Our Providers
Specialty and Services
Our medical practice is limited to Obstetrics and Gynecology – the medical and surgical subspecialty that covers the diagnosis, surgical and medical treatment throughout all phases of a women’s life and focuses on all female healthcare concerns. Some of our services include:
- State-of-the-art evaluations and treatment of gynecologic diseases, care at all phases of life – adolescence through menopause
- Complete Obstetrical care and delivery; ultrasound and non-stress testing
- Minimally invasive female surgery – laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, and myomectomy
- Essure™ Method – Permanent contraception without incision
- Endometrial Ablation – Novasure
Our Physicians and Mid-level Providers
The Women’s Group of Northwestern is a professional corporation of medical doctors (MDs), nurse practitioners and physician assistants who are trained in the medical and surgical sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The group is represented in many professional medical organizations including:
- The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- American Medical Association
- Chicago Medical Society
- The North American Menopause Society
- National Association Of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health
Elena M. Kamel, M.D. is an Associate Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University and founder of one of the first all-women’s OB/GYN groups in Chicago. Dr. Kamel completed premedical education at Barnard College in 1980. She attended Cornell Medical College and earned her medical degree in 1984. Dr. Kamel completed her OB/GYN internship and residency at Northwestern Memorial Hospital from 1984-1988. She is board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and practicing at Northwestern. She also has been certified by the Northern American Menopause Society as a Menopause Practitioner/Expert. Her areas of special interest are hysteroscopy, permanent contraception-Essure method, osteoporosis, dual photon bone densitometry, gynecologic surgery, menopausal health concerns and twin pregnancies. Dr. Kamel enjoys taking care of patients from adolescence to the mature woman and values creating a relationship with patients that embraces compassion, dialogue and education.
Dr. Kamel has received the Magnus P. Urnes Award for excellence in teaching and the Hart Award from the Illinois Division of Y-ME for distinguished service and dedication to Breast Cancer Awareness and Civil Service.
The American Heart Association proudly recognized Dr. Kamel with the 2007 “Women with Heart” Award for outstanding support of the annual Go Red for Women Luncheon and her dedication to making a difference in the fight against heart disease and stroke.
Dr. Kamel has received numerous teaching awards and has been honored as ‘top doctor’ from Castle Connelly in 2013.
Dr. Kamel has been an active member of the Friends of Prentice Board for over 20 years and is involved as a Board member at the Lookingglass Theater.
Dr. Kamel is married and has three children and lives in Chicago, IL.
“I like to involve my patients in a dynamic discussion about their health care needs and provide them with the most current medical information in our field. I truly enjoy taking care of women throughout all phases of their lives-adolescence to the mature years.”
Anita Levin, M.D. completed her undergraduate and medical post-graduate degrees through a combined 6 year program at Union College and Albany Medical College in 1984. Upon completion of her residency program in Chicago, she began her private practice career at Rush Presbyterian St Luke’s Medical Center from 1988-1990. After that, she joined the Women’s Group of Northwestern and was appointed as a Clinical Instructor in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where she continues to teach and have active hospital privileges. Dr. Levin’s practice includes both obstetrics and gynecology, with a special interest in high-risk obstetrics, gynecologic surgery and preventive care for the women in all stages of life. Having herself experienced several pregnancies in later life, she particularly enjoys working with women in their mid 30’s and 40’s who may have medical issues with their pregnancies that require special monitoring.
Dr. Levin believes that the physician/patient relationship must be a close one to ensure that her patients’ problems and concerns can be carefully and compassionately addressed. She is proud of her long term relationships with her patients — some going back for over 25 years.
Dr. Levin is married with 3 children and lives in Chicago.
Linda S. Katz, M.D. completed her premedical education and earned her medical degree from the University of Illinois. She completed her internship and surgical residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center. Dr. Katz is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and has been a clinical instructor at Northwestern since 1992. Her special areas of interest are general obstetrics, preconception counseling, adolescent gynecology, breast cancer prevention, menopausal issues, management of abnormal pap smears and contraceptive counseling.
Dr. Katz is married and lives in Chicago, IL. Her sense of humor extends into and outside of the delivery room.
“I encourage all of my patients to take an active role in their health care.”
Pamela A. Lui, M.D. completed her premedical education at the University of California Berkeley in 1983 and her medical degree from Northwestern University in 1987. She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and has been a clinical instructor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since 1994.
Dr. Lui is married and lives in Chicago, IL. She enjoys traveling, exploring new restaurants in Chicago as well as maintaining an active lifestyle with cycling and running. Her dedication to the Y-ME Mother’s Day Race for the Cure inspired the Women’s Group of Northwestern practice to take an active role in this wonderful event.
Julie A. Ericson, M.D. completed her premedical education at Cornell University in 1987. She went to the University of Wisconsin Medical School and earned her medical degree in 1991. Dr. Ericson completed her OB/GYN internship and residency at Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL in 1995. She is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and has practiced at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since 1995. Dr. Ericson’s areas of special interest are high-risk obstetrics, contraceptive management, evaluation of abnormal pap smears and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
Dr. Ericson lives in Chicago, IL. She loves animals, and enjoys skiing, tennis and travel.
“I strive to listen attentively to all of my patients and translate their needs into positive action.”
Julie M. Levitt, M. D. completed her premedical education at Northwestern University Medical School. She completed her internship and surgical residency at Prentice Women’s Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She is board certified and has been a clinical instructor in the Department of OB/GYN at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since 1998.
Dr. Levitt is married, has two daughters, and lives in Chicago, IL. She enjoys running marathons, and has participated in the Chicago and Boston marathons.
“I truly believe that good nutrition and physical exercise are an important part of every woman’s day.”
Kamaljeet P. Murthy, M.D. spent her childhood in Okinawa, Japan. She completed her premedical education at the University of Washington in 1994 and then went on to earn her medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 1998. Dr. Murthy completed her obstetrics and gynecology internship and residency at Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center in 2002. She was part of a general academic practice in Philadelphia from 2002-2005. Dr. Murthy is board certified and has been on faculty at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since 2006 as a clinical instructor. Her areas of special interest are adolescent gynecology, complex vaginitis, contraceptive management, and high risk obstetrics.
Dr. Murthy is married with three sons and lives in Chicago.
“My background has emphasized diversity; appreciation for diversity is what allows me to connect with my patients. My goal is to provide quality care for women in a manner that allows my patients to be empowered with knowledge.”
Stephanie W. Lau, M.D. earned her medical degree at Rush Medical College, Chicago Illinois. She completed her OB/GYN residency University of Illinois Medical Center, Chicago Illinois. Previously, she practiced general Obstetrics & Gynecology at Rush Presbyterian Hospital and supervised the resident ambulatory clinic. She also practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology within the Advocate Health Care system at Lutheran General Hospital for two years. She is board certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology and is an instructor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.
Her special interests are comprehensive prenatal care, high risk obstetrics, contraceptive counseling, adolescent gynecology, evaluation and management of abnormal pap smears and active management of abnormal uterine bleeding.
Dr. Lau is married and enjoys spending time with her family and two small children.
Jordan L. Sheran, M.D. has been practicing Obstetrics and Gynecology at Loyola University Medical Center for the past 4 years, where she completed her residency training. During her time there Dr. Sheran was recognized with an excellence in teaching award. She also received extensive training in minimally invasive surgery, including Robotic and Laparoscopic approaches to Gynecologic surgery.
Dr. Sheran is a Health Systems clinician in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.
Dr. Sheran’s special interests include minimally invasive surgery, comprehensive prenatal care, management of abnormal uterine bleeding, contraceptive counseling and adolescent gynecology.
Dr. Sheran is married and recently welcomed a new baby boy into her family. Her husband and her enjoy watching Bulls games together and hope to make a bulls fan out of their newest addition.
Adrienne J. Adams, M.D. completed her residency training at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. During that time, she received extensive training in minimally invasive surgery, including robotic and laparoscopic approaches to Gynecologic surgery. She also conducted research on prevention of perinatal Group B Streptococcal disease. She has received multiple teaching awards, including The Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism and Excellence in Teaching Award.
Dr. Adams is a Health Systems clinician in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University.
Dr. Adams’ special interests include minimally invasive surgery, comprehensive prenatal care, breastfeeding advocacy, high risk obstetrics, management of abnormal uterine bleeding, contraceptive counseling, and adolescent gynecology. She strives to be receptive to patient’s needs and desires within the setting of evidence-based medicine.
Dr. Adams lives in Chicago with her husband and two children. She enjoys spending time with her family, exploring new restaurants, and reading.
Barbara Hartnett, RNC, MS, is a certified nurse practitioner. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Marquette University, her masters of science from Northwestern University and a post-masters women’s health certificate from Loyola University. She has worked at The Women’s Group of Northwestern for 22 years in various roles.
Barbara sees the full spectrum of obstetrical and gynecological patients. Her areas of special interest include: adolescent and young adult woman care including hormonal control for acne, dysmenorrhea and contraception. Obstetrics and postpartum care including lactation. Perimenopausal and postmenopausal care including HRT and osteoporosis management and education. Barb performs IUD insertions and removals, Colposcopy, Endometrial biopsies and Sonohysterograms.
Barbara lives in Arlington Heights with her husband and 2 grown children. “I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity and challenge of caring for all women throughout their life span!” Barbara is available to accept appointments for patients at our Northbrook office three days a week.
Ashley Gier, (pronounced guy-er) MSN, WHNP is a certified nurse practitioner in Women’s Health. Ashley received her bachelor’s degree in health education and promotion from the University of Illinois at Champaign. She received her masters of science in nursing from DePaul University, and her post-masters in Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Ashley is trained to provide complete obstetric and gynecological services which include low risk prenatal care, pap smears, contraceptive counseling, STD prevention and treatment. She also specializes in genetic breast cancer risk assessment for women with a strong family history of breast cancer. She is an active member of the National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health.
Ashley has been involved in some international mission work in Peru. She also lived abroad in Spain and continues to enjoy traveling, cooking, exploring new restaurants and yoga.
Laura Frese, MMS, PA-C, RD received her bachelor’s degree in science nutrition and dietetics at Saint Louis University in St. Louis. She then finished her physician assistant studies and master’s degree in medical science at Northwestern University in Chicago.
She is a certified physician assistant and registered dietitian who is trained to provide low risk obstetric and gynecological services including prenatal care, pap smears, contraceptive counseling, and STD prevention and treatment.
Laura is uniquely trained to help teach, mentor, and advise women on nutrition and overall health. We are excited to have Laura head up a program where our patients will get more than just the general, “one-size-fits-all” nutritional counseling. For prenatal nutrition, general health, or weight loss, she is an excellent guide for counseling of effective nutritional and lifestyle habits that will assist patients throughout their lives.
She is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Lauren Dowd, MSN, FNP-BC is a certified Nurse Practitioner in Family Health. Lauren obtained her bachelor degree in Nursing at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. She then earned her Masters in Nursing at Loyola University Chicago. Lauren’s experience in Women’s Health includes being an Antepartum, Labor & Delivery, Postpartum, and Neonatal Intensive Care Registered Nurse at the UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center in California and the NorthShore University Health System in Illinois. Lauren is also a Certified Breastfeeding Educator.
The services she enjoys providing include: Preconception counseling, Prenatal care, Postpartum care, Breastfeeding education, and understanding the full spectrum of preventative and diagnostic testing for women of all ages. Lauren is passionate about education for contraception and STD prevention. Lauren is also a certified Yoga Instructor and teaches relaxation management for adolescent girls suffering from anxiety and depression. Lauren resides in the City of Chicago and often volunteers her time as an advocate for education in women’s health and higher education.
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