Faculty

Afshin FAZEL, MD, PhD
University Hospital Lariboisière
2, rue Ambroise Paré
75010 Paris, France
Email: a.fazel@aphp.fr

**Current Position:**

Assistant Professor in Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Lariboisière, Paris, France (2003-present)
Deputy Editor of the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology

**Professional Background:**

Dr. Afshin Fazel is an expert in Obstetrics and Gynecology, specializing in minimally invasive surgery. With a career spanning over two decades, he has held pivotal roles in various esteemed institutions. Notably, Dr. Fazel served as the Chef de Clinique à la Faculté – Assistant des Hôpitaux at both University Hospital Lariboisière and University Hospital of Lille. His expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of benign and malignant gynecologic procedures, including laparoscopic and hysteroscopic myomectomy, neuropelveology, endometriosis treatment, gynecologic oncology, and urogynecology.

**Educational Background:**

• **PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences:** University Paris Sud Orsay, France (2008-2012)
• ** Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Suergery, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, Columbia University, (2000)
• **Doctorate in Medicine:** University of Lille, France (1998)
• **Medical Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynecology:** (1998)
• **Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology:** University of Lille, France (1991-1998)
• **Medical School:** University Paris 5, Necker, Paris, France (1985-1991)

**Research and Clinical Contributions:**

Dr. Fazel has been a principal investigator for several groundbreaking studies, including the ENDOSEARCH project, funded by the European Union’s H2020 program, aimed at diagnosing and prognosing endometriosis using biomarkers. His research interests also involve developing new medical devices for treating breast cancer and peritoneal carcinomas through laparoscopy. He has significantly contributed to the field of neuropelveology, investigating chronic pelvic pain syndromes and corresponding therapeutic options.

**Hospital Activities:**

• **Mentor and Trainer:** Over 300 residents since 1998
• **Member of Research and Care Commissions:** Since 2012
• **Member of the Medical Advisory Board:** 2003-2011
• **Organizer and Head of the Minimally Invasive Unit:** 2004-2007

**Awards and Honors:**

• **Gold Medal in Surgery:** 1998
• **Best Reviewer for the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology:** 2019
• **Best Abstract Awards:** AAGL 47th Global (2018), ESGE (2018)
• **Research Grants:** Including H2020 grant for ENDOSEARCH and ANR grant for the ROBUST project

**Professional Memberships:**

• American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL)
• European Society of Gynecologic Surgery
• Society of Endometriosis and Uterine Disorders
• European Society of Gynecologic Oncology
• French College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

**Select Publications:**

Dr. Fazel has authored numerous impactful articles and abstracts in leading medical journals. Some of his notable works include studies on laparoscopic myomectomy, the role of biomarkers in diagnosing endometriosis, and innovative surgical techniques in gynecology.

**International Conferences and Workshops:**

Dr. Fazel is a frequent speaker at major international conferences, sharing his insights on topics ranging from robotic biopsy techniques to advanced laparoscopic procedures. He has led workshops on essential surgical skills and complications management, contributing significantly to the education and training of fellow gynecologists globally.

Fellowship Director, Nezhat Medical Center

Medical Director of Training & Education and Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery & Robotics,
Northside Hospital, Atlanta Georgia

Adjunct Professor of Gynecology & Obstetrics, Emory University

Past President, Society of Reproductive Surgeons

Past President, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists

Editor in Chief, Atlanta Medicine

Dr. Fariba Mohtashami is a Clinical Professor and Head of the Division of General Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. She also serves as Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at St. Paul’s Hospital, where she practices as a Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgeon.

A dedicated surgical mentor and coach, Dr. Mohtashami has a strong passion for education, with a particular emphasis on pelvic surgical anatomy. As a respected leader in academic medicine, she is a vocal advocate for gender equity, working to ensure fair access to academic and healthcare resources for Gynecology. Her advocacy is focused on closing the gender data gap, the pain gap, and the pay gap—advancing equity for women in medicine and surgery.

Dr. Farinaz Seifi is Vice Chair of the Gynecology and Gynecology Subspecialty at the University of Maryland. She is an Associate Professor, sub-specialized in minimally invasive gynecology surgery. Dr. Seifi completed her OBGYN residency at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York. She then completed a minimally invasive gynecology surgery (MIGS) fellowship at Yale University.

Before joining the University of Maryland, she was a section chief and director of Gynecology at Bridgeport Hospital, Yale New Haven Health. She performed over 1000 complex robotic and laparoscopic procedures in patients with morbid obesity, complex surgical histories, and advanced endometriosis.  She is also highly skilled in Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgeries (vNOTES), radiofrequency ablation of fibroids, and complex hysteroscopic cases. Her focus is performing minimally invasive surgeries for large uterus, fibroids and endometriosis.
Dr. Seifi has been integral to the Yale/Bridgeport Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery (MIGS) fellowship program. She is a surgical consultant for complex benign gynecology surgeries and has been pivotal in training medical students, OBGYN residents, and MIGS fellows.
Dr. Seifi was awarded the best surgical teaching award by Yale OBGYN residents, Certificate of Excellence in Laparoscopic Surgeries, AAGL. She was part of the MIGS fellowship faculty and trained many fellows over the past few years.
She mentored the junior OBGYN faculty and created different laparoscopic and robotic simulation curriculums, sessions, and detailed lecture series.

She has published extensively and garnered substantial experience presenting at National and International conferences. She published more than 40 peer reviewed articles, abstracts and surgical videos completed several research projects, including a Randomized clinical trial looking for the efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted Transversus Abdominis (TAP) Block, Laparoscopic Hysterectomy Video Education, Racial and Social Determinants of Health Disparities in Post-operative Pain in Minimally Invasive Gynecology Surgery, Reduced Postoperative Narcotic Prescription in Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy Following ERAS Protocols: A Quality Improvement Project, A Novel Technique to Minimize the Blood Loss in Robotic Laparoscopic Myomectomies, Laparoscopic-Assisted Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block, Posterior Versus Lateral TAP Block in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Gynecologic Surgery: Randomized Controlled Trial, Vascular Pseudo-Invasion in Laparoscopic Treatment of Endometrial Cancer with and without Uterine Manipulator.