OBGYN | Gynecologist | Chicago | OB GYN Blog

Stacy Arens brings extensive and global medical expertise to the team at Northwestern Specialists for Women. Before joining NSW, her professional achievements included six years as the Physician assistant and OBGYN Clinical Coordinator at The Core Center, John H. Stroger Hospital of Cook County. In this comprehensive role, she was responsible for the management of patients experiencing complicated obstetrical and gynecological infectious disease and primary care problems.
 
Driven by her commitment to provide unparalleled patient care and to educate all women about health care needs, Stacy traveled to Rwanda, Africa where she provided widespread medical care and services to help underserved patients gain access to HIV medications and treatment.  She also aided in establishing gynecological care for HIV positive women and performed the first pap smears on HIV positive women in Rwanda.
 
Stacy earned a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and received her Physician Assistant graduate degree from the Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois. She is a Board Certified Physician Assistant, enabling her to practice medicine with physician supervision and to provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients.

Offering a wealth of medical expertise, Ashley Alloway has worked with the founding doctors of the Northwestern Specialists for Women since May of 2007. Before joining NSW, she worked at the Obstetric and Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern, where she provided both routine obstetrical and gynecological care to women of all ages and regularly participated in rounds at the hospital. Ashley was the first Physician Assistant to be hired by both practices and since then - recognizing the integral role of the PA in providing comprehensive patient care - both physician groups have expanded their medical teams to include another Physician Assistant.
Prior to this, Ashley served as a Physician Assistant in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Women’s Center at the University of Chicago, a resident run outpatient clinic. Here, teaching was a top priority and she gained invaluable experience dealing with both routine and more complex ob and gyne cases, in addition to providing comprehensive treatment to undeserved patients.
Ashley received her undergraduate degree in biological sciences from the University of Kansas and completed her Physician Assistant graduate degree from Midwestern University in 2004.  She is a Board Certified Physician Assistant, enabling her to practice medicine with physician supervision and to provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients.

Dr. Venkatachalam graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a BA in Biology and French Literature. She received her Masters in Public Health from the George Washington University in Washington D.C., specializing in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. After earning her MD from the University of Tennessee, Memphis, she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at New York University. Dr. Venkatachalam is a Junior Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the Association of Professors of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She has spent time abroad providing prenatal care in developing countries. She is fluent in Spanish and proficient in French. Prior to joining Obstetric and Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern in 2007, she served on faculty at Emory University, acting as a residency coordinator in addition to providing outstanding patient care. She is currently a Clinical Instructor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University’s affiliate medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine. 

While interested in all aspects of general obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Venkatachalam’s particular obstetrical interest is in high risk pregnancies, particularly those complicated by diabetes, hypertensive, cardiac, and hematological disorders, and has presented research at the regional and national levels. She is also adept at minimally invasive surgery, particularly in new modalities to treat abnormal uterine bleeding, fibroids, and providing permanent sterilization.  

Dr. Dayna Salasche received her B.S. at the University of Illinois in Psychology. She graduated from medical school at Rush University Medical College in Chicago. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Lutheran General Hospital, where she also served as Chief Resident.  Dr. Salasche is also a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrician Gynecologists. In addition to being on staff at Prentice Women’s hospital, she is also a clinical instructor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University’s affiliate medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine. 

Dr. Salasche is interested in all aspects of both Obstetrics and Gynecology including advanced maternal age and multiple gestations. She is particularly interested in the evaluation and treatment of women who have abnormal pap smears, and issues of recurrent chronic vaginitis. Dr. Salasche is also an expert at laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Kimberly McMahon received her undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from Tulane University. She then received her master’s degree is in physiology and medical degree from the University of Louisville.. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She is a member of The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and a Fellow of The American College of Obstetrician Gynecologists. She is a clinical instructor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University’s affiliate medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine. While focusing on all aspects of general obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. McMahon’s special interests include adolescent gynecology and colposcopy. Additionally, she is published in the area of multiple gestations and preterm labor. 
Dr. McMahon has received national recognition in laparoscopic surgery and continues to focus on laparoscopic hysterectomy and minimally invasive surgery.

With 12 years of experience practicing Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Bonnie E. Wise brings to the team at Northwestern Specialists for Women (NSW) a wealth of expertise diagnosing, treating and educating patients on all facets of women’s health and wellness. With a natural gift of relating to women of all ages, combined with a passion for patient care throughout all stages of a women’s life, Dr. Wise’s  ultimate goal is to help women truly understand their bodies and improve the overall quality of life with exciting and cutting-edge treatment options.  Prior to forming NSW, Dr. Wise was a member of the Obstetrics and Gynecologic Specialists of Northwestern and has served as a Clinical Instructor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University’s affiliate medical school, The Feinberg School of Medicine since 1997.
Dr. Wise specializes in both low and high risk pregnancies, which includes women of advanced maternal age, twins and pregnant athletes. She is also recognized for her expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence, where she offers cutting-edge outpatient procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of stress incontinence.  Other gynecological interests include the treatment of uterine fibroids with minimally invasive surgeries including laparoscopic hysterectomy and hysteroscopic resection of uterine fibroids and polyps, as well as endometrial ablation for heavy vaginal bleeding. Dr. Wise is also committed to promoting preventative healthcare through counseling in the areas of premenstrual syndrome, STD’s, preconception, infertility, menopause and hormonal changes.
Dr. Wise received a B.A from Boston University, attended The Chicago Medical School and completed her residency at the University of Illinois and Michael Reese Hospitals. She is a Fellow of The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The American Medical Association, The Chicago Medical Society, The American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and was awarded “Top Doctor” in Chicago by her peer group.
In her spare time, Dr. Wise is an avid runner and athlete. Her other sources of inspiration are her husband and her two beautiful children.

Physician Assistants (PA’s) are health care professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Sharing in the responsibility of patient care, their comprehensive role includes conducting physical exams, diagnosing and treating illnesses, ordering and interpreting tests, counseling patients on preventative health care, assisting with surgeries, performing select procedures and writing prescriptions. While PA’s work in collaboration and direct partnership with physicians, they exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients.

Physician Assistants are educated in the medical model designed to complement physician training. They undergo intensive educational programs accredited by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and upon graduation, take a national certifying exam developed by the NCCPA, in conjunction with the National Board of Medical examiners. In order to maintain national certification, PA’s must log 100 hours of continuing medical education every two years and sit for recertification exams every six years.

Our highly qualified Physician Assistants at The Northwestern Specialists for Women  in Chicago have over 10 years of experience in all aspects of obstetrics and gynecological, obgyn, and ob gyn care.

Northwestern Specialists for Women (NSW) is a comprehensive obstetrical and gynecological, “ob gyn”, “obgyn” practice in Chicago offering the highest standard in obstetrics and gynecology. Our physicians have integrated their vast experience in practice to bring to their patients the highest level of caring for women. Our new site in River North, Chicago, Illinois a state of the art site developed for nurturing, educating and delivering care to women.

Our services include obstetrical care for both the low and high risk patient. Our doctors have years of experience treating women who are older, have had infertility, multi-fetal pregnancies, and are athletic to name just a few. Our physicians deliver exclusively out of Northwestern Prentice Women’s Hospital.

Our gynecologic center at NSW is a state of the art center with a woman’s needs held in the highest respect. We offer an intimate and private setting for gynecologic patients to receive care. Our facility offers evaluation and diagnosis for disorders including but not limited to fibroids, heavy bleeding, abnormal bleeding, and incontinence. All aspects of care, including diagnosis, treatment and outpatient surgery can be performed on site.

Through the office of the Northwestern Specialists of Women, our patients will be surrounded by artwork that will reflect the very soul of this practice. Please visit www.adamsiege1.com to learn more about the healing artwork that you see in the office. Our patients will recognize this as a unique and caring place where their comfort and respect for their body will be realized.

Please visit our official web site for additional information on OBGYN

Bonnie Wise, MD
Kimberly McMahon, MD
Dayna Salasche, MD
Seema Venkatachalam, MD

Articles Brought to you by NSWObgyn Doctors include:

Dr Bonnie Wise
Dr Kimberly (or Kim) McMahon
Dr Dayna Salasche
Dr Seema Venkatachalam
Dr Melissa Dugan