NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY FISCAL YEAR 2023 ANNUAL REPORT

Message from the chair
The vision of the Northwestern Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is to serve as a global leader in obstetrics, gynecology, reproductive health and healthcare delivery through innovations in person-centered care, research and education. This report is a summary of our accomplishments over the last fiscal year, September 2022 to August 2023.
 
We are proud of the highlighted success stories of our faculty, trainees, students and staff. We underscore our extraordinarily high inpatient and outpatient volumes, which reflect a large number of surgical procedures, outstanding training programs and leading-edge research in core areas of obstetrics and gynecology.
Serdar E. Bulun, MD (he/him)
Chair, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
John J. Sciarra Professor
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

Chief, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Northwestern Medicine Prentice Women’s Hospital at Northwestern Memorial Hospital

annual report highlights

Center for Health Equity Transformation​

The Center for Health Equity Transformation (CHET) at Northwestern Medicine aims to improve health for all by exposing root causes of health inequities and serving as a hub that pushes boundaries in research, education, workforce development and community engagement. CHET’s research addresses many racial health inequities, especially in women’s reproductive and maternal health, and well-being.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is committed to prioritizing diversity, advancing equity and cultivating inclusion as we serve our patients and communities. Over the last few years, we have made steady progress in establishing an infrastructure for sustainable and impactful efforts for our faculty, trainees, staff and patients.
The Legacy of Tacoma A. McKnight, MD
​​
A career spanning four decades of service to patients, students and trainees concluded with the retirement of Tacoma A. McKnight, MD, in 2023. Dr. McKnight was the first Black female faculty member as well as the first associate dean for Minority Affairs at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. The Tacoma A. McKnight, MD Education and Research Fund has been created to honor Dr. McKnight’s accomplishments and support DEI initiatives in education, research, and physician recruitment and retention in the OB-GYN Department.
Meeting the Unique Needs of LGBTQ+ Patients
​
The Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility offers options to support family building and fertility preservation for all. Comprehensive and inclusive health care is available to LGBTQ+ patients. Our obstetricians, gynecologists, gynecologic surgeons and reproductive endocrinologists play critical roles as founding members of the Northwestern Medicine Gender Pathways Program, which offers gender-affirming care that spans medical, surgical and mental health services.
Chicago Institute for Fetal Health

​
The Chicago Institute for Fetal Health is a regional leader in complex fetal surgery. The institute is a collaboration between Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Prentice Women’s Hospital, and it provides antenatal counseling and care, plus intervention and management. The multidisciplinary team approach allows for both the pregnant patient and fetus to receive the best possible care.


​
Faculty Spotlight:
Emma L. Barber, MD, MS

Emma L. Barber, MD, MS, is a gynecologic oncologist, health services researcher and clinical trialist whose research focuses on cancer prevention, management and survivorship. Her goal is to improve the lives of people with gynecologic cancers by developing novel cancer prevention strategies and mitigating the toxicity of existing gynecologic cancer therapies so patients can live longer with a better quality of life.

Follow Northwestern Medicine OB-GYN