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John E Jelovsek

F. Bayard Carter Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urogynecology
1200 Navaho Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609-7443
1200 Navaho Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609-7443

Overview


Dr. Jelovsek is the F. Bayard Carter Distinguished Professor of OBGYN at Duke University and serves as Director of Data Science for Women’s Health. He is Board Certified in OBGYN by the American Board of OBGYN and in Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery by the American Board of OBGYN and American Board of Urology. He has an active surgical practice in urogynecology based out of Duke Raleigh. He has expertise as a clinician-scientist in developing and evaluating clinical prediction models using traditional biostatistics and machine learning approaches. These “individualized” patient-centered prediction tools aim to improve decision-making regarding the prevention of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and other pelvic floor disorders after childbirth (PMID:29056536), de novo stress urinary incontinence and other patient-perceived outcomes after pelvic organ prolapse surgery, risk of transfusion during gynecologic surgery, and urinary outcomes after mid-urethral sling surgery (PMID: 26942362). He also has significant expertise in leading trans-disciplinary teams through NIH-funded multi-center research networks and international settings. As alternate-PI for the Cleveland Clinic site in the NICHD Pelvic Floor Disorders Network, he was principal investigator on the CAPABLe trial (PMID: 31320277), one of the largest multi-center trials for fecal incontinence studying anal exercises with biofeedback and loperamide for the treatment of fecal incontinence. He was the principal investigator of the E-OPTIMAL study (PMID: 29677302), describing the long-term follow up sacrospinous ligament fixation compared to uterosacral ligament suspension for apical vaginal prolapse. He was also primary author on research establishing the minimum important clinical difference for commonly used measures of fecal incontinence. Currently, he serves as co-PI in the NIDDK Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network (LURN) (U01DK097780-05) where he has been involved in studies in the development of Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index-29 (LURN SI-29) and LURN SI-10 questionnaires for men and women with LUTS. He is also the site-PI for the PREMIER trial (1R01HD105892): Patient-Centered Outcomes of Sacrocolpopexy versus Uterosacral Ligament Suspension for the Treatment of Uterovaginal Prolapse.

Current Duke Appointments & Affiliations


F. Bayard Carter Distinguished Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2023 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urogynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2021 - Present Obstetrics and Gynecology, Urogynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Recent News Items


Published May 4, 2023
Duke Awards 44 Distinguished Professorships
Published April 17, 2018
Though Most Prolapse Pelvic Surgeries Regress Over Time, Symptoms Remain Improved
Published November 2, 2017
DCRI
DCRI and International Investigators Develop Models to Predict Pelvic Floor Disorders

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Recent Scholarly Works


Generalized Sensory Sensitivity in Patients With Urinary Urgency-A LURN II Urinary Urgency Phenotyping Study.

Journal article J Urol · August 2026 PURPOSE: We examined generalized sensory sensitivity (GSS) in patients with urinary urgency. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult men and women who presented with urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, and seeking treatment for their overactive bla ... Full text Open Access Link to item Cite

Patients With Urinary Urgency Have Central Sensitization Symptoms-A LURN II Phenotyping Study.

Journal article J Urol · July 2026 PURPOSE: We examined central sensitization in patients with urinary urgency, with or without urgency urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male and female patients who presented with urinary urgency, with or without urgency incontinence, and s ... Full text Link to item Cite

Stool Microbiota, Metabolites, and Fecal Incontinence in Women.

Journal article Urogynecology (Phila) · June 1, 2026 IMPORTANCE: Stool metabolites influencing gut motility and sensation may contribute to fecal incontinence (FI). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test whether FI is associated with higher levels of butyrate and Clostridiales taxa in stool. STUD ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Duke Women's Reproductive Health Research Scholars

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2020 - 2030

UrogynCREST Program

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development · 2019 - 2029

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Education


Northwestern University · 2019 M.S.D.S.
University of Dundee (United Kingdom) · 2012 M.M.Ed.
East Tennessee State University, Quillen College of Medicine · 1999 M.D.