Leslie Appiah, MD

Professional Titles

• Division Chief, Academic Specialists in Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Fellow, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Medical Director, Fertility Preservation and Reproductive Late Effects Program

Recognitions

• Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Excellence in Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2004)
• ASRM/NIH Clinical Research/Reproductive Scientist Training (CREST) Scholar, The American Society for Reproductive Medicine & The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (2016)
• Baylor University Distinguished Alumni Award, Baylor University (2020)
• The Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine Elum, Drexel University, College of Medicine (2022)
• American Medical Association Women Physicians Inspiration Award, American Medical Association (2022)
• American Medical Women’s Association Exceptional Mentor Award, American Medical Women's Association (2022)
• Fellow, American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society, American Gynecological and Obstetrical Society (AGOS) (2022)
• National Merit Scholar, Baylor University (1992)
  1992-1996
• Denver 5280 Magazine Top Doc, 5280 Magazine (2023)
• Exceptional Women in Medicine, Castle Connolly Top Doctors (2023)

Research Interests

Dr. Appiah is passionate about the reproductive health of young girls and women – her clinical and research interests include fertility preservation in pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer, reproductive late effects in cancer survivorship and hormone replacement therapy in the medically complex patient.

Publications

• Anazodo A, Laws P, Logan S, Saunders C, Travaglia J, Gerstl B, Bradford N, Cohn R, Birdsall M, Barr R, Suzuki N, Takae S, Marinho R, Xiao S, Chen QH, Mahajan N, Patil M, Gunasheela D, Smith K, Sender L, Melo C, Almeida-Santos T, Salama M, Appiah L, Su I, Lane S, Woodruff TK, Pacey A, Anderson RA, Shenfield F, Sullivan E, Ledger W. The Development of an International Oncofertility Competency Framework: A Model to Increase Oncofertility Implementation. Oncologist. 2019 Dec;24(12):e1450-e1459. PubMed PMID: 31147490
• Moravek MB, Appiah LC, Anazodo A, Burns KC, Gomez-Lobo V, Hoefgen HR, Jaworek Frias O, Laronda MM, Levine J, Meacham LR, Pavone ME, Quinn GP, Rowell EE, Strine AC, Woodruff TK, Nahata L. Development of a Pediatric Fertility Preservation Program: A Report From the Pediatric Initiative Network of the Oncofertility Consortium. J Adolesc Health. 2019 May;64(5):563-573. PubMed PMID: 30655118
• Anazodo A, Laws P, Logan S, Saunders C, Travaglia J, Gerstl B, Bradford N, Cohn R, Birdsall M, Barr R, Suzuki N, Takae S, Marinho R, Xiao S, Qiong-Hua C, Mahajan N, Patil M, Gunasheela D, Smith K, Sender L, Melo C, Almeida-Santos T, Salama M, Appiah L, Su I, Lane S, Woodruff TK, Pacey A, Anderson RA, Shenfield F, Ledger W, Sullivan E. How can we improve oncofertility care for patients? A systematic scoping review of current international practice and models of care. Hum Reprod Update. 2019 Mar 1;25(2):159-179. PubMed PMID: 30462263
• Rushing JS, Appiah L, Polotsky AJ, Murray S, Foust E, Hassell K, Roeca C. Ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation in an oncology patient with etonogestrel implant in place. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2021 Jan 6. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 33409752
• Hutchcraft ML, McCracken K, Whiteside S, Lustberg M, Lindheim SR, Nahata L, Appiah LC. Current Fertility Preservation Options for Female Patients With Hodgkin Lymphoma. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2020 Nov;75(11):683-691. PubMed PMID: 33252698
• Appiah LC. Fertility Preservation for Adolescents Receiving Cancer Therapies. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2020 Sep;63(3):574-587. PubMed PMID: 32649323
• Nahata L, Gomez-Lobo V, Meacham L, Appiah L, Childress K, Hoefgen H, Dwiggins M, Whiteside S, Bjornard K, Rios J, Anazodo A, Finlayson C, Frias O, Woodruff T, Moravek M. 2019 Pediatric Initiative Network: Progress, Proceedings, and Plans. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2020 Aug;9(4):457-463. PubMed PMID: 32460662
• Nahata L, Woodruff TK, Quinn GP, Meacham LR, Chen D, Appiah LC, Finlayson C, Orwig KE, Laronda MM, Rowell EE, Anazodo A, Frias O, Rios JS, Whiteside S, Gomez-Lobo V, Dwiggins M, Childress KJ, Hoefgen HR, Levine JM, Jayasinghe Y, Moravek M. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation as standard of care: what does this mean for pediatric populations?. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2020 Jun;37(6):1323-1326. PubMed PMID: 32390071
• Sopfe J, Gupta A, Appiah LC, Chow EJ, Peterson PN. Sexual Dysfunction in Adolescent and Young Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer: Presentation, Risk Factors, and Evaluation of an Underdiagnosed Late Effect: A Narrative Review. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2020 Oct;9(5):549-560. PubMed PMID: 32380878
• Biskup E, Xin Z, Li R, Zucal JP, Lu Y, Sun Y, Appiah LC, Lindheim SR, Zhang H. Oncofertility Knowledge and Communication: Comparison Between Medical and Surgical Oncologists and Breast Cancer Patients in Academic Chinese Centers. Front Surg. 2021;8:681614. PubMed PMID: 34557514
• Llerena Cari E, Hagen-Lillevik S, Giornazi A, Post M, Komar AA, Appiah L, Bitler B, Polotsky AJ, Santoro N, Kieft J, Lai K, Johnson J. Integrated stress response control of granulosa cell translation and proliferation during normal ovarian follicle development. Mol Hum Reprod. 2021 Aug 7;27(8). PubMed PMID: 34314477
• Sopfe J, Pettigrew J, Afghahi A, Appiah LC, Coons HL. Interventions to Improve Sexual Health in Women Living with and Surviving Cancer: Review and Recommendations. Cancers (Basel). 2021 Jun 24;13(13). PubMed PMID: 34202477
• Harris CJ, Rowell EE, Jayasinghe Y, Cost C, Childress KJ, Frederick NN, McNally O, Appiah L, Anazodo A. Pediatric, adolescent, and young adult breast and reproductive tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2022 Dec 2;:e29422. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36458682
• Reppucci ML, Alaniz VI, Wehrli LA, Torre L, Wood D, Wilcox DT, Appiah LC, Peña A, Bischoff A. Reproductive and family building considerations for female patients with anorectal and urogenital malformations. J Pediatr Surg. 2022 Sep 19. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 36229236
• Scott SM, Alaniz V, Appiah L, Buyers E, Holton C, Huguelet P. Vulvar Aphthous Ulcers in an Adolescent After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Vaccination. Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Sep 1;140(3):514-517. PubMed PMID: 35930388
• Ataman LM, Laronda MM, Gowett M, Trotter K, Anvari H, Fei F, Ingram A, Minette M, Suebthawinkul C, Taghvaei Z, Torres-Vélez M, Velez K, Adiga SK, Anazodo A, Appiah L, Bourlon MT, Daniels N, Dolmans MM, Finlayson C, Gilchrist RB, Gomez-Lobo V, Greenblatt E, Halpern JA, Hutt K, Johnson EK, Kawamura K, Khrouf M, Kimelman D, Kristensen S, Mitchell RT, Moravek MB, Nahata L, Orwig KE, Pavone ME, Pépin D, Pesce R, Quinn GP, Rosen MP, Rowell E, Smith K, Venter C, Whiteside S, Xiao S, Zelinski M, Goldman KN, Woodruff TK, Duncan FE. Correction to: A synopsis of global frontiers in fertility preservation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2022 Aug;39(8):1713-1714. PubMed PMID: 35920992
• Ataman LM, Laronda MM, Gowett M, Trotter K, Anvari H, Fei F, Ingram A, Minette M, Suebthawinkul C, Taghvaei Z, Torres-Vélez M, Velez K, Adiga SK, Anazodo A, Appiah L, Bourlon MT, Daniels N, Dolmans MM, Finlayson C, Gilchrist RB, Gomez-Lobo V, Greenblatt E, Halpern JA, Hutt K, Johnson EK, Kawamura K, Khrouf M, Kimelman D, Kristensen S, Mitchell RT, Moravek MB, Nahata L, Orwig KE, Pavone ME, Pépin D, Pesce R, Quinn GP, Rosen MP, Rowell E, Smith K, Venter C, Whiteside S, Xiao S, Zelinski M, Goldman KN, Woodruff TK, Duncan FE. A synopsis of global frontiers in fertility preservation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2022 Aug;39(8):1693-1712. PubMed PMID: 35870095
• Mansfield C, Lenobel D, McCracken K, Hewitt G, Appiah LC. Impact of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy on Function in Adolescents and Young Adults with Biopsy-Confirmed Endometriosis at a Tertiary Children's Hospital: A Case Series. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2022 Dec;35(6):722-727. PubMed PMID: 35830927
• Appiah L, Anazodo A, Salama M, Reinecke J, Rios JS, Sender L, Woodard TL. Inclusion and Diversity in Oncofertility Care. J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2021 Apr;10(2):120-126. PubMed PMID: 33848436
• Christl J, Alaniz VI, Appiah L, Buyers E, Scott S, Huguelet PS. Vulvar Aphthous Ulcer in an Adolescent With COVID-19. J Pediatr Adolesc Gynecol. 2021 Jun;34(3):418-420. PubMed PMID: 33601070
• Hagen-Lillevik, S., Rushing, J., Appiah, L., Longo, N., Andrews, A., Lai, K., Johnson, J. (2021). Pathophysiology and Management of Galactosemic Primary Ovarian Insufficiency. Reproduction and Fertility, 2: R67-R84.
• Appiah L, Frances F, Olsen M, Lindheim S, Puccetti D. Disparities in Female Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Oncofertility: A Needs Assessment. Cancers 2021. Nov;13: 5419.
• Harris C, Childress K, Rowell E, Frederick N, Jayasinghe Y, Cost C, Appiah L, Anazodo A. Pediatric, Adolescent, and Young Adult Breast and Reproductive Tumors. Pediatric Blood and Cancer. Accepted Oct 2021 (Special Edition Series).
• Hoefgen H, Benoit J, Chan S, Jayasinghe Y, Lustberg M, Pohl V, Saraf A, Schmidt D, Appiah L. Reproductive Health in Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors. Pediatric Blood and Cancer. Accepted June 2021 (Special Edition Series).
• Burns K, Schmidt D, Franklin A, Saraf A, Brannigan R, Tatem A, Pohl V, Appiah L, Anazodo A. Male Pediatric, Adolescent and Young Adult Reproductive Survivorship. Pediatric Blood and Cancer. Accepted Nov 2021 (Special Edition Series).
• Siegel DR, Fresia J, Fought A, Sheeder J, Hampanda K, Appiah L. The Effect of Hormonal Contraception Use on Ovarian Reserve Markers and the Uptake of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Individuals Seeking an Infertility Evaluation. Cureus. 2023 Jun;15(6):e40927. PubMed PMID: 37496533
• Appiah LC, Moravek M, Hoefgen H, Rotz S, Childress K, Samis J, Benoit J, Rodriguez-Wallberg K, Anazodo A. Reproductive late effects after hematopoietic stem cell transplant in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Sep;70 Suppl 5:e30551. PubMed PMID: 37470746
• Hoefgen HR, Benoit J, Chan S, Jayasinghe Y, Lustberg M, Pohl V, Saraf A, Schmidt D, Appiah LC. Female reproductive health in pediatric, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Sep;70 Suppl 5:e29170. PubMed PMID: 37381166
• Burns K, Phillips C, Brannigan R, Franklin A, Howell J, Schmidt D, Sopfe J, Appiah LC, Anazodo A. Male pediatric, adolescent, and young adult reproductive survivorship. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Sep;70 Suppl 5:e28823. PubMed PMID: 37381156
• Hoffner B, Appiah LC, Geppner AC, Kondapalli LA, Persad G. What Does Dobbs v. Jackson Mean for Oncology Patients and Providers? Current Considerations for Pregnancy and Fertility in the Oncology Setting. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2023 Apr;14(3):191-194. PubMed PMID: 37197723
• Harris CJ, Rowell EE, Jayasinghe Y, Cost C, Childress KJ, Frederick NN, McNally O, Appiah L, Anazodo A. Pediatric, adolescent, and young adult breast and reproductive tumors. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2023 Sep;70 Suppl 5:e29422. PubMed PMID: 36458682

Professional Memberships

• The North American Society for Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology, Member
• The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Member
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Fellow
• The Oncofertility Consortium, Member
• Society for Academic Specialists in General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Member
• North American Menopause Society, Member
• Society of Reproductive Surgeons, Member
• American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Member

Practice Locations

UCHealth Women's Care Clinic - Anschutz Medical Campus
1635 Aurora Ct
Anschutz Outpatient Pavilion, 3rd Fl
Aurora, CO 80045
720-848-1060

Children's Hospital Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
13123 East 16th Ave
Aurora, CO 80045
720-777-1234

CU Medicine Gynecology - Cherry Creek Medical Center
100 Cook Street
Suite 312
Denver, CO 80206
720-516-9410

UCHealth Ambulatory Surgery Center - Cherry Creek Medical Center
100 Cook Street
Suite 500
Denver, CO 80206
720-516-9373

Hospital Affiliation

• University of Colorado Hospital
• Children's Hospital Colorado

Specialty Information

Specialties

• Obstetrics and Gynecology, Board Certification (2007)
• Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Focused Practice Designation (2018)