Summer brings many things: warm weather, bright sunshine, long days — and, as it turns out, plenty of babies. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, August routinely sees the highest number of live births in the United States each year. Fittingly, International Day of Obstetrics & Gynecology falls on August 31, giving us another reason to celebrate the professionals who help bring new life into the world.
We spoke with three alumni in obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) about their careers, their connections, and the moments that make it all worthwhile.
Holli Warholic ’01 | Olga Argeros ’01 | Hannah Anastasio ’08
Holli Warholic ’01
Holli Warholic ’01 remembers when she met a female doctor for the first time. She was just 8 years old and the doctor, Rose, quickly became her role model.
“Rose wasn’t able to attend Lehigh, but she wanted to,” Warholic explains. “So her dream became mine. As a kid, it felt out of reach, but I made it to our dream school.”
At Lehigh, Warholic’s path crossed with another future OB-GYN. She and Olga Argeros ’01 lived in the same hall in Taylor. The following year, they decided to become roommates and remained that way through graduation. After Lehigh, they lived together for another four years while attending medical school in Philadelphia.
While she thought she’d connect with pediatrics, she quickly realized that surgery was more in line with her interests. But there was a catch: as a surgeon, she wouldn’t have much connection with her patients. OB-GYN was the perfect combination of continuity of care and surgery. Plus, for Warholic, nothing beats delivering babies.
Her path eventually led her to St. Luke's Riverside Women's Healthcare, where she helped build the practice from the ground up, creating a safe, comfortable environment where patients can feel truly heard — especially those who have felt dismissed by previous providers.
“Helping women realize their dreams and transition through the seasons of life are the moments that make this all worth it,” Warholic says. “Our shifts are long, but even on the hard days, handing a baby to their parents at 3 a.m. puts everything into perspective. Being invited to be a part of that moment is so special.”
Olga Argeros ’01
Like Warholic, Argeros knew she wanted to become a physician from a young age. Her interest in women’s health, however, took shape at Lehigh.
“I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in medicine and become a physician, but my interest in women’s health was inspired by a group I joined at Lehigh called Sexual Health Peer Educators,” says Argeros. “Through the group, I was able to connect with other students and lead educational discussions on topics such as contraception and STI prevention. It opened my eyes to the amount of misinformation surrounding sexual health and showed me how important it is for patients to have accurate, accessible information about their bodies and health. It inspired me not only to pursue a career caring for women, but also to empower and educate them so they can make informed decisions about their health.”
Her father, Spyro Argeros ’72 P’01, gave her a family connection to the university. But it was her experiences on campus that molded the direction of her medical career, and eventually guided her to OB-GYN.
“As an OB-GYN, I have so many roles,” says Argeros. “I’m considered a primary care doctor, but I’m also a specialist in women's health. I’m an obstetrician who delivers babies, but also a gynecologic surgeon who does hysterectomies. I treat patients in the office, hospital, and the emergency room. OB-GYNs really do it all. And in addition to these clinical roles, when I have the time, I teach medical students in lectures or alongside me when treating patients.”
She’s driven by continuous growth, both for herself and through inspiring others.
“Working in medicine can be challenging at times, but knowing that you’ve made a meaningful impact in someone’s life, whether by helping them learn, heal, or navigate a difficult period, is incredibly rewarding.”
Hannah Anastasio ’08
Hannah Anastasio ’08 always thought she’d pursue pediatrics, but medical school changed her plans.
“When I got to my pediatrics rotation, I didn’t love it,” she says. “I had been committed to pediatrics for so long, I was even president of the interest group, but something was missing. I did my OB-GYN rotation right after pediatrics, and I fell in love. Everyone was willing to be vulnerable and put their trust in you, and it was a privilege to be able to be there for other women. I saw my first baby be born, and that was it.”
Anastasio ultimately specialized in maternal-fetal medicine, where she helps parents minimize potential risks to mom and baby throughout pregnancy and prepare for medically complex children when necessary.
“It’s the closest you can get to pediatrics within OB-GYN, but it’s shorter and more intense,” she explains. “OB-GYNs like Holli and Olga build a relationship with patients over years, but things are different with my patients. You’re tackling difficult subjects together. But when I’m able to help them through, it’s the most joyful, beautiful thing.”
That work became even more personal after her first pregnancy, when she learned that her son had a serious heart defect and would need surgery as a newborn. Hearing that diagnosis was surreal for a physician whose specialty centered on those very issues. The experience allowed her to relate to her patients on a different level.
Years later, while pregnant with her second child, Anastasio was transitioning to a new position at St. Luke’s when someone recommended Warholic to her.
“Being a pregnant OB-GYN is a little scary, especially when you’re switching jobs, but someone recommended Holli to me, and she delivered my second child,” Anastasio says. “She’s an incredible physician, and she made me comfortable immediately. She’s a dear friend now.”
Today, Anastasio practices at St. Luke’s and views 25 to 30 patients on any given day, reading ultrasounds and counseling families through the same concerns she once had. The work, and the patient relationships, are continually rewarding.
On September 24, these experts will join a Soaring Together panel to talk about all things OB-GYN, from finding their way into the specialty to the highs and lows of the profession.
