Researcher in Focus Q&A with Annmarie Vilkins

Dr Annmarie Vilkins is the Director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology for Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. In this capacity, she is responsible for ensuring high-quality, evidence-based care in obstetrics, gynaecology, and women’s health services within the hospital. She completed her Obstetrics & Gynaecology residency at Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts in 2017 and her fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery and Chronic Pelvic Pain at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2019. She is the associate programme director of the fellowship in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery at her institution and the director for the Clinic for Chronic Pelvic Pain and Endometriosis. 

Obs: What drove you to choose a career in Obstetrics & Gynaecology?

AV:  Prior to entering medical school, I envisioned a future in Internal Medicine, Anesthesiology, or possibly a subspecialty in Geriatrics. However, during my clinical rotations, I quickly realized that these paths did not align with my personality or professional goals. I was drawn to a specialty that offered both the immediacy of acute care and the opportunity for longitudinal patient relationships. Obstetrics and Gynecology provided the perfect balance—combining surgical intervention with continuity of care and meaningful patient connection. While every medical specialty presents its own challenges, I am grateful to have chosen a field that brings me genuine fulfillment and aligns so well with my strengths and passions.

Obs: You have recently been involved in research looking at more than 10,000 c-section patients  which reveals clinical, economic and quality of life benefits of using particular negative pressure wound therapy systems over other devices of different pressure levels. Could you tell us more about it?

AV: This was the first-ever study to compare different negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) devices in c-section recovery. We analysed outcomes from over 10,000 c-section patients and found that NPWT systems delivering a lower negative pressure of -80mmHg were associated with significantly better clinical outcomes compared to those delivering higher negative pressure of -125mmHg. These improved outcomes included fewer wound complications, lower readmission rates, and faster recovery, which in turn led to a reduction in healthcare-associated costs of $728,000 per 1,000 patients. The full study can be found here  WOUNDS.

Having a new baby is really hard when things go perfectly, and for our moms who do end up with a post-caesarean section infection, that level of challenge only increases. According to our market research of over 1,000 women who had undergone a c-section, mothers who experienced surgical site complications were significantly more likely to require hospital readmission and were five times more likely to describe their recovery as traumatic. They also had a 50% higher likelihood of reporting feelings of depression compared to those without complications. Most notably, two-thirds (66.3%) of these women said their c-section recovery negatively impacted their ability to bond with their baby—an emotional cost that underscores the critical importance of preventing complications wherever possible.

Obs: What could your findings mean to help support the experience of C-section patients? 

AV: Our research reinforces the critical role of wound management in supporting c-section recovery and reducing the risk of surgical complications. We found that using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) systems delivering lower negative pressure significantly reduced the incidence of surgical site complications (SSCs), which are closely associated with longer hospital stays, delayed discharges, and readmissions. These are burdens no new mother should have to endure.

It is not surprising to me that our patient survey demonstrated that when complications occur, patients are more likely to report a poor recovery, difficulty bonding with their baby, increased pain, reduced mobility, breastfeeding challenges, and long-term emotional impacts such as trauma and postnatal anxiety. This underscores the importance of proactive wound care—not only to improve clinical outcomes, but also to safeguard the physical and emotional well-being of mothers during a vulnerable and formative time. NPWT systems play a vital role in reducing preventable complications and supporting a smoother, more empowered recovery for patients following a c-section.

Obs: What is planned for the next stage of your research?

AV: I would like to initiate a study in which we can focus on identifying barriers and facilitators to widespread adoption of the PICO dressings in obstetric practice. Even with strong evidence, uptake can be slow without understanding system-level challenges. I envision this work being a combination of qualitative interviews with clinicians, workflow analysis, and staff training evaluations.

Additionally, I would like to evaluate patient-reported outcomes related to the PICO dressings versus standard dressings after cesarean delivery. We have data showing us that patients appreciate the scar appearance significantly more with a PICO dressing than with a standard dressing, and with our current study, we now have the real-world clinical effectiveness of PICO dressings. Patient experience is increasingly recognized as a critical component of high-quality care. Postpartum recovery is deeply personal, and factors like comfort, mobility, confidence in wound healing, and satisfaction with care may influence adherence, outcomes, and hospital perception.

Obs: How does the future look in improving the complications related to C-sections?

AV: The future of reducing complications related to C-sections is promising, driven by advancements in surgical techniques, personalized risk assessment, and innovative wound care technologies like the PICO dressing. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols are improving postoperative outcomes through early mobility and multimodal pain management, while increased attention to health equity aims to close racial and socioeconomic gaps in maternal care. The integration of patient-reported outcomes ensures that care is centered on the patient experience, and emerging tools like artificial intelligence are poised to further optimize safety and recovery on a broader scale.

Obs: What’s the best part of your job?

AV: The best part of my work is seeing patients thrive after surgery, whether following a cesarean section or another gynecologic procedure. Many women tend to prioritize others over themselves, and by the time they seek surgical care, their condition is often quite advanced. Guiding them safely through surgery and witnessing their recovery is what motivates me every day. It’s deeply fulfilling to know I’ve used every tool at my disposal—including innovations like the PICO dressing—to support their healing and help them move confidently into the next phase of life.

Obs: … and the worst?

AV: Despite meticulous preparation and best efforts, obstetrics and gynecology can still involve unforeseen complications and adverse outcomes. As a mother myself, I find that the most difficult moments are those involving poor outcomes for either the mother or the baby—they are truly heartbreaking.

Obs: What has been the highlight of your career so far?

AV: I teamed up with four brilliant graduate biomedical engineering students to develop LaparAssist, Inc., which is a wireless, hands-free, foot-pedal activated, head-mounted laser pointer that allows surgeons to precisely and quickly point to a specific location on the laparoscopic monitor while maintaining the sterile surgical field. Because of my work with Laparassist, my hospital honored me with their inaugural Innovator Spotlight recognition. I’m so proud of the creation of the LaparAssist tool because it embodies my personal definition of success in medicine, which is knowing my patients are getting the best care from preop to postop and everything in between.  

Obs: Are you planning to attend or speak at any medical conferences or events over the next year?

AV: I will be attending the AAGL Global Congress in Vancouver, B.C. in November 2025, and I will likely be attending the ACOG Annual Clinical & Scientific Meeting in Washington, D.C. in May 2026.

Obs: If you didn’t work in the health industry, what would you be?

AV: I’d be a news anchor who has a really fun morning show.

Obs: What advice would you tell your 21-year-old self?

AV: You think your life is good now? Just wait; it gets so much better.

Obs: How do you think the future looks within the field of Obs and Gynae and what are your predictions for 2025 and the next decade?

AV: The future of Obstetrics and Gynecology is focused on advancing personalized care, minimally invasive surgery, and improving maternal recovery and outcomes. By 2025 and beyond, we’ll see greater use of technologies like negative pressure wound therapy, enhanced recovery protocols, and remote monitoring to support safer, more efficient care—especially for high-risk patients. At the same time, the field is prioritizing health equity and shifting toward team-based models that center on the patient’s experience, safety, and overall well-being.

Click here to view the study’s infographic graphic: Better post-C-section healing with PICO sNPWT, helping new moms spend more precious time bonding with their babies

Image: Supplied by author

Staff Writer