics ; 145 2
  • Dixon, AM; Fitzgerald, CM; Brincat, C Severity and bother of prolapse symptoms in women with pelvic floor myofascial pain. International Urogynecology Journal ; 30 11
  • Lowder, JL; Bavendam, TG; Berry, A; Brady, SS; Fitzgerald, CM; Fok, CS; Goode, PS; Lewis, CE; Mueller, ER; Newman, DK; Palmer, MH; Rickey, L; Stapleton, A; Lukacz, ES Terminology for bladder health research in women and girls: Prevention of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms transdisciplinary consortium definitions. Neurourology and Urodynamics ; 38 5
  • Bresler, L; Price, TK; Hilt, EE; Joyce, C; Fitzgerald, CM; Wolfe, AJ Female lower urinary tract microbiota do not associate with IC/PBS symptoms: a case-controlled study. International Urogynecology Journal ; 30 11
  • Sutcliffe, S; Bavendam, T; Cain, C; Epperson, CN; Fitzgerald, CM; Gahagan, S; Markland, AD; Shoham, DA; Smith, AL; Townsend, MK; Rudser, K The Spectrum of Bladder Health: The Relationship Between Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Interference with Activities. Journal of women's health (2002) ; 28 6
  • Dwarica, DS; Collins, GG; Fitzgerald, CM; Joyce, C; Brincat, C; Lynn, M Pregnancy and Sexual Relationships Study Involving wOmen and meN (PASSION Study). The journal of sexual medicine ; 16 7
  • Bresler, L; Westbay, LC; Fitzgerald, CM Bladder Pain Syndrome in Women. JAMA ;
  • Wolff, BJ; Joyce, CJ; McAlarnen, LA; Brincat, CA; Mueller, ER; Fitzgerald, CM Consideration of pelvic floor myofascial release for overactive bladder. Journal of bodywork and movement therapies ; 24 2
  • Shannon, Megan B.; Genereux, Madeleine; Brincat, Cynthia; Adams, William; Brubaker, Linda; Mueller, Elizabeth R.; Fitzgerald, Colleen M. Attendance at Prescribed Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy in a Diverse, Urban Urogynecology Population. PM & R: Journal of Injury, Function & Rehabilitation ; 10 6
  • Billquist, EJ; Michelfelder, A; Brincat, C; Brubaker, L; Fitzgerald, CM; Mueller, ER Pre-operative guided imagery in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery: a randomized trial. International Urogynecology Journal ; 29 8
  • Taege, Susanne K.; Adams, William; Mueller, Elizabeth R.; Brubaker, Linda; Fitzgerald, Colleen M.; Brincat, Cynthia Anesthetic Cream Use During Office Pessary Removal and Replacement: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstetrics & Gynecology ; 130 1