Chair's Message

Charles J. Lockwood, M.D.

The Anita O'Keefe Young Professor and Chair Yale University School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences

The Yale University School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences has consistently been a leader in academic Ob/Gyn. Our faculty members have compiled a long list of clinical innovations and basic research discoveries.

In Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM)

• Drs. Edward Hon and Orvan Hess - Invented fetal heart monitor.
• Drs. John Hobbins and Peter Grannum - Pioneered the art and science of prenatal diagnosis and fetal therapy.
• Dr. Roberto Romero - Made crucial contributions in discerning the pathogenesis of prematurity.
• Drs. Al Reece and Donald Coustan - Uncovered the basic mechanisms leading to diabetic embryopathy and fetopathy, respectively.
• Drs. Joshua Copel and Charles Kleinman - Pioneered fetal echocardiography and the management of fetal arrhythmias.
• Dr. Charles Lockwood - Helped discover the first biochemical predictor of prematurity and the first ultrasound biometric screen for fetal Down syndrome.
• Dr. Gian Carlo Mari - Discovery of MCA Doppler to diagnose Fetal Anemia.

In Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility (REI)

• Drs. Speroff, Glass and Kase - Rendered sensible the field of clinical reproductive endocrinology through their outstanding textbook; developed ovulation induction.
• Dr. Alan DeCherney - Improved upon the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy and endometriosis.
• Dr. Charles Lockwood - Described the hemostatic mechanisms underlying menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding.

The Department spawned an extraordinary number of current or former chairs of departments of Ob/Gyn from among its former faculty, fellows and residents:

Chairs of Obstetrics and Gynecology

• Dr. Richard Berkowitz - Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Dr. Frank Chervenak - Cornell University
• Dr. Donald Coustan - Brown University
• Dr. Alan DeCherney - Tufts University and the Univ. of California at Los Angeles
• Dr. Philip DiSaia - University of California Irvine
• Dr. David Gershenson - MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Dr. Robert Goldenberg - University of Alabama-Birmingham
• Dr. John Grossman - George Washington University
• Dr. Chaur-Dong Hsu – Nassau University Medical Center
• Dr. Nathan Kase - Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
• Dr. Jack Larsen - George Washington University
• Dr. Phyllis Leppert - SUNY Buffalo, currently Vice Chair, Duke University
• Dr. Charles Lockwood – NYU, Yale University
• Dr. Luigi Mastroianni, Jr. – University of Pennsylvania
• Dr. Frederick Naftolin - Yale University
• Dr. Mary Lake Polan – Stanford University
• Dr. Edward J. Quilligan - Yale, U. of Wisconsin, and U.C. Davis
• Dr. E. Albert Reece - Temple University
• Dr. Robert Resnik - University of California at San Diego
• Dr. Leon Speroff - Case Western Reserve University
• Dr. Alan Weingold - George Washington University
• Dr. Hung Winn - University of Missouri

Four of the Department's former faculty were named deans of schools of medicine:

• Dr. Nathan Kase - Mount Sinai School of Medicine
• Dr. Edward Quilligan - Dean and Vice Chancellor, University of California Irvine
• Dr. E. Albert Reece - University of Arkansas, Currently Dean of University of Maryland
• Dr. Robert Grossman – George Washington University

Five former faculty members who hold or held important positions at the National Institutes of Health:

• Dr. Alan DeCherney
• Dr. Florence Haseltine
• Dr. Phyllis Leppert
• Dr. Roberto Romero
• Dr. Pamela Stratton

This tradition continues today led by outstanding physicians in all the subspecialties including:

• Joshua Copel - Vice Chair and Director of Fetal Echocardiography
• Edmund Funai and Errol Norwitz - Co-Directors, Maternal-Fetal Medicine Section
• Charles Lockwood and Mike Paidas - Recurrent Pregnancy Loss program
• Hugh Taylor - Director, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Section, Director of Yale Center for Endometrium and Endometriosis Center Grant
• Pasquale Patrizio - REI Practice Director, Yale Fertility Center
• Thomas Rutherford - Director, Gyn Oncology Section
• Peter Schwartz - Vice Chair of Gynecology
• Michael Paidas - Director, Program for Thrombosis and Hemostasis in Women's Health

Our physicians consistently named New York and Connecticut Magazine Best Doctors

• Aydin Arici
• Joshua Copel
• Edmund Funai
• Charles J. Lockwood
• Urania Magriples
• Michael Paidas
• Pasquale Patrizio
• Thomas Rutherford
• Peter Schwartz
• Hugh Taylor

Our reproductive scientists and clinical investigators are highly productive researchers.

• We have over $8.5 million in annual NIH grant support.
• We rank in the top 4 among University departments of Ob/Gyn nationwide in total NIH-awarded grant dollars.

Training
We provide an outstanding and highly competitive residency program, our clerkship program for medical students is the top ranked clerkship at Yale, and our full complement of ABOG-approved fellowships combine excellent clinical training with premier research opportunities in the laboratories of our reproductive scientists. We actively sponsor training programs for Reproductive Physician Scientists, including 3 Women's Reproductive Health Research (NIH K-12) Scholars and an AAOGF-SMFM scholar.

Our mission and strategic direction for the next five years

While the department ranks in the top tier of academic programs as measured by its clinical innovations, federal grant dollars, and the competitiveness of its training programs, we will not rest on our laurels.

Mission
Our mission is to integrate outstanding reproductive science research with cutting edge, high quality, compassionate patient-centered clinical care to advance women's reproductive health. We also are committed to training the next generation of academic Ob/Gyn physician scientists and leaders.

Strategic Vision
The Yale University School of Medicine's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences (Ob/Gyn) has a proud tradition of academic leadership, excellence in clinical training, innovations in clinical practice and advances in reproductive science research. To maintain its clinical and research leadership position and attract world-class clinical and reproductive science faculty, Yale University and its School of Medicine are committed to the following Ob/Gyn initiatives:

• Expanding our already nationally renowned gynecologic oncology service in the areas of new drug development, immunotherapy, ovarian cancer screening, and robotic surgery.
• Development of minimally invasive fetal surgery program to complement our internationally renowned prenatal diagnostic service.
• Continuing the process of creating an outstanding full service Women’s health Center at our Long Wharf site.
• Continue to expand our oocyte cryopreservation program and fertility preservation service.
• Further enhancing surgical simulation and ultrasound training of residents.
• Introducing subspecialty training elements into the 4th year curriculum of the residents.