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 ObGyn. 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 - Discovered 1st biochemical predictor of prematurity and the first ultrasound biometric screen for fetal Down syndrome.
• 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 and developed ovulation induction.
• Dr. Alan DeCherney - Improved upon the diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy and endometriosis.
• Dr. Charles Lockwood - described the biochemical mechanisms underlying menstruation and abnormal uterine bleeding.

The Department spawned an extraordinary number of chairs of departments of ObGyn from amongst its faculty 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. Nathan Kase - Mt. Sinai School of Medicine
• Dr. Jack Larsen - George Washington University
• Dr. Phyllis Leppert - SUNY Buffalo, currently Vice Chair, Duke
• Dr. Charles Lockwood - Yale University
• Dr. Frederick Naftolin - Professor and Chair, Yale University
• Dr. Edward J. Quilligan - Departments at 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 - Professor and Chair, University of Missouri

Three 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

Four former faculty members hold important positions at the National Institutes of Health:

• Dr. Alan DeCherney
• Dr. Florence Haseltine
• 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 and Director, Yale Fertility Center
• Thomas Rutherford - Director, Gyn Oncology Section
• Peter Schwartz* - Vice Chair of Gynecology

*Named New York and Connecticut Magazine Best Doctors

Our reproductive scientists and clinical investigators are highly productive researchers.

• We have over $12 million in annual grant support.
• We rank 5th among departments of Ob/Gyn nationwide in total NIH-awarded grant dollars, and 2nd in total number of individual RO1 NIH grants.

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 two current NIH K-08 scholars, two Research Scientist Development Program (RSDP) (NIH K-12) Scholars, and 3 Women's Reproductive Health Research (NIH K-12) Scholars.

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.